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New Helmet?


garyinoz's picture

By garyinoz - Posted on 17 January 2011

That's the question do I need a new one? Had my front tyre wash out on me at the very end of my 2nd lap round the Dam on Saturday. Took a chip out of inner part at the front (possibly whats still in my forehead). I'm guessing technically the answer is yes?

If so, any good recommendations, I tend to use one helmet for both road and mtb so it has to suit both looks Eye-wink

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hawkeye's picture

Yes, you definitely need a new one.

This should meet requirements: equally at home on road or mtb, and very stylish. Eye-wink

Fatboy's picture

Mmm...great choice Hawkeye, maybe in blue?

The answer I think you should expect from all of us to your question is "what's your brain worth?" Any time you whack your head you should replace your helmet even if you can't see any obvious damage. Luckily for us Aussies we have stringent standards which means even the cheap helmets will do the job satisfactorily.

For what it's worth I always make sure I have top notch helmets even if it means not spending as much elsewhere on my bike. Actually that's a lie....I just max out the credit card!

Logan's picture

I recently bought a new Helmet and went for the Atmos, pretty stylish and good for both road and MTB racing. Doesnt have the option of a peak but I dont care much for that.

I love mine, if I wasnt gonna get that I would opt Lazer Helium as I think they look fantastic.

Both helmets are very very good imo.

hawkeye's picture

beat me to it Smiling I was just editing it to be a bit less tongue in cheek... Sticking out tongue

+1 to the above from fatboy. Any hard impact even without visible cracking should probably see your helmet replaced.

Was going to say that after having busted a couple thorugh misadventure (read: stupidity) over the last few years, I prefer the trail style helmets that give a bit more coverage to your noggin like the Fox Flux, despite them not looking euro-cool on the road. Most of my weekly kilometres are commuting on road in (oh, the shame) lycra.

Brian's picture

Unless your mountain bike and road bike are the same colour then you really need two helmets Eye-wink

Helmets are like saddles, doesn't matter what works for others because it has to fit you right. The order of importance should be fit, colour then price.

I actually have 3 helmets, 1 for mtb (Fox Flux), one for road (Limar 907) and one for night riding (Netti). The one for night riding is my original one I bought when I started riding in 2001 and I leave the lights permanently mounted.

leopafe's picture

I bought one of these and I'm very happy with it and they look good too, specially in black.

Only $69.99 at T7 on special.

Hop fiend's picture

light-look good-ventilate well & have that Italian made fell to them- on to my 3rd MET.

Logan's picture

Yeah I guess the ones I suggested are Eurocool lol. Can you tell I work off how it looks as well as how good a product it is.

As for Lycra, no shame I wouldnt consider in riding anything other than it now, even for MTBing, but thats just me!

@ Brian does the N+1 theory apply to helmets everytime you buy a new bike you have to buy a new helmet to match?

garyinoz's picture

Got to go with Hawkeye's choice, wonder if I can get a matching paint job on the bike?

How much is my brain worth is a bit of a leading question.....but yes I agree with the statement.

Brian you should know all my bikes are pretty much black and white wih the exception of the stumpy which I started to use for commuting.

Shopping time.

Brian's picture

Yeah, I couldn't remember the colour of the roadie

CharlieB's picture

My method for choosing (and Met lids have done the job very well so far) is…

Put lid on. Make it comfortable with internal tightening, BUT NO chin strap. Shake head: does it move around? Yes, move on to the next lid (when you get your lights on this movement will be exaggerated). No, go to the next test. Lean over so your head is pointing down and shake again. Lid still on? No, try the next one. Yes, good go to the next test. Do up the chin strap. Comfortable? No, try on the next one. Yes, go to the checkout and buy.

This method did upset a sales bod in a large CBD store (complaining that my test was too hard without the chin strap and that your head never shakes while riding). But this test works with all my lids and suits my requirements.

As for suitability – I think I saw a rule a while ago that said something about peaked lids and lycra never being seen together!

hawkeye's picture

Great tip, Charlie Smiling I must admit I didn't do that with my last buy and it does move around a bit with the lights on - usually tips to the side a little.

Logan's picture

I believe that rule is around no MTB helmets while riding on a road bike....

garyinoz's picture

I'm all for breaking rules! 1 helmet fits all.

CharlieB's picture

I would never be seen riding a road bike. Problem solved!

kiwiboy's picture

Great internal fastening system - passes the no-straps test and also has bit extra around the back to protect the head, plus has a peak easy to mount-demount.
GIRO IONOS for the roadie - similar but no peak...

Discodan's picture

I don't want to displease the cycle gods so what's the right helmet? It's half way between a roady and a MTB so can I do whatever I want or will I be struck down? Actually the only roady part on it is the wheels so maybe that answers the question

hawkeye's picture

Flatbar = mtb helmet. Eye-wink

muvro's picture

Atmos for me. Great ventilation and reasonable weight.

When I had to replace my Gyro E2, I was going to get a Fox Flux, as most of my riding is bush and it does give very good protection to the rear/base of the head. Where as my Atmos is not as good. However, the Fox dug into my head slightly at the very top (I have an odd shaped head I guess... lol).

I've ridden with Gyro helmets since I was a kid, but I was open minded to other helmets. Upon trying many brands the Gyro just fitted like it was made for me. That's the way your helmet should be IMO. I like the look of the new Gyro Hex. MTB specific helmet with good head/base protection and good ventilation.

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