Cannondale helmets are made in two sizes to fit 52 to 62 cm heads.

Cannondale says their helmets meet the appropriate standard for the market where they are sold, so we would not buy one of their European models that was certified only to the CEN standard.

Cannondale will replace your crashed helmet for 50% of the retail price, but there are many requirements to meet.







Radius: an elongated shape with unique aluminum cross braces between the vents, and Carrera's top of the line. The same shape with different trim and features comes as the Razor, C-Storm, Artiglio and Aria.

Cyclone: molded in the shell with a lower shell coming all the way down, with a rounded top profile and a compact shape but ending in a moderate but high point giving it a blocky appearance in the rear.

Blitz: lines sweep around to points in the rear. The same shape with different trim and features comes as the Gravity and Breeze.

Daytona: lines sweep around to the rear, but this is the compact shape with minimal rear points. The same shape with different trim and features comes as the C-Trail and the Krystal.

Velo-CT: larger and fewer vents, with the compact shape and a modest rear shelf. The same shape with different trim and features comes as the Grip.

X-01: Carrera's skate model, in the classic skate configuration. Pepe: a toddler helmet with vents along the centerline and bug net in the front vents.



Warp Carbon: an almost perfectly round and smooth track sprinter/pursuit helmet with an above-the-nose shield completing the rounding. It has 12 tiny vents that look like hollow rivets, costs 260 euros and only meets the CE standard, but the shape is flawless for crashing. It has a section of six raised rubber dimples in the rear to lower air adhesion there. Casco claims it is equally flawless for aerodynamics and that since the aero tails on other chrono helmets are seldom in the optimal place during track racing, they actually add wind resistance. This seems like a reaction to the aero tails that have set the fashion in bicycle helmets for the last decade, and apparently it is selling well in Europe for the riders who actually do benefit from the round aero advantage.







We were surprised by the quality of the detailing on the Warp II sample we bought. The same shape has been used in other Casco helmets, without the face shield and with different construction. Retails for 260 euros.

E-Motion Cruiser: designed for users of electric bikes, the E-Motion looks a lot like the Warp II, with a very round, smooth profile and tiny round vents. Also comes as the E-Motion Air Control, eliminating even the tiny round vents and using small rear vents that can be closed by a slider. It is also sold as a ski helmet. Meets only the CEN bike helmet standard. Retail is 140 euros for the Cruiser and 110 euros for the Air Control.

Ares Mountain: a conventional road helmet with points everywhere, and a roll bar visible in the center vent, retailing for 170 euros. Molded in the shell. The bright red model has a color-matched red visor. One mm larger than most Casco models, fitting 55 to 63 cm heads. Retail is 180 euros. Becomes the Ares Road when sold without visor, for 170 euros.

Activ-TC: an urban helmet with a very round profile despite some angular lines, a very familiar profile available from a number of different manufacturers, but has a raised center ridge that seems out of keeping with Casco's normally smooth designs. Retail is 60 euros.

Cuda: a very nicely rounded profile, almost as well rounded as the Warp, but with vents. Molded in the shell, with apparent extra coverage in the rear. If it met the CPSC standard it would be a strong competitor in the US with less-ventilated urban helmets. Retail is 130 euros.

Daimor Mountain: molded in the shell with rear points, retailing for 90 euros, or 80 euros without visor as the Daimor Road. Also comes as the Rebell in youth size fitting 55 to 59 cm (21.7 to 23.2 inches) or the Rebell Lady for women, each selling for 70 euros.

Viper MX: a downhill racing model in the older elongated form with a removable chinbar. Molded in the shell, with the aluminum roll bar. It retails for 100 euros plus another 60 euros for the chinbar.

G2 Generation: a skate-shaped helmet with bicycle-style vents, with a nicely rounded shape and apparently very good coverage but a strange screwed-on perforated plate in the front. Molded in the shell. Comes as the Mini-Generation in a "junior" version fitting heads as small as 50 cm (19.7 inches). There is a Fun Generation in bright colors and small sizes, and an FM-Generation with more graphics. Retails for 40 to 50 euros.

Skiller: a classic skate model with small vents retailing for 50 euros. Among the colors are camouflage grey and black models, presumably designed to make you less visible to other road users.

Sportiv-TC: a very well-rounded road helmet similar to the Activ-TC but with more vents and a different visor. Has a raised center ridge that seems out of keeping with Casco's normally smooth designs. Retail is 90 euros. Urban-TC: a skate-style helmet with the Warp lines and a few small vents. Retail is 80 euros. The Urban-TC Plus looks very similar, but has more vents in the crown and retails for 120 euros. The Casco Scarab is sold by Kong as a four sport helmet. See Kong below.







Whisper Plus: Introduced in 2006 and updated in 2007, the Whisper has a unique nubby outer shape and 39 small oval vents giving an almost Swiss cheese appearance. The external shape is less than ideal, but if you want something different you will not see many of these on the road. Molded in the shell. Often seen on European racers, and Mountain Bike World Champion Julian Absalon wears this one. Some very visible colors including orange. Strap anchors are mostly recessed. Retail is 180 euros, or $260 in the US for the CPSC-certified version, although it can be found online for much less.

Sakana: a road model with long vents like fish scales. Tubes link the scales at the rear with one huge oval vent back there and an extended, sharp rear point. It should retail for about 150 euros. We would avoid this one.

Vacuum: a road model with long curved vents and tiny rear points. It has a one-piece full cover shell and retails for 120 euros, or $170 for the US version.

Kompact'O: molded in the shell with a full shell wrapping around the bottom and large oval vents. Has pronounced rear points as well as external strap anchors sticking up. Has a nylon visor with push-point attachments. There are many graphic combinations including solid and multi colors, some highly visible, some matching team colors. There are also women's colors. Lots of reflective trim. Retails for 100 euros, or $145 for the US version.

Diablo: complete with small "horns" on the outer shell. Has rotating cam locks on the strap adjustments, but they still slip. Available in women's colors. Retails for 70 euros.

Neon: a 2008 model with a blocky looking rear that rises to a point in a "ducktail" configuration. Molded in the shell with a one piece shell. Some vents that appear large on the surface neck down to a very small aperture on the inside.

Urban Concept: a round profile urban helmet with long narrow vents and nicely recessed strap anchors. It has an integrated rear light. Fits heads from 53 to 64cm. The kid's version is the Twister, with the rear light option. Fits 48 to 52cm heads.

Shield 2: an unusual helmet with a mostly rounded shape except for bumps upward in the rear profile. It has large oval vents. It has a "ducktail" effect in the rear, with what Catlike says is additional lower rear protection. Molded in the shell. Bug mesh in front vents. Retail is $80.

Gravity: a full-face downhill racing helmet.

Chrono Double Duty: new for 2012, a long-tailed time trial helmet with flexible sides and a fully enclosed rear section. There are two versions: one is CPSC-certified for the US market, and one is certified to the European CEN standard. The US model has a smaller vent and a thicker liner with higher density foam. The rear is fully enclosed to avoid noise. Retail is $300 for the US version, including both clear and smoked face shields.

Chrono Aero Plus: a long-tailed time trial helmet that meets the European standard. It is molded in the shell, and has two small vents in front and rear. It fits 55 to 60 cm heads. It retails for 240 euros.

Aero Chrono WT: a long-tailed time trial helmet that is certified by Catlike to meet the CPSC and European standards. It is molded in the shell, and has one large vent in front and rear. The vents are in the shape of the Catlike logo, probably not chosen for its aerodynamic qualities. Ring fit, for 54 to 60 cm heads. It retails for $300 with visor. 360 degree: a skate style helmet with larger vents than most, probably reflecting Spain's warm climate. Fits 54 to 58 cm heads.



Evolution: new for 2011, a very round, smooth urban helmet with a visor and an optional face shield. Other options include a magnetic rain cover that covers all of the vents and a built in LED rear light.

C-Stream: Cratoni's largest helmet. A blocky-looking road model with the compact shape that a gives a rounded profile despite the style lines and ridges. The largest size fits up to 65 cm (25.6") heads.

C-Bolt: another road model with larger front vents. With visor it's the C-Tracer.

Bullet: Cratoni's 2010 entry in the lowest weight competition, said to weigh just 180 g and to be the "Road helmet for weight fetishists." The older elongated shape, with rear points and the partial shell strips pioneered by Louis Garneau a decade ago. This one would be CEN-only, not a CPSC helmet, so you won't see it in the US market. With visor it is the Rocket, adding 15 additional grams.

Terron: the top of Cratoni's line is a 2009 design with huge vents and an unfortunate flair upward in the rear leaving a pronounced point. Carbon reinforcing. With visor it is the Terrox.

Ceron: updated with a new liner for 2010, another hyper-vented helmet with sharp shell lines and the usual rear points. Molded in the shell, with a lower shell as well. Uses carbon fiber reinforcements, with the bridges visible in the front shell. Ring fit, and fits longer heads well. The scarlet and white versions are bright and visible. Also comes as the Achillon with a pin-mounted visor.

Titan has an interesting style with large squared off ribs and large vents. The rear is compact and rounded although it has a bumpy profile. It is molded in the shell with three shell pieces. Retails for $90. Cratoni sells this helmet in Asia with pads shaped to fit Asian heads. For 2010 they dropped the Titan Pro model that had an additional plate for mounting a camera.

C-Wild: a compact design with angular planes and minimal points in the rear. Bug net in the front vents, metallic colors. There is also a C-Wild Women version.

Zethos: an elongated model made longer by large rear points. Very large vents, with bug net in the larger front ones. It comes in small and medium sizes as the Zethos Youth. With female graphics it is the Zethos Women. Cratoni sells this helmet in Asia with pads shaped to fit Asian heads.

Xenon: an elongated road model that is Cratoni's "value" helmet. Molded in the shell, with visor and bug mesh.

C-Air Youth: introduced in 2008, the C-Air has a more compact shape with small rear points. Strap anchors are partially recessed. It also comes as the C-Air Women with female graphics.

C-Maniac: a youth model in small and medium with a detachable face guard. It has a compact profile and minimal rear points. The chinbar is EVA padded.

Rapper: Another youth model, with more squared-off lines giving it a snazzier appearance. Has a visor effect in front and a small shelf that hangs over in the rear. Ring fit system and bug net in the front vents. There are some bright colors available this year. Includes Cratoni's rear LED flasher. US model. Retail here is $30, down $10 despite the addition of the flasher, but in Europe it's going for 45 euros.

C-Kid: a vented toddler helmet with a well-rounded shape and no rear point.

Interceptor: Cratoni's upscale downhill racing model, with full chinbar, a fiberglass/carbon fiber shell and a visor bolted on. It comes in flashy graphics or solid colors and has steel bug net protecting the front vents. Small top vents. It retails for $180. It meets both CE and US CPSC standards.

Ramp: Another full-face downhill racing model, with a hard shell and bolted on visor. Small top vents like the Interceptor, but better rounded. Comes in visible white. US model.

