Helmets for different head shapes?

I found Giros to be pretty wide, especially the E2. Kind of like a
Shoei. The new ones are fairly adjustable, too - so a large with the
RocLoc adjusted in should work.

Unfortunately most bicycle helmets are all the same shape, unlike the
Shoei versus Arai shapes. Since Giro and Bell are really the same
company, though, it makes sense that those two are the same shape.

Quoted message said:

Since Giro and Bell are really the same
company, though, it makes sense that those two are the same shape.

Several LBS have told me that Bell and Giro use different shaped forms.
Giros tend to be rounder, while Bells are more "oval." At least
that's what they told me.

jhas said:

Quoted message said:

Since Giro and Bell are really the same
company, though, it makes sense that those two are the same shape.

Several LBS have told me that Bell and Giro use different shaped forms.
Giros tend to be rounder, while Bells are more "oval." At least
that's what they told me.

I've got a fairly enormous (and fetching!) melon, and while Bell XL's will
fit me just fine, I've yet to meet a Giro that didn't torture my orb like
some turn of the century phrenology clamp.

I once made a custom helmet for Zippy, so I could probably fit you.

Steve McDonald

Actually, helmets do come with the s-foam liner cast for different head
shapes. Unfortunately, I have a narrow type noggin, and the bell, which
you describe s being to narrow, is actually to wide for me (the
"correct" size is too short front and back). I have found only a couple
that are "oval" enough for my head. The difficult to find Specialized
brand being one.

I would suggest you ask a few bike shop persons about different brands
and the heads they fit best. Heads are like feet, every one's is
different. This is why I don't buy helmets mail order, unless I know the
particular make/model fits, having tried it on beforehand.

- -

"May you have the winds at your back,
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Well, I went down to Performance Bike yesterday and picked up a Giro
Havoc. It fits my round head perfectly. Giro must have changed their
helmet shape, because I had a Giro several years ago and it was too
narrow, which required me to shave some of the foam off of the sides of
the interior (I know, bad idea 😉. Or perhaps different models of
Giro's are shaped differently.

Just wondering why road bike helmets don't have visors...just for the
aerodynamics? I guess most roadies who want a visor have to go with a
MTB helmet like I did.

Plin said:

I had a Giro several years ago and it was too
narrow, which required me to shave some of the foam off of the sides of
the interior (I know, bad idea 😉.

True, bad idea. If you cut the foam, the magic leaks out! ;-)

- Frank Krygowski

Plin said:

I was wondering if anyone can suggest a helmet brand or model that fits
wide, round heads as opposed to oval-shaped heads. I think that most
brands are more oval in shape. I've been using a Bell helmet in size
large, but a medium would probably fit better if it was designed to fit
rounder shaped heads. I've tried on certain models of Giros and
Specialized in Medium and they didn't fit well (too tight on the sides,
but fine in the front and back). This is a common issue with motorcycle
helmets as well and various helmets are shaped differently to
accomodate customers. Does anyone know of a site that discusses this
aspect of bike helmets and gives recommendations?

I'd like a general use helmet (road and MTB) with a visor.

The best I can suggest is to go to a large, well stocked LBS and try
on a bunch of helmets. This is what I did when I bought my first
helmet many years ago.

I tried on a bunch of different models and the one that felt best was
a Giro Air Attack. I was a bit hesitant about buying it because with
its "aero shape" I was afraid I might be accused of trying to be Greg
Lemond. I still have it and today it looks hopelessly out of date. :-)

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

BTW, I got an excellent deal on the Giro Havoc, if anyone's interested.
Only $35 from Performance Bike ($39 less 15% in-store discount). This
helmet used to sell for $100 and is similar to the E2 in fit and low
profile. Couldn't be happier with it.

I'm not sure if they have the same prices on their website
(performancebike.com), but it's worth a try.

[email hidden] (Plin) asked:

Quoted message said:

Just wondering why road bike helmets
don't have visors...just for the
aerodynamics? I guess most roadies
who want a visor have to go with a MTB
helmet like I did.

You mean like this?

http://www.ttinet.com/tf/products-airoseries.htm

I think this site may be in frames, so the Airoshield may have t be
found by going to products > Airoshield

I love these because for a fraction of the cost (and weight) it protects
not just your eyes (it contains a UV block) but your entire face. AND
the Airoshield model1 (not shiown) also fits over regular glasses.
Translation: no bulky presciption inserts!

- -

"May you have the winds at your back,
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
http://www.geocities.com/czcorner

Plin said:

Just wondering why road bike helmets don't have visors...just for the
aerodynamics? I guess most roadies who want a visor have to go with a
MTB helmet like I did.

That's one of those trick existential questions. Road bike helmets
don't have visors because, if they did, they'd be mountain bike
helmets. Mountain bike helmets have visors because, if they didn't,
they'd be road bike helmets.

I'm sure someone has thought up a functional justification for the
visors (or their lack), but it might not be too cynical to suggest
that their primary function may be to encourage people who have
both a road and a mountain bike to buy two helmets.

Dennis Ferguson

Dennis Ferguson said:

I'm sure someone has thought up a functional justification for the
visors (or their lack), but it might not be too cynical to suggest
that their primary function may be to encourage people who have
both a road and a mountain bike to buy two helmets.

There may be some merit to the notion that in a typical roadie posture,
a visor would interfere with your sightline and force you to bend your
neck more to see ahead.

Yes, you can always remove the visor, but then you have those unsightly
holes...

RichC