Bell Triton: 9.5 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Fits great
• Very good ventilation
• Great price

Disadvantages:

• None

My mother-in-law decided to buy me something a couple of weeks ago. She knew I wanted some light shorts for the summer, so she got me those. And a hat… If you have a 25″ head like me, then you already know what I thought. So I reminded her about my head’s size. She replied: “Don’t worry, I got you the largest size available!”

You should have seen the look on her face when I put that hat on.

Finding the right sized hat might be difficult. But here’s the good news. It’s a lot easier to find a bike helmet for your large head. Bell Triton for the rescue! It’s nice to see that helmet manufacturers thought about people like us.

Except for the larger size, Bell Triton has the characteristics of other quality helmets. It’s safe, comfortable and fits great. It has 17 vents, which provide a really good airflow. A snug fit can easily be achieved thanks to Bell’s ErgoDial system. You can adjust the Triton’s fit while riding your bike, because a thumb and a finger are all you need.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

Bell Triton’s visor is removable. So if you don’t like visors on your helmet, it isn’t going to be a problem for you. It’s easy to remove and reattach. There are four holes in the front of the helmet where the visor is mounted. But they’re tiny and unnoticeable from a few feet away.

Bell Triton is a large helmet. But don’t worry, it will look only natural on your large head. It’s all about proportions.

Bell Triton Bike Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 17
• Size : Universal Large 22.8-25.6 in | 58-65 cm
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $40
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• PinchGuard Buckle
  
• ErgoDial Fit System
• Snap-In Visor
• Cam-Lock Levers
• Weight : 10.2oz/330g
  

I’ve had my Triton helmet for 4 months now, and I love it! The ventilation is very good. In the sun, your head will definitely feel cooler with the helmet than without it. This is especially true if you have dark hair.

Companies tend to ask high prices when targeting a specific market. But Bell doesn’t do that with the Triton. You can get it at Amazon for around $35. Also, you might want to take a look at the user reviews.

Giro Me2: 9.5 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Fits great and easily, thanks to Giro’s Acu Dial
• Grows with your baby
• Wonderful design, kids love it!

Disadvantages:

• Chin strap not completely pinch-free. Nothing too serious, though

It’s great to see so many people searching for helmets that would fit toddlers! Parents are usually concerned about the safety of their children riding their first bike. You might think that a helmet is not necessary in the backyard, but want your toddler to get used to wearing a helmet when riding a bike. If your kid’s head measures between 18.75 – 20.5 inches (48-52 cm), then Giro Me2 is the best helmet you could buy them.

If your child’s between 1-3 years of age, Giro Me2 should fit perfectly. But just to be on the safe side, be sure to measure your child’s head circumference before you order this helmet. Giro Me2 might last even longer if your kid has a smaller than average head. Girls have smaller heads than boys, so it can be an advantage if you have a baby girl. I don’t recommend buying this or any other helmet for infants under one year of age. They shouldn’t ride a bike (alone or with you) at this age anyway, as their body is not ready for it yet.

The main advantage the Giro Me2 helmet has over other infant helmets is the fit adjustment system. You know how dressing a toddler can be a real challenge? Imagine you not only have to put the helmet on their little impatient head, but adjust the chin strap so that the helmet fits. With Giro Me2, you’ll only have to fasten the chin strap, and Giro’s Acu Dial system will help you get the perfect fit. This dial is located on the back of the helmet. I’m not saying this will be super easy, especially if you have an active toddler with a lot of energy to spare. I’m just stating that the Giro Me2 helmet will be easier to adjust.

The majority of the parents who bought Giro Me2 stated that after the initial adjustment, putting the helmet on their kids’ head was a snap. And even though some children aren’t glad at first, they eventually forget about it. This tells us that Giro Me2 is comfortable. It’s also light at 8.5 oz . The ventilation is good. There are 6 vents with bug nettings.