C-Pace: Cratoni's first chrono model, with a classic chrono shape with "shoulders" in the back that taper to a very long downturned tail. It has large front vents and smaller rear ones, six in all. It is molded in the shell and fits sizes 53 to 59 cm.

C-Flow: another chrono model with a much shorter tail than the C-Project. It has large front vents and a large one in the rear as well. Again, it is molded in the shell and fits sizes 53 to 59 cm. X-Up: a classic skate-style helmet with hard ABS shell and small vents. There is a visible white option.



Crazy Stuff

Dahon



Ebon



Cross Town: a "commuter style" helmet with a very round and smooth exterior, reflective plug in the rear and a ring fit system. Molded in the shell with two shells. Visor. Pastel colors and a visible white option. This is the most remarkable model in the Eleven81 line. It is the same design as the SixSixOne AllRide that we praised in prior years. It has been Eleven81's best seller in the past and retails for $45.

Open Road Pro: a road helmet with a compact rounded rear treatment with only modest points. Molded in the shell with a double shell. Ring fit, and the side strap pieces slip too easily to hold good adjustment. Visor. Retail is about $45 to $50.

Open Road: a road model different from the Open Road Pro, with one elongated point in the rear. Molded in the shell with single shell and the ring fit system. Retail is about $36.

Open Road Child's has a glued on shell and is not really the same model as the adult version, but has the rear overhang. Vents. $25 retail.

Half Pint Toddler: a toddler helmet with vents and glued-on shell. It has a rounded shape but an elongated front to form a visor. Retails for $25.

Pot Hole: a skate style helmet with a wrap-around ridge added for style. CPSC certified only, not certified to the ASTM F1492 skateboard standard. Comes in visible red and white. Retail is about $35. Err Head: a classic round, smooth skate-style helmet with small round vents in front and small tear-shaped vents on top. CPSC certified only. Comes in visible white and red. $30 retail.



Ekoi City E+: a unique urban helmet that is as round as a skate helmet, but cut higher in the back like a bike helmet. Has two large front vents on the sides, plus smaller center vents that can be covered with a leather strip in cold or rainy weather. Has a rear LED blinker. Has a visor. Retail is 29 euros, or 39 euros for the City E+ Brazil model with visor, face shield and vent plugs in addition to the leather strip. There is also a white Girly version with all of that for only 20 euros.

Fast: road model, molded in the shell with a full interior cover as well. The requisite rear points are rounded. Said to be designed to match a 3D study of the head shape of an adult European male. The Web site says it meets CE, ANSI and "SELL" standards. ANSI could be the ASTM F1447 standard, identical to CPSC, but CPSC is not listed. Ekoi does not appear on Snell's list, so "SELL" may be another standard, or the helmet may be among those listed by Snell from several Chinese manufacturers. Comes in bleu or blanc, but no rouge. Retail is 59 euros.

X1: road model with points in the rear and a glued on shell. Single size fits 53 to 57cm heads. Retail is 29 euros.

Air X2: road model with a high point in the back. Molded in the shell. Retail is 50 euros. Also comes as the X2MTB: with visor, and "real white carbon" bridges. That's a new term for us, since we have never seen white carbon fiber. Retail is 59 euros.

X6: another road model, rear points, molded in the shell. Retail is 55 euros.

Record: Ekoi's entry into the superlight competition achieves its low weight by only fitting heads from 51 to 54cm in size. It is a toddler helmet made like an adult model, with full interior shell and a big point on the rear. Retail is 129 euros.

SQ Pro Team: Ekoi's most up-to-date design is a compact style road model with rounded profile. It has "real carbon" bridges and is molded in the shell. It once retailed for 79 euros but has been reduced to 40 euros, so it may be on its way out.

D25: road model with big upswept points in the rear, and according to Ekoi the newest in their line despite the dated design. Has composite bridges showing, but this time it's apparently not "real" carbon. Retail is 79 euros.

Chrono CXR11: a classic long tail time trial helmet with some vents in front and rear. Retail is 129 euros.

Chrono CXR12: a long tail time trial helmet with many thin vents in front, sides and rear. Might be a good one for a very very hot day, but the vents would have to reduce the aerodynamic performance. Retail is 149 euros. Earthquake: a road model with rear point and built in LED lights both front and rear. The lights operate from built in batteries that can be recharged from a USB port. Retail is 89 euros.



El Sol



Elustar







Bernina: A new 2011 youth model, molded in the shell with large vents and what appears to be considerably enhanced coverage in the rear.

Hurricane: Molded in the shell with large vents, pronounced rear points and visible carbon fiber reinforcing. Strap anchors are below the shell, where they should be.

Spluga Carbon: Molded in the shell with large vents, the compact shape with less pronounced rear points and visible carbon fiber reinforcing. Strap anchors below the shell.

Sempione: molded in the shell with many small rear points. Has some points in the front, too.

Motirolo: molded in the shell with long vents and one rear point. The smallest size is the Motirolo Jr.

Tornado: Molded in the shell with a wedge shape and modest rear points.

Jasmine: a model created uniquely for women, molded in the shell with a more rounded compact shape. The Warm Glam Brown is a striking design.

Breeze: compact shape, molded in the shell with three modest rear points.

Zero: road model with a taped on shell and two points in the rear. In the smallest size it is the child Shark.

Vortex: Molded in the shell with interior reinforcing and a nicely rounded shape for those with very large heads, fitting up to 64 cm. Ring fit. Bug net in the front vents. Black.

Esperito: molded in the shell, with rounded lines that are chopped off flat in the back "for cyclists that don't want to look like they plan to ride at 100km/h." Ring fit.

E-Kid: youth helmet with taped on shell with rounded lines and a visor effect in front.

Mosquito: molded in the shell youth helmet with nicely rounded lines. Ring fit. Also comes in a Mosquito Girl female color scheme. Padded buckle to prevent pinching.

Ettino: vented toddler helmet with rounded lines and taped on shell. Fits heads as small as 48 cm. Shaped like an adult helmet, so it is not likely to meet the coverage requirements of the CPSC standard for US sale. Padded buckle to prevent pinching. Ring fit. Has a visor. May require that a child in a trailer or high-backed child seat have a thick pad behind the child's back to prevent the rear section of the helmet from pushing the child's head forward and down.

Downhill: Etto's downhill model has a chinbar and ABS shell. It has an unfortunate "shark fin" at the top rear to spoil the otherwise smooth lines.

Psycho: classic skate style helmet with a hard ABS shell and the usual small vents. Round vents in the front. Comes in chrome, colors and a "psycho" graphic with a skull and bones. Pad fit. Reflective material on the back. Etto also produces it for water sports with a neoprene liner replacing the EPS. They don't recommend that one for bicycling. Also comes in small as the Psycho Kid.

E-Series: classic skate style helmet with a hard ABS shell and the usual small top vents, plus a unique small vent at the brow on each side. Etto says they use a "special production process in order to look and feel as small and tight as possible in use." Also comes in a ski version. Chrono: a long-tailed time trial helmet, molded in the shell with a two piece shell. Small front vents. Fits sizes 53 to 60 cm.



Default: new for 2012, Fly's entry into the downhill mountain bike racing helmet category has only CPSC certification. It is not certified to the ASTM F1952 downhill standard. That makes it lighter than many full-face helmets, but gives a lot less protection than the others in the Fly Racing lineup. Has vents, and the standard large bolted-on visor. With CPSC certification, that visor is required to "readily break away" when impacted.

F2 Carbon: designed for BMX, MTB and motocross, has a carbon fiber-Kevlar shell. It uses the same shell as the Formula below, with a different liner and less expensive aluminum hardware. This one meets both the DOT motorcycle helmet standard and the tougher Snell Foundation M2010 standard. Retail is $250.

Formula: Fly's top of the line, a BMX/Motocross crossover helmet with a carbon fiber and kevlar shell, small vents, stainless steel vents and titanium visor screws. Meets both the DOT motorcycle helmet standard and the tougher Snell Foundation M2010 standard. Retail is $400.

Trophy II: full face model with a polycarbonate shell. Certified to both DOT and Snell M-2010. Comes in XS to XXL sizes. Retails for $140.

Gmax GMX-46X: Polycarbonate shell, comes in four shell sizes from Youth Small to Adult extra large. Meets the DOT motorcycle helmet standard. Gmax is a separate brand from Fly. Available in XXL size. Retails for $90.

Gmax GMX-46Y: smaller and lighter youth version of the GMX-46X. Gmax is a separate brand from Fly. Available in XXL size. Retails for $90. The Special Edition models come in pink, yellow and orange.

Gmax GM-76: Introduced in 2011, with a polycarbonate shell. Meets the DOT motorcycle helmet standard. Retails for $120.

Lancer: BMX and downhill racing model with full-face fiberglass shell with small vents and radical graphics. CPSC certified. Retails for $90. Kinetic: another full face model, with vents protected by exterior and interior stainless steel mesh. Roost deflector. Retails for $100.









Rampage: a downhill racing model with more coverage in the rear than most bicycle helmets. It has a full face chinbar. Retail is $130.

Flux: a rounded profile helmet marketed as a skate model but looking more like a road model because of the large vents. It is molded in the shell with a two-piece shell and a "spoiler" in the rear that hopefully would detach if snagged. If you removed the spoiler, it would qualify as one of our "rounder, smoother" designs. Meets the CPSC standard but not the ASTM skateboard standard. Retail is $100. Transition: a skate style helmet with small rectangular vents and a round smooth shape. Comes in visible white. Retails for $50.



RLX: has an elongated shape with a rear point. Molded in the shell. Ring fit. Retails for $40 with visor.

SCR: another molded in the shell model, this time with two shell pieces. One rear point. Ring fit. Retail is $50. Toddler model: vented toddler helmet with a taped on shell. Retail is $30.



Garneau



Gear



Ares: pronounced rear point, carbon fiber bridge showing and internal reinforcement, full wrap microshell. Three sizes fitted with pads. Retails for $108.

Realm: introduced in 2010, a very nicely rounded, well-vented road model that appears to have extended rear coverage.

Ixion: pronounced point, this time with an aluminum bridge and internal reinforcing, full wrap shell, lever-flip strap locks and nice internal strap anchors. Three sizes fitted with pads. The women's model is the Athena. Retail for either is $80.

Orion: pronounced point, recessed strap anchors in the full wrap shell. Ring fit, lavender for women. The larger version is called the Heracles, fitting up to 62 cm heads. Retail is $54.

Talos: moderate point, ring fit with a dial adjuster. Molded in the shell, with nice internal strap anchors. Retail is $38.

Scion: youth model with ring fit and a rear point. Retails for $38.

Skeeter/Jewel: youth model, ring fit system, with taped-on shell and a very small point in the rear. Retail is $25.

Pup: toddler model, very round and smooth, retails for $25.

Factor: Full face downhill model with a polycarbonate shell, meeting the CPSC bicycle helmet standard but not the ASTM downhill standard. Vault: skate model with ABS hard shell and EPS liner. Has two front vents and comes in black, white, pink and blue. The smallest size is the Vault Jr. Retail is $25.



