MTB Full Face helmets?
Discussion
Looking at putting a new helmet on my Christmas list and half considering a full face one. I do a mix of gravel roads across the New Forest and single track trails elsewhere and the odd visit to Swinley. I tend not to dawdle about and the speeds down hill and through trees on some of the tracks do make me wonder how much protection a normal lid will give should I get caught out.
At what stage do full face lids become appropriate, I am guessing there is the issue of getting hotter in a full face such as http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... This looks like a possible compromise though http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
What's others experience and when do you make the step to full face?
Ta
At what stage do full face lids become appropriate, I am guessing there is the issue of getting hotter in a full face such as http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... This looks like a possible compromise though http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
What's others experience and when do you make the step to full face?
Ta
Edited by Silver940 on Wednesday 26th October 11:18
Not ideal if you intend to do any pedaling, they're quite warm and harder to breeth in than a normal lid.
I used to use a Parachute when I didn't know better, they're huge, ugly and offer dubious extra protection over a normal lid. I wouldn't bother with one again.
I use a Troylee D2 on my Downhill bike, it was the one that fitted my massive head the best.
I used to use a Parachute when I didn't know better, they're huge, ugly and offer dubious extra protection over a normal lid. I wouldn't bother with one again.
I use a Troylee D2 on my Downhill bike, it was the one that fitted my massive head the best.
Wish I had a full face on when I crashed on the gully jumps in Swinley Earlier this year, would have saved me from a LOT of damage! Mind you I did bag a pair of trainers by winning the MBUK 'That's gotta hurt' feature!! :-)
Don't bother with the parachute, its a gimmick and if you were to crash hard I would be VERY concerned with the face cage shattering and embedding itself in your face! Local bike shop (MountainTrax) actually advised me away from it!
I currently use an Urge Endur-O-Matic but will be getting a full face for Christmas, torn between the 661 Evo and the Urge Down-O-Matic. Big price difference but my current Urge helmet is really well constructed, light as a light thing and very sturdy.
Don't bother with the parachute, its a gimmick and if you were to crash hard I would be VERY concerned with the face cage shattering and embedding itself in your face! Local bike shop (MountainTrax) actually advised me away from it!
I currently use an Urge Endur-O-Matic but will be getting a full face for Christmas, torn between the 661 Evo and the Urge Down-O-Matic. Big price difference but my current Urge helmet is really well constructed, light as a light thing and very sturdy.
I've used MET Parachutes for the past 5/6 years.
Great for deflecting branches, useful at stopping some impacts to the face, and awesome against gravel rash. All tested, best/worst being deflecting my face away from a skinny after the front wheel slipped off and nose-dived 4' to the ground.
I wear it on all MTB rides apart from DH-only stuff when the big bike's out to play (661 Comp budget full-face lid).
Was discussed recently on STW: http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/met-parach...
Great for deflecting branches, useful at stopping some impacts to the face, and awesome against gravel rash. All tested, best/worst being deflecting my face away from a skinny after the front wheel slipped off and nose-dived 4' to the ground.
I wear it on all MTB rides apart from DH-only stuff when the big bike's out to play (661 Comp budget full-face lid).
Was discussed recently on STW: http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/met-parach...
I don't think there is a 'one helmet fits all' skid lid out there, generally speaking the full face option is designed for aggressive singletrack and downhill riding, hence the fact that cooling is not as much of an issue as you are not likely to be wearing it for more than 20-30 mins at a go - and those 20-30 mins are likely to be at speed, whereas less aggressive singletrack and XC riding is better suited to a decent open face helmet, as you are likely to be on the go for a couple of hours at a time so they have better cooling properties.
I will be investing in the full face for jumps, downhills and the like - I will still be using open face helmets for XC and most singletrack.
FWIW I crashed on jumps wearing a Met Flak Jacket open face helmet, my GPS computer shows me crashing at 15.6 mph from 8 ft in the air - the result was a lot of damage to my skull, face and jaw, and the removal of a lot of facial skin - as well as a broken shoulder and 3 broken ribs and some other lesser injuries. Had I been wearing a full face helmet I would have still received a fractured skull, shoulder and ribs, but would have got away with a fractured upper and lower jaw, torn ear canal and probably not chipped/fractured my eye socket!
