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I am in the market for a new helmet or two, and having had a head-to-stone-wall-run-in just over a year ago, I am very conscious of wanting a helmet that can do the job it is supposed to do.
That said, I have watched numerous GCN videos about the investment in helmet design at places like POC and elsewhere, and think I understand how something like MIPS can reduce injury.
Now, I know we're not talking about anything as fancy as that with one of the Carnac helmets, but is there anything I should be concerned about with them? Do I know they meet EU safety standards, but does that just mean they're scraping through, but that they are much lesser quality than those made by companies undertaking serious R&D?
There's been reports of straps pulling out. Do a wee search on here.
Just be aware of one thing with some of the range, they are basically for Tommy helmet shaped heads.
Completely round almost. Most bizarre fit I've ever tried and although quality seemed ok I had to return it.
The key thing is the fit.
Helmets are spot on - used one for most of my riding for the past 2 years, daughter and wife also have them. Straps aren't as good or well designed as some others but they're OK IME.
TT one wasn't a good fit on my large swede so had to return it, but that's a bit of a niche application. Fit on my main one is fine.
They have to be of a certain standard to be sold in the UK, and they meet that.
Bar that, I find they fit well and are cracking value. The Podium SL particularly is very good IMO.
I find the road one great. Sent back the nth one due to previously mentioned weird round head shape
Road one does me ok.
Got a Bell Mips one for MTB though, as I do so much more of that.
We all love a bargain and when something is good value it's even better.
MTB is a very expensive sport so when you can get a product for little money it's great but a helmet is not an area I would scrimp.
A lot of products may wear the marker of ce approved etc but China is the biggest brown enveloped backhanded nation when it comes to being able to buy what you need so whilst these carnacs may indeed pass the standard if tested the quality of these helmets just in your hand doesn't pass the test imo there awful and the fit is just laughable.
I've got a road one and it's one of the comfiest helmets I've worn.
I've got a carnac notus race. I've also got a stupid shaped head, narrow and long! Never found a good fitting helmet for the MTB, tried bell, fox, urge, endura, giro, lazer, all the usual suspects. The carnac is the best fitting helmet I've ever had!!
I've got a few of the Enduro lids and they fit me OK. Strap quality is variable though. The two normal ones are fine, but on the one with the LED in the back the clip comes off a bit too easily for my liking unless you are very careful with looping the strap round it.
Got enduro and road lid from them. Very happy user.
Fits my head nicely.
No issues with straps.
Cheers!
I.
I have one of the road ones for commuting and it's great. So good that my kids have them too. The fit is very good. I also have expensive lids for MTB and road riding and there is very marginal difference in fit/comfort.
I recently tested a Carnac Croix to destruction when I came off the roadie at about 15mph and headbutted the kerb.
I was knocked out and suffered a minor bleed on the brain (2 nights in hospital for observation and about 3 weeks of headaches).
My feeling is that they must meet SOME kind of standard for me to still be alive.
Found my original Croix very comfy and I was very impressed with the build quality. Oddly the replacement one (same model, size and even colour) seemed rounder and didn't fit and the layout of the straps was different and felt awkward. Very strange and a wee bit disconcerting so back it went and a Bell MiPS one bought instead for much more £££...
I tried the Carnac Enduro a while back as a spare helmet and found it horrible. Must use a cannonball as a mould :-/
I was knocked out and suffered a minor bleed on the brain (2 nights in hospital for observation and about 3 weeks of headaches).
My feeling is that they must meet SOME kind of standard for me to still be alive.
Difficult to say without a Control. Try repeating the incident without a helmet and let us know the result.
I found the road helmets a very good fit (I have 3, the Notus and Podium are a similar fit, the Croix is a bit rounder) - similar fit to Bell and Giro which also fit me well.
The MTB helmet was a very round fit and small front to back. Disappointing as it was a nice helmet aside from that.
Anyone tried the TT helmet or the Equinox? Wondering if my long/thin/oval 62cm noggin will be a good fit.
Although MIPS is better than not ( there is a proper article on MIPS somewhere here, read in a previous magazine) the carnac croix I have is fine. Good fit for me and I'm not the bowl head shape.
Anyone tried the TT helmet or the Equinox? Wondering if my long/thin/oval 62cm noggin will be a good fit.
The Kronus was actually OK on my bonce now that I think about it, but the visor has a nosepiece that was sitting too high for me, so it felt odd as it was in my vision. You can detach the visor so could have run it without no prob.
Any helmet that has the certificate EN1078 (sticker on the inside of the helmet) should perform to a minimum standard. For children it is EN1080. Bear in mind this is not much protection for your noggin - roughly about 12mph impact speed. The vast majority of helmets only conform to this minimum impact standard. And most riders I see don't have them on properly. If you want better protection you need to seek out and try on a helmet that is certified to a higher standard such as Snell B95 (the inside of the helmet would have a sticker for both the EN1078 and Snell B95). Make sure it fits and wear it properly. They are difficult to find as they are bulkier, less attractive, and heavier. Better still, risk assess and avoid a high speed crash 😉
TJ says the main thing is the fit.
Does that mean the fit he has when someone mentions compulsory use?
Although MIPS is better than not ( there is a proper article on MIPS somewhere here, read in a previous magazine
There are also articles saying it's worthless.
After a high speed road head interface, I stuck
With a Giro as my head was well protected. My commuter helmet is a reflective Carnac jobbie, feel absolutely fine. MTB is a Met Parachute for ventilation.