Top bicycle helmets for recreational cyclists
The two most well-known helmet brands in the United States -- Bell and Giro -- dominate the reviews for recreational cyclists. Bell owns the Giro helmet brand, but they maintain separate product lines and websites.
The Giro Indicator (*Est. $40) bicycle helmet gets excellent reviews from consumers and experts alike. At 10 ounces, it's relatively lightweight for helmets in this price range, and it's available in one universal size that fits heads from 21.25 inches to 24 inches. The Indicator helmet uses Giro's single-handed Acu Dial adjustment system and an interior fit band to achieve a snug fit; it also comes with a snap-on visor. Owners give the Giro Indicator above-average ratings in over 70 reviews on Amazon.com, saying the bike helmet is comfortable and easy to adjust. Several owners also comment that the Giro Indicator is lighter and less bulky than comparable Bell helmets. On a negative note, some owners with large heads have trouble getting a precise fit, which is a common complaint for one-size-fits-all bicycle helmets. Several others note that the straps do not lie flat on the side of the face.
Professional reviewers also have good things to say about the Giro Indicator. David Arthur at RoadCyclingUK.com praises the numerous vents -- 20 in all -- on the Giro Indicator, which he says offers comparable ventilation to more expensive bike helmets. Ian Osborne at BikeRadar.com gives it 4.5 out of five stars, saying this helmet offers great value with excellent ventilation. Osborne says, "for a helmet at this price, it's amazing what the Indicator has to offer in terms of looks, style and function." Mountain Bike Rider agrees, saying the Giro Indicator is "hard to beat and a great helmet for the first timer." Like owner-written reviews, their main complaint is that the straps don't lay completely flat. If you don't need a visor and want to save some money, the Giro Transfer (*Est. $30) is the same helmet without the snap-in visor.
The Bell Citi (*Est. $50) is another well-reviewed bike helmet that earns high marks, especially for commuters. It's an ounce heavier than the Giro Indicator, but it has a more rounded silhouette that may appeal to urban riders. Like the Giro Indicator, the Bell Citi bike helmet comes in one size that fits heads from 21.25 inches to 24 inches, and it uses a one-handed dial adjustment system. The Citi bike helmet performed well in independent impact tests conducted several years ago, and it earns above-average marks for fit and comfort in owner-written reviews. The adjustment system gets good reviews for ease-of-use, and commuters like the bright yellow color (one of seven available) for visibility. In addition to the top safety rating, the Bell Citi gets good reviews for its retro style from sources like Time Out New York and AskMen.com. While most owners are very happy with the Bell Citi bike helmet, some note that air travels noisily through the ventilation holes and chin straps. In addition, the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) complains that the straps do not stay in place well.
Commuters who wouldn't be caught dead in a traditional bicycle helmet may also like the Bern Brentwood (*Est. $60). Although it's more expensive and heavier than the Bell Citi, it has a skater-inspired design and comes in six sizes that fit heads from 21 inches to 25 inches. It's approved by the CPSC for both biking and skateboarding. The Independent includes the Bern Brentwood on a list of the 50 best pieces of cycling gear, where they recommend it for urban riders. They like the detachable visor and find that it keeps your head cool, even though it has fewer vents than other bike helmets. Time Out New York also picks the Bern Brentwood as a good bicycle helmet for the style-conscious, saying it won't make you look too "bike geek-y." Because there are fewer vents, the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute thinks Bern helmets do not have enough ventilation for long cycling rides. The Brentwood has two detachable liner options -- a knit cap for the winter and a baseball-style hat for summer.
Both the Bell Citi and Giro Indicator bike helmets would be fine choices for women, but those with smaller heads may appreciate the Bell Vela (*Est. $30). This bicycle helmet is designed specifically for women, and it fits heads between 19.7 inches and 22.45 inches. At 9 ounces, it's lighter than both the Bell Citi and the Giro Indicator helmets. Like the Bell Citi, the Bell Vela uses the single-handed ErgoDial adjustment system, and it comes in five colors meant to appeal to women. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute says the Bell Vela is "probably one of the better values in the Bell lineup." Jenn Hopkins at BikeRadar.com gives the Bell Vela an excellent review, calling it a "good-looking gem of a lid at a superb bargain price." She praises the ventilation and finds the fit easy to adjust with the ErgoDial system. Good Housekeeping also picks the Bell Vela bike helmet as a good choice for women. Its testers love the sporty design and snug fit.
Bell makes a number of other well-reviewed bicycle helmets that won't break the bank, including the Bell Slant (*Est. $55). At 12 ounces, it's heavier than the top-rated Bell Citi or Giro Indicator, but it has 21 vents and a detachable visor. The Bell Slant bike helmet comes in one universal adult size. Like the Bell Citi, the Bell Slant performs very well in independent impact testing and it also gets high marks for ventilation and ease of use. In a test of bike helmets, Mountain Bike Rider gives the Bell Slant a perfect 10 and picks it as the best entry-level helmet. They particularly like how easy it is to adjust the fit with one hand while riding. David Slant at BikeMagic.com also highlights the Bell Slant for riders on a budget, saying it has benefited from trickle-down technology found on Bell's higher-end helmets. Owners nearly unanimously recommend the Bell Slant helmet on Amazon.com, although a few critics find it larger than they anticipated.
There are dozens of other bike helmet manufacturers out there aside from Bell and Giro. We don't see as many reviews for these models, but they are subject to the same government safety requirements as all other bike helmets. Specialized, Trek, Lazer, Cratoni, Uvex and Rudy Project are but a few of these brands.
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