In the early days, cycle helmets were like an old fashioned Volvo – they gave a feeling of safety but by abandoning all pretence to style and good looks. It was that kind of safety feature which cried out ‘if you’re that ugly, it must be really safe’. It’s a bit like being made to eat liver as a child, on the basis that if it tastes that disgusting it must be good for you in some kind of paradoxical way.
But, these days, some helmets are pretty stylish and good looking.
1. Bradley Wiggins Helmet
It’s not just because Bradley Wiggins and Victoria Pendleton have worn it. This helmet really is cool, especially with the RAF / Mod thing / Tribute to K of M jersey on the front.
The only problem with this helmet is that it looks cool on any cyclists travelling over 48km/h. If you’re going down the shops to buy some bread, it suddenly loses it’s cool factor. It becomes a bit like a 55 year overweight middle aged guy wearing a road racing World Champions jersey and then walking up Box hill because it’s too steep.
Definitely cool helmet. But warning – it may not be cool on us.
2. The Horse Riders Helmet
The helmet on the right looks more of a fashion accessory than safety feature. Not that I know anything about fashion or style, but it is perfect for the urban environment. Looks a little similar to a horse riding helmet, but without creating connotations of Miss Chumley-Warner, that a horse rider might (unfairly) create.
2. Bell Faction Graphics
New styles every year. Not my cup of tea, but might appeal to those of t’ younger generation. Bell faction helmets
2. POC
POC helmet. After giving their time trial helmet the slightly sarcastic title of helmet of the year, I’ll put these in. I guess cool is each to his own.
The Classic
The classic helmet. It looks pretty good. Also good for hiding rapidly balding hair.
The Old Fashioned Leather Strap
Not sure, if these leather straps are much use vs a 10 ton lorry, but this old fashioned style of cycle helmet was popular in the 1980s. Generally these helmets are pretty cool because they were worn by riders like Sean Kelly and Eddy Merckx riding through the mud of Paris-Roubaix. Where to be honest, anything other than a peacock feather hat would look cool.
Style depends on the Person
Some people can be cool no matter what they wear. – It’s just about how they carry it off.
Note: how socks tucked into trouser technique wonderfully complements silver aero helmet.
This was originally posted in silly helmets, but now I’m convinced those people in the car are saying ‘wow, that’s pretty cool’
Family Helmets
Red, White and Blue.
Don’t forget the full-face as demonstrated in the Womens’ BMX Time-Trial at the London 2012 Olympics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV5zoIsajyQ
The first, second and third photos all just look like skate helmets to me.
My local bike shop informed me that the price of cycle helmets basically climbs drastically with the amount of venting, since it gets harder to maintain the structural integrity with less helmet. So less helmet=more money.
Now I understand that skate helmets are designed more for freestyle antics than sustained effort, so less venting is required, but what about the helmet in the first photo. It seems to have no vents at all. Do Wiggins et al not get really hot heads?
I competely agree re the lack of vents in the helmet; how on earth can it be good to wear? I went and looked at the website where they are sold (Tejvan put a link in
‘Why are British Cycling so Successful?’ http://www.uksport.gov.uk/pages/cycling/)
UK Sport says this helmet is “For use in road races and track distance events, the Distance Helmet gives good aero performance whilst allowing adequate cooling”
Magic is the only explanation, I guess
Oops. I meant the second, third and fourth photos look like skate helmets. Obviously the first doesn’t.