The cycling helmet has come a long way since the leather “hats” worn in the last 25 years. What was once an option is now in many cases a rule (by sport) or law (by society). I grew up in the pre-helmet era of cycling. As kids we rode in cars without seatbelts and learned to pedal our bikes with nothing more than the hair on our head. When my dad thought I was getting too high jumping my BMX bike, he’d stick a motorcycle helmet on my head. It looked neat (when I was 11) but weighed so much that I felt like a bobble head. Then, on one of the days I was not wearing that motorcycle helmet…it happened. The take off was grand…but the landing left much to be desired. The kids on the block circled round my unconscious body as I lay on the street.
I was lucky. The damage was contained into a single concussion with some pretty gnarly road rash that made for some stout heckling in school. Today the use of a helmet on a bicycle is like the use of shoes – people just don’t even think about it anymore.
Since that big crash, I’ve had many helmets and on one other occasion, I needed it: a solo MTB ride in some local woods. Down through a high speed ravine with a roller in the middle and the next thing I knew, I was spitting out dirt as I crawled out of a bush. When I stood up, my helmet fell off into two clean halves, held together only by the chin strap. I was fine and rode home. Slowly.
At Tacoma Bike, we carry Bell & Giro brand helmets. If it matters to you, they are owned by the same parent company who have done a very responsible job of designing and positioning the two brands to work within every budget. You may well know Bell as one of the oldest helmet companies in the market. Go back into the 50’s and 60’s and you’ll see motorcycle riders and race car drivers with Bell logos on their helmets – vintage motorsports museums around the world have a Bell helmet someone in their displays, while Giro is a brand that was born specifically of bicycle riding. Both brands represent well within the lower prices while Giro steps it up in the high end producing the very best, most innovative and high-end helmets available today.
The root thing to consider when buying a Giro or Bell helmet in today’s world is this: so long as they are fitted properly and used in their designated context, then all of the helmets we carry are going to perform to same standards of protection. That said – why would you want to pay $230 for a Giro “Ionos” when a $35 Bell “Solar” will do the same thing? It comes down to fit, weight, ventilation, style, design and intended use. The differences are stark. The value of a $230 helmet is to be experienced, not discussed. It can be the difference between buying a size medium suit at a department store vs. being fitted by a tailor to a suit just for you.
BELL Technology:
In-Mold Technology
As mentioned in the overview, Bell is the company who created in-mold technology to begin with. It simply makes a sturdier helmet that will withstand the rigors of daily use a lot better. Not only does it improve day-to-day durability, but it also adds a substantial improvement to the cosmetic attributes of the helmet.
Composite Fiber Intake/ Composite Construction
Remember that Giro & Bell are under the same roof? Well…then you should know that the Composite Fiber Intake (CFI) is the Bell version of the Giro Roll Cage. It’s a little funny sometimes how marketing can get in the way of perfectly good shared technology. And why the two brands seem to insist on separating the names is nothing more than an exercise in consumer branding. That however, does not diminish the value and quality of the CFI nor the Roll Cage. Both are well planned, well executed designs that increase the performance of the helmet in terms of ventilation, durability and actually increase the strength of the helmets overall structure.
Helmet Retention Systems
Bell offers 4 different systems for securing the helmet to your head:
Twin Axis Gear (TAG) – Bell’s most advanced fit system, the “TAG” adjusts to the head on two axes – circumferentially as standard fit systems do, but also horizontally to better accommodate differences in the up/down position of the occipital lobe. For added comfort, Bell co-molds the sides of the fit system with softer materials which will better accommodate eyewear. This is Bell’s top of the line retention system.
Geared Positioning System (GPS) – is a single dial adjustment. Quick and simple.
ONESTEP – is Bell & Giro’s solution for kids…and it is brilliant (a name they share). The rear of the helmet wraps further around the head and the tension system works in one simple snap of the PinchGuard buckle. Get this – it even has LED lights built into the back of the straps for increased visibility. We love it when companies show us real innovation in kids products for safety and ease of use.
ErgoDial – is a single handed fit system that brings one-handed adjustments to a universal fit helmet.
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