New helmet needed, should i pay 30 quid or 70 quid?

[Accy cyclist]

My 13 year old Bell helmet is looking a bit moth eaten,the polystyrene is starting to break down and i'm conscious of it being the old style rounded at the back design. I can't decide between paying around the 30 pounds mark or go for one around the 70 pounds range. I know they say the more you pay the lighter they are but my concerns are more about safety and comfort rather than it being a gram or two lighter than a cheaper one. I might buy a 30 quid one then regret not paying more for a "better one",or i might buy a 70 quid one then think that i've spent unnecessarily.
Any thoughts please?

 

[jamin100]

 

[DWiggy]

Get the more expensive one after all you've only got one noggin! plus if it lasts you another 13 years that's around a fiver a year!

 

[redcard]

Get the more expensive one after all you've only got one noggin! plus if it lasts you another 13 years that's around a fiver a year!

Because more expensive means it's safer?

 

[Summerking]

I'd go for the Helmet that you feel comfortable wearing, If you can find one that is £30 AND you like it then it's a given.
To my mind a lot of the cycling helmets out there make me look even more of a Bell-end than normal :troll: , when I come to replace mine it will be one of the following, the Specialized Tactic in Green around £55, Giro Xar around £80 and the Bell Variant around £50. These are all mountain bike style that I'd use for commuting on a Hybrid.

 

[marzjennings]

There will be zero difference in safety between the 30 and 70 quid lid as they are all tested to the same useless standards (unless the more expensive is Snell tested). Get the one you like and fits the best. I've found the more expensive helmets come with better straps, liners and adjustability and sometimes better replacement policies.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Specialized recently had an offer on, trade in any helmet and get a new one half price - was limited to which models you could buy but you could get a brilliant helmet for £70 if you can find anyone still doing it.

 

[jamin100]

Specialized align helmets are snell tested, come in a variety of colours and only £30

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...crid_19178765816_kword__match__plid_#features

 

[VamP]

To a large extent it's a style decision. Pictures of the ones you're deciding between would help.

 

[Custom24]

The manufacturers recommend to change helmets after 3 years, because the polystyrene perishes/degrades. So I wouldn't count on getting 13 years "value" out of your next helmet.

A difference no one has mentioned so far between a cheaper and more expensive helmet might be the amount of ventilation. I've a Specialized helmet which was around £50, but next time I will look for more ventilation.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

If you must*, then style and ventilation would be my priority. So it would be a helmet which is black all over and has lots of holes in it that would claim my beer tokens. Only after finding one that meets the criteria would I'd look at the price tag.

*I must, most of the time, because, after the mishap, the lovely Helen says so.

 

[Stu9]

Are the Bell ones in Asda any good, they're only about 12 quid

 

[VamP]

If you must*, then style and ventilation would be my priority. So it would be a helmet which is black all over and has lots of holes in it that would claim my beer tokens. Only after finding one that meets the criteria would I'd look at the price tag.

*I must, most of the time, because, after the mishap, the lovely Helen says so.

Hah. My position on this is identical, with the white all over being the only thing that is not.

 

[VamP]

Are the Bell ones in Asda any good, they're only about 12 quid

That very much depends on how style conscious you are.

 

[Stu9]

Not very....but I guess the snobs would know where I got it