Iwasgoodonce wrote:
Is there any we can get stock from the USA or Australia? The reason I ask is that even though the model of helmet may be the same, because the Europe/UK safety test is so slack, manufacturers cut costs and materials for the market here.
That's pretty pointless. The US standard is still very low compared to any impact likely to do more than tear the scalp, and when consumer associations tested randomly sampled helmets bought in stores in they found a very high failure rate.
Basic rules of helmets -
- They won't protect you from a hit with a car that's likely to kill you, so don't take extra chances
- Make sure you get one that fits and that you wear it properly - otherwise the foam liner will not compress in an accident; the need to try a helmet on before commiting really makes buying from abroad very difficult
- The lighter and more vented a helmet is, the more likely it is that the shell will break before the liner compresses - sorry; this is just the ways things are: stronger shells are heavier - at least unless you use more expensive materials and moulding technologies. (Which can reputedly raise the manufacturing cost of a $150 helmet to as much as $10!) On the bright (haha) side, some people I know in the US claim that on really hot days they are cooler wearing the helmet because it keeps the sun off their heads.
Best suggestion: go into the biggest bike store you can find and buy the best looking ventilated helmet that you can find **that fits you.** Maybe read this first so you know more about what to look for
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 4661,d.d2k