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Hi all.
I know this subject comes up quite allot, although it tends to be asking if using a full face helmet is acceptable for trail riding, but that is a personal decision based on your view of risk rather than a forum choice. I'm more interested in the views of people who do, or have, used the options out there and whether it is just too much faff.
I have previously owned a super 2r and only really used the chin bar on solo winter night rides to keep warm but that helmet was also very uncomfortable which always put me off.
I've been looking at the bell super air r, super dh, and the new leat enduro convertable along side the stage plus separate normal helmet. I have a 'proper' full face so this isn't to give me an option for bike park riding, it is very much to have something for normal riding. The super air appeals because it is light, so I can see myself taking the chin bar with me more often than not, but the lower standard of protection bothers me, hence looking at the DH rated options. The issue with those is that I would never consider using my proper full face on a trail ride so I'm not sure if I would want to be so armoured up.
Just for some background, I had an awkward crash on a simple part of one of our weekly rides on the quantocks that resulted in a time on the high dependency ward, a couple of months effectively consigned to bed and is still keeping me off the bike. I'm hoping to start riding again around Easter, assuming my next scan results are going on the right direction, so I've started looking at replacing the kit that was broken, my helmet being the main thing. I had no face injuries but my montaro has a significant dent level with my temple and because I've had a bit too much thinking time and it has made me wonder about the margin of error on crashes and if more protection would be sensible.
Sorry that was longer than I intended!
but that helmet was also very uncomfortable
Ahhh... That 'ole chestnut... There is no such thing as universal, comfortable helmet (or saddle, or shoes, to the lesser extent...)
I have Bell Super and it is one of the most comfortable helmets. For me.
So, sorry to disappoint but you just need to try for yourself. There is whole host of various full face or convertible helmets. There is a chance that one, or even few of them will suit you...
But if you won't try, you won't know...
Cheers!
I.
Thanks. Looking back I don't know if I didn't use the super r because it was uncomfortable, or before I just found the chin bar annoying! I don't think I ever used it how it was 'supposed' to be used, I e, having the chin bar in my pack and taking it on and off as needed.
My question is more about the practicalities of using convertable/lightweight full face helmets. I've seen threads where people buy a convertable helmet and then never take the chin bar off. If that is what tends to happen because it just isn't practical to taking them apart, Id rather get a Stage/proframe
I've got a super dh and the 3r before it. I like both a lot as the size and fit is good for me. I rarely take the chin bar off unless it's a long hot climb. If I was buying now I would probably buy the proframe due to the good reviews.
I've had a Bell Super 3r and a Fox Pro Frame, and currently have a TLD Stages and a Giro Tyrant (not full face). I'm not convinced by detachable chin guards, so wouldn't buy the Super 3r again. I prefer the Stages to the Pro Frame as it's a better fit for me, but otherwise there isn't much to separate them. The Tyrant is my favourite of the lot - most of the protection and with better adjustments than the Pro Frame and Stages. I've not had a face first crash in a lightweight full face, but I don't think the chin guards would provide much protection. I think the extra coverage on the side of the head is more important.
I hadn't thought of the tyrant. I always saw it as a jumpy sessioning type lid, but I guess it could be seen as an extended coverage trail helmet. How do you find it for normal trail riding (i.e Mountain biking)?
It would be a natural progression from my original giro hammerhead (jungle Jim), via the xen, xar and montaro which is a bonus.
Eldest_oab looked and looked at convertible jobs.
He's ended up going fixed with a Troy Lee Stage. Apparently a lot cooler than he expected - he's taken to wearing it a lot of the time.
Not cheap, but really nicely made.
https://off.road.cc/content/review/helmets/troy-lee-designs-stage-helmet-review-3500
I had a Giro Switchblade. After the first couple of rides I stopped taking the chin bar off because refitting it without taking the helmet off was a faff. I eventually replaced it with Fox Proframe which is much lighter and more comfortable.
The stage/proframe option does appeal as well. If they feel airy enough and are a light as a half shell with much more protection, what is the downside sport from looking enduro?
the faff of converting a helmet mid ride does put me off that type. As you say doomanic, if you end up leaving the bar on there are much better options, and if you leave it off then crash that would suck!
My crash happened on a section before I would have considered putting a chin bar on.
I also have the Super 2R and I find it comfortable. It's a little loose as a regular helmet but fits well as a full face though. If yours fits well as a regular it may be too tight as a full face.
I'm also in the market for a new one but it's an annoying time to be buying helmets as you can't try them on.
I have a Bell Super 2R and it is super comfy and I don't find it a faff or too hot. However, I heard that Bell support the NRA in America so when the time comes I'll have to reconsider my brand allegiance.
It seems that quite a few well known brands support the NRA to some extent.
