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I bought a new helmet on Friday, because my old one is falling apart. (Retired at the end of the fall season.) There were three brands of helmets on display, each with four or five models that ranged in price from $30 to $190.

I looked at them carefully for quite a while. I couldn't really see any obvious difference between the cheap hats and the expensive ones. They were made of the same materials, appeared to come from the same molds, mostly had the same straps. There are no "features" listed on the boxes that might justify the different prices. It's a mystery to me. (The $55 hat that I bought has a little plastic visor that the $30 hat didn't - I'm sure that it cost less than a penny to make.)

I just went through the manufacturer's web site, and they provide no clues - just meaningless statements about "style" and "clean lines."

Does anybody know about these things? Are the higher prices purely for snob appeal? Since the expensive ones look exactly like the cheap ones, do you have to leave the price tag on for the full effect?

I have to say that they all are lighter and fit better than my old hat. Maybe I should dig around to see if I still have my first one somewhere - it looked and fit about like a mixing bowl into which someone had squirted some foam. Could be the start of a new retro-style fad.

I have bought tons of helmets over the years. IMHO is is all about the money. Just like cycling shorts. The most expensive ones are the least comfortable to me. I have $80 shorts that I hate to wear and $15 shorts that I love.

I like helmets with a visor and with plenty of vents. I sweat like crazy and need all the air-flow possible.

If you buy a $35 helmet and if fits well and suits your needs, you did the right thing.

Funny, i got new dhb long bib tights and a base top online for next to nothing and they are the warmest, comfyest gear i have, i love em.

The site even talks about not spending extra money on other products when the Dhb ones do more that any of the others comibined.

Actually, I'm looking around for an old ladies hairnet to block those big vents. They're just too efficient at scooping up bees and wasps, which then are very unhappy about finding themselves in my scalp, and tend to send me to the hospital.

yeah i got a nasty sting on my face after one decided to make with the wasp love with my sunglasses leg in italy.

It didn't help that i was pelting it down hill on the side of steep mountain. Luckily tho i'm not allergic.

There are 2 major differences at each of the helmet price points - weight and ventilation. yes, were talking grams.

they all meet the same basic safey standards.

This looks like a good model.


or

RBY- That's just wrong! (first one) Funny, but so-so wrong.

Now go get me a belt. You must be punished.