Helmets: Current trends?

[lordofthemark]

Last one I bought was a bell, the “football shaped” aerodynamic kind

This:

http://www.bellhelmets.com/cycling/helmets/recreational/solar-6389

When I was in Brooklyn a few weeks ago, I saw lots cyclists wearing helmets that looked more like this

http://www.bellhelmets.com/cycling/helmets/recreational/faction

Back in the DC area, I’m noticing them here too – though not so many as in Brooklyn.

Is this a road biking vs urban biking thing? IE if someone is not going so fast as too something really aerodynamic they prefer the round helmet? Any safety benefits of the round helmet? Or do they choose it for versatility with other sports? Or to make some kind of statement? (and if so, what?
“I’m hip”? “I’m not a Fred”? )

I also see some folks with these built in visor thingies – like this

http://www.bellhelmets.com/cycling/helmets/recreational/slant-6390

Since I hate having a cap under my helmet, would this (in addition to sunblock) be a good solution for the sun – does the additional projection present safety issues (IE neck twisting?)

Topic

[Tim Kelley]

I have a the 1.0 version of the Lazer CityZen that Gillian has. It has hardly any venting, but has a nice integrated visor which is useful for blocking the sun and even better for blocking rain/snow. It’s my winter/cooler weather helmet.

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I just recently acquired the POC Trabec and that’s now my summer commuter:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3244[/ATTACH]

It is considerably more vented than the Lazer and the fit is pretty amazing. For the first time, I feel like the helmet is sitting “around” my head vs. just sitting on top of my head. I was initially interested in the MIPS version, but the local bike shops here who supply through QBP don’t offer the MIPS version, so I settled with the cheaper non-MIPS, with the peace of mind coming from the point that Randy at the Helmet institute makes about loose fitting helmets slipping anyway.

I’ll use the PAC through the fall and will also use it for mountain biking. I went with the white for the cooling effect over black.

[rcannon100]

And PLEASE…. I beg of you. Remember to line the inside of your helmet with aluminum foil.

[consularrider]

@FFX_Hinterlands 57155 wrote:

… I picked up a fairly cheap Scott helmet at Green Lizard this spring …

Last week I saw that Green Lizard now has a Scott MIPS helmet in stock. I forgot to check whether it was the TAAL or LIN, but with the dark matt gray version they had at $120, I’m thinking it was the Lin. I think the Taal runs about $75.

[DaveK]

I have never loved any helmet like I love my Specialized Prevail. It was unholy expensive but it really does vent like it’s not even there. Between that and the comfort I can’t imagine I’ll ever buy a different brand of road helmet. Until something else fancy catches my eye…

I have a Bern Brentwood for cooler weather and skiing, I find it’s unusable tough above 70-75 degrees because of the lack of venting, even with the summer liner and visor. Most days I either wear the Prevail or my old Bell Sweep road helmet.

[JimF22003]

I have the Prevail also, and I like how it fits and how light and well-vented it is. It does look kind of bulbous on my head, but then all helmets do.

The retaining mech. in the back is pretty fragile. Mine got kind of brittle after a year or so and broke apart. FreshBikes got me the replacement parts though, so it’s still going strong.

[dasgeh]

@Tim Kelley 57190 wrote:

I just recently acquired the POC Trabec and that’s now my summer commuter:

Where did you get one, and (if you don’t mind me asking) how much? It seems MSRP is around $130, but they can be had for much less online.

[Tim Kelley]

@dasgeh 57282 wrote:

Where did you get one, and (if you don’t mind me asking) how much? It seems MSRP is around $130, but they can be had for much less online.

I got mine at Revolution–picked it up with several other things but that pricing sounds about right. You’re favorite local bike shop that is supplied by QBP can get them (IE–most any shop in the area).

If you want to try mine out, swing by Freshbikes tonight on your new bike with the kiddos before the ride.

[NicDiesel]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Giro Atmos? I was going to swing by Revolution and pick up a Prevail but didn’t have the chance and need something for tomorrow so I used up some Amazon credit and got one.

[mstone]

@NicDiesel 57364 wrote:

Anyone have any thoughts on the Giro Atmos? I was going to swing by Revolution and pick up a Prevail but didn’t have the chance and need something for tomorrow so I used up some Amazon credit and got one.

I’ve been happy with it. Fairly cool & light, definitely want to look for a sale.

[NicDiesel]

@mstone 57366 wrote:

I’ve been happy with it. Fairly cool & light, definitely want to look for a sale.

For $97 and delivered next day I don’t think I did too bad.

[mstone]

@NicDiesel 57367 wrote:

For $97 and delivered next day I don’t think I did too bad.

yup. I liked the look of the aeon, but the atmos is a bit easier to swallow and on sale fairly regularly.

[MV Clyde]

@mstone 57366 wrote:

I’ve been happy with it. Fairly cool & light, definitely want to look for a sale.

+1

[Tim Kelley]

One other fun feature that I discovered last night about my POC is that the shape of the helmets and vents “style” my hair in jaunty waves/curls rather than just matting it down to the top of my head.

[Bilsko]

@mstone 57370 wrote:

yup. I liked the look of the aeon, but the atmos is a bit easier to swallow and on sale fairly regularly.

I’ve ridden with an Atmos that I picked up at the Pro Shop for the last 3 or 4 years and have loved it. I just bought the Aeon and its amazing how much lighter it is. Still very happy with the Atmos and am keeping it and still using it…but the Aeon just doesn’t even feel like its there. (Kind of like all the money that was in my pocket before I bought it.)

I tried and really wanted to like the Prevail, but the Aeon (and Atmos) just sit a bit better on my head.

[dasgeh]

@Tim Kelley 57283 wrote:

If you want to try mine out, swing by Freshbikes tonight on your new bike with the kiddos before the ride.

Ryder goes to bed between 6pm and 7pm, so I wasn’t sure if I could come with one kid, both kids or not at all. Turns out I could come with one kid, which means I had to get back home in time for husband to join the ride.

I did get to meet PeteD. And I got some great looks when I pulled up in the parking lot on the e-Bakfiets.

[Author]

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