Reverb: The biggest news in Giro's lineup for 2012 is this urban model with well rounded lines and a smooth exterior. It has long vents and a soft "cap-style" visor. The strap adjustments are sewn like Bell's True Fit system, but the resulting fit did not feel as secure to us, so be sure this one fits you well before buying. There are three shell sizes (SML) with fitting pads, and extra pads are included. Since this is a commuter model, Giro has their new neon yellow available in addition to white. Retails for $60.

Feature: this is a unique design, round and smooth like an urban helmet, but promoted by Giro as an offroad model. Giro says it has a little more coverage than others, but it is certified only to the CPSC standard, so there is no proof of that. It has Giro's fixed strap adjustments on the sides, and we found the fit did not feel secure at all for us, so be sure it fits you well before buying. The shape is what we recommend, and the vents are adequate for most riding in most climates. The visor is styled like a mini BMX visor, with pins at the sides. We hope it will break off readily on impact, but you can always just take it off if you don't need it. There is a neon color available. Riders who find the Reverb too plain may want to look at this one, but be careful to test the fit before buying. Retail is $75.

Aeon: the top of Giro's road lineup for 2012, retailing at $250. Similar to Giro's other high-end helmets, with huge vents and points in the back. Following Specialized's lead, Giro optimized every part of this model to reduce weight, including the straps, buckle and even the basic shape. We regard that as wasted effort, since nobody complains about the slightly higher weight of other thin-shell helmets. But if an ounce makes a ton of difference to you, you may disagree.

Savant: new for 2012, the Savant has a compact shape while retaining some points in the back for those who favor that style. We think the strap anchors protrude more than they should on a $90 helmet.

Xar: introduced in 2011, this is a compact shape, well-vented road helmet with a tiny little lip in the rear to suggest the old elongated styling. More angular lines and not quite as well rounded as the Hex or Phase (below). Visible orange as well as white options. Retail is $135.

Atmos: This was Lance Armstrong's helmet back in 2004. The Atmos has interior reinforcing, exterior carbon fiber reinforcing and an extensive three-piece shell molded on. In addition to several moderate points in the rear, this model has forward facing points in the middle. We would avoid this one for that feature if no other, since it contributes nothing at all to the function of the helmet. Uses fit pads rather than ring fit. Retail is still $180 but discounts are available on the Web.

Saros: introduced in 2009. Although the Giro catalog describes it as "the sleek, contemporary style and subtle silhouette," there are still points on the rear, and partially recessed strap anchors. This one has a three piece shell covering all the foam. Uses fit pads. Retail is $125, or it comes as the Athlon for $135 with visor.

Hex: a reasonably rounded "trail riding" helmet with a shape similar to the now-discontinued Xen. It is not really smooth, but has a compact profile with minimal rear points. For 2010 Giro added some brighter graphics to the Hex's dull matte colors. Retails for $85.

Phase: a compact shape design with the nicely rounded profile that we favor, similar to the Hex but with many smaller vents. Worth a look if you want a reasonably priced high-end Giro. Retails for $75.

Rift: the mid range molded in the shell Giro model with a more rounded shape than other Giro road/mountain models and just one modest point. Plenty of vents. Ring fit. The same Giro strap fittings that slip on other models seem to hold securely on this one. Retails for $55.

Indicator: the least expensive Giro model at $40 has a pronounced rear point, but at least the strap anchors are recessed under the shell. Has a ring fit system. Also comes in a "women's" model called the Skyla. Without a visor, it's the Transfer at $35, the lowest adult price point for a Giro and still molded in the shell. In youth size it is the Flume, fitting down to 19.75 inches (50 cm) and sells for $40. For 2010 Giro scaled the design up for very large heads 58 to 65 cm (25.6"), and calls that one the Venti.

Surface: A skate-style model with ABS hard shell, "internal channeling" for vents and good coverage. The front pooks out into a visor. Different colors and surfaces, including one leather model. Meets only CPSC, not the skateboard standard, and Giro is marketing it as an urban bike helmet, but other efforts at "internal channeling" vents have produced miserably hot helmets. Retail is $50 and up depending on the surface.

Section: A skate-style model without the usual ABS hard shell. This one has a thin shell, but the usual small vents. It is molded in the shell, and Giro says it has a reduced profile. That was accomplished by putting a section of higher-density foam in the front part of the liner, hence the name Section. It is also cut a little higher in the front than a skate helmet to clear glasses. Plain colors or a very visible acid yellow. Meets only CPSC, not the skateboard standard, so this is a bike helmet for those who like the skate style and very small vents. Retail is $45. We are not fans of higher-density foam, so would avoid this one, even though we chose it for our experiment with substances that damage helmets.

Flak: A skate-style model with ABS hard shell, small vents and good coverage. Plain colors. Meets only CPSC, not the skateboard standard. Retail is $40.

Rascal: A molded in the shell youth helmet. Reasonably rounded profile. This one has the new fit system called One Step for bike store helmets, similar to the one that Bell calls True Fit for its discount helmet line. Also available as the Spree for toddlers. Either one retails for $40. Both have LED blinkers incorporated in the rear.

Rodeo: A youth helmet with a taped-on shell, not molded. Nicely rounded. Has a ring fit system. Bug net in the front vents. Color choices include the yellow and black Livestrong combination. Retails for $30. In the smallest size it becomes the Me2, a toddler helmet with a different fit system. Said to have a low profile in the rear to permit a more natural seating position in trailers, where thicker helmets can push a kid's head forward unless they have a pad behind their back. Fits down to 48 cm (18.75"). Retail is $30.

Remedy: A downhill racing helmet with a motorcycle-style chinbar. It got new graphics for 2009. No longer advertised as meeting the ASTM F1952 Downhill Mountain Bike Racing standard. It has a nicely rounded exterior, marred only by the industry-standard bolted on visor, and is well vented for this type of helmet. There is a minimal amount of EVA foam padding in the chinbar. It retails in a fiberglass shell for $130 weighing 1050 gr (37 oz.) or for $270 as the Remedy CF with carbon fiber weighing 900 gr (32 oz.).

Advantage 2: A chrono time trial helmet meeting the US CPSC standard. Molded in the shell with five small front vents and the usual long chrono tail. Like all chrono helmets, it only makes sense for time trialers or track use, when your coach tells you it's needed. Retail is $165. Selector: Giro's newer chrono model with no front vents, small rear vents and a shorter tail. Giro says it accommodates new time trial positions and off center yaw better than the long tail models. There is a removable piece that attaches to the bottom of the tail to extend it downward if that configuration closes a gap in the rider's hunchover position. It retails for a steep $275 with face shield.







Gmax



GPR-PLIM



Urbanus: a round, smooth commuter-style helmet with glued on shell and ring fit system. Bug net in front vents, and a kit is available with ear warmers and vent plugs. European model certified to the CEN standard.

Bike Helmet (Adults): molded in the shell with four shell pieces, rear point, ring fit. Bug net in front vents. European model certified to the CEN standard.

Spina: molded in the shell with a moderate point, visor, ring fit. European model certified to the CEN standard.

Venimos: molded in the shell with two shell pieces, recessed strap anchors, many vents, visor, ring fit. European model certified to the CEN standard.

Virtus: glued on shell but still has external strap anchors in the front, many small vents, rear point, visor, ring fit. Bug net in front vents. European model certified to the CEN standard.

Veni: youth model with glued on shell, bug net in front vents, CPSC as well as CEN certification. Two sizes fit 46 to 56 cm heads.

Vidi: glued on shell, very round and smooth with only seven vents, visor. Bug net in front vents. Certified to CPSC as well as the CEN standard.

Vici: (completes the veni, vidi, vici model series) glued on shell with fewer but much larger vents. Bug net in front vents. European model certified to the CEN standard.

Aventicum II: glued on shell, well rounded profile, visor. Bug net in front vents. Two shell sizes accommodate up to 62 cm heads. Certified to CPSC as well as the CEN standard.

Caddy: child helmet with six vents, bug net in front vents and certified only to the CEN standard. X: classic skate style helmet with hard ABS shell, small vents, pad fit, CEN certification.



Happy Way Enterprises



Headstart (Malaysia)



Headstart Technologies

The site goes on to explain that to be a helmet the caps would have to be thicker. They claim that their product functions at a lower level impact.

In July of 2012 one of Helt-pro's models was recalled after officials in Finland found it did not meet the European standard.



Hong Kong Sports



Aegis A-8 Plus and Elf-1 Elf: polycarbonate hard shell bike helmets with very nicely rounded lines. Both are molded in the shell. For 2010 they both have the fiber optic light ring.

EX-9: molded in the shell with a fiberglass shell, the first we have seen of that combination. It has stainless steel mesh internal reinforcing. The shape is elongated, with a small point.

Aegis A-4 Plus, Aegis A-3 Plus, Aegis Ex-5 Extreme: road-style helmets, all molded in the shell, and all featuring a lower shell for full coverage.

A-6 Plus: the top of the Hopus line at $75. It has aluminum mesh molded into the shell that also provides bug net for the vents. For 2010 it has the optic fiber LED light ring.

E-2 Epoch, Ex-1 Extreme: Road models.

Aegis Police Model: A black police helmet with LED flashers on front and sides, powered by 2 AAA cells that last over 200 hours. Molded in the shell with ring fit. Strap pieces do not hold well. Retails for $40.

B-1 Bravo: An unusual molded in the shell toddler helmet with vents, fitting sizes as small as 50 cm.

MF-2, MF-5, MF-6, MF-7, MF-8 and MF-9 May Flower: all skate style models that debuted in 2004, with similar hard shells but variations in the vents. They are molded in the shell with hard polycarbonate shells, a unique combination. They have the well-rounded shape of skate helmets. The MF-2 Classic is a snow series model for winter sport use with ear flaps and a goggle retainer in the rear. It is certified to the ASTM F2040 snow sport standard as well as the CPSC and CEN bike standards, so it is a true multi-sport helmet. Can be had with very visible flame graphics and a nice metallic orange.

FSK Free Skating a hard shell skate-style helmet with an ABS shell and EPS foam liner.

MF-3 Avenger: is billed as a multi-sport helmet and available as a "snow series" model with ear flaps and a goggle retainer in back, although it is advertised as meeting only the CPSC and CEN bicycle helmet standards, not ski helmet standards. Has a very round smooth skate-style shape, and the ABS hard shell, with more vents than the MF-2 below. There is a very visible metallic yellow model. Retails for $20 to $40.

AG-2 Argo: is a round, smooth skate-style helmet with a hard ABS shell and minimal vents. It is molded in the shell. Has a snow series model for winter sport use with ear flaps and a goggle retainer in the rear.

MI-4 Mission: is a skate-style helmet with angular vents and a mostly round and smooth outer shape. Has inflatable airbag rear pads. Certified to the CPSC and European bike helmet standards. D-1 Diki: a rare child helmet with ABS hard shell. Has vents and an overhang in front to provide a partial visor. The XS fits heads as small as 52 cm.



