Bicycle Helmets: Reviews

Affordable bike helmets have a tendency to be heavy and bulky, but the Giro Indicator is lightweight and has a streamlined design that owners love. Reviewers say the Giro Indicator is comfortable, easy to adjust and well… ventilated. Many experts are impressed with the value. BikeRadar.com raves, "For the price, it's amazing what the Indicator has to offer in terms of looks, style and function." Testers for Mountain Bike Rider agree, saying the Giro Indicator is "hard to beat" among helmets in this price range. The Giro Indicator comes in one universal size, which fits head sizes between 21.25 inches and 24 inches in circumference. It includes a detachable visor and 20 vents to keep your head cool. On a negative note, multiple reviewers mention that some of the straps refuse to lie flat, which can be annoying.

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Most affordable bike helmets for adults come in one universal size, which can make it difficult for women or those with smaller head sizes to obtain a precise fit. The Bell Vela is designed for women and fits smaller head… sizes between 19.7 inches and 22.45 inches. Multiple female reviewers say they can get a perfectly snug fit with the Bell Vela, and they also praise the sporty and well-ventilated design. The Vela bike helmet gets high marks for value, with the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute calling it "one of the better values" among Bell helmets. A tester for BikeRadar.com says the Bell Vela is a good-looking helmet at a "superb bargain price." The Bell Vela has a one-handed adjustment system and a removable visor; it comes in five color designs, including light-blue polka dots or white flowers.

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The Bell Citi has a rounded, less aggressive design that is often recommended for commuters. This Bell universal bike helmet fits head sizes between 21.25 inches and 24 inches, but it's slightly heavier than the Giro… Indicator. Still, the Bell Citi performs well in independent testing, where it receives a "very good" rating for impact absorption. Owners also give it high marks for fit and comfort, and the easy-to-use fit adjustment system is widely praised. The Bell Citi comes in several bright colors -- including orange or yellow -- that commuters appreciate for increasing visibility on the road. According to reviews, the biggest downside to the Bell Citi is the chin straps; multiple reviewers say the straps either do not stay in place or they allow air to travel noisily through the helmet.

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Performance bike helmets carry a price premium because they weigh less and have more ventilation -- important features if your bike rides are several hours long. Many of these helmets can easily exceed $200, but reviewers… say the Specialized Propero represents a good combination of performance and value. The Specialized Propero earns a number of accolades, including an Editor's Choice award from Women's Adventure magazine. It's also one of the few helmets available that is certified by both the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Snell Memorial Foundation, a helmet-safety organization. Reviewers say the Specialized Propero is extremely comfortable, with huge vents that increase air flow on long rides. The Specialized Propero comes in three sizes for heads between 20 inches and 24.75 inches.

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Finding a well-fitting bike helmet for children under 3 can be difficult, but reviewers say the Bell Boomerang fits the bill. It fits head sizes between 18.5 inches and 20.5 inches, and a stretchy material inside the… helmet helps the Bell Boomerang fit snugly on different head shapes. The Boomerang performs very well in independent impact testing. It meets Consumer Product Safety Commission toddler helmet standards, and comes with a detachable visor and pinch-guard buckle. Most parents posting to online review sites are happy with the Bell Boomerang, but several report that the helmet's rear protrusion annoys kids sitting in strollers or bike trailers. In addition, the Bell Boomerang has just eight vents, so it receives only fair marks for ventilation.

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For older kids who aren't yet big enough for an adult helmet, the Bell Trigger performs well in independent crash tests. The Trigger helmet fits head sizes between 19.7 inches and 22.45 inches, and it looks more like an… adult helmet to appeal to older children. Parents say the Bell Trigger is well ventilated with 23 vents, and it's easy to get a snug fit thanks to the ErgoDial fit adjustment system also found in Bell's adult helmets. The Bell Trigger does not have a detachable visor like most helmets, but the pricier Bell Alibi (*Est. $40) is an identical helmet that includes a clip-on visor.

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