<p>Time to buy new bike helmets. I am insisting we go to a respected bike shop and get one properly fitted. DH thinks we can just go to Target and buy a Bell. Grrr… Help?? Anyone have recommendations for the top of the line helmets that are comfortable, well constructed and fit well, protecting the frontal lobes as well as the rest of the head, please?</p>
<p>I think you really have to go try them on.
It depends on what style of riding you do.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with Bell helmets but Target might not have as wide of selection as a bike shop.
[How</a> to Choose a Bicycle Helmet: Expert Advice from REI](<a href=“http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/bicycle+helmet.html]How”>http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/bicycle+helmet.html)</p>
<p>Thanks, ek. We will try them on, but knowing my DH, he’ll say “oth this is fine” no matter what we try on. Since I work in the field of brain injury this is an IMPORTANT decision for us. He rides more than I do (which for me is currently limited to a stationery bike, so no helmet required 
) but I am hoping to get back on the road or on a trail, though I’d need to get a trail bike (which he has)</p>
<p>The big difference between Bell helmets and others is the style and the price. If they fit right, they are just as safe.</p>
<p>H likes Giro. He says you need to go try them and be properly fitted.</p>
<p>There are safety standards- don’t recall the initials off hand- and any helmet meeting them will work. Expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better. Bell sold all over likely meets those, check on the box. Fit and comfort matter. Wearing the best helmet incorrectly does no good- concentrate on that aspect of the helmet.</p>
<p>My husband is a road biker and he orders a good bit of his equipment from Performance Bike. They have their own line, but it doesn’t look they have their own helmets. Check out what they do have here:</p>
<p><a href=“Bike Helmets - Performance Bicycle”>Bike Helmets - Performance Bicycle;
<p>OOOh, that was eerie, snowball, as I was JUST ON THAT WEBSITE when I saw your post. The reason I was on that website is that we were on our way to the bike store that we like and got stuck in the traffic mess going to the county food festival in the nearby shopping center, so we took a detour and ended up at Target. We got 2 Bell performance series/advanced rider helmets that seem pretty sturdy, comfortable and easy to adjust. Odd thing- I cant find much about them on the web. So I typed in “bell performance series” and it took me to that site.</p>
<p>** BTW they are both CPSC certified, wis75.</p>
<p>I gave up trying to get any of our bike helmets (all major brands) adjusted properly. Picked up a Bell at WalMart of all places that had a much easier adjustment system (actual ear flap thingies instead on inscrutably criss-crossing straps. It was a piece of cake to adjust, fits great. What’s not to like?</p>
<p>Being able to easily get the thing sized and fit properly is the goal. It needs to fit and be comfortable.</p>
<p>It’s this one:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bell-Adrenaline-Adult-Helmet-Black/10993325[/url]”>http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bell-Adrenaline-Adult-Helmet-Black/10993325</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.belltruefit.com/demo.html[/url]”>http://www.belltruefit.com/demo.html</a>
<a href=“http://www.belltruefit.com/adult.html[/url]”>http://www.belltruefit.com/adult.html</a></p>
<p>I think the more expensive helmets are usually lighter in weight or have more air circulating through them so you don’t get as hot.
I know when my D bought a new helmet for riding (horse) the price range is huge. They all protect your head the same in a fall but of course my D “needed” the expensive one. Her new helmet does fit nicely. It is all about the fit. My D had her eye on one helmet and was sure that was the one she wanted, when we went to the store the desired helmet just didn’t fit her right and she ended up with another helmet line from the same company.
With my kids I figure if they get the helmet they like they are more inclined to wear it whether it is bike, equestrian or snowboarding.</p>
<p>Thats probably similar to what we got,ID, which also have the “spin action fit” thing in the back for easy adjustment and the ear adjustment clip thingies too.</p>
<p>Okay… we own a bike shop (and sell over the internet); we sell hundreds of helmets every year. We joke that people either have “Bell heads” or “Giro heads”. Most people find one or the other–never both–comfortable. A helmet needs to be comfortable. A lighter weight helmet causes less neck muscle fatigue. All helmets must meet federal safety standards.</p>
<p>When I bought my most recent helmet, I tried on every helmet we sell (about forty models). One of them was so comfortable that I forget I have it on–I’ve walked into the house with it. And it was NOT the most expensive helmet, either, it was in the bottom third of pricing. I recommend going to the biggest bike shop you can find (come to ours if you’re in Portland) and trying on all the helmets. </p>
<p>A helmet should be replaced if you drop it from any height.</p>
<p>Oh YAY, dmd! I am so glad you posted. I couldn’t recall off the top of my head who owned the bike shop, other than recalling it was on the other coast :(</p>
<p>We got these becuse they wee the most comfortable of the selection and we can always return them, but getting my DH to go shopping is no easy feat. I would have preferred that we get to the bike shop but as I said, traffic was awful due to a festival. Do you kave an opinion about the Bell performance series/advanced rider helmets? I really cant find anything about these models (called “mantra” and “isis”).</p>
<p>The Bell helmets are fine, and if they’re comfortable enough that you’ll actually wear them, you’re done. Names of styles are fairly irrelevant. Are you worried the helmet won’t protect your head in a fall? The standards are high–you should be fine in any helmet that has its safety sticker. Just buy a new helmet whenever you MIGHT have damaged your helmet… you can’t always see it if you’ve broken them inside.</p>
<p>(The main differences between helmets are in the venting. If your head sweats a lot, you want one with more venting.)</p>
<p>I bought a Giro last year. Love it.</p>
<p>I know trek will replace your helmet for free if you are in an accident while wearing the helmet within the first year.</p>
<p>So funny about the Bell heads vs Giro heads! My old Bell never did fit right, and my few years old Giro is so comfortable. The adjustment with the dial at the rear makes it so much easier these days. If you like hats, or visors, would suggest a helmet with a visor. They are removable, and I really appreciate that shade, as I avoid sun on my face.</p>
<p>I have a giro. Oddly, my husband ordered it for me…from either Performance or Nashbar. He got the same size as my old helmet. It fits perfectly. My only criteria was that it have a pony tail port in the back because I usually pull my hair back when I go riding.</p>
<p>I also ordered from an online store when I purchased my Giro six years ago. Very comfortable for my, er…ah…ample head. Never had a collison or dropped the helmet. Relatively inexpensive. I think I bought it from Bike Nashbar or Jensen’s Mountain Bikes.</p>