One thing is for sure, in the considered opinion of the paramedic who scraped my carcass off the forest floor, if I had not been wearing a helmet I would have been dead - no discussion - no 'might have got away with it' - looking at the damage to my helmet and x-rays of my skull I tend to agree with him!!
I will be investing in the full face for jumps, downhills and the like - I will still be using open face helmets for XC and most singletrack.
FWIW I crashed on jumps wearing a Met Flak Jacket open face helmet, my GPS computer shows me crashing at 15.6 mph from 8 ft in the air - the result was a lot of damage to my skull, face and jaw, and the removal of a lot of facial skin - as well as a broken shoulder and 3 broken ribs and some other lesser injuries. Had I been wearing a full face helmet I would have still received a fractured skull, shoulder and ribs, but would have got away with a fractured upper and lower jaw, torn ear canal and probably not chipped/fractured my eye socket!
One thing is for sure, in the considered opinion of the paramedic who scraped my carcass off the forest floor, if I had not been wearing a helmet I would have been dead - no discussion - no 'might have got away with it' - looking at the damage to my helmet and x-rays of my skull I tend to agree with him!!
MadDad said:
I don't think there is a 'one helmet fits all' skid lid out there, generally speaking the full face option is designed for aggressive singletrack and downhill riding, hence the fact that cooling is not as much of an issue as you are not likely to be wearing it for more than 20-30 mins at a go - and those 20-30 mins are likely to be at speed, whereas less aggressive singletrack and XC riding is better suited to a decent open face helmet, as you are likely to be on the go for a couple of hours at a time so they have better cooling properties.
I will be investing in the full face for jumps, downhills and the like - I will still be using open face helmets for XC and most singletrack.
FWIW I crashed on jumps wearing a Met Flak Jacket open face helmet, my GPS computer shows me crashing at 15.6 mph from 8 ft in the air - the result was a lot of damage to my skull, face and jaw, and the removal of a lot of facial skin - as well as a broken shoulder and 3 broken ribs and some other lesser injuries. Had I been wearing a full face helmet I would have still received a fractured skull, shoulder and ribs, but would have got away with a fractured upper and lower jaw, torn ear canal and probably not chipped/fractured my eye socket!
One thing is for sure, in the considered opinion of the paramedic who scraped my carcass off the forest floor, if I had not been wearing a helmet I would have been dead - no discussion - no 'might have got away with it' - looking at the damage to my helmet and x-rays of my skull I tend to agree with him!!
That is almost enough to put me off MTBing for good, chilling stuff. Hope you're well on the way to recovery if not fully recovered by now.I will be investing in the full face for jumps, downhills and the like - I will still be using open face helmets for XC and most singletrack.
FWIW I crashed on jumps wearing a Met Flak Jacket open face helmet, my GPS computer shows me crashing at 15.6 mph from 8 ft in the air - the result was a lot of damage to my skull, face and jaw, and the removal of a lot of facial skin - as well as a broken shoulder and 3 broken ribs and some other lesser injuries. Had I been wearing a full face helmet I would have still received a fractured skull, shoulder and ribs, but would have got away with a fractured upper and lower jaw, torn ear canal and probably not chipped/fractured my eye socket!
One thing is for sure, in the considered opinion of the paramedic who scraped my carcass off the forest floor, if I had not been wearing a helmet I would have been dead - no discussion - no 'might have got away with it' - looking at the damage to my helmet and x-rays of my skull I tend to agree with him!!
Those MET Parachutes seem like a great idea for someone like me who does mostly XC but lets rip on the downhills - all the review sites seem to rate them as good for aggressive xc, so perfect for what I like to do. I quite often find myself questioning the consequences should I have an off belting down the single track descents at somewhere like Afan.. Other people are faster than me but I do feel I push the limits of my ability making crashes an inevitability in the fullness of time. In this scenario I do have doubts over the effectivensss of my open face helmet. Each to their own of course but I'm going to add one of these METs to my Christmas list pronto.
