What kind of helmet do you use?

[Ann G]

My helmet is a few years old, and I've never been in a crash, but the shell has chips in it from packing it in a duffle bag and then having other bags piled on top of it on the bus to and from RAGBRAI. I'd like to replace it, and I'm wondering what kind of helmets other women cyclists like and why. I have a recumbent, so I never ride with my head down, so I kind of like having a helmet with a visor. Yesterday I was riding in a pretty strong wind, and I started wondering what kind of effect the visor has on wind resistance. Maybe not much, but that's one of the places where the shell is chipped, so the visor was actually flapping just a little, and it was annoying. So now I'm trying to decide whether to get one with a visor or just rely on the sunglasses to keep the sun out of my eyes. Some of the helmets specifically for women are really attractive looking, like the Bell Vela and Giro Skyla. Any opinions out there?

[Fredwina]

I have a Specialized decibel that I really like, but it's discontinued, and may be more that you want to spend(cost me about $130).

[motochick]

Giro havoc (XS) with visor. After reading Lance's book I will forever support Giro.

Brenda

[Aggie_Ama]

I have a Giro Atmos and a Bell Furio. The Atmos vents really help, I was a skeptic when my husband claimed that but the ventilation really does help.

I prefer Bell to Giro because you can adjust the tension on the bike with their GPS system but I liked the Pink Atmos.

Bell makes Giro but Giro uses the Roc-Loc adjustment system.

[bike4ever]

Giro Pneumo and Bell Sweep. I like the fit of the Pneumo more. I just use the Sweep as a commute helmet now.

[csr1210]

Louis Garneau "Fast" helmet. Looks decent on my head (isn't that what it's about?!?), pretty well vented, and under $80.

Giro's didn't fit my head shape very well

Liked Bell Sweep - but a little pricey

Specialized helmets just looked dopey on my head (can't have that)

The LG has served me well for about 1000 miles so far.

Christy

[RoseRydr]

I have found that we all have different shaped heads and each helmet brand is a different shape. I'd say try on different brands. I used to wear Giro but when I tried on a Bell I found it really fit the shape of my head (no, not pointy ). I hadn't realized the Giro really didn't fit me too well till I tried the Bell Furio.

Most brands have an adjustment on the back so you can really get a custom fit.

Happy shopping!

[KnottedYet]

I have a Bell shaped head. Tried Giro, no luck. (Sweetie has a Giro head.) Bell Citi is my favorite helmet. $48. Hot screaming lime-yellow. No faux-aero pointy bit at the back to catch on the pavement and snap your neck when you crash. Nice visor, keeps the cooties out of the eyes when riding. Reflective tape all over the place, including the straps.

Helmet hair is sexy.

"If you won't wear a helmet, then I won't wear a condom."

[Beane]

I have found that we all have different shaped heads and each helmet brand is a different shape. I'd say try on different brands.

+1. very happy with my bell helmets.

[7rider]

I prefer a helmet with fairly neutral colors.
Other than that, I go for one that fits my head and my wallet.
Everything else is pretty much window dressing.

[Miranda]

Road bike = Giro Pneumo. Mt Bike = Giro Havoc.

I hate any kind of hats. When I first started riding, the prospect of wearing a hat, aka my helmet, was not a happy thing. But, it is an absolute must.

To minimize my hat hatred, I made sure I got the features in the helmet I knew I wanted. The Pneumo is more $, but bigger vents, cooler, lighter. All a plus. I also did not "settle" for a color I didn't like. Both of my helmets are a silver white combo. The road bike is this scheme, and it compliments the mt bike. I knew regardless if I changed jersey color, or even bikes, those helmet colors would blend with anything and not be an eyesore.

Next to your bike itself, a helmet is the most single important piece of gear that you own for cycling. It is used every ride. Get exactly what you want, regardless.

Miranda

[violette]

My helmet is a few years old, and I've never been in a crash, but the shell has chips in it from packing it in a duffle bag and then having other bags piled on top of it on the bus to and from RAGBRAI. I'd like to replace it, and I'm wondering what kind of helmets other women cyclists like and why. I have a recumbent, so I never ride with my head down, so I kind of like having a helmet with a visor. Yesterday I was riding in a pretty strong wind, and I started wondering what kind of effect the visor has on wind resistance. Maybe not much, but that's one of the places where the shell is chipped, so the visor was actually flapping just a little, and it was annoying. So now I'm trying to decide whether to get one with a visor or just rely on the sunglasses to keep the sun out of my eyes. Some of the helmets specifically for women are really attractive looking, like the Bell Vela and Giro Skyla. Any opinions out there?

I have a bike helmet...Just teasing.
I have a specialized ?. Have no idea what series it is.

[Ann G]

I'm going to take the bike in to the bike shop before RAGBRAI this summer, so I'll try on some different helmets for fit there. Considering that there is a lot of variation in fit from one kind to another, I don't think I can just order one form Performance Bike or something. About that impact question, I really don't think that the helmet took any major blows. The shell is just a little chipped in a few places, but it's enough to bug me. Also, I think that newer helmets have more and bigger vents, and are probably cooler as a result.

[KnottedYet]

I'm thinking if it has chips, it suffered impact.

[Flur]

I have a Trek Interval WSD helmet. It was affordable ($50), has a lot of vents and I love the colors - blue with just a few red hibiscus on it. The visor snaps on and off so I can use it when I want to and not when I don't, and it's so comfy and light that I sometimes forget that it's there.