What To Look For
Cycling helmets are created for one very important purpose: safety. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, bicyclers who choose not to wear a helmet are 14 times more likely to die in a cycling accident than those who choose to wear a helmet. The overall goal when searching for a safe cycling helmet should be to find one that fits properly. Everyone has a different shape to her head; therefore, everyone requires a different size in a helmet. Overall, look for a helmet that fits snugly, evenly and comfortably against your head. There should be no areas of the helmet that push tighter against one part of your head than another.
Common Pitfalls
Bicycle helmets often come in one specific size. This can obviously be an issue, and it's best for you to try on various types of reputable helmets in order to find one that fits your specific head shape.
Where To Buy
Nashbar, eBay and Amazon all offer competitive prices on cycling helmets, and you can conveniently browse through various customer reviews while searching for a safe and reputable helmet. However, it's smart to go into a sporting goods store to see which types of helmets fit your head best and then compare prices and reviews online. If purchasing online, be sure to follow the specific return policy to make sure you can return the helmet if necessary.
Cost
A quality bicycle helmet will range between $25 and $200. Overall, if you are specifically concerned about safety only, you can stay in the lower price range when purchasing a helmet, however; if you want the extra cushioning and ventilation, the price will go up. According to ConsumerSearch, Bell and Giro carry the best-reviewed bicycle helmets.
Insider Tips
When testing to see if a helmet fits properly, it's helpful to follow some specific guidelines. Once the helmet is on, look up to see if you can see the helmet; if not, it's tilted too far back. The helmet straps must form either a V or Y, slightly in front of the earlobes. Once the chin strap is in place, open your mouth and make sure the helmet starts to push down over your head. Last, make sure the helmet does not slide from side to side more than an inch as you pull on it. If the helmet passes all of these tests, it fits properly.
Member Comments