The Chainlink

Best bike helmet?

What do you think?  I've never owned a helmet.  I'm finally old enough to be scared into it.  I ride an upright, pretty chill- not racing around town or anything.  What's the best helmet?  I was going to thrift one and read here that old helmets are a bad idea.

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Permalink Reply by Tiberculosis on February 7, 2012 at 11:14am

For a casual helmet, Protec. I used to skate so this was naturally where I went. There are tons of skate style ones out there now. Protec still seems to fit the best. Bonus is you can get replacement liners from them. Racing style...i don't know.

All in all, the best helmet to wear is anyone you're willing to wear. Glad you're looking into it!

Permalink Reply by Michael A on February 7, 2012 at 11:24am

A protec or bern is a good place to start looking, both have winter liners available. you may want to think about one with more venting as summer comes along. You can usually find a new Giro or Bell helmet for under $50 that will take care of your needs year round

Permalink Reply by blair on February 7, 2012 at 11:33am

For winter biking, I definitely recommend the Bern with the winter liner.  It's super warm - I usually don't even use the liner until it drops below freezing.  Haven't used it in the summer months yet though so it might be hotter than my cheap Bell helmet I was using before.

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on February 7, 2012 at 12:16pm

Yeah this was pretty much my thought as well. Helmets basically do one job and they do it pretty much comparably so it's largely down to personal preference.

Personally, the Bern helmet I picked up last spring fits better than any helmet I've ever had.

Cameron Puetz said:

Since all helmets sold by reputable shops meet the same safety standards, the biggest consideration is fit. Go to a shop with a good selection and just try different helmets on until you find the one that works with your head shape.

Permalink Reply by MK on February 7, 2012 at 12:41pm

I've got a Bern and it fits nice, though the warning tags on it that said "This is not a helmet" were a little unnerving.

I have a friend who just got a Nutcase helmet which she says is the best helmet she ever had. I might look into getting one of those soon.

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on February 7, 2012 at 12:53pm

I use a Giro Surface, but only because I like the way it looks and when it rains, the little brim keeps the rain out of my eyes and off my glasses when I wear them. It's around $50-$60, I tried it on in the store for fit, but had to order the style/color I wanted online.

http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/cycling-helmets/surface.html

My husband has a Nutcase. He is happy with it except it doesn't have the "dial" adjustment, which he prefers. Pretty much, as long as a helmet is approved for safety, it is just a matter of what you like and how it fits. 

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on February 7, 2012 at 1:33pm

It seems fair to get a reminder that this isn't really comperable to a motorcycle helmet and you shouldn't expect it to be.

MK said:

I've got a Bern and it fits nice, though the warning tags on it that said "This is not a helmet" were a little unnerving.

Permalink Reply by Justin B Newman on February 7, 2012 at 2:43pm

It is my understanding that Bern sells some helmets that do not comply with the CPSC standards for bicycle helmets. I do not know if this warning is applied to those or not. (It asserts that these are "hard hats," not helmets). Personally, I would not procure a head protection device to use while bicycling that does not comply with the CPSC standard for bicycling.

-jbn


Amber said:

That's disconcerting, MK!

MK said:

I've got a Bern and it fits nice, though the warning tags on it that said "This is not a helmet" were a little unnerving.

I have a friend who just got a Nutcase helmet which she says is the best helmet she ever had. I might look into getting one of those soon.

Permalink Reply by Justin B Newman on February 7, 2012 at 3:03pm

I have a Helmets R Us Model 16 helmet I picked up at Working Bikes. The price ($15) was right.

Glad to hear Bern has a CPSC model.

-jbn

Permalink Reply by Gerry G on February 7, 2012 at 4:09pm

Some folks have multiple bikes, (I'm working diligently to correct this) I have multiple helmets.  Bern for winter, big enough for for two hats.  Bell when no hats needed.  Now that's HIGH maintenance in my book.  Glad to hear the contact was minimal.  Welcome to the brain bucket brigade.

Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on February 7, 2012 at 4:30pm

+5 on the fit issue.  Helmets often fit very differently.  Factor in aethetics, and I strongly recommend visiting a shop where you can both test the fit and see what you look like wearing the helmet.

Cameron Puetz said:

Since all helmets sold by reputable shops meet the same safety standards, the biggest consideration is fit. Go to a shop with a good selection and just try different helmets on until you find the one that works with your head shape.

Permalink Reply by MK on February 7, 2012 at 7:47pm

I... didn't? 

I expected it to be a bicycle helmet, one that would protect my head if I hit it. That's all really. Looked into it, and the reason it doesn't meet CSPC is because it's designed for multiple impacts (instead of one strong one).


So I guess I bought the ideal helmet for learning to do some sweet tricks. 


Peenworm Grubologist said:

It seems fair to get a reminder that this isn't really comperable to a motorcycle helmet and you shouldn't expect it to be.

MK said:

I've got a Bern and it fits nice, though the warning tags on it that said "This is not a helmet" were a little unnerving.

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