Metis: new for 2012, a full-face US model with vents, big visor, ABS shell, D-ring buckle and shaped to be compatible with neck braces. Retail is $145.

Kronos 2: road model with a two-piece shell covering all of the outside. Despite the name, it is not a time trial helmet. Large vents. Ring fit. Compact shape with minimal points. Has bug net in the front vents. Has a visible white option. Also comes as the Kronos Team Edition with team graphics and no bug net

Avoir 2: road style youth helmet fitting medium sized heads 52 to 59 cm. Has optional bug net in the front vents.

Galaxy 3: road model with the best-rounded profile in the IXS line.

Juno 2: child model with road styling and ventilation, fitting 52 to 60 cm heads.

Calisto Boy and Calisto Girl: toddler models with taped-on shells and small vents, differing only in colors and graphics. Bug net in the vents.

Helios 2: another child helmet but with the road helmet shape except for the suggestion of a molded-in visor in front.

Phobos: full-face downhill model with the standard big visor and an ABS hard shell with small vents. Six sizes fit heads from 51 to 62 cm (20 to 24.4 inches), making it one of the smallest full face helmets available. Meets the European standard and is not available in the US.

Hammer: Skate-style model with small rectangular vents and ABS hard shell, retailing for $40. Hammer LT: Skate-style model molded in the shell with a thin shell like the Giro Section, with more and thinner vents than the Hammer, and about 6 oz (160 gr) lighter. Retail is $50.



Amara: compact, nicely rounded profile despite some blocky lines. Polycarbonate shell.Has a unique platform on top to attach mounts for camera or light. Kali says it has extended rear coverage. Visible white option. Retail is $80 with camera and light mounts.

Avita: an unconventional bike model with what appears to be extended rear coverage, with a reasonably rounded compact shape exterior marred only by very small rear points. The appearance is dominated by big blocky vents. The shell is a mix of carbon fiber, Texalium aluminized fiberglass and polycarbonate materials. Kali says the carbon reinforcing in this one permits them to use less dense foam. We wish we had test results on this helmet, particularly testing the effectiveness of the extended coverage. There is a white option. Retail is $140 for the carbon fiber version and $140 for the fiberglass model.

Chakra: New for 2012, Kali's value model, with many vents and a well-rounded compact profile despite suggestions of rear points. Sells for $40 in the standard version, or $50 with bug mesh and upscale graphics.

Samra A classic skate shape helmet with the dual-density liner, small vents and composite shell, making it a very high-end skate helmet. But it is not certified to the ASTM F1492 skateboard standard, just to the CPSC bike helmet standard. Retail is $60.

Raja: A classic skate shape helmet with ABS hard shell and single-density EPS foam. Has rectangular vents that are somewhat larger than the traditional round ones. Certified only to the CPSC bicycle helmet standard, not to the ASTM skateboard standard. Has a visible white option. Retail is $45.

Maha: classic skate shape helmet with ABS hard shell and single-density EPS foam. Traditional small, round or oval vents. Certified only to the CPSC bicycle helmet standard, not to the ASTM skateboard standard. There are some bright color combinations available. Retail is $30.

Avatar 2 Carbon: new for 2012, Kali's top of the line full face helmet, with carbon shell and dual-density foam liner molded in the shell, producing a light helmet certified to the ASTM F1952 downhill mountain bike standard. Big BMX visor, very small vents. Retails for $350. Also comes as the Avatar with Kevlar and fiberglass shell for $280.

Prana: new for 2010, a full face motorcycle helmet also used in BMX. Carbon shell, dual-density liner with saw tooth interface between the two densities of foam. Retail is a very steep $475 in carbon or $250 in fiberglass.

Mantra A non-vented full-face motorcycle, BMX or downhill helmet, certified to the DOT motorcycle standard. Has the usual large, stiff visor, bolted on. Retails for $100.

Durgana A vented full-face downhill mountain bike helmet, although it is certified only to CPSC, not the ASTM F1952 downhill mountain bike racing helmet standard. Has the requisite stiff visor bolted on. The shell is ABS. We don't know if it has the dual-density liner or not. The retail price is $150. Aatma: A full face motorcycle or motocross helmet that meets the DOT motorcycle standard. Dual-density foam liner, molded in the fiberglass shell. Retails for $200.



Lifestyle: with a new name again this year, the Lifestyle is a very round and smooth helmet, with small vent slits in the top. It is a thin shell, and molded in the shell. It comes in Vintage trim looking more like a skate helmet or in more stylish Lifestyle trim. Flip up face shield available, giving it an even rounder look. Euro model only. Retail is $200 for the Vintage and $250 for the Lifestyle.

Mojito: new for 2012, a road helmet with an unfortunate point the flips up in the back. Retails for $200.

K.10 Dieci: a road model with lots of vents and lots of points in the back. Retails for $250.

K.50: road model with large vents. This one manages to have points in the front as well as the rear. Retail is $150.

Vertigo: Kask's top of the line, new for 2011, a road helmet with compact profile but rear points. US and Australian model. Has all of Kask's high-end details, and is available women's and Sky team colors. Retail is $300.

K-10: a compact road model with points both front and rear. Ring fit. Reflective material on the rear and on strap clips. Strap anchors are not recessed. Available in Sky team colors. Retail in the US is $235. The K10 MTB version has a visor, and retails for $250. US and Australian model. There is a chrono version as well described below.

K-50 Evo: Road model with three rear points advertised as "wings in thermoplastic material to ensure effective shock resistance and aerodynamic quality." Molded in the shell with a lower shell to cover all foam. Strap anchors are not recessed. The medium size fits 48 to 58 cm while the large goes up to 62 cm. Retail is $150, or $165 for the MTB version with visor. There is also a K-50 Chrono version with three plastic plugs for some of the vents at $195. US and Australian model.

Bambino: a child model for later in 2012 that we have not seen, and do not find on Kask's web site yet.





Kask K.31 Chrono: Kask's first chrono is a long tailed model with a polycarbonate shell that has a smooth rubber edge. It is not molded in the shell, but is based on the Kask K.10 road helmet. The ring fit system fits sizes 53 to 61cm. It has an optional face shield. Kask says that the shape and internal pivots are designed "for riders who simply cannot get the back of their head down low whether due to inflexibility, shape of the back or just general movement." It has reflective trim as if it were going to be ridden on the street. Retail is $350. TT: coming in 2012, a chrono helmet in the Casco style that is as round and smooth as any helmet in the world. There is a face shield that completes the round profile. Meets the CPSC standard for sale in the US. Retail will be $400 when it becomes available in August, 2012.



Sky: introduced in 2010, the Sky has the round, smooth urban shape, with modest sized vents. Comes in some notably visible colors, including orange. Fits sizes 52 cm to 64 cm (20.5 to 25.2 inches).

Paganini: road model introduced in 2010, with a compact and very well rounded shape and lots of vents. Also comes as the Paganini Visor and the Paganini Race, a slightly lighter version.

Status: a compact design that has angles but a well-rounded profile without pronounced rear points. Has bug net in the front vents. There is a visible white option. With four blinking LEDs in the rear stabilizer it is the Status Quicksafe Tronic and gets an additional small reflector for 2011. In toddler size it is the Status Junior.

Zenith: a compact design that has angles but a well-rounded profile without pronounced rear points. Replaced the Xantos. LED flasher.

Neo Visor: a lumpy exterior design with rounded off rear lines. With rear LED flasher it is the Neo Visor Quicksafe Tronic. Available in XXL fitting up to 64 cm heads.

Champion: pronounced rear point, very large vents, LED flasher. Retail is $100. With visor it becomes the Champion Visor.

Certus: nicely rounded compact shape model with big vents.

Tronus: a very well rounded compact model with many vents. It avoids the blank look of some urban helmets.

Opus: compact shape, many vents, modest rear points.

Spiri: road model with another lumpy outer shell with large front vents and rear points. LED flasher. CPSC and CEN certified.

VS: elongated but nicely rounded design with a minimal point. LED flasher. CPSC and CEN certified.

City: elongated road model but better rounded than some with an upswept rear point. Certainly not a classic city or commuter shape. This is KED's model for large heads, coming only in XXL fitting sizes 60 cm to 64 cm (23.6 to 25.2 inches).

Joker: nicely rounded road helmet with double shell protecting lower edges and an LED flasher in the rear. Available in flower or star graphics.

Flitzi: another rounded road style, pitched for youth. Has the LED flashers. CPSC and CEN certified.

Meggy: toddler helmet with good-sized vents and both CEN and CPSC certification "only for American market." LED flasher. There is a Meggy Originals version with licensed cartoon character graphics, and the Meggy Sport has a visor. The XXS size fits heads as small as 44 cm.

Fazer Junior and Street Junior: extra small versions of adult models that have been dropped from KED's line. Like the Status Junior they are road-style helmets with many vents in child or youth sizes.

Frox: a skate-style helmet with small rectangular vents. Sizes go up to 64 cm.

Razorblade: a downhill racing model with a chinbar. It has vents and a visor. CEN certified only. Zeitfahren/Time Trial: Chrono model for time trial and pursuit that looks like a regular bike helmet but is smooth-skinned with no vents in front, and two large vents in the rear. There is a long version with a long rear fairing added that covers the rear vents. Both versions are CPSC and CEN certified.



Victory Supreme: road design with a compact shape, but it still has multiple rear points. Has exposed composite reinforcing. LAS uses "Carbon Aluminum Technology Absorb" in this model, claiming a 23.7% reduction in force to the head. There is a visible white option. Made in Italy. Retail is $290.

Victory: compact shape and multiple rear points. Same weight as the Victory Supreme, but the design is a little different and there is no exposed composite. There is a visible white option and a women's Victory Femme Fatale. Made in Italy. Retail is $200.

Istrion: the LAS compact model, with reduced rear points and ring fit. There is bug net in the front vents. Made in Italy. Retail is $180.

Squalo 1.1: molded in the shell with sharp sculpted lines and grooves suggesting a helmet for Frodo, with peaks sticking up at the top. Rear points, two shell sizes fitting 52 to 63 cm (20.9 to 24.8 inches) heads. There is a women's Squalo Femme Fatale. Retails for $190.

Squalo 2.2: a 2011 model molded in the shell and very similar to the original Squalo 1.1, with peaks sticking up at the top and rear points, but the shell is different, and internal reinforcing allows the vents to be a little larger. Made in Italy and retailing for $230.

Infinito: the LAS "entry level" helmet. Molded in the shell with a shape very similar to the Squalo, but with smaller vents, and there is bug net in the front vents. Retail is an entry level $110.

Sky-S II: another compact design, with one high point in the rear and lots of smaller vents. Retail is $95.

