The wearing of adult bicycle helmets is a controversial subject in many places. Some folks believe that helmets are expensive, un-stylish, and unnecessary.
So what is the best bicycle helmet? What should you look for in a helmet?
Know what is the best bicycle helmet.
2. Buying Adult Bicycle Helmets
The wearing of adult bicycle helmets is a controversial subject in many places. Some folks believe that
helmets are expensive, un-stylish, and unnecessary.
Even if I wore a helmet, some ask, would it really even save my life?.
I used to be one of the people asking these questions, but personal experience has changed my
mind forever.
Buying Adult Bicycle Helmets
So what is the best bicycle helmet? What should you look for in a helmet? Really, as long as it meets the
standards set by the national safety and transportation body in your country, the next most
important thing to consider is fit!
When you are at the shop trying out helmets, make sure to have an experienced salesperson help you
to adjust the straps so that you can tell if it fits beforeyou buy it.
There are many different styles and fits of helmets. There are virtually weightless helmets ideal for
racing, like the Advantage 2 helmet by Giro, or full face helmets ideal for down hill biking like Bell
Drop BMX/Downhill Helmet.
If you’re into BMX mountain biking and you are looking for BMX mountain bike helmets, or you just
want something a little more stylish check out Bell’s Faction Bike Helmet or Bern’s Watts
Helmet which look simpler and are similar to a skateboarding helmet. If you ride a lot, and do high
intensity riding you might prefer something more minimal, with ventilation like the Schwinn Adult
Thrasher Helmet.
3. 4 Things to Look for
• CPSC sticker – In the US, adult bicycle helmets must have the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety
Commission) inside the helmet.. Other countries might have their own regulatory quality mark.
• The right fit – Your bike helmet should have the right size and to fit you properly. Not only will you
not want to wear a helmet that is not comfortable, but it also won’t protect your head during a fall!
Still at the shop, put the helmet on and adjust straps and then try to tear it off your head. It should
stay in place.
• Ventilation holes – Anyone who has cycled on a roaring hot summer day can appreciate good
ventilation on a helmet! Ventilation and sweat control are critical. There are several solutions for
making a well ventilated helmet with good air flow without making too many holes (for example,
making larger front vents). For the best sweat control I can strongly recommend wearing a good
helmet Liner) under your helmet, but never a hat or anything thick.
• Rounded shape, bright colors – They might be unstylish, but I would strongly recommend buying
helmets with well-rounded outer shell. In most cases, aerodynamics is not the issue, but safety
surly is! Make sure your helmet have a bright color.
4. 4 Things to Avoid
• Style over safety – Many “Aerodynamic” adult bicycle helmets have sharp edges, such as a tail or
rigid visors. If you are not participating in the Tour de France you don’t need the noticeably extra
speed, and if you crash the “tail” might rotate the helmet (and your head) aside. Don’t give up on
safety – for style.
• Dark helmets – When you are on the road or on the trail, it is best to have bright helmet, so that
others can see you.
• Narrow straps – Wider and softer straps are more comfortable. Make sure that the straps are wide
enough.
• Tan lines – If you are bald, avoid helmets with too many ventilation holes, or wear a helmet Liner.
5. Adult Bicycle Helmet for the Road
Enthusiast
While some purists in the road bike cycling community opt for retro
caps in the summer or knitted toques in the winter, the stylish
nature of helmets made for road cycling has made them an easier
sell, then in the world of the urban hipster.
Many adult bicycle helmets come in the colors of teams riding in the
Tour de France are incredibly light, and fit so perfectly that one
hardly even notice that they are there. For the most part, one pays
more money as the number of vents on the helmet increases, but
one can still find a number of eye-catching head pieces.
6. Adult Bicycle Helmets for the Rugged
Trail
• Mountain bike helmets really are an absolute necessity, and I can’t remember ever
seeing a rider on the trail who eschewed a helmet for the sake of fashion. Anything can
happen on the trail, and I have bounced my head of tree trunks and low hanging
branches while still in the saddle!
• However, even a XC best bicycle helmet is not enough when it comes to extreme biking.
Downhill riders usually choose to wear helmets with full face protection, as a
downhill mountain biking accident come with the potential for more serious injury. Hey,
I never said all fun was free!
• Bikers who like cross country bicycling have it easier in that they can use road cycling
helmets with lots of vents.
• These adult bicycle helmets are not as well ventilated as the helmets used for cross
country riding, and can be quite hot in the summer. Nonetheless, choosing the
right cycling equipment can make the difference between a great day on the trails and a
terrible day in the hospital. You can choose what kind of day you’re going to have.
• For cross country bicycling and down hill biking that are light, comfortable, and well-
priced. I am currently using the Uvex Xenova Mountain Bike Helmet and I can honestly
say this is the best bicycle helmet for me, and it worth the money. It has maximum
ventilation, is easily adjustable, and I hardly notice it’s there when I’m riding!