Helmets - So much confusion

[Caerus]

Ok Ive read so many threads about helmets now, I think my head is going to explode. As Im sure there is steam comin out your head as your read this, not another helmet thread.

 

I feel Ive done a lot of reading and am still so very confused - Is it more about the actual fit then anything? I dont mind spending the money to protect my head, yet at the same time I dont want to spend a fortune on one - probably in the region of R1000 - R1500(or should I spend more). So Im looking at something well ventilated, and not too heavy(the usual things) - I think cool and ventilated are more important then weight(do you really notice the 20-5g extra on your head?) What with summer around the corner and the humidity in Durban.

 

Ive also read a mpre expensive helmet does not make it a better helmet, and that all helmets are only going too protect you so much anyway, irrespective of price. Is this really true?

 

Hopefully I can get some answers, this is a aggression free thread(please)

 

Many thanks

[Zaskar09]

What I've heard (and it makes sense): Almost any helmet will protect you from say a cracked skull but almost no helmet will protect you from a concussion (if you fall hard enough). A bad enough concussion can be very dangerous, but I'd rather at least be protected from cracking my skull.

 

Know that doesn't help much, but thats what I heard.

[Caerus]

Do I spend R2000 and get the Specialized S-works. Looks so much of very nice. Is it really worth it

[Zaskar09]

Looks VERY nice, but I don't know if it's worth it. I'm using a R800 Giro Rift. Enough ventilation, looks cool. And I'm thinking the amount of protection is probably more or less the same. But I don't really know, thats just what I think.

[Zaskar09]

I have the black/silver one

[Caerus]

I sweat a bit too, maybe cause I ride so hard(lol), but Durban is so hot in summer the humidity kills me. So light and ventilated seem a good idea. I say ill use the ex smoking money to justify it(god i've said that on so many things now ) Ok i wont eat for two weeks as well.

[Zaskar09]

Good for you for quitting, are you actually saving any money? I quit a while back, started again after a year (stupid). Didn't really notice much of a difference money wise. Just spent it on some other crap I didn't need.

[Caerus]

Good for you for quitting, are you actually saving any money? I quit a while back, started again after a year (stupid). Didn't really notice much of a difference money wise. Just spent it on some other crap I didn't need.

 

 

I spend it all on cycling now(well its 4 weeks on Friday) So ive effectivly saved +- R800 , yeah so Im definatly saving. Even if im not actually saving it(if you know what i mean)

[Zaskar09]

At leat your channeling it somewhere healthy

 

Just thought about this, wouldn't more ventilation automatically give you less protection? The Specialised looks kinda flimsy . . .

[Caerus]

At leat your channeling it somewhere healthy

 

Just thought about this, wouldn't more ventilation automatically give you less protection? The Specialised looks kinda flimsy . . .

If its good enough for Burrys head, its good enough for mine(damn marekting)•Complies with one or more of the following safety standards for bicycle helmets: CPSC, SNELL B90A, CE and AS/NZS

•Dual Density EPS (patent pending) to maximize weight savings and impact performance

[Zaskar09]

Thats true, but I bet you Burry falls less than I do!

[Caerus]

Thats true, but I bet you Burry falls less than I do!

 

Gosh Ive fallen once in year, and amazingly as well got my first puncture in over a year. Touch wood

[Zaskar09]

Then you don't even need a helmet, best ventilation ever!

 

I did 25km in Groenies on saturday, fell 3 times in the last 2k's or so. Each time I could actually see the place I fell before.

 

That was probably due to the laughing after the first fall though (thats my story and I'm sticking to it!)

[Caerus]

Just lucky more then anything

[CAAD4]

There are other helmets from Specialised that look similar in shape to the SWorks, but cost a lot less. I use Bell as I find the sizing comfortable. My friend recently bought a Bell Slant which is light, has many vents and very affordable. It even has a peak so you don't look like a roadie....

[kennyg]

I now use a bell Volt, I started using it after I fell and tore the back mounting out of the foam.

 

The volt is about 60 g heavier than the sweep, I thought nothing of it, but it took a couple of ride to get used the extra weight.

 

AS for protection, make sure your helmet complies to a safety standard, I keep a helmet of mine that is crushed at the front from kissing Sani pass on the way down, broke an arm in 2 places and my sunglasses but only had a roasty on my nose, it was also a bell sweep.

 

The sweep is a midrange helmet.