BalhamBadger said:
Those MET Parachutes seem like a great idea for someone like me who does mostly XC but lets rip on the downhills - all the review sites seem to rate them as good for aggressive xc
That's really the best way to view this style of helmet TBH. I wear mine instead of an open face helmet and NOT as a replacement for a "proper" full-facer. After a face/tree stump altercation years ago I've worn nothing but a MET Parachute when I'm riding XC/trail stuff: yes, I do feel like a t**t occasionally as they do make you look too 'core, but I'm happy to put up with it. They probably are slightly warmer than a regular XC helmet but I've coped with everything from 24-hr events to XC riding in the Alps in 30deg heat.
If I'm heading out purely to ride DH then I do have a 661 Comp full-facer to wear, but I could never imagine attempting a XC ride with it!
Don't scrimp on safety kit fella.
I've been riding since the late 90's, i was one of the first Brits to do the Megavalance in the french alps, i've ridden National Points Series Downhill and in the National Championships back in the day. Right thats my creds done with.
Go and buy a Motorcross Helmet if you're going to ride downhill. They're designed for greater speeds and impacts. I hate to think of what state my head would have been in if i hadn't been wearing one and i was in hospital for three days as it was after hitting the tree fast enough to fold the forks and snap the frame.
Full face motorcross spec helmet, buy one.
I have Fox Flux for general riding on the flat, i like the fact that it protects the back of the head.
Enjoy.
I've been riding since the late 90's, i was one of the first Brits to do the Megavalance in the french alps, i've ridden National Points Series Downhill and in the National Championships back in the day. Right thats my creds done with.
Go and buy a Motorcross Helmet if you're going to ride downhill. They're designed for greater speeds and impacts. I hate to think of what state my head would have been in if i hadn't been wearing one and i was in hospital for three days as it was after hitting the tree fast enough to fold the forks and snap the frame.
Full face motorcross spec helmet, buy one.
I have Fox Flux for general riding on the flat, i like the fact that it protects the back of the head.
Enjoy.
A friend of mine has the 661 helmet that the OP selected and id recommend it. If i wasn't concerned about us looking like twins when we go riding id have the same one myself.
Its VERY lightweight, comfy, good vision, good chin protection and for £50 its disposable. I opted for a Ixs instead, similar concept/price and if they are good enough for Hans Rey to wear them then they are good enough for anything i'l be attempting.
Its VERY lightweight, comfy, good vision, good chin protection and for £50 its disposable. I opted for a Ixs instead, similar concept/price and if they are good enough for Hans Rey to wear them then they are good enough for anything i'l be attempting.
aka_kerrly said:
A friend of mine has the 661 helmet that the OP selected and id recommend it. If i wasn't concerned about us looking like twins when we go riding id have the same one myself.
Its VERY lightweight, comfy, good vision, good chin protection and for £50 its disposable. I opted for a Ixs instead, similar concept/price and if they are good enough for Hans Rey to wear them then they are good enough for anything i'l be attempting.
what does your friend use it for? DH only or enthusiastic trail riding? Its VERY lightweight, comfy, good vision, good chin protection and for £50 its disposable. I opted for a Ixs instead, similar concept/price and if they are good enough for Hans Rey to wear them then they are good enough for anything i'l be attempting.
BalhamBadger said:
MadDad said:
I don't think there is a 'one helmet fits all' skid lid out there, generally speaking the full face option is designed for aggressive singletrack and downhill riding, hence the fact that cooling is not as much of an issue as you are not likely to be wearing it for more than 20-30 mins at a go - and those 20-30 mins are likely to be at speed, whereas less aggressive singletrack and XC riding is better suited to a decent open face helmet, as you are likely to be on the go for a couple of hours at a time so they have better cooling properties.
I will be investing in the full face for jumps, downhills and the like - I will still be using open face helmets for XC and most singletrack.
