(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best bike helmets & accessories

Here are my recommendations for surviving a Boston winter:

Bibs, Base Layer, Leg Warmers, Arm Warmers, Thermal Jersey, Jacket, Helmet Cover, Toe Cover, Shoe Cover, Gloves, Balaclava & Socks.

This is almost exclusively Pearl Izumi because it fits me, I can get a good deal on most of it if I wait to buy and the quality is amazing. It is not cheap but I rode almost every week outdoors last year during one of the worst winters we have had in a long time.

Also, do yourself a favor and get a rear fender and wet chain lube. Also staying hydrated is very important as anyone would tell you but it is hard to drink cold water when it is cold so I find this stuff from Skratch Labs really helps. Be prepared to a lot more drive train maintainence due to the salt and sand you will get in your chain and cassette.

Let me know what you have questions on and I will be happy to report back. I don't use all of this on every ride, it is weather dependent but in the middle of winter, I certainly like being able to bundle up and then remove a layer or unzip when needed. It makes riding fun when the thermeter dips below 15°F.

My favorite bike accessory is my helmet! After finally buying a helmet I think is cute I don't find myself looking for reasons not to wear it. Searching amazon for "skateboard" style helmets yeilded results that were more my style.

If you ever bike commute you might want to invest in a convertible purse. I wanted one of these for 2 years and finally got it and am so happy. This bag converts from a hobo style purse to a backpack which is great for biking. I love being able to bike anywhere and not feel like I'm on my way to homeroom when I show up with a book bag to a date or meeting.

Also someone already mentioned that listening to earbuds is dangerous. If you're riding with cars you definitely don't want to do this. If you must, leave the left one out. I probably wouldn't have gotten hit by a taxi last year if i had followed this advice. Since then, I compromise by playing spotify outloud on my phone and using my bra as a holder. I can hear the cars so much better if i use the phone like a radio.

Speaking of safety, I have a neon safety vest that i put on the backpack. I put it over the back of the bag then put the bag straps through the vest armholes. I hope that makes sense.

I just picked up at Giro Chronicle a few weeks ago and am loving it. For safety, it has MIPS and the rear coverage reaches pretty far down my noggin, enough to make me feel safe at least. It is pretty affordable, and has a big visor (that’s adjustable) for sunny days. Easy to set up, comfortable, and plenty of color choices too, if you’re into that kind of thing.

https://www.amazon.com/Giro-Chronicle-Helmet-Matte-Medium/dp/B01LKXR0XK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539435158&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=giro+chronicle+mips&psc=1&smid=A1UPNX51AIZ0NI

I love the Bern line personally as they look great and are comfortable/affordable. The S1 Lifesaver is also a popular choice in regards to safety at a good price.

You could also go with a road bicycle helmet if you want something breathable and lightweight. They are a popular choice with the LDP (push) community.

Check these out (all under 100):

Bern Allston - https://www.amazon.com/Bern-Unlimited-Allston-Helmet-Black/dp/B00LGUMM5Y

Team Obsidian - https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Quality-Airflow-Specialized-Mountain/dp/B017YCUPF6

Giro Savant - https://www.amazon.com/Giro-Savant-Road-Bike-Helmet/dp/B00MX8ZB8I?th=1

I see so many skate style helmets on here but none seemed to fit me well. Went with this which is more of a bike helmet. I also love Giro, they make a great helmet. Hopefully I'm not the only person who isn't wearing a skate helmet lol

If biking in cool weather and wind, make sure you keep your ears and head warm! I have these fleece ear warmers that I wear for commuting / road cycling and they are truly wonderful. They attach to the straps of your helmet and don't block sound, so they're safe for use on the road. Headbands or hats that are slim and made of thermoregulating material (merino or synthetic) are also good, and if you cycle in a very cold or windy area you can use them in combination with ear flaps like the ones linked.

Wearing a normal winter hat while cycling isn't advisable because 1. it will mess with the fit of your helmet (safety first!) and 2. it probably will end up being too hot under your helmet as you get sweaty on your ride. I prefer the ear warmers personally because I have a small head and hats / headbands tend to slip down into my eyes, but many winter hats designed for cycling are shallower to avoid this problem.

ETA: I forgot gloves and scarves! Gloves: make sure you find some that will block wind. Lobster claw or mitten style is best for really cold temps, and you can also layer thin gloves under your outer gloves if you get really cold hands. Buffs / muticlavas are nice because they're slim and easy to pull up over your face (and let you continue to breathe if you do that). Look for merino or high quality synthetics that will let the moisture from your breath move through the material without sacrificing warmth.

I ordered that helmet myself in a L, it felt more like a medium when it showed up so I looked at the reviews and saw it was "Junior sized". I sent it back for a full refund. I ended up getting this fox helmet which is pretty nice and fits like it should.


