[Closed] Helmets: Road vs MTB

Yes! Technically it's a breach of Rule 35* but that's never bothered me!

[url= http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ ]"The Rules"[/url]

Yes, though taking the peak off helps your neck.

Mtb helmets with peaks aren't ideal for road as they mean you have to tilt your head up to see where you are going.

Many designs vary the shape and direction of the vents as well. MTB tends to be slower speeds, with more potential for sticks etc to get in the helmet. So, vents are more vertical, allowing better "chimney" venting and a bit more protection.

Road tends to be higher speeds, so more horizontal venting for better airflow.

I use road helmet for MTB because I can't be arsed with owning 3 different helmets.

I don't miss having a peak as I always wear glasses to stop things flying into my eyes anyway.

I understand that road helmets don't work so well with peaks as a fast road person will have handlebars well below the saddle, but I've never understood why a peak is considered a necessity for MTB helmets, is it just about looking awesome or is there some other reason?

Road helmet on an MTB is fine, no issues. MTB on the road is more of a challenge, peaks and poorer airflow being the main reasons.

Lots on road helmets at the olympics yesterday, fewer at the ENDURO

How long are the peaks on some of your helmets?

I'd have to be looking through my skull to need to remove

Thanks. I have a particularly large head (63cm approx) so I'm limited with choice.

I wear a Lazer Blade for everything bar riding my fat bike and that's a bit more of a semi 'nduro lid as the road one looks a bit daft

How [s]long are the peaks on some of your helmets?[/s] high are your handlebars for it not to be an issue?

I'd have to [s]be looking through my skull to need to remove[/s] have a stack of spacers under my stem to get away without removing

FTFY, probably not an issue for lots of MTBers!

FWIW I use 'road' helmets on the MTB - always have, Giro Pneumo, Atmos, Spesh S3, Decibel, 2D, Prevail. Always removed the peak too, IMO they do nothing, and they get in the way on the road. MTB specific 'Enduro' helmets like the Xen, plus Poc, Urge etc are quite a new thing.

njee20 - try riding in a hot, sunny country. My Bell Super2 has a fair sized peak on it and I've never got sun burn on my face, and it stops the sun dazzling me.

Think outside the bubble guys, not everyone lives in the dreary UK!

That'll be the IMO bit. I've also never had a sunburnt face, I wear sunglasses, and I'd never wear a helmet with a massive peak like the Super 2. The peak on most road/XC lids is far smaller and, again IMO, useless. Glad you find a use for them though.

@njee20

No spacers, negative rise stem. how exactly do I go lower?

[img] [/img]

Also doesn't matter how low the front end is, it doesn't bring the peak any further over my face.

It is to do with bike setup. If you have an agressive road position with bars well below saddle to get a flat back for aerodynamics then you need to look up more to see where you are going and it helps to do this with eyes rather than craning the neck which means a peak can get in the way

I am predominantly a MTBer but use a road bike a fair bit too.
I have a Specialized Tactic 2 MTB lid with peak. Don't like not having the peak even on the road bike.
I'm pretty sure when I'm out on it, roadies give me looks of disdain suggesting I'm not a 'proper' roadie though 😉

I use a Catlike Leaf for everything.

I now just leave the peak off, not entirely sure what its there for?

[img] [/img]

Sometimes miss the small peak from a mtb helmet on the road - can be handy for just stopping rain hitting your eyes.