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Hi guys, am looking to replace a MET Parabellum that I have currently got. It’s been an ok helmet but the ratchet system at the back does rub quite a bit. Anyway looking for your suggestions or recommendations please?
cheers 👍
There was a thread recently regarding these Helmets from On One...folk really liked them
https://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/HECAXC/carnac-xc-mtb-helmet
Loving my Bell sixer
There were some 2017 TLD A2 2017 colourways for sale on CRC. Bell Sixer is interesting (I had a Super before) but more money than the sale A2.
I really like the Lazer Roller
I'm less convinced by my 7idp M2.
Little details like the rear tensioner is not 'countersunk' like my old Uvex, so adjusts itself every time it brushes my jacket or I put it down. It also has front straps permanently twisted due to the way they're routed.
Comfy though.
Best helmet I've had for fit and comfort is the POC Tectal. Great helmet..
The On-One/Carnac helmets are very good and astonishing value. Save your money and get one of those.
Hi guys, am looking to replace a MET Parabellum that I have currently got. It’s been an ok helmet but the ratchet system at the back does rub quite a bit.
Not an uncommon complaint on an otherwise excellent lid. If you like everything else about it, the nearest I've found is the Smith Forefront. it's the same shape but generally better in every way.
Otherwise you're into Giro/Bell territory, maybe Mavic if you have a rounder head.
The On-One/Carnac helmets are very good and astonishing value. Save your money and get one of those.
For the price they're pretty good, but I've only used mine twice due to a couple of issues....
Fit on my quite narrow head is poor. Can't seem to get it to stay put, unless I have it too tight.
The non-adjustable visor sits annoying low in the top of your field of vision.
They're very hot. Probably the sweatiest helmet I've used.
....so fine as a spare, but for me not a daily user.
I tried about 8 different ones and ended up with the Giro Montaro.
Super comfortable, and fits my head nicely!
^^^^^ have they sorted the disintegrating pads on the Montaro yet ?
No issues with my Montaro, think recent feedback from most folks has been same
^^^ good to hear, thanks
Catlike for me
In terms of fit, the Troy Lee A1 was probably the most comfy lid I've ever used. Unfortunately it was also one of the hottest. And as I've got a head shaped like a jellybean it made me look like a mushroom!
The A2 could have been amazing, but I really don't like MIPS in helmets, I find I have to crank up the tensioner to be crazy tight to stop it moving around on my head & that just gives me a headache. Same with the Bontrager Lithos MIPS I've been using. Also made me look like a mushroom!
I've just ordered a discounted POC Tectal as apparently they are good for people with thinner heads & it's quite a low profile too. Fingers crossed its as comfortable as people suggest 🙂
Ive got a MT500.
I wouldn't recommend it.
Got a Catlike Leaf recently.
It is honestly the most comfortable helmet I've ever worn. Even the ratchet system has 2 movable pressure pads to stop it resting on the back of the neck. Great attention to detail generally.
Seriously impressed and not even an expensive lid.
Montaro for me. I had a Scott Stego which was great but cracked it and there is not crash replacement. Shopped round for a Montaro - Tredz was the best price. It’s a bit heavier than the Stego but coverage is better, prefer the visor, has a GoPro mount if that’s your thing.. but mostly super-comfy.
I got one of those Lazer Rollers recently, but for a lot less than those prices, Google search, I'm sure it was about £30, really comfy feels as good as my TLD A1 but a lot lighter and lots more ventilation, got it to replace an old Hex that got crash damaged for commuting and I wear it all the time now.
Spent an age in Evans last week trying on helmets. I have a narrow head and one of the best fitting ones was the Endura Singletrack II helmet. Huge vents in it, so you wont get to hot. They are on special at Tredz at the moment. I'm tempted to get one. I like the Bell Super 3's but have never found a shop with a M size in stock so not sure how they fit.
I was surprised how comfy the endura Hummvee is, very much like my old Giro Hex. With the added bonus it's only £43!
Lower level pics are of a singletrack 2 helmet, just as comfy but more #enduro & £75
Just ordered myself a IXS Trail RS EVO from CRC, £59 in the sale.
Montaro here
The most comfortable cycle helmet I've ever owned (shame about the durability of the pads though)
^^^^ I found the Montaro most comfy also, but the falling apart pads put paid to it. Currently have a TLD A2, which is just about as good, but I get a lot of sweat dripping onto my specs, and a Spesh Ambush, which is very light and airy, but gets pushed forward by my Evoc pack on techy stuff
I was originally put off by the reports of the Montaro Pads, but mine are still going strong with no signs of anything falling apart so maybe I got a lucky one!
Edit.. and I sweat a lot lol
I have the IXS Trail and landed on my head last week at BWP. I can confirm they work well.
I switched from an IXS Trail to a Giro Montaro at the start of the year, both size M.
The Montaro feels lighter and is generally a nicer fit with better ventilation - nowhere near as much sweat pisses out of the forehead pad when I press the helmet against my swede at the top of a climb!