Chronometro: time-trial aero helmet with a polycarbonate shell, no front vents and an integrated clear partial front face shield. Very long tail to reach the rider's back, with a slight shoulder hump. Certified to both the CPSC and CEN standards. Ring fit for 54 to 61 cm (21.3 to 24.0 inches) heads. Retail is $240 this year. CXT: a very round, smooth helmet with tiny rear vents and a face shield. For pursuit and time trial riding, this is the response to Casco's Warp with a shape that drops the long tail that most riders don't keep tucked against their back, visible in all of the Trialtir site photos of the Chronometro.



Iceberg: compact road model similar to the Squalo with points in the rear. Bug net in the vents.

Krypton: older style elongated road model with many vents and pronounced rear points. Bug net in the vents. Made in Italy.

Settantuno: compact road model with bug net in the front vents. Made in Italy.

Esprit 2: road model with one upswept point in the rear, with large vents.

Quaranta: road model nicely rounded in the rear, with large vents. Made in Italy.

Fantastico: toddler helmet with taped on shell and small vents, fitting heads from 52 to 56 cm.

Super Jump: skate style, with ABS shell and small vents. Bionix: a rounded pursuit/time trial model with vents in the rear. Fits 53 to 60 cm heads. Made in Italy.



Lazer's biggest news for 2012 is in their child helmets. Nut'Z with MIPS is a compact-shaped road helmet for kids, with rounded points in the rear, and the similar P'Nut with MIPS is the smallest size for toddlers. These two have a MIPS slip-plane system for 2012. An effort to reduce rotational forces in an impact, it allows the helmet to slip a little to the side by including two layers with a slippery surface between them. In this case the inner layer is just an inner fit basket, not a full helmet layer like the POC models or Lazer's own motorcycle helmets. We think that a rounder outer surface on these child helmets might have accomplished a similar reduction in rotational force, and the helmets are not tightly coupled with the child's head, so they will slip anyway. But the MIPS system is at least an attempt to address the rotational forces that probably are the biggest contributor to concussions, and we are encouraged that Lazer was courageous enough to introduce this construction in a child helmet. Ring fit with a spring-loaded occipital stabilizer. Retail is $80 for either MIPS model, or $20 less for the plain non-MIPS models. There is a full-cover outer shell available as an option.

Urbanize: Lazer's city helmet is round and smooth except for a bumped out integral visor in front. It looks more like an equestrian helmet than a bike helmet, but has long rectangular vents. Molded in the shell with a one piece shell. Comes in visible white, as well as pink and some drab colors. Ring fit. Retails for $80. With a blinking LED light set into the front and back vents it becomes the Urbanize N'Light, for night use "without you looking like a biking torch." Retail is $105.

Helium: a high end helmet molded in the shell with an elongated shape, rear points and three front points as well. It has multiple shell pieces wrapping around the lower foam sections. Fiberglass reinforcing shows on top of the bridges between the vents. The Helium has a dual-density foam liner that reduces the weight by a claimed 40 grams. It has a ring fit system adjusted with a toothed wheel at the top rear that turns a long screw. Retail is $220. There is a special edition Road Warrior model in Belgian, Italian or Russian colors for $250. The Genesis RD continues as before, with a single density liner still retailing for $175. Even though the Helium and Genesis are CPSC certified, we would avoid them because of the points and the hard wheel that sticks up on the Lazer adjustment system. We would not want to crash on that spot. In mountain bike trim with visor it is the Genesis XC at $180 retail. We have received emails from riders with round heads and others with elongated heads saying the Genesis fits them well.

Neon: a 2011 road model with the compact shape and some rear projections. Also comes as the Clash with visor, Skoot for kids, Kiss for women and Vandal with visor for youth.

O2 RD: a 2009 helmet using a model name that Lazer had used before for another helmet, the O2 has the elongated shape and pronounced rear points, big vents and the external wheel adjustment that we think should not be on the surface of a helmet. But it has the Lazer ring fit system that narrows the ring as it is tightened to accommodate narrow heads. (photos here) There is an XXL that will fit up to 64 cm heads, Lazer's largest. Retail is $110.

Sphere: an elongated road model large vents and pronounced rear points.

Nirvana: a 2009 model with more points sticking out in all directions than any other Lazer helmet. It has the external roller to adjust, and a three piece molded shell. We would pass this one by due to all those external points. Retail is $140.

2X3M: ("too extreme") A unique series of vents gives this one a radical appearance. Molded in the shell, with a rear point, and a lower shell. The visor-less 2X3M is the 2X3M RD. Retail for either is $50. There is also the older X3M model, without the lower shell, but with visor and listed as a "value" model. It has Lazer's older fit system and is good for narrower heads. Retails for $42.

Tempo: a "value" model. It is only certified to the CEN standard and will not be seen in the US. Molded in the shell with a one piece shell that has modest rear points. Big vents, ring fit. Retails for $40.

Compact: another value model, this time with a glued on shell rather than molded. Rounded shape. Meets the CPSC standard. Retail is $30.

Krux: a skate style or BMX helmet for the urban helmet market with a rounded profile but blocky sections, minimal vents behind those surface blocks and a small integrated visor. There is a Union Jack model with bright British flags on front, top and rear. Marketed to BMX it's the Krux Radical. Retail is $70.

CityZen: a round, smooth skate-style helmet (the One City below) helmet with vents, but covered with a cloth cover in houndstooth, tartan or solid grey or black.







Reminiscent of the Danish Yakkay, but more Belgian in style. We would avoid this one for the flaps, visors and cloth cover.

One City: classic skate-style helmet with small vents and bright graphics.

Oasiz: a road model with large vents, compact shape but pronounced high rear points.

Junior: a vented, molded in the shell youth model for ages 5 to 10, round and smooth except for an extension in the front to form a visor. Has an LED blinker in the rear stabilizer. Retail is $43.

SMX: unvented downhill racing model with vented chinbar and a carbon fiber shell. Bolted on visor, of course. Flexible debris deflector (roost shield) on the chinbar. New for 2009, but may just be a name change. Meets the US DOT motorcycle standard.

Excalibur: BMX full face model with a nicely rounded exterior. Fiberglass shell. Euro model. Available in white. Retails for $150.

Armor new for 2012, a classic skate shaped helmet with small rectangular vents, but it is molded in the shell, with a rubberized polycarbonate thin shell and EPS liner. Meets the CPSC standard. We don't like the rubberized coating on the shell because it may increase sliding resistance in an impact. Lazer says it fits different shaped heads, including rounder ones, with different fit pads. There are some nice bright colors. Marketed to urban bike riders in Belgian cities as well as skaters. Retail is $70, high for this type of helmet.

Street: Skate style helmet with the same look as the Armor above, but with an ABS hard shell. Fits different shaped heads with different internal pads. There is a Street JR for kids. Retail is $50, high for this type of helmet. In plain colors or white it is the Next at $40.

Bob: toddler "Baby-On-Board" model with a round smooth profile and small vents. Visible white among other graphic schemes, and comes as a Bob Radical with a "Mohawk" fringe. Certified to CPSC. Lazer's smallest helmet, fitting 46 to 52 cm heads. Retail is $25, or $35 for the Bob Radical with fringe.

Max: toddler model with molded in visor in front and a glued-on shell. Some versions have unfortunate fins on them. Cute graphics including a little "Police" model. Retail is $30.

Bullet: a chrono-shaped helmet with a long tail and a few long, narrow vents. The black shell looks like carbon fiber but is not. Ring fit. Tardiz: originally named for Dr. Who's time machine, but the s at the end has become a z. A chrono model with a water intake used to replenish an evaporative cooling system, just in case you don't sweat enough in your almost unvented time trial helmet. Dual shell enables a dimpled rear section that burbles air like a dimpled golf ball for better aerodynamics. The only chrono model we have seen with a women's graphic version, called the Ldy Tardiz. Retail is $180.



Ultralight Pro 104: Introduced in 2008 as the Pro 104, billed by Limar as "the world's lightest helmet." The size small is advertised as 160 grams in the CEN version and 200 grams in the one that is certified to CPSC. For 2010 there is a Carbon 104 with carbon fiber reinforcing that is a few grams heavier, and an available visor. Molded in the shell with large vents, round and smooth profile but still elongated, with just a small rounded bump of a rear shelf. Limar must have found out that rear points add weight without improving the helmet. Has excellent side strap adjustors that hold very well. There is bug net in the front vents. Retail is 150 euros with or without visor, or 200 euros for the carbon version. The CPSC version sells in the US for $210 when available in 2012. The MTB version has a visor and retails for $225.

910 MTB: sweeps back and up with the pointiest rear profile in Limar's line. Very large vents including a heart-shaped one in the front that leaves two unfortunate points there. The strap anchors are recessed into the grooves in the shell, and there are some bright colors. The front vents are designed to work with the visor.

777: new in 2010 when it was billed as "the new trend for roadies" with the compact profile, but marred by angular points on the surface and in the rear. Retail is 79 euros. With visor it is the

757 MTB.

650: a new 2010 model, with compact shell profile spoiled by a shelf overhang in the rear. Retails for 59 euros. With visor it is the 675 MTB.

575 MTB: fewer but very large front vents, molded in the shell with wrap under shell piece. Almost no rear point. Ring fit. This one retails for $60.

635: new in 2011, a somewhat elongated road model with a rearward-facing point on the top and points in the rear. Retail should be under $60.

X-Ride: for "demanding offroad and freeriding" with a compact profile marred by one high and pronounced rear point. Limar cut huge blocky vent holes in the shell, but they neck down to much smaller holes going through to the interior. With black liner foam the dramatic visible effect is a helmet with immense vents. Has bug net. Retail is 79 euros.

525: a youth model, molded in the shell with angular lines and modest rear point. Ring fit. $45 retail.

515 All Around: a youth model, molded in the shell with a rear point and a lumpy exterior. Modest vents. Ring fit. Retail is $45.

149: molded in the shell, a round and smooth vented child's helmet with a ring fit system. Front shell pooks out into a visor. Retail is $40.

124: molded in the shell, a round and smooth vented child's helmet with a ring fit system. Front shell pooks out into a visor.

X-Action: classic skate helmet with ABS hard shell, small rectangular vents that are larger than most skate helmets and a ring fit system. There is bug net in the front vents, seldom seen on skate style helmets. Retail is 59 euros. Also comes in plain colors with three extra vents in the rear as the X-Urban, with a retail price of $45. They are advertised as multi sport helmets, but we don't know which standards they meet.

Cruiser BMX: revised in 2010 with new graphics, a classic BMX full face helmet with small vents, large visor bolted on and ABS shell. Very plain graphics, no bug net. Retail is 89 euros.

Nutcase: revised in 2010 with new graphics, another classic BMX full face helmet, with snappier graphics, small vents and a fiberglass shell. Has bug net. This one is certified to Snell's B-95 bicycle helmet standard. Retail is 129 euros.

