s264@sol1.UUCP (s264) (10/19/85)
Does anyone have any experience with effective, reasonably comfortable helmets OTHER THAN THE BELL BIKER, TOURLITE, OR SKID-LID? Like many other cyclists, I find most helmets hot and uncomfortable on long rides (> 80 miles). On *really* long rides, they are pure torture. The only helmet I have been able to use on long rides is the SkidLid, but I question its effectiveness. The Bells (I have put in several thousand miles, in all sorts of weather, with both the old Biker and the newer model) I find very uncomfortable. (Mostly neck strain, and no, it doesn't improve with training.) Would welcome any suggestions. Anyone have any long-term experience with the Bells and also, say, MSR or Bailen? I have just about given up wearing a helmet except for commuting and club-riding (more dangerous than long- distance solitary rides). -Tim Smith (alias s264)
scott@rochester.UUCP (Michael Scott) (10/21/85)
In article <364@sol1.UUCP> Tim Smith (s264) writes: > >Does anyone have any experience with effective, reasonably comfortable >helmets OTHER THAN THE BELL BIKER, TOURLITE, OR SKID-LID? I have been wearing a Bailen helmet for five years. I like it very much. I don't keep track of my mileage, but I commute to work several miles a day. My wife and I also do all our shopping by bicycle, and we tour longer distances (50-100 miles per day) several times a year. >Like many >other cyclists, I find most helmets hot and uncomfortable on long >rides (> 80 miles). On *really* long rides, they are pure torture. The only time the Bailen really bothers me is when I have to stop at a long red light in the city in the summer. At first glance, most people expect the Bailen to be hot. It has no holes. What it does have, however, is an internal harness (like a hard hat or a baseball batter's helmet) that holds the shell away from your head. The wind blows through and keeps you cool. I had a Bell Tourlite for a while that sat directly on my head. I didn't like it nearly as well. My major complain with the Bailen is the lack of a visor. I have built one for mine from plastic laminate and binder clips. -- Michael L. Scott University of Rochester (716) 275-7745 scott@rochester.arpa {decvax, allegra, seismo, cmcl2}!rochester!scott scott%rochester@CSNET-RELAY
jdreyer@bbnccv.UUCP (Jon Dreyer) (10/21/85)
In article <364@sol1.UUCP> s264@sol1.UUCP (s264) writes: >I question its effectiveness. The Bells (I have put in several thousand >miles, in all sorts of weather, with both the old Biker and the newer >model) I find very uncomfortable. (Mostly neck strain, and no, it doesn't >improve with training.) Not to dispute that the Bells make you uncomfortable, I find my Tourlite to be extremely comfortable on very long rides and tours. I don't think it's much hotter than no helmet (at least my white one isn't.) If it's really hot, I pour water over my head and put my helmet back on. The helmet keeps the water (or sweat) around much longer. Further, at least on my head, I cannot see any part of the helmet no matter which way I look, so It doesn't make me strain my neck. I threw away the visor. The Bell comes with detailed instructions for fitting; maybe you didn't fit yours right. >Bells and also, say, MSR or Bailen? I have just about given up wearing a >helmet except for commuting and club-riding (more dangerous than long- >distance solitary rides). Please, if you can't stand your Bell, wear the Skid Lid! It's almost certainly much better than nothing.
leimkuhl@uiucdcsp.CS.UIUC.EDU (10/23/85)
I just bought a new Monarch hard-shell racing helmet. It looks as protective as the V1 PRO, with the same styrofoam insulation. Very comfortable, and, I think, much better looking than the PRO. -Ben Leimkuhler
libes@nbs-amrf.UUCP (Don Libes) (10/25/85)
> Does anyone have any experience with effective, reasonably comfortable > helmets OTHER THAN THE BELL BIKER, TOURLITE, OR SKID-LID? Like many Try the Bell V1 Pro or the Bell Mark V. (The Mark V is essentially the same as the Pro but with a visor.) I have the Mark V and find it well ventilated and comfortable. I have helped several people buy helmets in the last year, and after looking at many, they have all bought either the Pro or the Mark V. > The only helmet I have been able to use on long rides is the SkidLid, but > I question its effectiveness. As I said before, I recommend that you get the WABA publication on helmets. I resisted posting the whole thing since mine is out-of-date, however let me tell you what they say about the SkidLid: "Based on impact tests, we do not recommend them, although they are better than a bare head." Don Libes {seismo,umcp-cs}!nbs-amrf!libes
rogerh@bocklin.UUCP (10/25/85)
I have been using a Brancale Sport for the last month. It's quite comfortable -- light and not too hot. I have no idea if it passes any tests, but I wear it (I wouldn't wear a Bell). It saved my life Sunday. I was cruising along with my wool jersey strapped under my saddle (my saddlebag has a strap) when the jersey fell into the back wheel. Wheel stops; bike stops; I stop -- in that order. I lost some skin and put a few pebblemarks in the helmet. If not for the helmet, I would at best be drooling at a hospital wall now. Or dead like Isadora Duncan. The moral is, wear a helmet. Even if you know you're not going to fall down. There was absolutely no reason for me to fall; hey, I made my own. No-one is immune to 2 second's stupidity. It shouldn't cost your life. Roger Hayes Tucson, AZ Cowboy bicycle capitol of Pima County Footnote for macho & macha racers: this was on a club training ride; I had dropped the folks, stopped to take my jersey off, and was chasing back up to the group at about 30 mph.