bike helmet advice

[hellsbuddha]

Need some advice please.

I would like one helmet for both on and off road. Am I correct that if I get a mtb helmet I can use that on road without the visor?

Also I realise its a little silly, but everytime I put a helmet on, it feels weird, well its the mushroom effect.

Is there anyway around this?

thanks

Sam

[Gizmo!]

What do you mean by visor: just the peaked bit on the front, or a full face cover like a motorbike helmet? Either is legal.

As for the mushroom effect... Helmets are much lighter than they used to be, and better fitted. Try one on. I hate the way mine looks (a Specialized Chamonix) but I can hardly feel it when on. The key is that it shouldn't move on your head at all...

[hellsbuddha]

Its just the top visor of a half face helmet

[Jimbo.]

hellsbuddha said:

Its just the top visor of a half face helmet

You can use what you want, Just be aware that the peak of an MTB-orientated lid *might* obstruct your view ahead a bit when on the drops. I've also found that the wind can get underneath them and lift them up and/or make them rattle. Which is annoying! Some MTB lids also have fewer vents.

You can however get lids that are more suited to both: a lid aimed at the XC end of MTB'ing will be fine, as they have plenty of vents and removable peaks. IIRC Specialized, Bell, Giro and Met all offer them, although I'm buggered if I can recall the names!


Or, failing that, you can just get a "road" lid and use that off-road. Plenty do, especially the weight-weenie XC racing whippets. Just remember that there might not be as much coverage around the back of the head, as offered by something like a Giro Xen.

re. the mushroom head effect. A lot of it depends upon your head size. Many manufacturers use one, maybe two shell sizes, so if you're towards the smaller end of that lid/shell size range, it will look a bit, well...mushroomy. Minor issue however, as no-one cycles to look good! I mean, helmets, lycra...it's all about the function! And speaking from bitter, painful experience, having a "mushroom" shaped head is a damn sight more dignified than having to have someone cut-up/mash your food for you!

Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 10th March 14:34

[itsnotarace]

I just got a LAS Victory Supreme as it was the least mushroom head one I found. Kask K10 is also non-mushroom like

[deadtom]

unfortunately lids without peaks on are the worst offenders for the mushroomhead look.

as you plan on going off road i assume you have a mountainbike?

if thats the case, you might as well leave the peak on as it's really only when down on drop bars that a peak would obstruct your view, and lids with peaks on look a lot better than those without, and they're probably safer too as the peak acts like a crumple zone

[Gizmo!]

deadtom said:

unfortunately lids without peaks on are the worst offenders for the mushroomhead look.

as you plan on going off road i assume you have a mountainbike?

if thats the case, you might as well leave the peak on as it's really only when down on drop bars that a peak would obstruct your view, and lids with peaks on look a lot better than those without, and they're probably safer too as the peak acts like a crumple zone

I don't fancy testing it, but I'm not convinced the peak would crumple effectively in the event of a faceplant. They're designed to ping off quite easily.

[deadtom]

i think a lot depends on the lid. some have got really flexible peaks and others have fairly tough ones.
im used to full face and enduro/all mountaing lids which tend to have fairly sturdy peaks, but you may well be right about lighter duty stuff