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Used to own a Bell Super 2R for trail riding, which broke a while back after extended use. I’m a bit of a wimp, so tended to put the chinbar on for even trail centre descents like Cymcarn, Afan etc (and at BPW obviously). Been using an old commuting half shell for last few rides, which feels ok and have got used to the sensation of not using a chinbar.
59cm head, and the Large Bell Super 2R was always a bit wobbly, even when fully tightened, i.e. if I shook my head it moved around, even though it was comfortable and reasonably snug, but there was definitely some movement. Medium far too tight and small.
None of the other convertible trail lids I’ve tried on fit.
Recently bought an open faced helmet - Specialized Ambush Comp in L (57cm – 61cm) and it fits perfectly plus is really comfortable, light and well ventilated. But still decent protection for a half shell. Seems ideal for a trail all rounder.
Am I better off just using the Specialized Ambush for trail centres and MFU, and buy a well fitting, dedicated full face for BPW and the like? Or using a Bell Super 3R in Large for everything, which wobbles? (i.e. I don’t know how safe it’ll be in that case anyway!).
Do most of you tend to find an open face helmet is sufficient for trail centres and general pootling? It’s tricky, as one can easily make an argument for wearing all the protection under the sun, for even tame trails, just in case, but equally argue it’s complete overkill. I suppose I’ve got used to wearing a chinbar now and am struggling to come to terms with wearing an open face helmet!
Proper fitting helmet every time. I had a medium 2R that was too tight, bought a large Super DH that like you wobbled too much. Ended up giving the 2R to my son and selling the DH because neither were comfy.
If you preferred to ride with a fullface then get one of those modern lightweight fullfaces which have more ventilation that traditional fullfaces and ride with that all the time?
Properly fitting every time, you want it to work and do what it is designed to do.
Do most of you tend to find an open face helmet is sufficient for trail centres
As you've already said, you had a full face because you wanted to reduce risk. It's completely down to you and you alone to choose what you're comfortable with based on comfort, risk etc.
Even a full face should be comfortable or it'll put you off when riding, which isn't what you want if you're riding the gnar.
Yeah, good points above.
I've ordered a Fox Proframe and Troy Lee Stage to see how they feel/fit. Got my doubts they'll fit but worth a go.
The Bell Super is too delicate and expensive to wear wherever I might want it.
Any trip to BPW I'd have at least one spare FF in the car between me and the kid and only pulled out a 3R if we broke more than 2 helmets in a day.
Proper fit is king when it comes to helmet safety, never ever neglect that.
Regarding chin piece or not, like with most personal protection gear it's a matter of making an informed decision on what level of risk are you open to accept. I own a Bell Super DH, which I use open about 90% of times. These include national level DH tracks, drops , gaps etc. In these situations I do a conspicuous effort to keep my pace a little down and avoid to try new features like huge gaps and such. If I'm to go at bonkers pace, trying new big features or generally anticipate getting out of my comfort zone, I'll mount the chin piece. For me this is an acceptable compromise.
Do most of you tend to find an open face helmet is sufficient for trail centres and general pootling? It’s tricky, as one can easily make an argument for wearing all the protection under the sun, for even tame trails, just in case, but equally argue it’s complete overkill. I suppose I’ve got used to wearing a chinbar now and am struggling to come to terms with wearing an open face helmet!
Well "Trailcentres" covers a lot of different venues, but ultimately it's not about what others are happy to wear, it's about what you're most comfortable riding in...
You see people FF/armoured up for a trundle round Swinley reds and then others in a just pisspots hitting Daihard. The noggin protection people choose is often proportionate to the levels of risk/scale of features they plan to take on, and how confident they are of sticking everything without issue.
If a chinbar means you'll be happier and more relaxed on a given trail, I'd find a FF or convertible helmet that fits...
The noggin protection people choose is often proportionate to the levels of risk/scale of features they plan to take on, and how confident they are of sticking everything without issue.
Cant say I disagree with any of your post but what I do notice is people's perceived risk level seems linked to the replacement cost of a helmet.
People (myself included) seem more likely not to bin a helmet after a decent crash if it cost £300 vs £50...
I think my head is around the same size as yours (mines an odd shape too 🙂 )and I always struggled a bit with fit until I got the Fox Proframe. Really comfy helmet and I wear it for pretty much everything, including just tootling around, I prefer it in crappy weather too. I bought my daughter and wife convertible full face helmets and they like them / wear them for most rides, they are comfortable and fit perfectly. Seeing the speed my seven year old hits some steep trails makes me glad she has the extra protection for her face... scares the life out of me at times.
If I find an open face as comfortable as the Fox then I’d probably wear that a bit too.
Cheers all.
Troy Lee Stage helmet M/L (57-59cm) and Fox Proframe L (58-61cm) both arrived today.
To my surprise, the Troy lee felt better, and that's without tweaking pad sizes. Definitely snug, but not tight or uncomfortable.
Whereas the fox felt a touch wobbly, more enveloping, but not as nice to wear.
I also think the Troy lee is a fair bit slimmer and sleeker looking. Really nice looking helmet actually and not at all spaceman esque.
So I think I'll go with the Troy lee and use that for the majority of rides. But may also keep the specialized ambush open face, for tame stuff like Ashton Court in Bristol or other pootles.
Lot to spend on 2 helmets, but it's justified I guess.
Any trip to BPW I’d have at least one spare FF in the car between me and the kid and only pulled out a 3R if we broke more than 2 helmets in a day.
What do you do? Play football with it in the carpark? 😀
More seriously, if I have a helmet damaging off, (so to speak) it's probably my day/month of riding over. So fair play.
As for which lid, fit and comfort first. Nothing more distracting than an ill fitting lid and distraction causes crashes.