You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Recommendations please?
Doesn't have to be a full DH but something light, like the weight of one of the removable chin bar ones but doesn't have to be removable.
Cheers
I’ve just bought a Troy Lee Stage. Haven’t ridden in it yet though - will report back after the weekend.
Fox/Met/Bell/Giro all have them - which one fits you best?
Troy Lee Stage.
Looks good.... But not cheap.
xLooks good…. But not cheap.
light, strong, cheap. pick two.
Troy lee stage is the best. lightest, adjustable visor, fox proframe a close second. can't remove the chinbars but they are seriously light.
The giro with the removable chinbar weighs alot..dont know the.weight but its chunky
I've been using one of the UVEX Jackkyl hde removable chin bar helmets for the last 6+ months. Really like it. Very well vented even with the chin bar on. Probably one of the lightest full faces available. I never remove the chin bar during a spin as no need to. If I'm doing a long xc spin I'll go without the chin bar. Reasonably priced compared to other convertible helmets but you'll get cheaper, just as good full face only helmets if that's all you need.
https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/uvex-jakkyl-hde/136933557/p
"strong" helmet, interesting concept...
Like my proframe a lot, better than parachute, bell super 2r never fit my head.
light, strong, cheap. pick two.
“strong” helmet, interesting concept…
The first full face I bought in 1995 didn’t have a hard outer shell. It was light and cheap (£60). Strong, it was not.
as with any helmet the main driver is whatever fits you properly.
of a certain price point they are all much of a muchness in terms of weight.
try as many as you can.
Obviously fit is the main criteria, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering everything else. When buying a helmet I prioritise according to the features I want and then find the one closest to the top of my list that fits well. There’s a lot of variables, especially in the relatively new lightweight full face market. For starters, not all of them meet the same safety standards. Weight is also quite variable, as is ventilation. Then there’s adjustability (or not) of the visor, MIPS vs. other, how well they play with goggles, etc. To say ‘just buy the one that fits’ is not really the best advice.
Thanks all, it's for my other half. She's just ordered the Fox Proframe to try and we'll go and take a look at the local shop too.
We'll check out the ones mentioned 🙂
Love my proframe. Can't fault it in any way. Wear it for all riding, but I don't do XC.
IDP m1 - bought it coz it was cheap with the intention of upgrading but it’s been great...very breathable
Cheers for the Proframe recommendation.
It's arrived and fits her well. And the pink/black doesn't look bad in real life
I'd have bought a proframe if it fitted me. Probably same for the TLD. I've ended up sticking with my fairly ancient Urge Down-o-Matic, it's still light but lacks the vents of the new ones, ah well
@Northwind - Did you try the proframe using different combinations of the 3 size of pads that come with a Proframe to adjust the fit?
I've not tried one myself (I'm a happy Proframe owner) but the Leatt DBX 4.0 is apparently a good alternative.
I have a Parachute and a Switchblade.
Both can be worn all day imho. I have never bothered taking the chinguard off the Switchblade as there’s plenty of ventilation.
Both are light. I have a 58cm head and I’m right on the limit with the Met but there is s but more wiggle room in the Giro. Both are a similar fit to me.
Bought a Bell Super DH for myself and the GF picked up a Bell 3r,mostly to save space in the van (carrying a half shell and a full face took up too much valuable storage space).
Weighed both helmets. Super DH came in around 950gr and the 3r 780gr,if I remember correctly....
The Super is the best fitting helmet I've had, in either full or half mode. The double Mips shell is very comfy.
Akers
Subscriber
@Northwind – Did you try the proframe using different combinations of the 3 size of pads that come with a Proframe to adjust the fit?
I didn't get a chance to do all of that but it basically seemed incompatible with my head shape, we fannied around a lot and it kept on jabbing into my skull in one place
Had my first ride with the Troy Lee Stages at the weekend and so far very impressed. Was out for just over 3 hours and the helmet was comfortable throughout. It was a cold wet day though so can't draw any firm conclusions about how hot/otherwise it might be, but it didn't feel significantly hotter than my Troy Lee A1 open face. I didn't notice the weight at all, the field of vision is excellent, it stayed firmly in place, it didn't feel at all claustrophobic, and I could still easily hear other trail users around me. Drinking from a Camelbak was easily done by sticking the hose through the vent in the front of the chin guard (easier than going over/under the chin guard and could be done without thought after the first couple of drinks) - drinking from a bottle might be tricky. Eating an energy bar without removing/adjusting the helmet was also not a problem. I did most of the ride without eyewear, but put my 100% Accuri goggles on for the last half hour - there was no issues with fit/interference and they didn't fog in the slightest despite a fair amount of riding on the flat and a bit of climbing.
Looking at these myself - the few times I've put a Proframe on my head, the MIPS always digs into my forehead:(
I had the Giro Switchblade but totaled it in an Antur Stiniog session - but, it was heavy, and hot, not something I'd think of as an all day riding helmet
Going to try the TLD Stage and Bell 3R
New Parachute's a good option if you don't need to remove chinbar, comes up cheap sometimes too.
I just picked up a Stage from Merlin, handy I live round the corner - tried a large Bell 3R and fit well but feels like it sits high, chin guard is noticeable
Stage is comfy but it slides about on my head forward and back a bit - not loads but I’m used to my Giro Montaro Large with a proper cradle and also the stage doesn’t have Y straps, just single straight down ones. Probably why the Bell felt more secure (cradle). I couldnt get the M/L Stage over my head so got the Xl/XXl which is next size up - can’t find a L/XL anywhere, not convinced they do them!?
Anyway, any Stage users out there want to comment on sizing?
Good call on the Parachute Cha****ng - Stage might be going back yet
I’ve recently been looking for a full face (replacement for a 661 that is too small). What a minefield.
Tried and returned loads: Fox, Bell sanction, 661.
Eventually picked up a Bell Super 3r from winstanleys at a very reasonable price (£120 https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/bell-super-3r-mips-full-face-2018-helmet). Really light, great fit. Well impressed.
The issue I have found is that sizing is so off, albeit I think I have a long head rather than a round one if that makes sense. A few I tried fitted well but the chin guard was too high, my jaw would sit below.
None of my local lbs’s have (m)any either or i’d try some on for fit, so my local post office has had fun me returning boxes every week. Was tempted to drive to BPW as I recall they had a few in their shop!
Well, I tried the Bell and didn't like how high up the chin bar was - tried the Proframe and just didn't find it comfy at all, the MIPS brow section dug in my forehead
It's made me happy that the TLD Stage was the right one
Had the Proframe but it didn’t suit my head shape that well, the Stage fits perfectly though. As said: try first.
Been wearing my Parachute more recently in the not-too-hot weather.
Quite nice for indulging in Strava heroics in the hero dirt before the vegetation goes mad.