High visibility back in fashion in 2012

[pll]

Has anyone noticed that high visibility yellow seems to be back in fashion for helmets and some accessories (e.g. gloves from Gore Bike Wear and men's gloves from Pearl Izumi)? I saw that the 2012 Lazer helmets will be available in high-viz yellow (see the Helium here (http://www.facebook.com/notes/lazer-helmets/2012-product-sneak-preview/10150281441253052)), as well as the Giro Aeon (see here (http://a.yfrog.com/img618/2150/b98cn.jpg)). I may have to get a new helmet! :cool:

[Reesha]

yay! that is awesome... looks like they aren't quite available yet, but I have a mind to get me a fluorescent yellow helmet for my x-country ride!

[indysteel]

I saw quite a few casual cyclists out and about yesterday in the smallish town where I live as I drove home around 6ish (just as light is starting to wane a bit). What struck me is how much difference a helmet makes--even one that's not technically high-vis--in terms of visibility. That little bolt of color really makes a difference IMO. A high-vis helmet would be that much better.

[pll]

In another thread, KnottedYet linked to the Eleven Gear site... I *had* to get the Traffic Master jersey:

http://www.elevengear.us/trafficmaster.html

It ships this week and I can hardly wait to wear it on the road... :D

[Reesha]

That is an amazing jersey!!!! :eek:

[Becky]

Gore is also doing a few of their jackets in hi-viz yellow this season.

[OakLeaf]

Well thank goodness for small favors, I'm tired of being the only dork. :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Maybe the companies have finally clued in to all our griping. :cool:

[Becky]

My neon Gore Phantom arrived today. It is positively blinding, even compared to my other hi-viz pieces. I love it!

[nscrbug]

My neon Gore Phantom arrived today. It is positively blinding, even compared to my other hi-viz pieces. I love it!

Slight thread hijack - Becky, are you happy with your Gore Phantom? I ordered one 2 weeks ago, and ended up returning it. I was disappointed in the fit. I got an XL and it was pretty tight and extremely short-waisted (I'm 5'6") on me...I kept wanting to yank it down especially in the front. I ended up going with a men's Gore Tool (in neon yellow) jacket which was a bit longer for more coverage. But I'm just curious on your opinion of the Phantom.

Linda

[Becky]

Linda: I did see your comments in the other thread, and I'm sorry to hear that it didn't work out for you. I'm happy with it, based on first impressions. I was able to try on a Phantom locally (thankfully!) before I ordered my hi-viz jacket. Based on that experience, I did go up a size because I wanted more of a jacket fit and less of a jersey fit. It is pretty short in the front; however, I'm quite short-waisted (all arms and legs) and the larger size gave me a little more length.

We'll see how it performs once it gets cold, but I think that it will be a more versatile piece than my Gavia and I'm thrilled with the color.

[goldfinch]

Has anyone noticed that high visibility yellow seems to be back in fashion for helmets and some accessories (e.g. gloves from Gore Bike Wear and men's gloves from Pearl Izumi)? I saw that the 2012 Lazer helmets will be available in high-viz yellow (see the Helium here (http://www.facebook.com/notes/lazer-helmets/2012-product-sneak-preview/10150281441253052)), as well as the Giro Aeon (see here (http://a.yfrog.com/img618/2150/b98cn.jpg)). I may have to get a new helmet! :cool:

I am helmet shopping and I see both of these are now available. Amazon has them. Pricey, at $225 for the Lazer http://www.amazon.com/Lazer-Helium-Helmet-Yellow-50-56cm/dp/B004M58ER0/ref=sr_1_33?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1321238075&sr=1-33 http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HZBrybSOL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

and $250 for the Giro
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005I6TN9U/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51UegPgNWZL._AA300_.jpg


My current helmet, which is getting old and ratty, is a Giro. I like the fit of the Giro so I must have an oblong head, eh? Anyone know how the Lazer fits as compared to a Giro?

