Helmet Recs
Posted by AttentionHelpful3996@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 39 comments
I’m new to cycling and commuting. I only have a 3 mile ride to work but am feeling anxious about what type of helmet to get. I’d like to keep the price point around $100 if possible.
I will be riding an e-bike capable of 28mph but will probably stick to around 15 while I get used to it. And the street I’ll be using won’t be super busy. Just the last 1/2 mile.
I see people not wearing full face helmets in the city and full face while mountain biking. I understand why they would want one but why do people choose to not wear them while commuting?
Am I over thinking this? I understand it’s obviously a personal choice and I can choose whatever I’m more comfortable with. I’m just curious if protecting your teeth and jaw isn’t a true concern at a slower speed vs people that max out the speed on their ebikes
Bananaheli@reddit
It really depends on how fast you are going. I have a pedal assist ebike that reaches around 25kph and i use the following helmet: https://www.sweetprotection.com/no/no/primer-mips-helmet-matte-black/ Not sure what the price is in the US but I think it is a good helmet. I use that ebike for commuting and some shorter road trips. When i used to do downhill mtb I had a full face helm. So i would say that helmet choice depends on the speed and activity you are doing.
Get-Me-A-Soda@reddit
You can get a pretty serious head injury falling over at a near standstill. Speed shouldn’t be a factor, wear one even if barely moving at 5 km/h.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Not sure anyone has said to not wear a helmet here. The chin protection vs just head protection is what we are talking about.
Get-Me-A-Soda@reddit
It says depends on how fast you’re going, which it doesn’t. You wear a reputable helmet at every speed.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Don’t think that’s what he meant. But either way, yes, always wear a helmet.
rshetts1@reddit
Check out the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings. They are considered the gold standard for helmet safety ratings. You can find a highly ranked helmet for under $100 but most likely it won't be a smart helmet with all of the bells and whistles. Also its to to find a 5 star full face helmet for under $100. Specialized has a few nice helmets that get 5 stars and are under $100 but none are full faced. You can get an O'Neal Sonus full faced for around $100. Its a 4 star rated helmet, which is still pretty good. Good luck in your helmet search.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the help!
Get-Me-A-Soda@reddit
Specialized Align 2 has been the best bang for your buck on that list for a while.
bipolarpsych7@reddit
And its under budget by almost $60.
kamanitachi@reddit
I got into a scooter accident 2 years ago going at speeds around 15-20mph. A scooter rides different and has entirely different geometry than a bike, so I know this doesn't exactly belong here. That said, I will tell you that a bike helmet did not protect my chin or my two front teeth. I now basically wear a BMX helmet for any PEV rides I go on.
As for the actual helmet: my research at the time led me to the Bell Sanction 2 DLX MIPS. I haven't crash tested it on an ebike yet, which is great for me but probably doesn't help you much. Bell is a reputable brand though, and while the helmet retails for twice your budget, I got it for $140, so maybe you might also get lucky.
In terms of fit, I wear glasses and I have a big head and the helmet fits just fine.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the info. Sorry about your chin and teeth though! That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid. Absolutely going with a full face. Thanks for the helmet recommendation!
Laserdollarz@reddit
If you don't think you need a full face helmet, run face first into a wall at 12mph and ask yourself if you want to try again at 28mph
TRAKRACER@reddit
Right on
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
I didn’t say I didn’t think I needed one. But I’m not going to be going faster than a commuter on a regular bike. And they don’t wear full face helmets. So that was my main question on the difference. And why they choose not to. But it sounds like at any speed full face is the way to go!
Laserdollarz@reddit
It's really easy to mess up, lose balance, grab the throttle and send your ebike into a wall at 28mph. I went over the bars at like <10mph last month just like that (pavement gap started it lol)
Whenever I get my pedal bike that fast, I'm very focused and in the zone. It's a very different feeling.
JeremyFromKenosha@reddit
The reason people don't wear full face helmets (like for motorcycles) is that they are generally sweaty if you're doing ANY work and not having a LOT of cooling airflow. If you won't be doing much work and are just a throttle jockey, a motorcycle helmet could be a good choice.
A downhill MTB helmet with chin bar and installed mirror could be a good choice.
Otherwise, may I suggest the Lumos Ultra E-Bike:
+ Built-in lights
+ ...which can double as turn signals with an included Bluetooth remote
+ Flip-down visor protects against stones, bugs, rogue branches and probably a bit toward hits to the face in case of a crash as well.
