Helmet for commuting

[vickster]

Damn, this has put me off ordering online! Is it not just a case of measuring around your head and using that? e.g. I measured mine and it is around 58-59 cm, and I would want a little room for a balaclava type head warmer in winter, so 58-61cm would be the correct choice. Or am I missing something regarding size/fit of helmets?

Unfortunately not...
But yes that would be the right size, but it may not be the right shape (some are more round, some more oval, front to back distance can vary too)

 

[JE201]

My opinion FWIW buying blind (from the net) is never going to work with something as personal as a helmet, you really do need to go try them on, I have a couple of helmets but rarely wear them but that's another story.

But I can relate it to my last motorcycle helmet purchase, where it really is a 'crash' helmet, I went out with the idea of spending up to £600 on a new helmet, a Shoei, an Arai or one I used to like an AGV. but i could not get one that felt right, I ended up with a Nitro, still had all the same certifications as the others but l less than £200. Advantage is that you can compare apples with apples on motorcycle helmets

I agree, in an ideal world I would just go to the store and try on a bunch of different ones. Unfortunately they won't allow that at the moment.

 

[Cycleops]

And a similar amount to return if no good (I think I last paid £6 or 7 to return a Catlike which was an instrument of torture, whose head is that narrow?!)

A cat?

 

[JE201]

I agree, in an ideal world I would just go to the store and try on a bunch of different ones. Unfortunately they won't allow that at the moment.

Sigh. Seems like I'm caught in a bind! Either pay the extra ~£20 for the Evans one and be able to bring it back in store if I need to return/exchange it, or pay for Planet X shipping and potentially have to pay to return it as well which would eat into the original £20 cost saving...

 

[Tenkaykev]

I have an Abus Hyban City cycling which I got from Decathlon.
Supremely comfortable and looks good too.
£29.99. I've seen it at £50 in a few other places.
It's got a triangular light on the back which is flat and blends in. I've never used it and I think you can pop it out if desired as it sits in a vent.
Highly recommended.
EDIT: I tried to post a link to the relevant page but I'm on my mobile and I cocked it up.

 

[vickster]

I have an Abus Hyban City cycling which I got from Decathlon.
Supremely comfortable and looks good too.
£29.99. I've seen it at £50 in a few other places.
It's got a triangular light on the back which is flat and blends in. I've never used it and I think you can pop it out if desired as it sits in a vent.
Highly recommended.
EDIT: I tried to post a link to the relevant page but I'm on my mobile and I cocked it up.

That’s the one in the first post?

 

[JE201]

I have an Abus Hyban City cycling which I got from Decathlon.
Supremely comfortable and looks good too.
£29.99. I've seen it at £50 in a few other places.
It's got a triangular light on the back which is flat and blends in. I've never used it and I think you can pop it out if desired as it sits in a vent.
Highly recommended.
EDIT: I tried to post a link to the relevant page but I'm on my mobile and I cocked it up.

Unfortunately it seems to be out of stock at both Decathlon and on Amazon.

 

[JE201]

That’s the one in the first post?

I think it may be slightly different - the first post was the Urban, but it appears there may be a City one too..

 

[vickster]

I think it may be slightly different - the first post was the Urban, but it appears there may be a City one too..

Ahh more silly marketing

 

[JE201]

Get yourself over to Planet X bikes - helmets going from £10 and they are good. I've got an XC helmet, and very tempted with an enduro one soon. Just measure your head circumference, and you have a choice of medium or large.

Do you mean you have this one? https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HEOOXC/on-one-xc-mtb-helmet

How adjustable is it? e.g. I measure my head as ~58-59cm, but other posts on this thread mentioned the importance of head shape as well. I'm just trying to get an idea of how adjustable it is in case my head shape is not "perfect" for the shape of this helmet.

 

[simongt]

Lights should be on the bike. I don't like gimmicks

Definitely agree on this one.

 

[JE201]

Definitely agree on this one.

Same, I got mine with a dynamo on the front and back.

 

[JE201]

Standard postage of £4.99 so it is worth stocking up on other bits too

What other things would you recommend for a complete newbie (to Brompton bikes and to a lesser extent cycling in general - I used to have a bike at uni many years ago) to get? If you have links that would be really helpful too!

 

[fossyant]

Do you mean you have this one? https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/HEOOXC/on-one-xc-mtb-helmet

How adjustable is it? e.g. I measure my head as ~58-59cm, but other posts on this thread mentioned the importance of head shape as well. I'm just trying to get an idea of how adjustable it is in case my head shape is not "perfect" for the shape of this helmet.

Thats the one and I measure 58-59 so went with large. I have the plain black one. It has the usual straps and the quick dial at the back.

 

[vickster]

What other things would you recommend for a complete newbie (to Brompton bikes and to a lesser extent cycling in general - I used to have a bike at uni many years ago) to get? If you have links that would be really helpful too!

Insurance!