Limar Speed Demon: a CPSC certified chrono helmet molded in the shell with 6 long thin vents in the front and 9 elsewhere for a total of 15. Limar says they offer good ventilation "without affecting the aerodynamics." It has a flexible ear flap to avoid the chafing problem. Ring fit for heads 54 to 61 cm. There is a carbon version, but that refers to the black color, not the shell material. Retail is $190. Chrono: an aerodynamic pursuit and time trial helmet with CPSC certification. Molded in the shell with 5 small vents in the rear recessed into channels. Face shield optional. Limar says the short shape permits more efficient bike position and works better when the rider is out of aero position or standing. Ring fit for heads 53 to 59 cm. Again the carbon version refers only to the black color, not the shell material. Retails for $170.



Baristo: an urban helmet design with more vents than most urban helmets and the rounder, more compact shape we recommend. There are ridges, but it has only a minimal point.







The Baristo comes close to the look of a regular road helmet, but without the useless rear overhang. Comes with a visor. Worth a look, at a retail price of $55.

X-Lite: a new 2011 design that is Louis Garneau's entry in the superlight helmet competition sparked by Specialized and attempting to produce a CPSC-certified helmet that is as light as a CEN-only European helmet. The Garneau version looks like a normal road helmet with somewhat angular lines, but they have shaved every gram they could in foam, shell, stabilizer and fittings. CPSC and ASTM certified. Retail is $170.

Switch: top of the Garneau "mountain" line, with the same exterior shape as the Baristo. But this one has composite reinforcing, a lower shell covering all the foam, and upgraded fit system. Also has a rear reflector, that unfortunately sticks out too far. Retail with those upgrades is $80. Comes with a visor. Although impact performance is likely to be about the same, the enhancements are a genuine improvement, and only you can decide if it's worth the extra money.

Edge: A 2011 design with high rear point and large vents. Retail is $100.

Quartz: A 2010 design, this one has a nicely rounded profile except for a single pronounced point at the rear. The very large vents run lengthwise, with internal supports of course and visible composite reinforcements. Garneau's wind tunnel tests showed this model and the Diamond to be cooler than a bare head. Recessed strap anchors. Had the best strap adjustors in the LG lineup. There is a bright orange option. Four sizes, including an XXL that fits heads up to 65 cm (25.6"). The extra effort to add the fourth size indicates that Garneau expects this to be a popular helmet. Retail in the US is $140.

Diamond: Louis Garneau's top of the line road helmet, with many large vents and a sharp rear point. Garneau's wind tunnel tests showed this model and the Quartz to be cooler than a bare head. Has partially exposed composite reinforcements. The shell pieces wrap under all the way around the rim for extra strength. There is a visible yellow option, and the white option includes team color decals. There is a matching Garneau jersey. There is a case for the Diamond, too. Retails for $190, with another $40 for the case.

Versa: a road helmet with elongated shape, small raised ridges and pronounced rear points. Molded in the shell with a wrap-under shell. Retail is $95.

Global II: a molded in the shell compact shape with reduced rear points. There is a bright red and white option. Retail is $70, or as the Mundial II without visor it's $65.

Olympus: the value model of Louis Garneau's line is this molded in the shell compact design with a rear shelf point. Plainer graphics, ring fit. Retail is $40. The women's version is the Saphir at the same price, and there is an Atlantis version with no visor for $35. The youth version, with somewhat better graphics, is the Drift, with visor, for $40.

Arcterus: the LG value model for those with larger heads, with a compact shell based on the Olympus with some vent changes to handle the larger size. Still molded in the shell. Strap junctions do not hold well. Fits longer and wider heads better than most Louis Garneau models. Fits 62 to 64 cm heads (24.4 to 25.2") Retail is $45.

Eddy: an "entry level" design, elongated with a minimal point in the rear. Glued on shell. The women's version is called the Victoria to complete the royal naming combination.

Flow: Toddler helmet with a molded in visor extension and glued-on shell. Bug net in the front vents. Designed for kids 5 to 10. This one has a dial-fit rear stabilizer. The Charlie Brown version has Peanuts graphics. The retail price is $30.

Baby Boomer: Toddler helmet for the 5 and under crowd, round and smooth, with a few vents and cute graphics. The shell is glued on. Strap junctions do not hold well. The smallest model is size 6, for a 48 cm (18 7/8 inch) head. Retail is $28.

Street: A hard shell classic skateboard-style helmet with small vents. Has CPSC bicycle helmet certification and ASTM F2040 snowboard certification but is not dual certified to the ASTM skateboard standard. Retails for $35.

Willy: a 2009 skate style model with a hard shell, oval vents, a slightly less curvy line along the side and higher end graphics than the Street. Retails for $24.

Vortice: a 2011 chrono time trial helmet, with a shorter rear treatment than other Garneau models and one rectangular front vent that is large for a chrono model. The dimpled surface in front is followed by a line of hash marks that Garneau says improve air flow. Comes with a ventilated face shield. It is pitched for triathlon riders, and said to have good cooling even when off-axis. Retail is $250 to $260.

Superleggera: a chrono time trial helmet design from Louis Garneau, the first manufacturer to make a chrono helmet that passed the CPSC standard. This one continued that tradition, and represents the fourth generation of Louis Garneau chrono models. The Superleggera is dimpled like a golf ball in front for aerodynamics. Unlike most chrono helmets it has large vents--two in front and three in the rear. It has a medium long tail. The shell is glued to the liner, not molded. Garneau says the center of gravity has been adjusted to reduce neck fatigue and make it easier to maintain an aero position. It fits 52 to 62 cm heads. Retail is $180, with an additional $45 for the Rocket Case and $35 for the windscreen.

Rocket Air: a 2008 update added larger front vents to the older Rocket and three large exhaust vents on the top/back. This is Louis Garneau's third generation chrono design. It meets the US CPSC standard. $150 retail.

Chronoleggera: Very similar to the original LG chrono model, in a classic teardrop shape with a dimpled surface. Ears are not covered. Has three small vents. Retail is $130. The older Chrono is still on the LG Web site at $100.

Windscreen: Not a helmet, but an accessory, this is a polycarbonate lens that wraps around a helmet--almost any helmet--and is held on by hook and loop. It fits all of the LG chrono models. Comes in clear, smoked or contrast-enhancing yellow. The edges are unprotected except at the nose, and you could probably slice meat with them, even if it did not shatter in a crash. We would favor something with protected edges, like a pair of glasses or goggles. Retail is $35. H-Cover: Garneau's helmet cover is made of waterproof but breathable fabric. It comes in black or a very visible bright yellow for $20.



Gurka: a 2009 BMX model with polycarbonate shell. Meets the US DOT motorcycle helmet standard. Comes in smaller youth size as well as normal adult sizes. Retails for $149.

Hammer: Downhill mountain bike racing model with a fiberglass shell and vents. Retails for $130.

Hornet: BMX helmet with fiberglass shell and a chinbar sized for kids. There is a bright orange graphics option. Large vents in the top. Meets the CPSC and CEN bike helmet standards. Retail is $120.

C4: classic skate model with ABS shell. Retails for $30.

C4 Lite: classic skate style, but has a thin microshell rather than the usual ABS hard shell. Small classic skate vents in the top only. It is molded in the shell, and comes in matte white, black and red. Retails for $60. Trigger: another skate style model with thin shell and EPS liner, and an updated profile with larger oval vents. Retails for $36.



Plasma SLR: the top of the line has carbon fiber reinforcing in the foam and large vents. Two-piece shell for full coverage. The rear has three rows of three vents, almost like an automotive grill, with a small snag point just above. Anti-microbial padding. Retail is $220.

Plasma: no carbon fiber, but aluminum reinforcing in the foam, adding five grams. Retail is $180 Synchro: another aluminum-reinforced model, somewhat simpler in design. Has a visor. Retail is $125.



Camaleonte: a round, smooth urban commuter style helmet with only moderate vents, by far the best-rounded model in MET's line. It also comes as the Camaleonte Executive with a rear light.

Cosmo: a road model with an elongated shape and a moderate overhang in the rear. With visor it is the Mythos.

Aliseo: molded in the shell and much better rounded than most other MET models. With visor it is the Falco.

Forte: an elongated, angular design with moderate vents and a high rear point.

Inferno UL: molded in the shell using "Ultimalite," MET's proprietary fiber reinforcing. Large rear point.

Stradivarius UL: molded in the shell with large longitudinal vents and a single pronounced rear point.

Sine Thesis: an elongated, angular design with large vents.

Crackerjack: a youth model with a compact shape but angular lines. It has fewer but larger vents than other MET models. Comes with visor.

Terra: a compact design with two high points at the rear and very large vents.

Kaos UL: a Freeride design, the Kaos is molded in a shell made with "Ultimalite," MET's proprietary name for fiber reinforcing. It has big vents and big rear points. There is a visible white option. Without the new fiber in the shell it is the Kaos.

Parachute: a "Free-Ride" (off-road) model with a skeleton-like removable chin guard that splits into two pieces to fit in your pack. An interesting concept, although it is hard to say how rigid it would be in a crash, and it apparently has no impact padding. (One user emailed us that in his crash the helmet rotated easily because of the chin guard and left the face unprotected.)

Veleno D: molded in the shell, with large rear points. There are visible white and red options. It also comes in the largest size as the Predatore fitting up to 64 cm. Without visor it is the Estro.

Testagrossa: molded in the shell with forward-facing points, a modest rear point and a visor, in XXL only fitting up to 64 cm (25.2 inches).

Genio/Elfo: a vented toddler model molded in the shell with a lower shell to cover all the outside foam. Bright graphics. Has a bump out in front to form a visor and a very useful flattened rear to avoid cocking a child's head forward when sitting in a child carrier. There is a less expensive version with a taped-on shell called the

Buddy/Super Buddy. Both fit heads down to 46 cm. Pac VII: Met's chrono model, molded in the shell. It is a long-tailed design with two vents.

"Helmets returned for inspection must be sent in proper individual protective packaging, postage prepaid to the MET distributor in your country, with a dated proof of purchase and a letter explaining the reasons for returning the helmet. MET shall not be held liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages. The warranty does not apply to helmets which have not been used properly according to the MET helmet owner's instruction manual. The warranty does not cover normal wear. The warranty does not cover damages caused by accidents, abuse, negligence, incorrect adjustment, or for use other than that intended by the manufacturer. Any modification made by the user will render the warranty null and void. The warranty does not cover damages due to heat exposure.

MS: elongated shell, but the rear point is rounded. Has a visor.

SX1: elongated shell with points in the rear and a visor. In youth size and graphics it is the TX1.

RX1: elongated shell with more rounded rear treatment except for a little tab left sticking out at the top. With visor it is the MX1.

RX2: elongated shell with points at the rear.

RX3: elongated shell with points at the rear.

RX4: elongated shell with rounded rear lines.

MX2: may be the top of the line, with an elongated shell, points at the rear and many smaller vents. Comes with a visor.

MS: molded in the shell with an elongated shape, reasonable vents and a moderate rear point. In youth size and graphics it is the MT MK: toddler helmet with vents, molded in the shell as few toddler helmets are, nice bright colors and graphics. The extra small size fits 45 to 52 cm (17.7 to 20.5 inches) heads. Retail is $25.



