Lumos Ultra MIPS helmet - your opinions please

[dicko]

My Specialised cycle helmet is 23 years old and I think it’s time to replace with a new helmet.
Watching Eilis Barrett on Electroheads I like the urban Lumos Ultra MIPS helmet she wears. This helmet comes with front and rear flashing lights, and an indicator system too, but most importantly the MIPS which could be a life saver and I’m thinking, why not? Has any member any comments about this helmet or other alternative recommendations please?

 

[Mr.B-Campag]

My Specialised cycle helmet is 23 years old and I think it’s time to replace with a new helmet.

Don't rush into anything!
(Iirc manufacturers recommend replacing them every 3 - 5 years, ofc you might say they would say that wouldn't they.) There are plenty of helmets with MIPS so it probably comes down to what style you want. You can always mount a light on top (on most helmets) that faces front and rear as well.

 

[Sharky]

I'm not too keen on helmet lights. When I've approached riders with helmet lights, they never seem to be steady, or present an image to me that says "I'm a cyclist".

To be legal, I think you need conventional lights attached to the bike.

But as an extra light, I guess no harm.

 

[dicko]

I'm not too keen on helmet lights. When I've approached riders with helmet lights, they never seem to be steady, or present an image to me that says "I'm a cyclist".

To be legal, I think you need conventional lights attached to the bike.

But as an extra light, I guess no harm.

The Smith express MIPS is very similar to the Lumos helmet and about half the price too. I was thinking the lights would help but as you mentioned it I never yet met a cyclist with helmet lights. I do cycle with two rear red lights plus a front flashing light too so far so good.

 

[Mr.B-Campag]

I have a helmet mounted set of lights that face both ways, along with bike mounted ones. When I was commuting in that there London they were pretty common and I felt they helped where there was so much visual clutter/many other light sources esp. as you could turn your head and point them towards drivers looking to pull out of side roads.

Fwiw I'm probably also in the market for a new helmet and will likely get one of these:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-helmet-rcr-mips-white/_/R-p-337826?mc=8733901&c=white

 

[Dan Lotus]

We have two of the original, or at least older style Lumos helmets in our household.
Excellent quality, and they certainly make you feel a lot more visible.
Quality is excellent, really well made, easy charging as well using a magnetic charger.

The only negative, which may not be one, is that it is a bit heavy - that may be something they have sorted on the new helmet though.

I've just gone and weighed one, in a medium size I think, and it's 472g

Looks like the one you are looking at is 370g, over 20% less, which I think would feel really noticeable.
Fairly sure some of the helmets I wear are approaching 300g, so suspect a minor increase over that would be manageable.

Let us know how you get on, and what you make of it (If you go with it) as I might be interested myself.

 

[dicko]

I have a helmet mounted set of lights that face both ways, along with bike mounted ones. When I was commuting in that there London they were pretty common and I felt they helped where there was so much visual clutter/many other light sources esp. as you could turn your head and point them towards drivers looking to pull out of side roads.

Fwiw I'm probably also in the market for a new helmet and will likely get one of these:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-helmet-rcr-mips-white/_/R-p-337826?mc=8733901&c=white

That looks interesting I will have a proper look later, thanks

 

[dicko]

We have two of the original, or at least older style Lumos helmets in our household.
Excellent quality, and they certainly make you feel a lot more visible.
Quality is excellent, really well made, easy charging as well using a magnetic charger.

The only negative, which may not be one, is that it is a bit heavy - that may be something they have sorted on the new helmet though.

I've just gone and weighed one, in a medium size I think, and it's 472g

Looks like the one you are looking at is 370g, over 20% less, which I think would feel really noticeable.
Fairly sure some of the helmets I wear are approaching 300g, so suspect a minor increase over that would be manageable.

Let us know how you get on, and what you make of it (If you go with it) as I might be interested myself.

I will, yes

 

[figbat]

I've got one of these - MET M151 - it has a little red light on the back but to be honest I keep forgetting to turn it on as I use bike lights all the time anyway. Very lightweight and comfortable.

I've also got one of these in the sale, not worn it out yet - MTB Howitzer Matt Light Grey Helmet

I have had the Spada helmet for a while and really rate it, especially for the price. So much so that I subsequently bought my son one and then caved and bought myself another one, just in case.

 

[figbat]

For reference my head is about 58 cm and I have the M/L size. There is spare room in it for me. The same lid fits my 15 yo son with a slightly smaller head.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

That looks interesting I will have a proper look later, thanks

The Decathlon is a nice helmet and at the price probably the best bang for buck. I don't own one but have tried it on in the store just out of interest. It does feel a tad heavy when wearing, but to be fair I am used to a Kask protone which is very light. I certainly don't think the extra weight of the Van Rysel would be enough to out anyone off.

 

[Sharky]

Going into the cold winter months, if you wear a woolly hat under the helmet, you may need to opt for the larger size.

 

[mjr]

(Iirc manufacturers recommend replacing them every 3 - 5 years, ofc you might say they would say that wouldn't they.)

If you won't trust the manufacturers on lifespan, why trust them on anything?

 

[mjr]

This helmet comes with front and rear flashing lights, and an indicator system too, but most importantly the MIPS which could be a life saver and I’m thinking, why not? Has any member any comments about this helmet or other alternative recommendations please?

Why not? It seems a bit strange to buy expensive relatively-short-life impact protection and then impair it by putting a load of jagged electronics and a lithium polymer battery in it. LiPo batteries are not famous for behaving well when mashed, so I wouldn't strap one to my head.

I suggest that it may be better to fit good lights to the bike as required by law, then buy the most protective helmet you can tolerate and follow the instructions, including not keeping it for 20+ years. I'd probably be looking at the Virginia Tech test results to assess protection levels, if I still wore such an item.

 

[dicko]

Best pick reviews recommend the HelmSafix bike helmet. It’s £138 but this week only it’s £69 and I have been given a 15% off voucher too, which makes it £58.65, what you think?