High visibility back in fashion in 2012

[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), as well as the Giro Aeon (see here). I may have to get a new helmet!

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-H...238075&sr=1-33

and $250 for the Giro
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER



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/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[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/hardn...s-cycle-helmet



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.

[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.

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.

[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]

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.