Cycling Helmets - What Do You Get When You Spend More?
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 19. 06. 2024
- In association with KASK.
Cycling helmets are an essential bit of kit. What, then, does a more expensive helmet offer over a less expensive version?
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If you spend money on something cycling-related, it's easy to think that you should prioritise your cycling helmet. We'd certainly agree with this, but, we also want to be clear that more expensive does not = safer. Helmet safety standards are there for a reason, and any helmet that you buy will have met the standards necessary for where you live.
What sort of features does a more expensive helmet offer, then? Things like aerodynamics, increased comfort, lower weight, anti-bacterial treatment and more.
As always, let us know your thoughts down in the comments, hit the thumbs up and SHARE this video too.
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Leave us a comment below! - Sport
You guys should create an entire playlist of "what do you get when you spend more' for all cycling related equipment including the bikes
Amey Dalvi An empty wallet.
I bought that vented-flap aero helmet last year (on black friday funnily enough). It has been used on countless winter commutes and has been up Alpe d'Huez in the summer. Having the flap really does make an enormous difference, I think it's well worth the investment.
I wear a btwin 710 helmet, about 40 euro, good stuff, looks nice and who cares that it's from decathlon... I get most of my basic bike stuff there
This is the kind of stuff I love from GCN. Explaining one category of part or equipment for the whole video.
I just bought a Kask Rapido last week, and it was such an upgrade from my old one (which cost about the same 3 years ago).
Less sweat dripping down into my eyes for the win..
Great helpful video, with no time wasting fillers, excellent thank you very much
These helmets are quite difficult to find here in Colombia. I use a generic helmet it's sturdy yet light.
Just received my Giro Synthe helmet today, love it already.
My favourite commute helmet was bought from ikea. Looks good. Peak keeps rain and sun off my specs. Keeps head warm in winter and cool in summer. And 20 quid. Wear wot you feel comfy in.
Good brief review of the main points helping in the selection of a helmet -should add in Road helmets to the title. Might be worth adding some manufacturers offer discounts on new helmets if you have an accident or old for new (at a price point) and the supply of spare parts -sweat pads/straps/bags, etc. For me the main cost of more expensive helmets is the cost prototyping improvements and implementing them. This would result in most of the points you described above regarding comfort fit for long rides, adjustment, advantages in weather conditions, materials used (colour loss in sunlight, reusability, etc.) and any cost savings in racing, not forgetting safety of course.
basically, were being ripped off- just wrap your asda helmet in tin foil and cardboard for aero
Interesting. Though, my aero helmet has air intake vents where it contacts the forehead. So there is some airflow going in and out even the top surface vents are shut.
On the other hand, one can punch a tinfoil in coupe places at bow and stern and still get aero benefits. Just don't brake the helmet's integrity.
LisaPet yeah, to my mind the answer there is pencil holes :) someone at my club once did a aero foil helmet for our evening 10k tt and it really really worked :P
toasty bear Yep. Also stops the government's thought monitoring
I will say Kask helmets have great quality control. I recently purchased a mojitomodel and was very happy with the finishing quality. A week later I purchase a giro vanquishand for the amount of money was not very happy with the finish and quality compared to the half as expensive mojito model Kask.
Ive got a Kask Protone, Best helmet I have bought
Do they have to take a 5-minute break each time Dan removes a helmet so a hair stylist has time to redo his hair?
Of course, its Dan
+taurus20077 no.
15 minutes.
LOL At 4:36 you can see the pain in Dan's eyes with helmet hair barely visible.
@@gcn didn't saw that comin'
Why is there no mention of MIPS? This is fast becoming a standard for all helmets including motorcycle
I switched to the Giro Air Attack with Shield last year. Not so much to be aero, but because the face shield provides much improved peripheral vision (vs. my $250 Oakleys!) and better protection to the face - protection from everything from bumblebees to rain. Riding in the rain is a much nicer experience with eh face shield. I also get no fogging of the face shield in cool humid weather like happens with any eyewear. I found The Air Attack has plenty of ventilation for summer riding and I have less rain coming inside during the winter. The aero road helmets are quieter on descents and into headwinds, letting you better hear cars coming from behind. The other point I would add to your discussion, is any cheap helmet with foam padding has two problems. The foam typically delaminates and falls apart after a year or so of use, and in the summer, the foam soaks up sweat like a sponge. Yuck!
I also have a spike poking out from the back of my skull near the top of my neck which seems to serve no purpose other than very occasionally getting in the way. I looked it up and it's an anatomical feature called the 'inion' or 'external occipital protuberance'. It may or may not be present, it can be a tiny bump or even a large hook shaped extra piece and it is more common or more pronounced in men than women.
