Road Helmet Recommendations

mattsull

I am in need of a new road helmet and looking for recommendations. There are so many options. What are people using and what do you like?

Al Truscott

I used to go for weight - e.g., Giro Air Pneumo. Now I go for cheap. Unless you REALLY need excess air flow - spend all your time going up in 90+ temps - then just find one which looks OK, and has the safety sticker inside. All the major brands - Giro, Bell, Specialized, Rudy, etc - will have lower end models on sale on-line at prices from $30-50. Anything more, and you're paying excessive mark-up and marketing fees.

Nemo Brauch

Whatever matches my bike :-) Seriously, I've got a perfectly good Giro helmet that used to go quite nicely with Calvin. But Calvin has now been sold and the Giro doesn't match either Fiona or Hobbs. I've been trying desperately to justify the purchase of a new matching helmet but I'm not willing to crash & crack the old one to make that happen!

bigdeal

I've had probably 5 Pneumos over the last decade and switched to Specialized S-Works last fall (clearance sale), the difference is incredible. The S-Works is a bit lighter but the ventilation is incredible. I do have 'sweat management issues', so the extra airflow is a huge plus for me. This winter I wore a cycling cap or beanie between my skull and the helmet to keep my head warm.

Scott Alexander

Since Pneumos aren't being made anymore (Giro makes the more expensive Ionos now, I believe), I bought a few on clearance when I could find them.
I've been using the current one over a year now.

jhansen21

After almost 7 years of wearing the same helmet (Bell something or other) I just picked up a new for 2010 Rudy Project Sterling helmet.

Very comfortable, very light.  I love the netting to keep bugs/bees from flying in and the port to hold sunglasses.  I have a 40% off discount code if you decide to go with it.

Kitboo

Giro helmets fit my head better than Bell or Louis Garneau helmets. The sized helmets (as in small, medium, large) fit me better than the universal sized ones. Right now I'm using a Giro Atmos---only because I got it for cheap on-line and it's red. I will typically change my road helmets every 3 years because that's when they start to smell skunky. As for mtb helmets, I've cracked 3 in the last 7 years so a more frequent change.

mattsull

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I ordered a Giro Saros today. I had an REI gift card that I had forgotten about and they had a limited selection. It seems decent though.

Thanks for the offer, Jim!