Mien Yow Industry



Transit: introduced in 2009, a city commuting style helmet with lots of vents and lots of styling pizzazz. Molded in the shell and has bright red as well as white options. Comes with a visor.

Soniq Carbon: has an elongated shape made longer by the big point in the rear. Has visible "carbon-style" cloth reinforcements that Netti says are actually carbon fiber. $110 on line.

Cyclone: Molded in the shell with a two piece shell. Retail is AUS$100.

Pegasus: elongated shape with high rear point. $70 on line.

Lightning: elongated shape with a shelf across the rear. $40 on line.

Fuse: elongated shape but with minimal rear shelf. Molded in the shell, bright colors available. $50 on line.

Pangea: Upper and Lower glued on micro shell.

Qantum Pro: Nicely rounded shape, two piece glued on shell with some bright color combinations.

Trail: elongated shape, rear points. $60 on line.

Jackal: Full face downhill racing or BMX helmet with small vents and bolted on visor.

Invader: Full face for Down Hill & BMX, unvented ABS shell. The visor has two bolts.

Instinct: Full face BMX-style helmet with a fiberglass shell and vents.

Kaos: classic skate helmet with small vents (four in the rear) and ABS hard shell. Comes in visible white.

Blade 2: Hard ABS shell, classic skate shape, but certified to the CPSC and AS2063 bicycle helmet standards, not skateboard.

Minimax 3: Toddler model with heart-shaped vents and full shell cover. Comes in extra small. $40 on line. Pilot: Child/youth model with ring fit, bright graphics and AS2063 Certification. $40 on line.



Altos: molded in the shell with a full cover shell, an elongated profile and moderate rear point.

Destructor: molded in the shell with a full cover shell, an elongated profile and pronounced rear points.

Protector: nicely rounded profile, molded in the shell.

Pro Team: molded in the shell with a full cover shell, an elongated profile and moderate rear point.

V17: nicely rounded profile, molded in the shell. There is a brightly colored flame option.

V10: rounded profile, glued-on tapeless shell and bug net.

V13 Trainer: a 2004 design with nicely rounded profile, glued-on tapeless shell and bug net.

Quick Fly: a vented child's helmet with molded in visor and glued, tapeless shell, that comes in yellow with a Dalmatian motif like Louis Garneau's old Felix.

Kid: vented toddler helmet with bug net, meeting the CEN European standard.

W10: molded in the shell with nicely rounded profile, lower shell, bug net. Agressor: BMX model with chinbar and a vented shell.

O'Neal

Pacific Cycle



Trabec: a conventional molded in the shell model with very good skate-style coverage in the rear and large rectangular vents. It has a very large front visor, and is described as a mountain bike helmet. It has Aramid fiber reinforcing the EPS liner. Comes in some bright colors, with the contrasting color on the rear section.







This one does not have the MIPS system. Retail is $140. Also comes as the Trabec Race with extra Aramid fiber reinforcing for $180. For 2012 POC has added a version with the MIPS system, the Trabec Race MIPS for $200.

Receptor Backcountry MIPS: a skate style helmet with hard ABS outer shell, and a thin offset second shell of polycarbonate, covering the Expanded PolyPropylene (EPP) multi-impact foam liner. The rectangular vents are offset between shells to provide penetration protection, but ventilation is minimal. Under the outer vents the thin inner shell is reinforced by Aramid patches. This one has the MIPS slip-plane system, and is a true multi-impact and multi-sport helmet, although POC has no standards info up on it yet. Retail is $250.

Receptor +: Similar construction to the Backcountry, but without the MIPS system. Has the EPP multi-impact liner. Can be equipped with ear covers for water use or an EVA cover to close the vent system for skiing. Now said to be dual certified to ASTM F1492 as well as the CPSC standard, although we have not yet seen one with an ASTM sticker inside. Retail is $200. There is an excellent in-depth review of the Receptor on YouTube.

Receptor Flow: uses the outer shell of the Receptor + with an EPS (the industry standard) liner, so this one would not be multi-impact. It has normal flow-through vents, but much smaller than the Trabec. POC says it works well for longer head shapes by changing the fit pads. Retail is $80.

Receptor Commuter: uses the outer shell of the Receptor + with an EPS (the industry standard) liner, so this one would not be multi-impact. It has normal flow-through vents, with an inner thin polycarbonate shell protecting the foam. Comes in visible white or black. This one does not have the MIPS system. Retail is $120.

Cortex DH MIPS: a BMX full face helmet constructed with the double shell. The outer shell is carbon fiber, with the thin polycarbonate inner shell with a liner reinforced by Aramid patches behind the outer vents. EPP multi-impact inner liner, an unusual feature in a full face helmet. But there is no energy management foam in the chinbar. This model has the MIPS slip-plane design. Retails for a very high $500. Cortex Flow: Shaped like the Cortex DH but has open vents for more ventilation and a fiberglass shell rather than carbon. It does not have the MIPS system. The liner is EPP for multi-impact. Retail is $250.



Pantheon Pro: molded in the shell with an elongated but reasonably smooth shape with only one rear point. Comes in XXS to XL, in red, silver and blue.

Pav'e (Pav'e with a backward accent on the e, not the French Pave'): a well rounded, smooth design with reasonable vents and a taped on shell. Piccolo: a toddler model with the usual round, smooth taped on shell. It has minimal vents. Comes in blue, pink and green with graphics.







Cyphon: a hard shell bike helmet with round, smooth lines and extended rear coverage. Molded in the shell with ABS/PE hard shell and normal vents. Has a visor. Retail is $120. This one is worth a look for the extended rear coverage with bicycle helmet vents.

Classic EPS: round and smooth, with small round vents and good coverage, the classic Pro-Tec design. Comes in visible white and bright red as well as the standard dark colors. Certified only to the CPSC bike helmet standard, not skateboard. Retails for $35, or $45 for the Spitfire or CVLT versions.



There is an outwardly similar Classic Skate and Classic Full Cut Skate that are not certified to either the CPSC bicycle standard or the ASTM F1492 skateboard standard and therefore to be avoided.

B-2: another round and smooth design, but this time with oval vents, a rad departure for the skate crowd. Dual certified to bicycle and skateboard standards, and you should find a sticker inside confirming that. Comes in visible white as well as the standard dark colors. There is an XS size down to 51 cm/20.1 inches. Retails for $65. It is also available as the B2 2-Stage with a different liner, not certified to bike or skateboard standards and therefore to be avoided.

Ace SXP: An updated skateboard style helmet with larger oval vents and minor reshaping of the shell lines. It still has a round and smooth shape, and an XS size down to 51 cm/20.1 inches. Dual certified to bicycle and skateboard standards, and you should find a sticker inside confirming that. Retail is $65.(Note that the outwardly similar Ace 2-Stage, sold for skating in skate shops rather than bicycling is not certified to the CPSC or ASTM skateboard standards.) Shovelhead 2: a BMX design with a full face chinbar, fiberglass shell and vents. It has a snap-in liner that you can wash separately. Certified to the ASTM F1952 downhill standard, indicating better protection than a CPSC helmet. Retails for $130.







Pryme US Pro: a full face model for BMX and downhill racing. Hard shell, vents, bolted on visor. Meets only the CPSC bicycle helmet standard. Retails for $90.

Pryme Evil Pro: a full face model for BMX and downhill racing. Hard shell, minimal vents, bolted on visor. Retails for $120.

Pryme US: a full face model for BMX and downhill racing. Hard shell, vents, bolted on visor and a cool skull medallion on the chinbar. Retails for $90.

Pryme AL: another full face model, with net-protected vents, fiberglass shell and a bolted on visor. Retail is $100.

Pryme 8 V2: a classic skateboard style helmet. Has small vents and an EPS liner. Meets the CPSC standard. Retails for $20 to $30.

Pryme 8 V2 Lite: a classic skateboard style helmet, but a thin shell that is molded in the shell. Has small vents and an EPS liner. Meets the CPSC standard. Comes in some very bright colors. Retails for $50.

Pryme Mortal: skate style helmet similar in shape to the Pryme 8 but with a skull logo insert replacing the vents in the front and only four small ones in the top. Retail is $30. Pryme Vario: a snow helmet also certified to the ASTM snow sports standard and the CPSC bicycle helmet standard. It has small vents. Retail is $40.



Pulse



See Kent above



Reflectek



REM



Sterling: an elongated road model with points front and rear, big vents and a lower shell covering all foam. It has a unique "impact protection grid" reinforcing cage that is visible through the vents. Also comes as the Sterling MTB with visor.

Slinger: a very light compact style helmet certified to the CPSC standard. Molded in the shell.

Actyum: an elongated molded in the shell model with pronounced rear points and many vents.

Zuma: molded in the shell with a two piece shell for full cover and the good cam lock strap fittings that hold well. US model.

Skud: elongated but otherwise well rounded design with a pronounced rear point.

Jockey: a nicely rounded, well vented child helmet.

Skyanto: A skate model retailing for $40.

Koyna: a full face BMX/downhill racing model with vented chinbar with mesh in the vents and a bolted on visor.

Wingspan: a chrono model with more complex lines and larger vents than most. Rudy Project provides mesh and solid vent plugs. This is Erik Zabel's time trial helmet. One shell size. Retail is $300. Syton Supercomp: another chrono model with the same split tail but with no "wings" and smaller vents. Retails for $225.



Sawako Furuno



SDS / San Diego Speed



Thrasher: small point in the rear and recessed strap anchors. It is not molded in the shell, but uses glue to attach the shell and boasts of "tapeless technology." Rated as a Best Buy by Consumer Reports in 2009. Retail is $25. Intercept: a youth helmet. The Intercept was the only youth helmet awarded the Consumer Reports Best Buy tag in their June, 2006 article.

Scott



Watu: a compact road model with the most reasonably rounded rear treatment of any of Scott's models. This is Scott's "value" helmet at 40 British pounds.

Groove II: elongated road model with rear points and many vents. Retail is 60 British pounds.

Karma: a "mountain" design with a very reasonably rounded contour except for a strange lump in the back and very large vents. Molded in the shell, with a ring fit system. Retail is 75 British pounds. Also comes as the Karma Contessa in a white and green color combination. Retail is 75 British pounds, about $115.

Fuga and Fuga Contessa: a road model, molded in the shell with a ring fit system and a reasonably rounded contour. Retail is 100 British pounds.

Vanish-R: Scott's entry in the ultra-light road helmet competition. Has two unfortunate and very sharp rear-facing points. Molded in the shell and ring fit. Has dual-density foam using the cone-head design, accounting for some of the lighter weight and possibly producing a softer landing helmet for lesser impacts. We don't have test results to confirm it. Unfortunately, the Scott Web site speaks of "two different foams with their own characteristics of recovering from impact" implying that the EPS recovers protection after an impact and could be used again, which is not the case. We think they really mean two different foams with their own characteristics of managing impact energy. Has internal strap anchors, eliminating any surface bumps, but so many points and angles all over the shell that strap anchors would not make much difference. Also comes as the Vanish with visor.