"And a big thanks to this video's sponsor Kask!"
Well, they were upfront about it at least
Dan already mentioned at the start that Kask are their helmet partnership. Besides, having one manufacturer meant that they could show complete price range. To be fair to GCN, they never give a rating to products, they merely show them off and let the viewer decide where they want to spend their cash. If you don't like Kask helmets then go look for a review from other manufacturers, this wasn't a review just a helmet overview. And before you call me a Kask fanboi, I have a Specialized S-Works helmet.
I was just poking fun at the video, not hating. But like you my money is in specialized. For me they always fit just perfect! And I have tried $10k bikes from Trek and Cannondale but they just didn't feel right. Still amazing bikes and gear but not right for me.
I feel much better now I've watched Dan do his Kask advert.
This is a really great idea for a series of videos
Very helpful. Well done.
I kind of liked the helmet Matt wore during the London tour in the previous video .
Works better than expected
I have a Kask Mojito - very comfortable as I also have a lumpy head like Dan 2:57
I've heard various opinions about when to replace a bike helmet. Obviously after a crash involving head impact. But some places think you should replace your bike helmet every 3-5 years, others say they last indefinitely with regular wear and tear. Any advice from GCN? #TorqueBack
A couple things. Some helmets have a net inside the front of the helmet to keep pesky bees etc out. A plus in my book.
When it comes to weight, I have neck issues. I bought a new helmet that weighed 50 grams less. It might not sound like a lot but it was a massive difference. Lot less pain in the neck. Like night and day.
Last thing I will say is even if the helmet says it is aero, it doesn't necessarily mean it is more aero than a helmet that doesn't say so. Read professional reviews, plenty of them on the net.
I been riding for about 15 months without a helmet. I tried every Giro, they would dig into the back of my skull. I picked the Mojito and fell in love for the first time and now I'm wearing a helmet.
I'd like to see a comparison of which brands have similar fit since there are helmets that fit certain shaped heads better than other ie Giro look huge on my melon but Cannondale helmets fit very well.
I bought the Giro Synthe (ÂŁ100+) over the Foray (ÂŁ50) despite them looking almost identical simply because the Synthe was perfectly comfortable to wear.
Good video, thanks Dan.
No mention of noise? I go for aero road helmets so I can hear better... both traffic and conversation. Also very surprised there's no mention of helmet hair. Can we get a sneak peek of the Kask DL Signature Hairnet prototype?
How important is MIPS?
Very good! but I have an ALDI helmet ÂŁ10, it comes with a 3 year warranty and a 10 page manual, it is EU certified to 1078 , GS tested , you name it! it has a rotational adjusting devise at its rear, also it has an LED at the rear with a replaceable battery (one is supplied) . I bought the adult version 54>59 cm, and found it extremely comfortable from the outset, I find the shape of it on my head totally acceptable, (no daft looking wings or fins protruding anywhere) It looks like a "Giro". It has an insect net, high quality strapping infinitely adjustable etc build quality is superb. Its obviously a proper piece of kit!! so I am accepting that other helmets cost more, but enquiring why? If say, ÂŁ200 helmet can be proven to be better, then I am all ears, ( enquiry not a challenge)
I do find my Protone to be an exceedingly comfortable helmet.
I second that comment.
Too bad your car is gay af. Camaros were originally, and still are, marketed to women.
The timing of this video was good. I am in the begining stages of researching a new helment for next season. The Kask is on my shoert list, so is the MET. I currently use a Specialized ProperoII. Great helment but the new ones lost a bit in styling.
I just got the met rivale đ great bit of kit
Yep: Thats a good looking one. Where do you get the LED back light for it?
Buy a motorcycle helmet if you want safety... otherwise never buy a helmet for more than $60. the best helmets drop to $60 during winter sales once they go "out of style". Helmet price is only tied to style - that's it...
So how much faster can you go with an aero lid for the same effort then?
The most important thing on your video is that there is no difference in safety between the less money vs the more expensive helmets.
Helmets are only safe when we wear them. My cheap helmet looked bad and the straps felt irritating around my ears so I felt validated in spending a bit more for something that felt comfortable. If someone was like me and started going helmetless because the discomfort was distracting it's time to upgrade and shop around!