The design of this helmet is good, too. It sort of has a built in visor to protect the eyes from the sun. Your kid won’t only look cute, but will also get attached to the animal graphics on Giro Me2. This will get them excited about putting the helmet on before riding the bike. Well, my daughter never gets tired of telling us, every single night before she goes to sleep, that the cats on her bed sheets are happy she’s with them.

Giro Me2 is available in 4 colors: “Blue Aviator Pigs“, “Pink Bunnies“, “Red Duck, Duck Goose” and “Yellow Chicks“.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

Giro Me2 Helmet Specifications:

• Vents : 6
• Size : Universal Fit Infant : 18.75-20.5in | 48-52cm
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $29.99
• Acu Dial adjustment system
• Weight: 8.5oz/240g

How can you beat such a helmet, especially at this price? You can buy it from Amazon for $26 or so, depending on the color you pick. Sure, you might find something cheaper at Walmart, but it won’t be as comfortable as Giro Me2, not by a long shot.

Bell Influx: 9.4 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Very good fit
• Well ventilated
• Affordable
• Impressive features for such a price!

Disadvantages:

• N/A

Looking for a new helmet? I hope yours is just too old, or you want another one for your cycling wardrobe. No one likes it when a helmet cracks, especially when it’s on your head at the time! Whatever your reason, Bell Influx is a great choice. This helmet is really affordable at $64 MSRP. It’s better than most helmets in its price range, and you might even like it more than some $150+ helmets.

Maybe the first thing you’ll notice when you open the package is the size of the Influx’s 18 vents. They’re bigger than the average vents found in other helmets. In the Bell Influx, this is achievable thanks to Bell’s Internal Reinforcement technology. Helmets featuring this technology have reinforced skeletons. Internal Reinforcement is usually reserved to the high end Bell helmets. But fortunately, the Bell Influx has it, which is really good! This way we get to have bigger vents and a lighter weight for $64 only.

Bell Influx is available in 6 colors, but you might be able to find even more colors at Amazon. Be sure to pick the right size (S, M or L) before ordering!

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

Bell Influx’s visor is removable. When it’s removed, you can use the provided logo plugs to cover the holes where the visor attaches. As for Bell Influx’s fit, Bell’s Geared Positioning System (GPS) is very easy to use. You just slide the dial with one hand to get the most comfortable fit. The fit of the Influx helmet is incredible. Of course, it might not fit every head out of the box, but the adjustment system really helps.

Bell Influx weighs 10.5oz/309g, and feels light. The good airflow also adds to the comfort of this helmet. Featuring 18 large vents and the Channeled Ventilation system, the Influx will keep your head cool in the hot summer days.

Bell Influx Bike Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 18
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $64
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• Internal Reinforcement
• Registered Graphics
  
• Channeled Ventilation
• GPS Fit System
• Blade Visor
• Cam-Lock Levers
• Weight : 10.5oz/309g

There’s a reason a lot of people love the Bell Influx. It’s not just because of the features, the comfort and the fit. It’s because of the relatively low price you pay to get them. You can get it for $64 or maybe less. Chances are you’ll love it, too. And you’ll want to get another Influx in a few years, when it’s time for a new helmet!

Bell Slant: 9.1 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light, and feels even lighter
• Very nice fit
• Cool design
• Very good airflow

Disadvantages:

• N/A

I’ll tell you right away: Bell Slant is awesome! Why, you ask? Because it’s not only comfortable and looks cool, but also costs $54. It’s not heavy at 12 oz./340g. But it’ll feel like the lightest helmet you’ve ever worn, because of the excellent weight distribution.

Bell Slant’s 21 vents provide enough airflow to cool your head on those hot summer days. But it’s enough to freeze it in the winter, too. Slant’s visor is detachable, so you can easily remove it if you don’t like it. Bell included logo plugs that you can plug the holes with when the visor is removed.

The Bell Slant helmet is available in the following 5 colors. You might also find an Orange/Titanium Slant at Amazon.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

The following are higher resolution images of Bell Slant, around 100 KB each.

