What To Look For
Manufacturers design bike helmets to absorb the brunt of the impact if your head hits the ground in a crash. Look for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) label on helmets when you shop. As of March 1999, CPSC notes that all helmets on the U.S. market must comply with federal safety and quality standards. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) contends that low- and high-priced helmets perform equally as well in an accident.
Common Pitfalls
Bicycle helmet shoppers often buy a helmet that does not fit. If a helmet is too big or too small, it might not be comfortable, but, worse yet, it likely won't do its job properly in a crash. BHSI advises spending at least 15 minutes when buying a helmet, as not all styles fit well on all heads. A helmet should fit snug on all sides, so that when you attempt to move it, it stays put. The chin strap should fit taut along your jawbone.
Where To Buy
You can find bicycle helmets at most mass retailers as well as sporting goods stores and local bicycle shops. Several bicycle retailers, such as Bike Nashbar and Competitive Cyclist, have a national online presence. You can compare models and order online right from their website.
Cost
Bicycle helmets from discount retailers, such as Target, range in price from about $20 to $40, as of August 2010. Sporting goods stores and local bicycle shops offer lower-end models for about the same price, but as BHSI explains, you can pay upwards of $200 for a professional-level lid.
Comparison Shopping
High-end helmets are generally lighter and have sophisticated ventilation systems for a cooler, more comfortable riding experience. Some helmets even have special slots on top where you can fit your sunglasses. At all price ranges, including at the lower-end, you will have options with or without a visor. Expect to pay about $10 for a visor, which is often removable, and functions as a sun-blocker for the upper half of your face.
Accessories
For the most part, you won't need to buy anything other than the helmet. You can, however, purchase reflective strips, bicycle lights and rear-view mirrors that mount to bicycle helmets for additional riding safety. While you can always opt for the cool look by wearing a cap or bandanna under you helmet, however, as BHSI warns, this can interfere with fit, which can impact performance.
Insider Tips
Some helmets come in sizes--XS, S, M, L, XL--just like clothing. Companies note that each size fits heads between a certain range, usually measured in centimeters. Other helmets are one size fits all models with wider ranges. You can usually adjust the size of the inside of the helmet--the cage, so to speak, that goes around your head--by manipulating a dial or ratchet system on the back of the helmet.
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