But the lining pads split after a couple of rides, they've been replaced under warranty by Wiggle (took a couple of weeks to go through) and the new ones are holding up so far.
Wouldn't go back to an IXS trail but might try something different next time... was looking at a Bell Sixer but went for the Montaro based on fit (tried a mates) and price - £85 vs £135 for the Sixer at the time although they're cheaper now.
In terms of fit, the Troy Lee A1 was probably the most comfy lid I’ve ever used. Unfortunately it was also one of the hottest. And as I’ve got a head shaped like a jellybean it made me look like a mushroom!
My A1 is bloody comfy but it's horrible in the warm, muggy weather at the mo. It's doing my head in so much that I'm on the verge of sacking it off for something else, most likely an IXS Trail which I thought were really comfy when I've tried them on in the past.
As previously said, my A1is amazingly comfortable and really warm, which is great when there was snow in the tweed valley. Now not so much.
^^^^^ I’d happily sell on my 2 month old A2 as I do find it a bit warm also....
Liking my fairly new Smith Forefront bought the earlier non-mips version reduced from 150 to 50 quid
- v.light
- small peak
- good fit
- works well with goggs if you’re enduro enough for it ;o)
not sure if good venting as only used on v. warm weather so far
for those with the Montaro's with second gen pads that don't fall apart, what are the date stamps on the helmets ? May try again if the issue is fixed on new ones.....
Will have a look at mine and let you know - mine is the bright orange one and has purple pads - they seem slightly more padded than the black ones. Not sure why! Still not had any issue with mine.
I currently MTB in a Hardnutz helmet, which I bought after borrowing a friend's when I forgot to bring mine with me. It's comfy, well ventilated and certainly superior to the Giro that it replaced. I paid £50 when I got mine directly from them, but you can now get them for £35 from Halfords, before any discounts you may have:
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-helmets/adult-bike-helmets/hardnutz-stealth-hi-vis-mtb-helmet
Not a well known make and I guess that Halfords selling it reduces the brand kudos a bit, but it's superbly comfy and a billy-bargain.
It would be really helpful for me if people noted their head shape. My problem is the lobe that sticks out the back of the head. Many helmets are designed with back straps (the bit with the adjuster) that wrap underneath this. I don;'t really have such a lobe, my head goes almost straiight up from my spine. So helmets tend to rotate forwards on my head and end up being held up by the top of my glasses, unless I do the neck strap up chokingly tight.
I got one of those cheap Carnac helmets and it has a height adjust which helps - with it set to get the rear strap high, tightening the rear strap doesn't tend to squeeze the helmet upwards like it does on my Bontrager. But it is a much lighter helmet which probably helps in the flopping down over the eyes department.
Anyone else have these issues?
Just to come back to this, after a whole weekend riding in the POC Tectal.
It was like a lower profile, more airy TLD A1. Which is a good thing in my world. Nice coverage, very comfortable, given the cover it was well ventilated & was unobtrusive. Would buy one again.
One point of note, as mentioned before I have a jellybean head, it you have a round sweede, it's going to be too narrow for you I guess. It's a slim fitting lid.
The only helmet I've ever found really comfy is the A1, I'm on my third but I'm constantly ordering and sending back helmets as the A1 is so dam hot. My head felt like it as melting on Sunday!
Bontrager Rally coming in the next few days which I have high hopes for having tried one very briefly in a shop a couple of weeks back.
Just sent the IXS Trail back that I ordered as its too tight on the top of my head. I ordered the correct size my from the size guide. I'm ordering another 1 size up but can anyone recommend anything else for around £60-£80 from CRC?
arggghhh 🙁 decided to try another Montaro seeing as pad issue perhaps sorted. Nope... Lid arrived yesterday, rode for hour and a half in 20 degree sunshine at a fairly high pace last night, sweated buckets, pads fell apart....
It's winging it's way back to Wiggle tomorrow....
@fathomer - I have the Bontrager Rally, it is quite heavy (compared to an XC lid) and it has the falling down over my forehead problem I not abv=ove. If you have a sticky-out-at-the-back head, this should not be a problem though.
@greyspoke Can't be any heavier than the A1 but you never know! Will see how it fits when it arrives and I'll check for falling down issue as well, thanks.
might be moving on my as new A2 as I find it a bit warm..... M/L, starburst ocean....
Any feedback on the bluegrass golden eyes?
I’ve just got a A2 and it’s really nice.
This is coming from a Giro Xen and Feature, both of which fitted nicely.
^^^ I find the A2 a great fit, juts that it drips on my specs when warm - the brow pad area isn't well vented at all...
I have not a lot of hair 🙂 so am going to try it with a Castelli head sweat band before giving up on it !
I've been very happy with my Giro Chronicle tbh, really comfy, nice and deep fitting and secure. Peak is a touch longer than I'd like ideally, but I usually run it one click up and its fine. If I was buying again now, I'd also like to try out the new Bell 4forty lid, looks great and a good price.