Bell Slant Bike Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 21
• Sizes : Universal Adult
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $54
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• Channeled Ventilation
• ErgoDial
• Blade Visor
• Cam-Lock Levers
• Weight : 12 oz/340g

Bell Slant is a very comfortable bike helmet. In fact, it’s possible you’ll forget you’re wearing it. The ErgoDial fit system guarantees a snug fit, and it’s very easy to adjust it to your liking. If you’re looking for a good all-around helmet, chances are that you’ll love Bell Slant. And its affordability makes it even better. You can buy it for $54 from Amazon.

Giro Hex: 9.3 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Good fit
• Nice design
• Plenty of vents, great airflow

Disadvantages:

• No bright, high visibility colors

Just like the Giro Xen helmet, the Giro Hex doesn’t come in bright, high visibility colors (in 2009, anyway). But this is hardly a disadvantage. There are many ways to make a helmet visible to drivers on the road. You can use some reflective tape, reflective stickers or stick a blinking LED on your helmet. Or you can do all of the above. Just don’t put a Christmas tree on it. It would be pretty to look at, but balance would be an issue.

Giro Hex also has a removable POV visor. Yes, and just like the Giro Xen’s visor, it can be adjusted on the fly. There are a lot of similarities between these two models. In case you’re interested, here are the main differences between the Giro Hex and Xen:

• Giro Hex has 21 vents instead of 17
• Giro Hex doesn’t have Giro’s Wind Tunnel Ventilation
• The two helmets look different
• Giro Hex is $45 cheaper

These are the main differences between the Giro Hex and the Xen. I should point out something though. The number of vents and the technology used make the two helmets almost identical in terms of ventilation. In other words, the number of vents makes up for the lack of the technology. In terms of safety these helmets are identical. All helmets in the United States must pass the CPSC certification, so theoretically they’re all equally safe.

The following Giro Hex 2009 colors are now available. These are the newest models. But you might find other colors, especially at Amazon, since they still have the 2008 models in stock.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

You might want to take a look at the next, high resolution, image of the Giro Hex (the Matte Olive 45 Camo color). It’s 330 KB, so it might take a minute to load if you have a slow connection. It’s always nice to have a really good look at the stuff you’re buying!

Giro Hex MTB Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 21
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $85
• In-Mold Construction
• ROC LOC 4 Adjustment System
• Super Fit Engineering
• POV Visor
  
• Weight : 310g

If you like Giro Hex’s design, buy it. It’s a very comfortable mountain bike helmet, keeps your head cool, and the fit is excellent. After you buy this helmet, please come rate it and tell me what you think. Others might find the info you’ll share very helpful.

Giro Xen: 9.3 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Light
• Very good fit
• Removable POV visor
• Good ventilation

Disadvantages:

• No bright, high visibility colors

As you can see, I really like the Giro Xen. The lack of bright colors is strange, but shouldn’t be a deciding factor if you otherwise like this helmet. You can add to a helmet’s visibility anyway. And you should, whether it is brightly colored or not. Use some reflective tape, reflective stickers or stick a blinking LED on your helmet.

The removable visor of the Giro Xen is practical, and can be adjusted on the fly. It’s very similar to the Bell Sweep in this regard. The Giro Xen helmet has 17 vents. They provide enough ventilation to keep your head cool in the summer. The helmet comes in three sizes, so be sure to pick the right size when you order it. Different sizes, combined with Giro’s easy to use adjustment system, almost ensure a perfect fit.

Giro Xen helmet is available in the following six colors:

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

And these are 2 high resolution images of Giro Xen:

Giro Xen Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 17
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $130
• In-Mold Construction
• ROC LOC 4 Adjustment System
• Super Fit Engineering
• Wind Tunnel Ventilation
• POV Visor
  
• Weight : 310g

Giro’s recommended price for the Xen helmet is $130, but you can buy the Giro Xen 2009 for less than that here. The older 2007 and 2008 models are still available at the time of writing. They are cheaper, but you won’t find all the colors and sizes. If you like how the Giro Xen looks, go ahead and buy it. I’m sure you won’t regret it. It’s so comfortable that you might forget that you’re wearing a helmet.