Not 100% sure what the question is, but I have the previous model giro parachute (not the old old one) and it's fine for pedaling, even in summer.
As long as you're doing winch and plummet riding, not racing up the climbs.
That's a fixed chin bar model btw.
Have Bell Super DH.
Comfy. Done its job several times.
The 3r didn't fit my bonce.
GF has 3r. Prefers her normal lid when she doesn't want a chin guard.
I had a 3R, fitted better than a 2R. Nice being able to hang the chin bar round your neck for climbing.
Trashed in a crash that pulled the rear retaining strap out of its socket.
Got a Proframe now, but have to take it off for fire road climbs in a Tassie summer.
My original question was a bit scrambled so I did go on a bit of a ramble. Unfortunately that is the state of my head at the moment!
Thanks for all of the comments. I am less interested in recommendations for specific helmets, although I am pretty much decided on the stage at the moment based on the above. I was really interested in the real world use of things like the super air etc. Do you ride with the chin bar on your pack, or just have it attached for an entire proper rides, and off for the daily commute/ride with the kids for example?
Bell Super 2R and I either have the chin bar on for the day or don’t take it. I have once left the chin bar in the car for a lap of the red at FoD then put it on for the DH trails but I have never carried the chin bar during a ride. I’m probably better off with two helmets
I got the Bell Super Air, really like it, good visibility and keeps the wind off in winter.
I hadn’t thought of the tyrant. I always saw it as a jumpy sessioning type lid, but I guess it could be seen as an extended coverage trail helmet. How do you find it for normal trail riding (i.e Mountain biking)?
I haven't used it in the summer yet, but it's no warmer than the lightweight full face helmets I've used. Fine for winch and plummet type riding, but it wouldn't be my first choice for a cross country ride. I often take off even lightweight full faces for climbing if it's a sustained effort and mostly fire road, which is as much to do with ease of eating/drinking/chatting as it warmth.
Use to have the super 2r with mips before changing it out for the dh. The original super 2r was more comfortable without the mips I found (as there was less padding).
The dh is an overall improvement in fit for me and comfortable (though the racket strap cradle can be uncomfortable if done up too tight). As for the chin bar, for the tyre of riding I do that requires it (fire road up, enduro trail down) I tend to just hang it around the neck as it’s out the way for the climb but easy to reach/forces you to put it on fo the downs. I would only ever put it on the pack pack if the up isn’t really an up so need to do some riding or the time going up is more than 20mins.
I've got a Stage. It's well vented for a FF and useable all day I suppose but there's still a big difference from an open face - I'd probably take it off for every climb if I was riding in it in the Quantocks in the summer. Personal preference but I use an open face for 90% of my riding and the Stage for more DHey style riding where it's mostly push up or uplift. It may have just been habit but using it in January for a couple of hours I took it off for pushing up too.
That's personal preference though. on the helmet itself I find it comfortable and well made. I like the magnetic strap buckle too.
I've had a bell super for ages. I've worn the chin bar once.
I have a full face that gets ridden if it's uplift or pushing up hill to smash back down.
After spending £££ plus a supe unpleasant few hours at the dentist on one tooth I'll stick with sweating in the bigger more protective lid.
I've had a bell super for ages. I've worn the chin bar once.
I have a full face that gets ridden if it's uplift or pushing up hill to smash back down.
After spending £££ plus a supe unpleasant few hours at the dentist on one tooth I'll stick with sweating in the bigger more protective lid.
I went to whistler a couple of summers ago and did two days pedaling up outside the bike park. The full face was tolerable as I took it off on the fire road on the way up and was utterly out of my comfort zone on the way down.
A mate had loads of metal work in his head after a very nasty incident. He wore a full troy Lee all the time. He said it was normal for him.
Another mate has got into biking over the las couple of years and crashes loads. He now wears a full face and body armour on xc rides all year round. Better than another broken rib in his eyes.
Had a Super 2R for 4.5 years now. Think I have done one ride without the chin bar. Mainly because the straps are in the wrong place with it off compared to on. Just used to it now, but I'm not particularly sweaty so being "enclosed" isn't an issue.
Probably saved me a very sore face/broken jaw once. <10mph JRA, front wheel hit a branch covered by leaves, I went OTB into a tree and connected at my ribs (one of which definitely cracked) and the chin bar.
There's something about the Bell helmets that means they just don't fit me at all, mad pressure points around the back. Shame as they seem really good.
Ended up with a TLD Stage- it's not convertible but it's the best fullface I've ever had for Just Riding In, including an Urge Down-O-Matic which was classleading in its time for the same job. I still wouldn't use it 100% of the time but I think it's probably light enough and airy enough to make it a better option than its really been before (tbf it's not that much sweatier than some openface helmets I've had, though, that was because they were really bad to be fair)