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| *Vultures Knob>>>Cycling |
How do I find the right helmet for me? |
How do I find the right helmet for me? Unless you have a helmet you love and you want to get another, I would not suggest getting one online. Helmets are something you really want to try on to be sure it fits your noggin comfortably. So, go to your local bike store and try a bunch on until you find one you love. With regards to fit, get the smallest helmet that fits your head. You don't want to have to take up space in the helmet with huge pads to make it fit. Likewise, you don't want to have it so small that it rubs or squeezes your head. A well fit helmet will make gentle contact with the crown, front, back and sides of your head. If you can shove it about easily it doesn't fit well. Personally, I like visorless helmets because I've never had a sun visor that stayed attached particularly well. Also, I think the visorless helmets have a bit sleeker look, especially if the visor falls off somewhere and gets lost. Beyond fit and comfort, the most important items I look for are: 1. Easy adjustability of the back band. Personally, I like the helmets that have a small wheel in the back that you turn to adjust the back band for a good fit. 2. Easy adjustability of the straps. If I can't adjust the straps in a few moments while standing in the store I go find another model. This may not matter too much to you unless you ride in all types of weather and need to wear a cap on some days and not others. 3. One piece sweat band in the forehead. Personally, I find two piece seat bands channel perspiration right into my eyes. Some folks swear by them, though. 4. Good quality foam pads. Perhaps I have a rather corrosive head, but I've found less expensive pads and/or cloth covered pads tend to fall apart in short order. Fashion dictates that helmet models are being changed and updated all the time. My all time favorite helmet is a Louis Garneau which became unavailable a few months after I bought it. I can not tell you how many times I wished I had bought another one before it was discontinued. I know that the pads will either deteriorate or I will have a crash and ruin this helmet. Then, just like you, I'll be having to look for yet another helmet. Finally, be sure you wear your helmet everytime you get on your bicycle. The first time you break a helmet in an impact and your head escapes unscathed you'll really, really appreciate its value. Hope this helps you choose a helmet. Source(s): Lots of helmets over the years. Well, first decide whether you want to shop by price or by fashion.....hopefully you'll find ones you like that are a nice blend. Helmets are ridiculously overpriced! Right now is a great time to find closeouts.....Nashbar, Performance, and several other online shops have super deals and 15% to 20% coupons are all over the place lately. Next, you need to measure your noggin. Take a non-stretchy string or a flexible sewing measuring tape and wrap it around your head just above the eyebrows....where the helmet should sit. Write the number down (centimeters as well as inches, if your tape shows that). There are different sizing systems and suspension harnesses in helmets. Try on several in your size to see how you like them. I really like the Giro stuff, but check 'em all out for yourself. There are a few women's helmets on the market that have better clearance for a ponytail, if you wear your hair back like that. I've heard they're not all that much different, but heck, I've never worn one. :o) There's no real difference in a road helmet vs. a mountain bike helmet except that some mountain helmets have a little more coverage. The skate lids aren't as good of a fit usually, but they're pretty tough because they have a hardshell instead of the thin plastic cover that's molded into most performance helmets.....it's only meant to try to hold the broken foam together if you put the helmet to its intended use! If you find a helmet you like with a visor and you don't want that feature, most of them are removable. Don't worry too much about safety ratings.....all helmets these days are held to the CPSC standards, so anything you hear about Snell and ANSI ratings are pretty outdated. What you get with the more expensive helmets is a higher quality foam and construction, which isn't safer, it just lets them make a lightweight helmet with lots of openings in it while still passing the safety requirements. The cheap helmets will still protect you, they'll just keep you warmer and make your neck muscles stronger. :o) What I have found over the years of peoples helmet choices, get the one you will wear. Having the helmet on your head, not on your handlebars, is the biggest part of protection. So make sure the helmet is light enough, cool (temperature) enough, comfortable and you like the way it looks on you. Then you will wear it. It is that simple. Finding the the right helmet is a matter of preference and opinion, but there are some things to consider. Sizing is of the utmost importance. While measuring will give you the size think about overall fit and comfort. My helmet is a Medium but is has numerous other adjustments on my helmet. To test the fit after all the adjustments, I put the helmet on without fastening the strap, then I dip my head down (almost upside down). If the helmet stays in place it is properly fit. If it falls off or shifts more than a little bit it is probably not a good fit. Think about what that helmet would do in crash Regarding comfort, there should be no pressure points where you notice a rub or a pain. Which helmet is right for you depends on what type of riding you are doing. I ride a road bike in hot weather. Therefore I favor a helmet that is light weight with plenty of ventilation (Giro Atmos). For mountain biking I have a more rugged (cheaper) helmet which tends to have less ventilation and more thickness in the foam. just like anything else, try it on for size and comfort check out Giro, Specialized, and Bell brand names - all are good, lots of styles and colors to choose from There's nothing better than trying the helmet yourself. Performance bike shop is one of the biggest bike chains in the country. Hopefully, there's one shop near where you live. http://www.performancebike.com/inform/st... |
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