Bell Sweep: 9.7 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Fairly light
• Easy dial adjustment (see last image below)
• Snug fit
• Removable VPV visor
• Good airflow
• Cheaper than other top-of-the-line helmets (Giro Atmos, Giro Ionos)

Disadvantages:

• Sorry, nothing bad here

Okay, I want it to be clear from the beginning. Here are all the differences between the Bell Sweep R and Sweep XC helmets. The XC has a removable visor. That’s it.

It seems Bell has decided to discontinue the Sweep R and Sweep XC models in 2009. Instead, there will be one Bell Sweep 2009. It’s the equivalent of the XC. At the time of publishing, you can still purchase the R and XC models at Amazon.

The Bell Sweep 2009 comes with the new Twin Axis Gear (TAG) fit system. This is a fancy name for a handy system that lets you, as Bell states it, “dial in the exact fit as well as adjust the mechanism’s horizontal position on the back of the head”. In short, it allows for a better fit.

The picture of the Bell Sweep in the beginning of this article shows it with the visor attached. It makes it look a little bit elongated. When the visor is removed, it looks as if it’s a whole other helmet. The Bell Sweep 2009 is available in the following colors:

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

And two high resolution images of Bell Sweep (might take a while to load on a slow connection):

Let’s take a look at the specs to see what you will get when you buy the Bell Sweep helmet.

Bell Sweep Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 20
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $140
• Fusion In-Mold Microshell
• Clear Geared Positioning Fit System (GPS)
• Twin Axis Gear (TAG) fit system
• Channeled Ventilation
• Weight : 280g

Bell’s Sweep (Sweep R, Sweep XC) is one of the best and most comfortable helmets currently on the market. It’s comparable to Giro’s Atmos, but for $35 cheaper. I highly recommend it. I just checked, and Amazon has almost all the colors and sizes of the new Bell Sweep 2009. They also have the Sweep R and Sweep XC for a little less, the 2009 model being new and all.

Giro Atmos: 9.7 / 10

Advantages:

• Comfortable
• Lightweight
• Solid fit
• Excellent airflow, ventilation
• Cool design

Disadvantages:

• Nothing!

Although a little expensive, Giro’s Atmos is the favorite helmet of many cyclists I know. It’s cheaper than the Giro Ionos helmet, which is Giro’s top of the line for the time being. If you compare it to the Ionos, the first thing you’ll notice is that Giro didn’t include the winter kit in the Atmos package. And that’s partly why the Atmos is cheaper.

The Giro Atmos helmet has a total of 26 vents. It will keep your head cool even on the hottest summer days. In fact, your head will be cooler when wearing this helmet than without it. This is what Giro likes to refer to as Wind Tunnel Ventilation, their own proprietary system. The number of vents also has a positive effect on the weight of the Giro Atmos, which is a mere 240g for the Small size. You will barely feel it on your head.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

And take a look at the higher resolution images:

Giro Atmos 2009 is already available at Amazon. I’m happy to say that, at the time of publishing, they have all seven colors. If you get this helmet, drop me a comment and tell me how you like it! You can also rate it at the end of this article.

Giro Atmos Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 26
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $175
• In-Mold Construction
• ROC LOC 4 Adjustment System
• Super Fit Engineering
• Wind Tunnel Ventilation
• Weight : 275g

As I always say, all helmets are equally safe, theoretically. If they are to be sold in the US market, then they must comply with the CPSC  If you are low on cash, I have good news for you: you don’t have to pay a lot of money to be safe on the road. So if Giro’s Ionos costs too much, get the Giro Atmos instead. And if that seems too much at $150, you can buy another helmet for less than that. Check my other helmet reviews to get an idea of what’s available. If you need guidance or some info about a specific helmet, leave a comment here or contact me.

Bad economy and cash problems aside, I strongly recommend the Giro Atmos helmet. Buy it. You’ll thank me later.