@ GCN Thanks for doing more on helmets, and for linking to the safety standards video from a few months back. It's nice to know that there are safety standards, but could you do a video (maybe a "GCN Does Science") on exactly how helmets protect heads? How well they work, what kinds of impacts they protect against, limitations, etc.? There isn't a lot of easily-accessible data on helmet effectiveness out there, beyond anecdotes and the intuitive idea that protecting a head is good, and helmets can do that effectively. #torqueback
I think this would go beyond what GCN is capable of in that most of the "science" videos have used largely unscientific methods to test certain ideas. That's well and good when it's a question of clipless vs. flats, but wrong testing methodology regarding helmet safety could literally kill someone who takes the tests to heart. The presenters are probably also not capable of weighing in on matters of materials engineering and neuroscience. Those topics are vital to the discussion of helmet safety, but again, improper information could indirectly kill someone which might not be a risk GCN is willing to take.
I think you're right, liability is an issue, apart from their qualifications and unscientific methodology.
One advantage they do have, though, is access to helmet manufacturers and scientists. Even with a helmet company as a sponsor and the bias that comes with it, doing an interview with one of them could go a long way to dispelling misconceptions about what helmets can and can't do, what the testing thresholds are, what they mean, etc.
I recommend Smith helmets.
How often should one replace a helmet. I have had mine for 3 or 4 years and have not had any major crashes. Should I replace it?
If you took the aerodynamic helmets, I saw a nice ... The left one for the viewers, so I would like to take a look ... What does it call?
With best regards,
Cyriel
Do you guys know when the new bambino is coming out?
Irrelevant of that fact Kask is GCN partner/sponsor, I own a Kask Protone and love the look, the fit and the functions of the helmet. Only catch it on cost a small fortune but than again it made Italy and not China plus it has this lovely leather strap.
Can't wait for cheap 3D printed custom helmets fitted to your head - as everyone with "oddly" shaped head can confirm. We're struggling for years to find something that is not uncomfortable for long rides (as I found when riding with my MTB helmet on the road for 2+ hrs of continuous riding- as if two horns grew on top of my head, two "scratching points... no problem on MTB, rarely riding that long without stopping ). Usually the problem is "solved" by bigger helmet that does not fit well (e.g. not steady when MTB downhilling, or you have to really tighten it).
Could you do one of these for shoes?
What about MIPS technology?
What about MIPS, which are generally more expensive, but are supposed to protect you better.
The question is this the scope of the EU standard is only to 15 mph! As a lot of UK riders are now clocking a minimum average of 18mph/24kph + Surely it is time for the riders who do want helmet protection (a touchy subject at the best of times) for helmets to be tested and more effective when they crash at higher speeds without looking like a motor cyclist? Surely Kask and other pro-team suppliers can get together (Which is how British Standards used to be created) and re-look at this issue look. Then offer a dual-certified, that it meets CEN requirements as minimum and the 'Snell B90A / B95A' that it meets that as a miximum requirement.
Did you guys know there are other brands other than Kask?
$10 = around âŹ8.95
Which is around ÂŁ7.68
You're welcome.
After Brexit âŹ10 will be ÂŁ 2
Voornaam Achternaam Other way around
Awesome thanks so much. Else I would have to go find a computer...
3:34 Dan looking like a riot policeman about to beat the living shit out of an yobo.
Anyone know of helmets made for someone with more narrow head? I can't find one where i live. All of them are simply too big for my head!
Please make a video on glasses
Would love to know what a phrenologist would make of the protrusion on the back on Dan's onion.
Yup, that currency we're getting ever closer to parity with.
Interesting that noise production was not mentioned.
I'd be happy just finding one big enough to fit properly.
Dan, that is YOUR upper left hand corner and our upper RIGHT hand corner. Just pointing that out.
Just gonna stick with the 10 dollar helmet I currently own. I mean, it fits perfectly, so... nothing to complain about
Is more aero quieter?
Bah.. if vanity doesn't play a part in your spending then you can get away with reasonable prices, for the whole kit (bikes included)
For vanities sake.. I like the Giro Synthe and the MIPS gives me some added safety,. :)
I agree, the Synthe is definitely one of the best helmets on the market!
Oh you sponsored by Kask? I always wondered why you guys always wore that brand... Maybe i'm slow...
I bought a Scott helmet off a sale. It cost me 20 euros, it's well ventilated, fits my head nicely and weighs 233 grams. I don't see a point in spending more since I'm not competing.
Do what's right for you. You don't need to spend more money to protect your head, unless you want a helmet with MIPS. And you don't need to defend your purchase. Just one happy camper!
Does the padding come on the side when you buy any helmet? It looks like your helmets are really padded. Every time I try helmets in the store, they feel like they have the smallest amount of padding. This puts pressure on top of my skull which feels like it'll hurt a lot more in impact. Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?
