Helmet size question

[RWright]

I have not worn a bicycle helmet but a couple of times. I only had an old ragged bmx helmet and one the lady gave me when I bought my Townie from her. (ok helmet but it has flowers on it) .

I recently found a Bell Sweep at a decent price and purchased one. I measured my head using a string and a measuring tape and the size was right where the M and L sizes meet. I purchased the L as I thought I may be wearing a headband with it sometimes in warm and cold weather.

The L seems to fit snug enough and is very comfortable without anything else on my head. I was wondering if helmets stretch much with wear? I may still use a headband but maybe not as much as I thought. The amount of air this helmet vents is pretty impressive, I think my head got cooler today than if I would have had nothing on. I only used it a little over ten miles and may still be able to return it for a M size. I just don't know how much these change size wise after they are "broken in".

I have it at the smallest fitting on the little dial adjuster on the back now and it is about perfect without a headband or anything else on under it.

 

[PK99]

Whatever size you get, make sure you polish your helmet regularly.

 

[RWright]

Whatever size you get, make sure you polish your helmet regularly.

I am going to have to put reflective tape on it, they call the color titanium, I call it asphalt camo grey.

 

[festival]

Helmets don't stretch, you do not" break a helmet in"
My concern with your post is it sounds as if you don't really know what constitutes a well fitted helmet, so if you are going to wear one you need to ensure its adjusted and fits you correctly. Seek advice from an experienced, knowledgeable friend or visit your local bike shop for proper advice.
There is no way any bike shop I know would exchange a used helmet unless you had been ill advised by them when it was purchased

 

[ufkacbln]

Most helmets including this one hava an adjustment system. Providing the helmet itself is not pressing on tehhead then adjustment is quick and simple by rotating a dial to tighten or loosen the band.

From Bell:

Bell enables the Sweep to be easily adjusted via the Twin Axis Gear (TAG) fit system. TAG provides easy- to-use one-handed horizontal tension adjustment with a dial mounted on the rear of the helmet, and adds a simple vertical adjustment as well.

Helmet fit is crucial. Research suggests that a poorly fitting helmet can double the chances of injury!

 

[RWright]

Helmets don't stretch, you do not" break a helmet in"

Thank you for answering my question.

 

[RWright]

Most helmets including this one hava an adjustment system. Providing the helmet itself is not pressing on tehhead then adjustment is quick and simple by rotating a dial to tighten or loosen the band.

That is the type system this helmet has. Without anything on under the helmet I can not make it tight enough to make me not wear it. I think I am going to exchange it. Pushing from side to side and back to front it stays very secure but pushing from the front I can almost push it off my head. I think I better get a size smaller.

Thank you all for the responses.

 

[RWright]

Just talked to the seller, they are sending me out a smaller size and said I can send back the one I don't want. They have a returned items section on their site and I guess it being a helmet, that is where the return will end up.

 

[ufkacbln]

Not a personal dig at you, but I think that your experience is a learning point for others.

Helmet fit is such a crucial point, as you said, if it moves that much then it will probably come off if you are unfortunate enough to be in a fall.

Helmets are the something that needs to be tried on and fitted before purchase... buying from the internet '"as seen" is cheaper, but guessing that the shape of the helmet and sizing is correct is impossible.

 

[Psyclist]

Helmets are the something that needs to be tried on and fitted before purchase... buying from the internet '"as seen" is cheaper, but guessing that the shape of the helmet and sizing is correct is impossible.

+1, go to your bike shop and try one on

 

[mickle]

It can take me ten minutes or more to fit a helmet correctly and Ive fitted liderally thousands of them. The crucial - and time consuming - bit is strap adjustment. And its the bit that most people screw up. If you can push the thing back up off your head it suggests to me that you haven't got your head around the strap adjustment.

 

[mickle]

Do not go to a bike shop and expect them to help you adjust a helmet you bought cheap off the internet. Srsly.

 

[mickle]

fasands and fasands.

 

[RWright]

The last bike shop I went in besides my small local shop, which I do like, was a Specialized dealer in a larger town. I wanted to sit on the assometer to check my sitbone width. I called to see if they had one and a friendly sounding lady said sure, come on in.

When I got there the lady I had spoken to was with some guy doing a $230 bike fitting, cool, spend your money however you like and all that, it is your money is what I was thinking. The young man that I had told what I was there for after about 15 minutes finally figured out the lady might be busy for a while so he decided to try and help me.

This guy didn't know his ass from an assometer. I also found out the assometer is more of a tool to sell Specialized brand seats as much as it is anything else. He was looking at some color code cards and said you can use this A group in red or this B group in green or this in this or that or the other. I was pretty amused by this time but finally asked him what was the actual measurement and got it . I did also notice how the Brooks saddle I looked at reminded me of those Rawhide dog chews/treats.
I am still going to try one I think but between that thought and assometerboy practicing his sales pitch, I was having a hard time not busting out laughing before I got out of there.

I have also seen bikes assembled at a large brick and mortar bike and outdoor retailer here in the US that were so poorly assembled that you would think their objective was to murder riders.

I can appreciate that a good fit for a helmet is important but it isn't rocket science. I have fit hundreds if not thousands of motorcyclist helmets in the past. I will take my chances with my judgement over possibly getting assometerboy or REI assembly guy to fit my bicycle helmet for me because with them when I say "that feels great, I'll take it" the fitting session will be over. I am sure there are other fitters that are much more concerned about doing it correctly and do a fine job, too bad that is not always the case.

I am basicly caught almost between two sizes in the particular helmet I selected, will try both and if satisified with the fit of one, send the other back at an additional $5 shipping fee. If not I send them both back. The sad part is no matter which one I decide on there is good chance it sits in the top of the closet until there is some sort of ride I want to participate in that I am required to wear a helmet.
(This is not meant to start a helmet debate, I noticed a whole section for that, been there read that got the head ache)...no pun intended

I do appreciate all the responses.

 

[Rob3rt]

Where to begin, 1st, not all brands suit everyone, regardless of adjustability. Finding a helmet is as much about finding a brand that makes helmets that suit your head shape as it is buying the right size.

When you find the right helmet, it should be adjusted such that it is secure on your head without the chin scraps being done up. This does NOT mean cranking the internals real tight, if it fits right, it wont be tight, but it will be hooked onto your skull.

Lastly, well the last thing I can be arsed to respond about with regards to this epic fail is the comment about Specialized ass measuring devices being intended to sell you their own branded saddles, of course it is and if you thought otherwise you are lacking in sense, like helmets all manufacturers saddles vary in shape, thus one device can not make recommendations for numerous brands, it is a specific tool developed for use with their line of saddles and is in no way advertised otherwise.