I am also thinking of a less roadie and less expensive helmet, I believe it is the Giro Xar, mislabeled on Amazon as the Hex.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005I6QN7A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BX7YnxfqL._AA300_.jpg

[goldfinch]

A very, very high viz helmet with reflective strips is the hardnutz, available in the US from here: http://www.skiweb-usa.com/shop/hardnutz-yellow-hi-vis-cycle-helmet

http://www.skiweb-usa.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product/YELLOWhi_vis_cut_out_psd900x900.jpg

This is a one size fits all helmet and too big for me.

[Crankin]

As far as the Lazer goes, DH bought me one "on sale," and I hated it. Couldn't get used to the weird mechanism to tighten and it felt wrong compared to my Giro. I gave it to my son, who has a little head.

[Becky]

Goldfinch, thanks for the link to the hi-viz Xar. The color is perfect and I love the fit. It just went on my Amazon wish list :)

[goldfinch]

As far as the Lazer goes, DH bought me one "on sale," and I hated it. Couldn't get used to the weird mechanism to tighten and it felt wrong compared to my Giro. I gave it to my son, who has a little head.

Since my Giro feels so perfect I don't think that I want to try the risk of the Lazer without trying it on first. No LBS carry them around here so that is out. Actually, no LBS carry the Giro either right now. Wrong time of year.

[pll]

goldfinch,

Both Competitive Cyclist and Performance Bike have great return policies and carry Lazer helmets (which some people in this forum really like), as well as Giro helmets. I am waiting for the 2012 Lazer Helium to show up: high visibility yellow.


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4O46QlEqjfQ/TsEiCcXtPiI/AAAAAAAAd0g/9FogtWno2ZE/s288/296613_10150305580802281_83391132280_7608728_4832410_n.jpg

I will try both the Giro (also in high vis. yellow this year) and that Lazer helmet. What attracts me to the Lazer helmet is the availability of a clear shell one can snap on for cool weather riding, as well as winter padding.

[nscrbug]

I'm one of those on this forum who happens to LOVE her Lazer 02 helmet. ;) It's not hi-viz, but I'm okay with that because it fits me so well. Got mine at Performance, on sale.

[goldfinch]

Thanks for the tip on Performance and Competitive Cyclist. Too bad they don't have the high visibility Lazer and Giro yet.

[Susan Otcenas]

We created a "Hi-Viz" specialty shop on TE to make these products easier to find. Mouse over the "Specialty Shop" tab from any page on our website, and click on "High Visibility".

http://www.teamestrogen.com/browse.ep?cID=100000&filters=c0+atspecialty_14&sorter=productAge-desc

ALso, we have the Giro Xar in stock now in HiViz yellow.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGO_2023067.html

[goldfinch]

Hey thanks Susan, I was favoring the Xar and I'd rather buy it from you!

[OakLeaf]

Sweeeeet, Susan. I'd always select "yellow" before, but there were a lot of variations on yellow there!

[goldfinch]

Bethany's questions on helmets reminded me of this thread on hi viz helmets. I looked at the Lazer, Giro Xar and the Giro Aeon and was leaning towards the least expensive Giro Xar. But instead, I got the Aeon. Team Estrogen sells the helmet and as it is new it seems to be the same price everywhere. (Support TE!).

This helmet is extremely bright, the pictures do not do it justice. It also is a very light weight, comfortable helmet. I went for the pricier Giro partly because I wanted a helmet that was good in hot weather and this helmet is well vented. I already have my Bern for tooling around in and for colder conditions.

I have noticed biking in Texas that cyclists who wear high visibility products really do stand out. It makes a difference. I also noticed years ago when I road a motorcycle that my spouse's and my blaze orange helmets really stood out from afar and even though this is only my impression, I had the feeling that drivers did not follow me as close when I wore that helmet.



https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_449us8TNSM/T0EzLvTbAMI/AAAAAAAAaeo/k0raiGu0YVA/s640/013.JPG