FWIW I crashed on jumps wearing a Met Flak Jacket open face helmet, my GPS computer shows me crashing at 15.6 mph from 8 ft in the air - the result was a lot of damage to my skull, face and jaw, and the removal of a lot of facial skin - as well as a broken shoulder and 3 broken ribs and some other lesser injuries. Had I been wearing a full face helmet I would have still received a fractured skull, shoulder and ribs, but would have got away with a fractured upper and lower jaw, torn ear canal and probably not chipped/fractured my eye socket!
One thing is for sure, in the considered opinion of the paramedic who scraped my carcass off the forest floor, if I had not been wearing a helmet I would have been dead - no discussion - no 'might have got away with it' - looking at the damage to my helmet and x-rays of my skull I tend to agree with him!!
That is almost enough to put me off MTBing for good, chilling stuff. Hope you're well on the way to recovery if not fully recovered by now.I will be investing in the full face for jumps, downhills and the like - I will still be using open face helmets for XC and most singletrack.
FWIW I crashed on jumps wearing a Met Flak Jacket open face helmet, my GPS computer shows me crashing at 15.6 mph from 8 ft in the air - the result was a lot of damage to my skull, face and jaw, and the removal of a lot of facial skin - as well as a broken shoulder and 3 broken ribs and some other lesser injuries. Had I been wearing a full face helmet I would have still received a fractured skull, shoulder and ribs, but would have got away with a fractured upper and lower jaw, torn ear canal and probably not chipped/fractured my eye socket!
One thing is for sure, in the considered opinion of the paramedic who scraped my carcass off the forest floor, if I had not been wearing a helmet I would have been dead - no discussion - no 'might have got away with it' - looking at the damage to my helmet and x-rays of my skull I tend to agree with him!!
Those MET Parachutes seem like a great idea for someone like me who does mostly XC but lets rip on the downhills - all the review sites seem to rate them as good for aggressive xc, so perfect for what I like to do. I quite often find myself questioning the consequences should I have an off belting down the single track descents at somewhere like Afan.. Other people are faster than me but I do feel I push the limits of my ability making crashes an inevitability in the fullness of time. In this scenario I do have doubts over the effectivensss of my open face helmet. Each to their own of course but I'm going to add one of these METs to my Christmas list pronto.
A casco viper is an alternative but I have no experience of them so can't offer an opinion.
http://www.casco-viper.co.uk/features.html
E-B said:
Go and buy a Motorcross Helmet if you're going to ride downhill. They're designed for greater speeds and impacts. I hate to think of what state my head would have been in if i hadn't been wearing one and i was in hospital for three days as it was after hitting the tree fast enough to fold the forks and snap the frame.
Full face motorcross spec helmet, buy one.
There is actually a decent amount of evidence that says that wearing an MX lid for DH is bad idea. MX helmets are designed to take impacts up to the fastest they are likely to get on am MX bike, which means that they don't do as good a job of soaking up the lower speed hits. Since you are never likely to see 80mph or so on a downhill bike it makes sense to me to wear a helmet that has been designed with the speeds see in downhill in mind.Full face motorcross spec helmet, buy one.
I wear a POC Cortex Flow. It fits me well (this is the most important thing) and after having done a bit of looking around believe it to be the best protection I can get for my head, apart from the POC Cortex DH which has an additional safety feature (you can read about them both here if yu are intrested http://www2.pocsports.com/products/products.asp?id... I did not have the extra cash for the DH model and it was also not available to try on here in NZ
You'll look like a massive tool in a full face riding round Swinley etc. It'll be hot, uncomfortable and restrictive.
And you'll look a tool... did I mention that?
If you feel you need a full face on that stuff, then you're riding outside of your limits.
Just my opinion, and with my experience, I feel comfortable stating it
And you'll look a tool... did I mention that?
If you feel you need a full face on that stuff, then you're riding outside of your limits.
Just my opinion, and with my experience, I feel comfortable stating it
Edited by AbarthChris on Thursday 27th October 13:18
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