Are skate helmets 'ok'? & visibility questions.

[Treyness]

I basically spent all my money on my first/new bike, and I need a helmet obviously. Skate helmets are like $20-30. Bike helmets are closer to $75-$100.

So.....screw it, a helmets a helmet? Or, will wearing a skate type helmet riding around the city, and on trails make me look like a moron? Its not really a biggie to me, I just didn't know if this was some forbidden biker rule or something.

It's came down to the 661 dirt lid in white, which is $24.99, or the Fox Flux in white for $59.99. I like the Fox more, but don't know if I want to spend the extra money on it. I do have the money, it's just I don't know if it's worth it to me. I need a small seat bag and the means to fix a flat tire also, and I'm not sure if I want to pay more than double for the Flux, even though it is pretty bad ass looking.

I also chose white because of visibility, but I think I would prefer matte black. I think matte black looks pretty slick, and my bike is matte black, but I would rather not get hit by a car if I can help it. I honestly never really paid attention to bikers on the road in that great detail to where I thought, "Oh, thank god that biker was wearing a bright helmet, otherwise I would've killed him." I just tried not to run them over lol. So is my thinking correct? Would white be a better choice, or should I get black and throw some reflective tape on there? (clearly white is brighter, but is that hard to see a person with a black helmet vs. a white on?)

I thought getting a white helmet, and throwing on some white grips, and pedals, then eventually a white brake cable, the matte black bike would look pretty sweet. Not that it really matters. I don't really give a ****, but I think it would look cool....I'm just rambling.

[citiznkain]

Skate helmets are fine. the big difference will be airflow and venting with the helmets. a typical cycling helmet with have a lot of openings, as opposed to the skate style of helmets or even full face helmets. It's just preference. I use my snowboard helmet on winter rides. it's way warmer.

[Glynis27]

Skate lids are usually quite a bit heavier, although some aren't so bad. My brain cooks in a skate lid in the summer though.

[Treyness]

Damn, you have a lot of bikes ^^^ !!! Haha.

Thanks....I did consider the heat, but I don't really mind it. I just ordered the white dirt lid. I figured it's only $25, and since I am new to the sport, I don't really want to get more monetarily involved than necessary at this point. It will do its job, and I can always upgrade later when I didn't drop $360 on the bike the same week.

I think I did pretty well considering I don't have a whole lot of expendable income at the moment. I know everything I got was last season, but I don't mind at all.

I got Gt Karakoram 3.0 for half of it's MSRP, and I just ordered the helmet, bottle cage, small seat bag, small pump, spare tube, tire tools, and patches all for only $50. Should be more than enough to get me started, allow me to learn what really works for me, and be able to space out the future purchases. I will probably go pick up some gloves in a week or so, and I'd like to get a Camelbak at some point, and lose the bottle cage.

If I can fix a flat, carry some water, and not get a brain injury I can get by for a few weeks.

[DJT]

I don't think it would be any less safe. I bought a skate helmet too. I don't really care for the way bike helmets look. Seems to me the skate helmet gives more coverage.

[burbskate]

I wear a skate style Fox helmet. I like the skate style helmets because they offer more protection all around the head. I think I've hit my head more on trees and overhead branches than falling!

In regards to skateboard helmets, the cheaper ones are NOT CPSC rated. Which means they do not have any rating at all. I find these are MUCH more comfortable, but they are essentially plastic shells with a little foam for comfort. Ok for slow speed falls, but not for biking. Plus, they are much hotter.

I think I found my Fox helmet for $30. Rated for bike use, vented for bike, but still a skate style.

[burbskate]

This is the model I have.
Fox Matte Black Transition Hard Shell Bike Helmet Free Shipping

[codyh12345]

I had a 661 dirt lid. Was HOT HOT HOT but for the price (8.99 on chainlove) you cant beat it. Have a fox flux now... really like it.

[Zuarte]

Random observation: if you're ever thinking about taping one of those adhesive gopro feet clips to the side of a skate helmet, it's really uncomfortable. A skate helmet doesn't grab your head like a full face does, so the camera is constantly dragging the helmet to one side no matter how tight you have it on.

Source: I tried it. No bueno. Now if you attach something to the other side to counterbalance, that should work.

[jeffj]

Lots of myths and misinformation out there about helmets. Here is some good reading:

Definitions of Bicycle Helmet Types

Helmets for Many Activities

Helmets for Many Activities

Keep in mind that this is for the helmets tested, and may or may not be true for every helmet. They only have to meet a minimum standard to be certified:

Cheap or Expensive Bicycle Helmets

[hocorider3700]

Skate helmet will be safe but very hot in the summer

[Hoban]

I didn't want to spend a lot for another helmet, so I bought a Bell BMX lid for a while. Works fine, but doen't have a lot of venting. $30-40.

Bell Faction Bmx Dirt Jump Helmet @ Sun and Ski Sports

[One Pivot]

My regular mountain biking helmet was 20 or 30 bucks on sale. Heating up your head in the summer can be dangerous if its hot enough. At best its just uncomfortable. Might be nice for winter though.

[joshh]

Check Amazon. They got a couple helmets in the $20-30 price range.

[Tyler21]

For your price range I would probably buy this one myself. Amazon.com: Giro Indicator Sport Helmet (Black/Charcoal Icons): Sports & Outdoors

[Treyness]

Thanks everyone. I went cheap, and got the dirt lid. Hopefully the heat won't be too big of an issue, but I still have a few months to the hot months where I live, so I'll still get some use out of it. I just needed too much other **** to want to spend an extra $50 on a helmet.

[Cdub4]

Fox Matte Black Transition

Thought about getting that helmet, how good are the vents?

[burbskate]

Fox Matte Black Transition

Thought about getting that helmet, how good are the vents?

I was wearing a CPSC rated Pro-Tec skate helmet when I first started riding. I bought the Fox Transition and, for a skate-style helmet, I felt the difference with the vents immediately. Still not as crazy vented as some mountainbike "barely there" lids, but I think it's probably as good as a skate-style can get.

[bob13bob]

skate helmets look cool but are awful for biking.. not enough cooling. skate helmets are similar to ski helmets, imagine running up a mountainside with a ski helmet on.

you can find plenty of bike helmets like that indicator someone linked for around $30. the most important part of the helmet is fit. you really need to try different brands on.

http://forums.mtbr.com/apparel-protection/me-wifes-fitting-notes-several-giros-bell-sub-$80-810190.html

[goalieman24]

I use a Pro-Tec helmet. I notice my head gets a little warm in hot hot weather, but for the most part it's not to bad.
My main reason for using it is because of fit. I have a fairly large head, and kind of 'deep' too. I always find traditional MTB helmets to sit more on top of my head and not really come down on the sides or back... so it looks funny. Wouldn't mind getting something more traditional, but spending time to go around and try on helmet after helmet just isn't at the top of my list currently.