How much is a flight to America these days?
Will a aero helmet help my Fat Biking?
what about helmets with MIPS ?
this is basically a commercial for Kask and you should clearly mark this video with a sign saying "paid advertisement" or something similar.
I need help on my helmet it don't have adjustment at the back..
so what exactly do we pay when we buy Gyro Synth? Quality, materials, aero???? Since its the worse quality for its price (comparison to Kask, CASCO, Balista, etc!
I have a $30 helmet that ways 280 grams and looks great with lots a ventilation
and i went to tescos and bought and 15 quid one
Dan's def had a trim for this helmet fitting. #oohmatron
I just got a matte black protone. My mojito was looking pretty dated and duck-ish in comparison.
If you are looking for Low Profile helmet Rapido there for you...almost unbeatable value for your money :)
I have bought some hair wax today, now I need to buy a helmet !
Quello blu, bello e molto alla moda
Should there be an accident whilst riding, could any priced helmet be used again after the accident, would it be still useful in protecting the head?
Ethan Wong some brands actually offer replacement of the helmet in case of an accident.
I might have missed it, but I have had my helmet ever since I remember, should I replace it?
Every maybe 5 years I believe, some helmets have a guideline on the branding sticker. Supposedly the foam degrades?
Unless you have an impact then replace it immediately.
Oh good, I am on the market for a new lid.
Those are some super light weight helmets.
This video sponsored by Kask. It'd be nice if GCN had more sponsorship disclosure in these videos.
Also, I love my Lazer helmets.
He did disclose it in the video.
To be fair, if you click "show more" below (as far as I can tell every) video, it lists their various sponsors.
He said it in the video they were their sponsors.
2:40 pay attention
The sponsorship of this video has no affect on the information provided. It's universal across brands.
My helmet fits but it looks so huge on my head and it's annoying. My helmet is like really wide smh
any helmets offer a rear mounted gun....for magpies??!!
GCN - Sponsored by Sky and Asthma XD
Dollars? Have we gone american in bath now?
Is this show only for people in the UK? Should I unsubscribe? Maybe they mix it up between Pounds and Dollars between videos?
People will complain just about everything on youtube won't they?
no
It's the GLOBAL cycling network. A lot more people know how to convert from USD to their currency than pounds
+TTate Hardly, the American dollar is far less important to most people around the world than most Americans would believe. Stating the price in American dollars does mean it makes more sense to Americans as many probably don't have any idea of current rates in Europe. I've seen a lot of references to the "Euro dollar" in the USA, they can't even get the name right...
Liofa I'm Norwegian and I didn't know the rates for the pund or the euro until I visited Britain and Italy earlier this year. I have however been updated on the american dollar for a number of years now. The same goes for most of the people I know.
why only kask helmets?
How can Dan sit there straight faced and say "If you want to know how to clean your helmet, we've got a video just down there".
Cheap helmets usually come in one size. If you have a particularly large or small head, you have to spend more.
Just buy a fucking 15 quid helmet that fits at Decathlon.
What Do You Get When You Spend More? Eh......cycle paths?
Do all bike helmets look like a mushroom on the sides? I want something that is a little less wide...
Dan you forgot to mention which helmet won't flatten your hair
wanted the kask infinity but costs $300.....
MIPS?
MIPS - Multi-directional Impact Protection System, which is a technology inside the helmet designed to reduce rotational forces that can result from certain impacts, there is no evidence that it actually achieves this.
They won't comment on that. Their 'Helmet Partners' (*giggles slightly) don't believe in it. To be fair there's little evidence it makes any difference anyway. But it's sure interesting to see what they're allowed, or not, to mention. I mean it's not like there's a huge selection of MIPS helmets out there, with consumers making choices every day as to whether to spend the extra or not. ...Oh wait.
why should more vents cost more ??
Nice hair
Any suggestions for helmets under 150$?
You need to try helmets out, to find the one with the right fit for you. There are tons of helmets under 150.
ty jensen that was helpful!
yeah, shop around
Calum, I don't exactly know, what the shops near you carrying, but there are for instance models like Giro Atmos II, Bell Volt, Kask Mojito, Mavic Syncro, Mavic Plasma, Rudy Project Sterling, Scott Wit-R, Scott Groove, Limar Ultra Light Plus Road,...the list is long and those are road helmets only, or do you want a MTB helmet? Trying them on, in the store is the most important part.
I can't find a helmet that fits comfotable. My head is 65 Has someone a suggestion for me?
Richard Noorlander An old head on young shoulders