So, what helmets are you MTB guys using?

[Pupp]

And how do you rate them?

Need a new lid after my 14 yr old Giro just spat its pads out...XC use mainly, maybe some road too so not too much into peaks and stuff

Is £120 worth of polystyrene that much better than £30 worth?

[RRS_Staffs]

I use a road helmet to confuse roadies when I give them a chirpy "hello"

I also use the same lid on the roadie splattered in mud to give MTBers a similar conundrum

[Louisa911]

Both myself and the boyfriend have Fox Flux helmets- and both quite impressed. I got mine from Stif cycles, it was last years model for £40, the newer ones are around £60 or cheaper on ebay. Nice lightweight, cool, well fitting helmet all round. http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?pro...

[ezi]

661 Evolution and Fox Flux, both are very good and I can't really fault the Fox, but my 661 is rather heavy.

Got my eye on the new TLD stuff though to replace my 661 since it's getting a bit tatty.

Edited by ezi on Tuesday 24th August 03:09

[Pints]

I've had a Trek brand lid for some years now.

[Stu R]

Specialized something or other. Cheap but decent.

Giro full face for the hardcore stuff.

[Get Karter]

RRS_Staffs said:

I use a road helmet to confuse roadies when I give them a chirpy "hello"

What's the difference between an MTB and Road helmet?

I have a 'Specialized' helmet with peak (removed) that I use for road cycling. Have I made a fashion faux pas?

[a11y_m]

I use a MET Parachute: like a normal MTB lid but with a flimsy, detachable chin guard. I'm not convinced the chinguard on this helmet would help greatly in a big crash, but it's already saved my face on one occasion (hence my 2nd Parachute).

Also got a 661 full-face helmet for proper DH use but there's no way you could wear one of them for XC use.

The Giro Hex is a nice-looking helmet too - got one for the wife and am planning to get one for my commute (semi-offroad).

[P-Jay]

I run a Fox Flux, had a chance to really crash test one and even though it was completely mullered (misshaped, big dents, peak and cradle thing riped out) my head and face were markless.

However, ever cycle helmet sold in the uk has to pass the same rigid safety test so any lid should be up to the job. The extra ££ gives you lighter weight, nicer fit, more air-flow etc. Doesn't mean the pricer ones does give more protection, just the cheapest ones should in theory be more than enough.

I think the mane difference between the MTB and roadie ones is more 'overhang' front and rear to protect the face / neak from rocks and a more laissez-faire attitute to weight.

The Flux and the Hex seem to constantly win the best lid awards in the MTB mags, but most people will tell you the fit is the most important.

Edited by P-Jay on Tuesday 24th August 09:20

[Kuroblack350]

Get Karter said:

RRS_Staffs said:

I use a road helmet to confuse roadies when I give them a chirpy "hello"

What's the difference between an MTB and Road helmet?

I have a 'Specialized' helmet with peak (removed) that I use for road cycling. Have I made a fashion faux pas?

As a newbie I'd like to know the answer to this as well - didn't know there was a difference until I read this..! I've been initially looking at a stack of Specilized ones in my local bike store, they seem pretty good, although not much clue what 'good' looks like

[rhinochopig]

Buy the cheapest that fits from a decent brand. Anything more is vanity and a total waste of money IMO. If you cycle regularly and cycle hard, you will kill a lid through sweat within 6 months to a year.

[sjg]

Pupp said:

Is £120 worth of polystyrene that much better than £30 worth?

Simply put, no. Maybe slightly better venting. Maybe a higher quality adjustment system (but once it's set up for your head, how much will you adjust it?). Maybe a bit lighter. But you're into seriously diminishing returns.

I seem to have spent less and less on helmets as the years have gone by, because it seems the features and quality level I want just gets cheaper, while the top-end stuff gets more gimmicky.

14 years old? I generally replace at 5 years, or if I've fallen on my head. Cheap helmets replaced more often will probably be more effective that a posh one that you can't bear to throw away because it cost you £100+ last year.

[Raven Flyer]

I use a Boardman mtb lid, with removable peak.

Nice exposed carbon fibre frame in it, very light and good adjustment. c. £60.

[itsnotarace]

Specialized Air Force 3 with peak removed for both MTB and road

[mchammer89]

Giro Athlon and a Sixsixone full face helmet of some sort. Both very good.

[shalmaneser]

Fox Flux.

[CC07 PEU]

I think the Giro E2 is the best looking helmet out there even though it's been around for years. I still use a 2003 limited edition Trek race team E2 and I think it's one of the best looking helmets around.

Buying helmets for mountain biking without peaks seems to have caught on in the last five years but I'd strongly recommend one with a peak both for functional and aesthetic reasons.

[jonesey]

I use a Bell venturi/vulture/other name beginning with v. Nice airflow and comfortable for around £50.

Agree with the above peak comments, just provides additional (if marginal) protection.

[pdV6]

Giro Xen.

On my 2nd of these thanks to Giro/Madison's crash replacement scheme.

[robpearson]

I currently use a Giro Zen but have found that my head gets really sweatty in it - to the point that sometimes when i look down at the cycle computer i get a stream of sweat pouring off the lid down onto the screen, usually via my eye :-( I've also had a Met Parachute and really liked it, but couldn't find one when i was looking for a replacement as i had had it 3 years, and one half-decent hard landing.