+ Certified to a meaningful safety standard (as opposed to just DOT)
+ Great build quality
- Flip-down visor precludes the use of a helmet- or glasses-mounted mirror
- Expensive ($230)
- Heavy
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Oof, yeah don’t want to get sweaty 🥵 but sounds like the mtb helmet with chin strap is what I’m looking for! And some sort of headband to keep sweat outta my eyes
biking_and_gaming@reddit
some people just think full face is overkill for road legal ebikes ori even just lame to wear. i ride with full face and it gets hot under it and really messy for my hair. i still wear it though bc i cant control other people on the road and even had an animal run infront of my front tire causing me to go over the handle bars. i didnt land on my head since i wasnt going full speed and managed to make myself slide instead but if i hadnt been able to do that and i wasnt wearing my helmet ? oof.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Yeah, that’s mostly what I’m concerned about. But most people go 10-20mph on road bikes and don’t wear full face so maybe this question was more for people without e-bikes on why they would choose to not wear one. But I’m definitely in the mind set of protecting my face lol
I have no idea what crashing on a bike feels like at any speed. So also wasn’t sure if there was less of a concern at slower speeds. But you’re right on, not being able to control cars/animals. Thanks for the helpful and not rude response lol
biking_and_gaming@reddit
not just speed, have to take the weight of your bike and cargo into consideration as well. ebikes tend to be heavier than road bikes just become of the battery and thicker frame . since its also easier to carry more weight on the bike you might do that too.
it might be better for you to get used to wearing a full face once and for all. you said youre new to cycling so going from nothing to an ebike is a jump. especially since some cheaper ebikes with cadence sensors hub motors will just jerk on all of a sudden while you're turning or something else.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Valid points for sure. And I’m on the heavier side so that will add some force going over the handle bars and landing. Oof. 🤕
Habu93@reddit
This is what I wear. I crash tested Saturday. Not on purpose. Protected my head. Can’t say the same for my right hand, right knee and the cracked rib. It’s light, doesn’t get hot. most comfortable helmet I’ve ever owned!
https://www.explorethousand.com/products/mips-helmet?color=racer-black
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Oh no! Glad it protected your head! That’s the most important part lol Hope you have a speedy recovery
phatmattd@reddit
Does anyone with the full face helmet wear glasses?? That's the only snag I've found myself in. Glasses don't fit inside well or get foggy I don't have contacts, and without them at all I can't see nearly as well...
rewt127@reddit
Yeah the issue with a traditional full face on an ebike is that you just dont go fast enough for the vents to create airflow. They are designed for good airflow at 35+mph. Since ya know. They expect you to clear triple digits in the helmet lol.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Oops, the dirt bike helmet is what I was meaning when referring to full face. But sounds like that’s probably a motorcycle helmet? Thanks for clearing that up! Definitely don’t want anything too hot!
biking_and_gaming@reddit
i wear glasses. mine are metal frames so it might not be as big an issue with having them bend while inside the helmet . i just slide mine on after putting my helmet on and slide them off before taking the helmet off. there are such things as prescription goggle inserts.
phatmattd@reddit
Your glasses don't fog up when you're wearing the full face at all?
biking_and_gaming@reddit
i dont have a visor so thats probably why. i also breathed out my mouth while riding.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
That’s a fair point! I guess we could get prescription goggles?
Relative-Display-676@reddit
p2 a20 mips is only $88 and highest rated bike helmet on virginia tech site that's under $100.
rewt127@reddit
Once you are getting into those 20+ mph crashes, the mechanism of injury is identical to a motorcycle crash. The way you come off the bike is identical to average around town motorcycoe crashes. So the helmet data they have collected over decades is highly relevant.
And as you can see below. A traditional bicycle helmet that doesnt cover the lower back of head, or the jawline. Is basically performative.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
I don’t plan on going that fast but that’s a really good visual on where you’re most likely to hit. And seems like jaw isn’t highest! Thanks for this
rewt127@reddit
If you go to rocky mountain ATV and check their closeout you can get a really high quality dirt bike helmet for ~$100 right now. Id buy from either them or Revzilla. I wouldnt trust a helmet from amazon.
superpapalicious@reddit
ome with mips and one that's not fake. I use one from Giro.
NoAssumption4122@reddit
I wear a full face helmet no matter what. Its normal outside the usa. I bought two ILM helmets from Amazon for about 90 each and no complaints.
AttentionHelpful3996@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Appreciate the tip, I’ll look into those
Aggravating-Joke-550@reddit
Go to a shop and try them on. A badly fitting lid is literally going to kill you.
You have basically got a moped so buy appropriate gear.
Lopsided-Buffalo-190@reddit
Huh