frontpage Posted by aviator79 • Oct 3, 2024
Oct 3, 2024 12:24 PM
Item 1 of 7
Item 1 of 7
frontpage Posted by aviator79 • Oct 3, 2024
Oct 3, 2024 12:24 PM
Smith Bicycle Helmets: Smith Mainline MIPS $186, Smith Forefront 2 MIPS
& More + Free Shipping$150
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Seriously though, regardless of price, there isn't a significant difference in protection between name brand MIPS helmets of the same style. But more expensive helmets will typically be lighter, may fit better, have better venting, goggle/glasses/visor integration...and bug screens.
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Seriously though, regardless of price, there isn't a significant difference in protection between name brand MIPS helmets of the same style. But more expensive helmets will typically be lighter, may fit better, have better venting, goggle/glasses/visor integration...and bug screens.
It seems like the Forefront 2 (which is $150 with this sale) has giant holes plus koroyd with the result of ventilation that's similar to a road cycling helmet while having protection everywhere whereas the Engage has a similar hole layout to a normal mtb helmet plus koroyd so it has somewhat less ventilation but full coverage.
Also specialized has very good prices for MIPS helmets when they're on sale but for some reason they seem to hate visors (even their mtb helmets seem to have really weird fixed position tiny vestigial visors that don't really do anything) so specialized might not be the best choice if you want an mtb helmet with a decent adjustable visor.
TL/DR: Smith makes good helmets but so do other brands. Buy a well reviewed helmet that fits your head and budget and will be fine.
I'm no expert but really this post was for the great deal on Mainline full face (FF) @ $186 is cheaper than specialized Gambit @ $200. However for FF I was only considering the Smith Mainline or the Fox Proframe RS, which is $360. But there are other options to look at for FF too.
As far as trail/open face/non FF I'm sure something like the Specialized Ambush for $100 be fine but only small left in stock. Idk Specialized makes bikes and I'd buy any of their helmets for my kid, as he is a beginner, and they would be adequate for anyone that isn't going to be going fast enough/falling hard enough to push the limits of the helmet. But I ride ~6 days a week, currently at 173 rides this year with 1500mi and 117k ft elevation MTB. Whis I'm still learning, and basically at the bottom of what I'd consider intermediate, I do go pretty fast when the trails point down, so I want my open face daily helmet rated among the best. Only been riding a year and have not done DH yet but why want FF as plan to go soon.
My Fox Speedframe Pro for $76 was a great deal for a great helmet that I needed immediately after crashing on my Bell Super 3r. It is light and comfortable but I bought a L and should have bought a M. $113 now so it is still cheaper than Smith Forefront 2 so maybe a better deal, up to you:
https://www.foxracing.c
POC also makes good helmets but can be pricey unless on sale. But they look slim and are super light. The POC Kortal has some colors as low as $140 (no mediums, only blue M for $165):
https://poc.com/en-us/product/kor...coral-matt
Other brands make good helmets too, like Troy Lee, Giro, Leatt, Bell, etc...so the point is read reviews and pick a good helmet that is on sale (as many should be now) that fits your budget and is comfortable. Most people say the best helmet is the one you wear (as it fits comfortably). I am not saying any of these Smith helmets are better than others, but look at reviews, they are definitely good helmets..
I am actually also considering buying a SENA helmet that has built-in speakers and BT though I didn't find the one I tried on super comfortable so maybe better off just adding BT speakers to an existing helmet.
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I'm in my mid 40s, and have been riding my whole life. I rode BMX back in the 90s and 2000's, MTB and DJ today, and am pretty familiar with falling on a bike, not tomention ski/snowboards as well. Last year I was sessioning a jumpline with my son and took a hard fall. Not sure what happened, the front tire must have washed out, and it just got away from me. There was no time to react - I was simply on the ground before I knew what happened. I hit my head - hard. As I lay there, trying to assess the situation, I was waiting for that all too familiar feeling of really getting your bell rung. Waiting for the concussion, or close, to arrive. But it never did. I picked myself up off the ground, washed the gravel and dirt out of my cuts, and checked on a HUGE bruise on my thigh from my phone. A bruise that would eventually wrap around my entire leg. All the while, expecting the head injury to show up. It didnt. I know it was a hard hit. I broke the plastic outer shell and the protective foam in three separate places. But my head was fine. The helmet was a Bell Super with MIPS, which is no longer made. But the event was enough to prove how worthwhile MIPS really is. I'll never ride without it again.
I did replace my broken helmet with another Bell Sixer with MIPS, but in my opinion it wasn't as well constructed as my original Super helmet. I decided to check out Smith, and picked up an Engage helmet, which has been my primary lid ever since. It was the earlier version without the Koroyd but it's served me well so far. Luckily I haven't given it a major test yet. I am a bit curious about the Koroyd though. Might be worth springing for another.
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https://www.helmet.beam
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