Bicycle Helmets
The long and the short of bicycle helmets is simple: wear one. There's no excuse these days! People used to complain about bulky, hot helmets that made them uncomfortable and had terrible aerodynamics. But times have changed and advances have been made in both technology and safety. The no-helmet look is a thing of the past. Racing at all levels requires a helmet (pros are no longer allowed to ditch them before the last climb of the day), and common sense requires that anyone else on a bike needs a helmet, too.
At BikeTiresDirect we carry a variety of helmets to suit all budgets and tastes.
To begin, let's discuss what makes a good helmet. Any helmet sold in the US should meet the CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commission) standard. Certification is usually displayed on a sticker inside the helmet. Additionally, a helmet should be fairly lightweight, comfortable and provide adequate ventilation. We carry helmets made by Giro and Bell.
Like most bike accessories, the lighter the weight, the more it will cost. More expensive helmets tend to weigh less, have better ventilation and more sensitive fitting mechanisms. At BikeTiresDirect, we've had some good luck digging up great deals on a variety of race-ready head protection.
The Giro Ionos Helmet is a result of years of design work by the world's leading helmet maker. It features excellent ventilation and customizable fit. The Giro Atmos Helmet is a standby of amateur and pro racer's alike. Curiously enough, the long awaited Ionos weighs 60g more than the Atmos.
The Bell Sweep Race Helmet is also no stranger to a bike race. Bell does an excellent job of creating top-level helmets at great prices. The Bell Volt Helmet enjoyed a ride to the top step of the Tour de France podium atop Carlos Sastre's head in 2008.
Aerodynamic helmets are all the rage for multi-sport and time-trial enthusiasts. The Giro Advantage 2 Helmet is the one you see on the start ramp of the Tour de France or bike leg of the Ironman. 
Yes helmets can get a little expensive. The Giro Indicator Helmet and Bell Furio Helmet both offer good quality at a lower price than their race oriented counterparts. While not as much time goes into the design of these helmets, they will nonetheless deliver a comfortable and safe ride and should last for years.
We have experienced cyclists on staff at BikeTiresDirect to answer any questions you may have about selecting a safe, comfortable and stylish helmet. Contact us at sales@biketiresdirect.com or (800)682-0570 with any questions.
