Expensive Bike Helmets

[a.twiddler]

Although getting stung by a wasp that somehow got into your helmet vent is probably a rare occurrence, it could cause a nasty accident. Bearing in mind my cheapo Aldi helmet (sub £10.00) came with mesh in the front vents I would have thought it wouldn't have added to the cost of more up market helmets. The Aldi helmet has all the relevant stickers for standards met inside it. From time to time I look at some of the fancy helmets in bike shops and very few of them have any insect mesh. If you're going to buy a prestige helmet, it might as well come equipped for everyday convenience as well as catering for the rare accident events for which they are marketed.

There's a lot of marketing in the helmet business, and if I were in the market for a helmet, keeping insects out is something that would tip the balance for me in choosing one helmet over another, assuming they were both a good fit. Apparently there's no standard for that, so it doesn't feature in the advertising.

 

[Punkawallah]

Actually that’s a very good point. As I often ride along the canal so very often all sorts of insects get through the vents, however in my case there’s isn’t enough hair in there for them to cling on to so usually with gentle persuasion they make their way out😂

I know a chap who advocates for wearing a neckerchief/bandana under the helmet for just this occasion. He rides in Scotland frequently. Order the ‘larger’ size, otherwise you get a handkerchief.

 

[silva]

That must be one very big knob🤔😂

Well no, the helmet just hangs on it, alike a hat on a hook.

 

[Andy in Germany]

We occasionally get helmets "Donated" We obviously can't sell them, they go in the "recycling". I find my size 41 boot has the same effect on expensive and cheap helmets.

 

[Dan Lotus]

Although getting stung by a wasp that somehow got into your helmet vent is probably a rare occurrence, it could cause a nasty accident. Bearing in mind my cheapo Aldi helmet (sub £10.00) came with mesh in the front vents I would have thought it wouldn't have added to the cost of more up market helmets. The Aldi helmet has all the relevant stickers for standards met inside it. From time to time I look at some of the fancy helmets in bike shops and very few of them have any insect mesh. If you're going to buy a prestige helmet, it might as well come equipped for everyday convenience as well as catering for the rare accident events for which they are marketed.

There's a lot of marketing in the helmet business, and if I were in the market for a helmet, keeping insects out is something that would tip the balance for me in choosing one helmet over another, assuming they were both a good fit. Apparently there's no standard for that, so it doesn't feature in the advertising.

I've bought Rudy Project helmets in the past, and at least one of them came with a insect netting thing.
It was a nice to have, but I haven't missed not having it.

 

[classic33]

We occasionally get helmets "Donated" We obviously can't sell them, they go in the "recycling". I find my size 41 boot has the same effect on expensive and cheap helmets.

Whatabout repurposing some of them, reselling them, as well as the standard plant pots, there's

Or even offering them them to people(Emergency services, first aid groups) that could use them in training.

 

[Mike Ayling]

Actually that’s a very good point. As I often ride along the canal so very often all sorts of insects get through the vents, however in my case there’s isn’t enough hair in there for them to cling on to so usually with gentle persuasion they make their way out😂

My Aldi helmet has mesh in the vents!

 

[Mike Ayling]

I know a chap who advocates for wearing a neckerchief/bandana under the helmet for just this occasion. He rides in Scotland frequently. Order the ‘larger’ size, otherwise you get a handkerchief.

Here in Oz we wear them for sun protection.

 

[derrick]

Here’s a thought…do we actually need to buy OTT priced helmets with price tags of £200 and above? And do they actually provide better protection than average price helmets? I remember from my motorcycling days that BELL helmets strap line use to be, “If you have got a $10 head then wear a $10 helmet”. For motorcycling it makes sense that one buys a good quality helmet for protection especially against high speed impacts. Obviously you get what you pay for and therefore an average price good quality helmet with MIPS etc for £50-£70 should be adequate enough for cyclists! So from safety aspect do expensive helmets deliver better protection or is it just another ploy of the bike industry to skim our pockets??

You will probably never know if a more expensive one would have save you.

 

[Katana]

Well no, the helmet just hangs on it, alike a hat on a hook.

Ah ok😂

 

[Aescott]

Although getting stung by a wasp that somehow got into your helmet vent is probably a rare occurrence, it could cause a nasty accident. Bearing in mind my cheapo Aldi helmet (sub £10.00) came with mesh in the front vents I would have thought it wouldn't have added to the cost of more up market helmets. The Aldi helmet has all the relevant stickers for standards met inside it. From time to time I look at some of the fancy helmets in bike shops and very few of them have any insect mesh. If you're going to buy a prestige helmet, it might as well come equipped for everyday convenience as well as catering for the rare accident events for which they are marketed.

There's a lot of marketing in the helmet business, and if I were in the market for a helmet, keeping insects out is something that would tip the balance for me in choosing one helmet over another, assuming they were both a good fit. Apparently there's no standard for that, so it doesn't feature in the advertising.

Getting stung by a wasp on the helmet is my worst nightmare

 

[esoxlucius]

Maybe I've got it wrong here, someone please correct me if I have.

Don't ALL cycling helmets, irrespective of price point, given the job they may have to do, go through stringent testing and have to have some kind of kite mark stating that they are up to said job if called upon?

If so, then a £10 helmet should offer the exact same level of safety factor as a £300 helmet???

If that is the case then choice of helmet is purely for aesthetics, and not safety. The safety aspect is a given, or should be.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Here’s a thought…do we actually need to buy OTT priced helmets with price tags of £200 and above?

You don’t need to buy helmets (cheap or expensive) at all (excluding Australia where they are mandatory for cycling).

 

[Punkawallah]

You don’t need to buy helmets (cheap or expensive) at all (excluding Australia where they are mandatory for cycling).

And if you are in a competition. AFAIK, no helmet, no race.

 

[a.twiddler]

And if you are in a competition. AFAIK, no helmet, no race.

A bit arbitrary, though. Audax, eroica, no helmet requirement in UK. No doubt there are others. Of course you can, if you want to.