Spunto: a youth helmet with lots of vents and the same big rear points that dad has on his helmet. Certified to the CPSC standard, so could be sold in the US. Retail is 40 euros, about $53.

Scott Jibe: a classic skate helmet with a hard ABS shell and small vents. Meets the European CEN standard. The strap junctions do not lock at all, probably not a big problem for a skate-style helmet. Spartan: downhill helmet in classic BMX shape with the classic BMX visor bolted on. Has an ABS shell. There is no energy management foam in the chinbar. Meets the CPSC bike standard but is not certified to the tougher ASTM F1952 downhill racing helmet standard. Has the standard BMX large bolted-on visor, always a potential snag hazard. Four sizes fit 54 to 62 cm heads (21.3 to 24.4 inches). Retail for the DH is 225 British pounds.



Avatar: a 2011 model with many vents and points in the rear, certified only to the CEN standard.

Zenith: a newer compact model with squared-off rear and no points making for a nicely rounded profile. Worth a look for that alone. Reasonable vents.

Matrix: molded in the shell with a large rear point, four piece full shell, angular lines with ridges, brow vent reminiscent of the Specialized Cobra models, lots of vents and a click-slide tab rear stabilizer. Comes in regular colors including visible white or team colors that can be customized for different combinations. Some versions of this model have bug net in the vents. All have reflective spots on the rear stabilizer, a good location for those who ride in the bent-over position.

Mito: elongated shape, points in rear, visor.

Blitz: a more compact design but still has many small points on the rear and one on top in the front. There are white and bright color options.

Nitro: another compact design with only one rear point. Some bright color choices.

Alien: molded in the shell with a really pronounced rear overhang and points, lots of longitudinal vents and partially recessed strap anchors. Tempo: Selev's chrono model with a full lower cover that comes all the way down to the neck. Meets the EN 1078 standard. Has an internal radio wire channel. Fits sizes 54 to 59 cm. (21.6 to 23.2 inches).



Seven 20



BK 100 : the top of Shain's road line, a molded in the shell model, with plenty of vents and plenty of points both in the rear and projecting up and forward from the front surface. Updated in 2005 with their new foam. The shell wraps under and there is an inner shell for full coverage. The strap anchors stick up entirely above the shell, adding another potential point. There is a mountain model with visor, one in Olympic colors, and the BK100 Bianco/Carbon with "carbon look" inserts.

BK 90 Ora: another high-end molded in the shell design with a pointy rear point and external strap anchors. It has the inner shell. It has metal bug screen in the vents. CPSC certified. There is also a mountain model with visor.

BK 40: rounded exterior except for a modest rear point and a molded in visor lip. Molded in the shell. This one also comes in visor and the woman's Lady version.

BK 500: Shain's chrono time trial model is actually an EPS foam helmet liner with an additional fairing added on the exterior and a clear face shield. There are three small front vents, five in all. Certified only to the CEN standard. Not in the current catalog. BK 11: Toddler helmet with vents. Taped on shell. CPSC certification.



Shenzhen Hezhen Bicycle Inc.



Shenzhen Qukang Industry Development







Recon: an interesting model that added some styling interest to the round and smooth commuter look, with extended coverage in the rear and reasonable vents. The visor can be easily removed and is designed to pop off in a crash. Choice of black or white. Retail is $100. Worth a look for the additional coverage with what appears to be decent ventilation.

Fenix: a kevlar/carbon fiber/fiberglass shell motorcycle/BMX helmet. Has small vents. Said to meet Snell M2005, but we can't identify it on the Snell list. Retail is $300.

Flight II: a motorcycle/BMX helmet meeting the tough Snell M2005 standard. Full-face, and the Snell standard requires that the chinbar be padded for impact attenuation. Polycarbonate shell. There are small vents in the chinbar and the rear. The otherwise round and smooth shell has an unfortunate little tailpiece sticking up in the back for style, and we are surprised that Snell permits that kind of projection. The visor is bolted on with "oversize" bolts for gloved hands, making a bad feature potentially worse. Retail is $170. The catalog contains the curious statement "EPS foam liner conforms to your shape for a perfect fit." We suspect they meant the fitting foam, not the EPS liner. EPS normally conforms to your shape only when you hit something and the stiff foam crushes. There is a highly visible orange available.

Comp II: a vented downhill model with a smooth, round polycarbonate shell and bolted on visor, retailing for $80

Evolution: a vented downhill model with a fiberglass shell and bolted on visor, rear lump sticking up to spoil the profile, retailing for $170.

Evolution Carbon: a full-face BMX model with vents, with visible carbon fiber in the shell and a lump in the rear, retailing for $290. Dirt Lid: a skate helmet in the classic round, smooth design with round vents and ABS hard shell, retailing for $25. It meets only the CPSC and ASTM bicycle helmet standards, not skateboard.



S-Works Prevail: the S-Works series has been a major Specialized project pushing technology to produce a lighter helmet. We regard weight reduction as misplaced effort, but it may sell helmets and may appeal to you. The Prevail is molded in the shell with a four piece shell for full coverage. It has a large rear point despite the overall compact shape. Designed with a dual-density foam liner to cut weight, it has huge vents and kevlar inner reinforcement. It has extra-light polyester strap material that the manufacturer says will not stretch when you sweat on it, a worthwhile advance. And it has a drilled-out buckle to save a gram or two of plastic, not a worthwhile advance. It has the new non-adjustable strap junctions. Sewing the junction saves weight and simplifies fit as long as it works for you, but check to see if it fits before buying. This model will be available in Europe, where it can be lighter and still meet the CEN standard, and in Japan, where the fit will have to be adjusted for Asian heads. Can be had in visible white and bright red. Retail is $230.



There are now six S-Works models available on the Specialized Web site. The S3MT is the older design with multiple rear points, a larger visor and no carbon, retailing for $150. Older S-Works models from 2008 and 2009 are offered at discounts in the Specials section.

Street Smart: urban design that looks like a round, smooth skate-style helmet with added design details for style and reasonable vents for a city helmet.







Molded in the shell. There are small reflective tape surfaces on the rear, and a removable visor. All colors are matte, but the white is visible. Retail is $60.

Propero II: profile looks almost exactly like the S-Works Prevail above, but has a two piece shell, and there is more foam in the form of smaller vents and thicker bridges breaking up the largest ones. Has almost all of the other light weight features, including the no-stretch straps, and for 2012 it got the new TriFix fit system with fixed strap junctions, so be sure to try this one on before you buy. Retail is $100. Visible white and some bright colors are available as well as a reflective black, and there is some reflective surface on both black and white models.

Vice: full coverage shell and very large vents. It appears to have increased coverage in the rear. It has a compact shape without rear points. As a style gimmick, Specialized has bolted the visor on in Troy Lee BMX style. We would avoid that. It retails for $80.

Tactic: full coverage shell and compact shape, but retains a small high shelf point in the rear. Vents are a little smaller than the Vice, so it has more foam. It retails for $65.

Echelon: has a three piece shell, but many areas of exposed foam with no shell at all. We would avoid it for that reason. It has the newer compact shape, but retains some rear points. It retails for $60.

Align: Specialized's value model, retailing for $40. At that price it still is molded in the shell and has the trademark brow port. It has a compact profile with a minimal rear point, and comes in three shell sizes, with a ring fit system. Has reflective strips on the sides of the straps, and black reflective tape in the rear. Also available as the Sierra for women and the Flash for children. Comes in XXL as the Max fitting heads 62 to 64 cm (22 to 25.2") Specialized has a Japanese version of this helmet called the Contour to fit rounder Asian heads. It probably does not meet the CPSC standard, since helmets sold in Japan are normally certified to the Japan Cycling Federation JCF standard.

Small Fry: a classic round, smooth toddler and child size helmet, but molded in the shell and has some vents. Ring fit, bug net in front vents. Has some reflective patches. The smallest size is the toddler model advertised to fit 44-52 cm (17.25-20.5"). Retail is $40.

Covert: new for 2012, a classic skate-style helmet with ABS hard shell and CPSC bike helmet certification, not ASTM F1492 skateboard. Has the new Tri-Fix fit system, so try it on before buying to make sure it will work for your head. Available for rounder Asian heads, but only in Asia. Here you might look for the Contour instead, reported to fit round heads well. Retail is $40.

Dissident: new for 2012, a full-face downhill racing helmet with few vents and a carbon fiber/kevlar/fiberglass shell. Certified to the ASTM F1952 Downhill Mountain Bike Racing standard and the ASTM F2032 BMX bike helmet standard, tougher than the CPSC standard. That makes this one worth a look. There is some energy management padding in the chinbar. Has provision for using a neck brace, and is compatible with the EJECT system used by EMT personnel at events to help get helmets off without straining the neck. (The side pads can be removed by pulling a tab marked with the EMT logo.) The large BMX-style visor is bolted on with plastic bolts designed to break away when you snag it on something. Comes only in black or gray. Retail is $350.

Deviant II: full-face downhill racing helmet with a fiberglass shell and decent vents. There is bug net in the vents. Certified to the ASTM downhill mountain biking standard, F1952, tougher than the CPSC standard. Look for the sticker inside to be sure. That makes this one worth a look. Retail is $140. S-Works TT2: a long tail chrono model. Has one large brow vent in the front in Specialized style, and four large rear vents on the tail. The tail is open underneath. Has non-stretching straps. Two sizes fit 52 to 61 cm (20.5 to 24") heads. Retail is $250. Specialized has other chrono models not available through retail, and sometimes only CEN certified for European racing. They include the TT1 and TT3.



Synergis: a compact design with one pronounced rear point. Molded in the shell with a full coverage shell and some carbon fiber reinforcements. Visor. Meets the CPSC standard. Retails for $170.

Daggon: elongated shape with medium rear points. Molded in the shell with full coverage. Has some carbon fiber reinforcements. Comes with bug net the user can install if wanted, and a case. Meets the CPSC standard. Retail is $200.

Kowter: molded in the shell with a single shell. Compact shape but still has one shelf-like rear point. Meets the CPSC standard. Retails for $65.

Nexion: molded in the shell with large front vents, a full shell on the lower portion, and pointy rear points. Worn in competition by teams supplied by Spiuk, comes in team colors or world champion stripes. Meets the CPSC standard. Retail is $145.

Zirion: molded in the shell with a very large point on the rear. Ring fit, visor. Meets the CPSC standard. $85 retail, including the team graphics model.

Gothic: a classic skate design with small vents and some sculpting of the exterior lines. No bright colors. Meets the CPSC standard. Retail is $40.

Casco Kids/Casco de nino: a toddler helmet with vents and nice graphics. Meets only the CEN European standard, so will not be sold in the US. Kronos: a time trial teardrop shape with two small front vents and a center rear vent through the long tail. Molded in the shell. Ring fit. Meets the US CPSC bicycle helmet standard. Retail is $235. The photo on the Web site shows the tail flyi