Fox Head Rampage Comp Imperial Helmet, Black/White, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OW2163C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7TftxbR4GRE74


Edit - I forgot how much more the Fox helmet was. If you can order a size too big the bell will fit fine. It's also a nice helmet. Also it might be overkill for 20 mph. I hit 30+ off road quite a bit, and needed a helmet for the Downhill parks so I spent the extra money for the Fox.


2nd edit. For regular mountain biking, or 20mph neighborhood cruising on the ebike I use an XC helmet, especially if it's hot out.

My Helmet
I also wear it to mountain bike, but its nice and light and breathes well; also it has an awesome price.

Panniers which are way better than having to wear a backpack when you ride around.

There are links on the side as well that have reccomendations.

Please always wear a helmet. If you commute every day on your bike, I would recommend a full face helmet. I was recently in a bad crash. I was wearing a regular helmet, but I still had a concussion, knocked out two teeth and had tons of medical bills to pay. I wish I had a full face helmet at the time --it would have probably saved me thousands of dollars in dental bills and prevented me from having a dozen stitches on my face.

A full face helmet seems like overkill, but I wish I had one at the time of my wreck.

Here's the one I'm using now: Bell Super 3R MIPS Cycling Helmet - Matte Black/Retina Sear Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KXZ1X3Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_S.BwzbWGYYCG9

If you commute, I would lean towards safety. I'm speaking from experience.

Vaude is my go-to. Not too expensive but super high-quality. After hours spent in the rain on bike tours the only thing that I find comfortable is a cape/poncho. See below for links.

Vaude Poncho - VAUDE Unisex Valdipino Poncho, Lemon, XX-Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004U92F8M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_taa_yg-WCbYC9S4TC

Also gaiters and helmet cover help a lot as well.

VAUDE Unisex Bike Gaiter Short - Waterproof Shoe Cover with Reflective Elements - Breathable Cycling Overshoes with full length velcro closure - Black - Size 36 - 39 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DIG4IS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_taa_Wi-WCbDKXR6SD

VAUDE Helmet Rain Cover, Black, One Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006BYYKE6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_taa_Pj-WCb5C04M2S

I like this style of balaclava for full out winter riding.

1. Full coverage. Ears! Neck! Mouth & Nose!
   
   
2. I can move it off my mouth & nose after I warm up - maybe a mile into my ride. I can also put it back over at long stop lights with ease.
   
   
3. 0F Outside - I still sweat. I don't like the fleece ones because I am gross.
   
   I use ear warmer head bands or handkerchief over my ears in the 40-50F range. I heard wonderful things about the 180 - but personally haven't used them because I have a Bern Helmet and don't think it would be very comfortable under it.
   
   *Reference - I bike in Chicago about 5.5 mile one way trip (on the streets - it is chillier on our wonderful Lake Front Trail).

My priorities are not mixed up. You left out a fourth option, and that is to develop an extra cautious style of biking to avoid accidents. That's how I've been able to ride my bike all of my adult life (I'm 36 now) with zero accidents. For years, I was without a car and I had to bike everywhere I went. No accidents. Not even little ones. I developed a style of riding where I'm extra cautious and I try to track everything around me that moves, I always take the safest routes, and I track people's eyesight -- I look at people's eyes to determine if they see me. That protects me far more than any safety device could.

A helmet isn't a cure-all for bike safety. If I did get a helmet, I would still have to continue biking very cautiously as 95% of my body is exposed. The OP here still had to go to the hospital to get stitches and deal with internal bleeding. and he is lucky he didn't have broken bones. It is a nice addition for safety...but far far far less important than cautious biking.

That said, I do think the idea of a bike helmet is good. Every year or so, I will browse around for new helmet designs. There is probably some awesome indie bike helmet shop that makes a badass helmet design that doesn't look like a futuristic vegetable chopper, and I just haven't discovered it yet. I do like the direction of this style. I've considered buying one from amazon.

Might be a bit late but here's what I have.

• Front light to see is a Cateye Volt 200. TBH I can barely see with it, but I ride only in the city and the streets are lit anyways.
  
  
• Front light to be seen is some random flashing light (similar to this one). Doesn't light up the road at all, it's more so that other road users see me
  
  
• Rear light is some cheapo one off amazon. It's cool because it cycles flashing red, blue, purple which I feel really catches your eye. I don't know if it's illegal because someone might confuse it with the police.
  
  I feel like I should get button lights to put on things like my bag or helmet, but also don't think it's really that necessary in the city where it's lit up anyways.
  