Giro Ionos: 9.8 / 10

Advantages:

• Very comfortable
• Excellent airflow
• Fits great, feels lighter than it really is.
• Winter Kit included
• Great design

Disadvantages:

• Pricey

Yes, Giro Ionos is pricey. But that’s about the only thing you won’t like in it. It looks cool, feels really cool and screams quality. If you have the money, then get it.

Remember, though, a more expensive helmet does not mean that it’s safer. Theoretically, all helmets are equally safe in the USA. All of them are tested for compliance with the CPSC. You pay a higher price for the bells and whistles. But let’s face it, you can’t compare a $20 helmet with a $200 one. The latter won’t only look better, it’ll also feel more comfortable. And lighter. And cooler (temperature wise). You get my drift.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

The following are high resolution images of the Giro Ionos, about 200-300 KB each. They might take a while to load if you have a slow connection:

So, what are the Giro Ionos’s bells and whistles then? Giro themselves are proud of the Ionos helmet and say that “Ionos is the most technologically advanced road cycling helmet Giro has ever created“. Let’s see what separates this helmet from the others.

Giro Ionos Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 21
• Sizes :
  S (20”-21.75” / 51-55 cm)
  M (21.75”-23.25” / 55-59 cm)
  L (23.25”-24.75” / 59-63 cm)
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $225
• In-Mold Construction
• ROC LOC 4 Adjustment System
• Super Fit Engineering
• Composite subframe
• Cool Vents (Giro claims the Ionos is able to cool 15% more than the Atmos)
• Ionos Winter Kit (for the cold days, because the Giro Ionos has 21 massive vents and very good airflow)
• X-Static Helmet Padding (Exclusive Giro Ionos silver-coated padding; anti-microbial and thermodynamic benefits)
• Wind Tunnel Ventilation
• Weight : 275-345g, depending on the size

As you can see, there are a lot of bells and whistles with really super cool names. Only you can decide if this is the helmet for you. If money is no object, you want a prestigious, comfortable helmet that can cool your head in the summer and keep it warm in the winter, then buy Giro Ionos. If you still can’t decide, these user reviews might be of some help.

Giro Indicator: 8.9 / 10

Advantages:

• Safe
• Lightweight, comfortable
• Very good ventilation
• Comes with sticky pads for a better fit
• Looks cool
• Inexpensive

Disadvantages:

• The pads tend to fall off; use some glue to make them stick

If you are thinking of buying the Giro Indicator helmet, don’t think twice. Just see what I wrote in “The Good”, and you’ll understand why I’m saying this. Unless you have another specific helmet in mind, you can be sure that you won’t go wrong with the Giro Indicator. And the price is great. You can get it at Amazon for about $39.

There is an interesting thing I hear/read a lot about helmets. After a serious accident, bikers almost seem happy that they fell. Because this proves to them that they made the right choice when they bought their helmet. Check these two comments by  C. White and J. P. Sweeney “boru99″, who were wearing the Giro Indicator helmet when they fell/flew off their bikes. Remember to always buy a new helmet after a fall, even if it doesn’t crack! It might get damaged and you won’t be able to notice it.

Giro Indicator comes in different colors. There’s even one with flowers on it:

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view. Press arrow keys or click on the left/right of the picture to see previous/next one.

The Giro Indicator helmet has 20 vents. It can keep your head cool, even on a hot summer day. If it gets really hot in the summer where you live, you might want to pick a lighter color just in case.

Giro Indicator Helmet Product Specifications:

• Vents : 20
• Size : Universal Adult : 54-61cm | 21.25”-24”
• Certification : CPSC
• MSRP : $38
• In-Mold Construction
• Acu Dial adjustment system
• Weight: 285 g

I highly recommend the Giro Indicator helmet. You can buy it here. It’s one of those things you wish they still make when it’s time to replace it. Of course, there may be even better stuff out there in 5-10 years, when it’s time to buy a new helmet.