Best bicycle helmets for serious riders
Since all bicycle helmets sold in the United States must meet CPSC standards, an expensive bike helmet won't necessarily protect your head any better than a cheaper helmet. If safety is your only priority, the top-rated Giro Indicator or Bell Citi will probably suit your needs. Where expensive bicycle helmets earn their price tag is in their lower weight and increased ventilation -- important features if you ride a bike for hours at a time.
For serious cyclists who want a lightweight, well-ventilated helmet, the Specialized Propero (*Est. $110) is a favorite of reviewers. This helmet earns numerous recommendations from experts, and it meets the independent Snell B-90A safety standards in addition to its CPSC certification. (Snell certification standards for bicycle helmets are widely recognized to be stricter than general CPSC safety standards, especially the Snell B-95 criteria.) Reviewers say the Specialized Propero helmet fits well on different head types; it comes in three sizes and fits heads from 20 inches to 24.75 inches in circumference. Specialized doesn't release an official weight for this bike helmet, but one reviewer estimates it to weigh around 9 ounces.
In a detailed test for RoadCyclingUK.com, Rich Land says the Specialized Propero offers a comfortable fit and recommends it for road or mountain bikers. Bicycling magazine agrees, saying the Specialized Propero performs well on both roads and trails. Simon Withers for Cycling Plus calls the helmet "perfectly comfortable" and easy to adjust. To add to its accolades, the Specialized Propero bicycle helmet also scores an Editor's Choice award from Women's Adventure magazine and a mention in Outside magazine's 2008 buyer's guide. Specialized helmets are harder to find than those from Bell or Giro; they are sold through independent bike shops or online.
The Specialized S-Works (*Est. $230) bike helmet is also recommended by a number of reviewers, but it's not cheap. The S-Works weighs only 8 ounces -- one reviewer calls it "astonishingly light" -- and Specialized claims it is the lightest helmet on the market thanks to a Kevlar-based frame. Bicycling magazine says the Specialized S-Works helmet is "one of the most well-ventilated and comfortable helmets out there," thanks to huge vents that keep your head cool. Outside and National Geographic Adventure magazines also recommend the Specialized S-Works. Lighter bicycle helmets like the Specialized S-Works have less foam than cheaper (and heavier) helmets, so some experts say they would prefer to crash in a heavier helmet that has more foam. Still, the Specialized S-Works meets CPSC safety standards just like every other helmet sold in the United States.
The Bell Volt (*Est. $120) is another popular option for serious cyclists. The Volt is Bell's top-end bike helmet, complete with massive vents and a total weight of 9.9 ounces. It uses the Twin Axis Gear fit system, which allows riders to adjust the fit and horizontal position, and it has a removable visor. The Bell Volt comes in three sizes, which can accommodate head sizes from 20 inches to 24.8 inches. The helmet earns a number of good reviews, including nods from Bicycling and Outside magazines, although BikeRadar.com describes it as "beautiful but flawed." While the Bell Volt gets high marks for ventilation, Ian Collins at BikeRadar.com finds it hard to achieve a precise fit without too much tightness. Collins also thinks the straps are uncomfortable around the ears, and he gives it an overall rating of only 3.5 stars out of five.
The Giro Ionos (*Est. $175) and Giro Atmos (*Est. $130) also offer well-ventilated and lightweight designs, and they are certainly race-proven. In fact, Lance Armstrong has worn the Giro Atmos in past Tour de France victories. Reviewers like Outside and Men's Journal magazines say these high-end Giro bike helmets are highly breathable and very light, but the Giro Ionos is generally regarded as a better fit than the Giro Atmos. BikeRadar.com calls the Giro Ionos "our favorite race helmet." Either the Giro Ionos or the Giro Atmos would be a good option for serious cyclists who want to sport the same gear as Lance or Alberto Contador.
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