  I've been wanting to upgrade my Brompton to have a Dynamo in the front wheel and upgrade the light (as can be seen in this reddit post) but haven't had the money to yet. When I asked my local Brompton mechanics they said I'd have to wait for the autumn sale to end before they can give me a price (wtf?)
  
  Definitely check out GCN's video on lights! https://youtu.be/BjXDSASTJn0
  
  Oh I also want to get a helmet that has indicators inside of them like this or this. And something to laser print a bike lane behind me like this one with integrated indicators (colleague has one and it's pretty neat)

This is what I figured out via trial and error over the last year of full-time commuting in NYC (~15F - ~100F temp range). I probably only kind of count as cost conscious. There might be cheaper alternatives to some of this stuff.

• Feet: SPD cleats ($55). They're fine, but a bit small. I may upgrade them this year to something around $100.
  
• add waterproof socks (~$30) if it's raining. Don't bother with overshoes for waterproofing, they don't work well enough. Embrace wet shoes and just keep your feet dry.
  
• add neoprene overshoes if it very cold (<25 F) ($25)
  
• Legs: Jeans or khakis or whatever I'm wearing to work the day
  
• Add long johns if it's below 25F ($15 from Uniqlo)
  
• Add waterproof pants ($52) if it's raining
  
• I have cycling shorts ($35), but never wear them for commuting, only long rides.
  
• Top: T-shirt or whatever I'm wearing to work that day in optimal weather
  
• Cheap, non-cotton shirt in warm weather (~$10)
  
• Cycling-specific jacket if it's cold or cold and raining ($75). If it's raining and warm, I just get wet and bring a change of clothes.
  
• Add long-sleeve t-shirt if it's pretty cold ($15 from Uniqlo)
  
• Add merino wool sweater if it's very cold ($30 from Uniqlo)
  
• Head: Helmet
  
  • Add cycling cap if it's raining ($15, it keeps the rain out of your eyes)
    
  • Add skull cap if it's below ~35F ($12)
    
  • Add face mask if it's below ~30F ($22)
    
• Hands: Gloves (none or any combination of teh following depending on how cold it is and if it's raining)
  
  • Fingerless, padded ($17)
    
  • Liners ($12)
    
  • Proper waterproof gloves ($35) for when it's cold and raining

I use a Bern Allston. It's got better ventilation than most of the Bern helmets. It's very comfortable, even in this summer heat. Looks great too. I'm happy with it.

Depends on what style, weight and price range you want to be in:

• Demon Podium Mountain Bike Helmet is what I'd go with if I was looking for a full face. Weighs 2lbs, pretty sharp looking.
  
  
• Sector 9 Drift - Might turn more heads with its colors but offers great protection. Slightly pricey for my taste.
  
  
• Triple 8 Downhill Racer - black, more subtle styling. Pretty lightweight at under 1lb.

If you want to ride in the night it’s probably best to have a helmet with built in lights like this one or a light for your current helmet like this one. A Strap clip with light would probably be helpful if wearing a backpack: strap clip light holder . Also some lights for the board like Shreadlights or Board Blazers.

Giro Foray in fluorescent yellow. Good ventilation, reasonably light, good fit. A lot better than the previous one I had which was bulkier and make more for mountain biking (I'm a road cyclist). Maybe the fluorescent yellow will help the drivers to see me and this one won't need to be replaced until it's actually too old.

I'd ride a motorcycle with it, so yeah it'll protect the shit out your head.... however; like all motorcycle sport helmets it lacks peripheral vision, they are heavy, and it's serious over-protection. I've crashed sports bikes at 90+ mph and these helmets are necessary for that - not falling into a curb at 30mph.

I suggest you go for a much lighter bicycle / MTB helmet that accepts goggles. It'll be much cooler in the summer, about 40% lighter, and do everything you need. Plus you can wear sun glasses with it. example: https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Transfer-9-Bike-Helmet/dp/B00FQPRERQ

I've seen a bunch of guys with the Lumos, it's very visible coming at it from the front and rear.

DC Rainmaker is happy with his Coros helmet.

I use a Basecamp helmet from Amazon. The eye shield is held on with magnets, though. Add in Aftershox Bluez 2S bone conducting headphones and a light on the back, and I've got essentially the whole thing piecemeal.

If I had to get the lights over again, I'd get the Light and Motion Viz 360 Pro.

I bought this Base camp helmet and I am really happy with it. The visor is attached with magnets and flips up out of the way when not in use. No fogging issues even on sweaty rides, and I like that my whole field of view is tinted.

I think it would also provide some decent eye protection if I crashed as well. I have a few I trimmed trees on my commute and sometimes I need to crouch to get under them. With my old helmet sometimes the leaves would brush my cheek, but now they bounce right off.

Only complaint is the rear light is useless.

Well worth the cheap price.