Cycling UK Forum

Having recently returned to cycling my wife insisted I bought a helmet. Unfortunately I have a larger than normal head and couldn't find a suitable helmet "off the shelf". The only extra large helmet around appears to be the Bell Sequioa but attempts to purchase one on-line are met with "we are no longer able to obtain this item". Any suggestions?

Before you buy one do find out exactly what can be expected of them. http://www.cyclehelmets.org is a good source of information.

Most people assume that cycle helmets substantially improve safety on the road, but in terms of serious accidents there is no conclusive evidence that they have any effect at all. I used to assume that I was surely safer in one than not and accordingly always wore one cycling, but having looked at the evidence of what they've actually achieved in the Real World I came to the conclusion I'd been making an assumption that didn't stand up.

Consequently I no longer wear one for cycling on the road. I'm still quite happy to wear one on the MTB on technical off-road trails. Knocking tree branches aside and a high possibility of a low speed tumble are precisiely the things they're good at, though it's saving you a very nasty graze rather than brain damage that the specification they're built to will allow.

Pete.

Thanks Roadrunner but I actually started with Wiggle who messed me around for over 2 weeks before admitting that they could not supply

go to your local bike shop and try different helmets on, you tend to find a lot of the sizings are different.

Have you tried the Met TestaGrossa?

Going back to basics - exactly where are you supposed to measure to get you bike helmet size? If its just above the ears I measure 71cm and I'm going to need something like a bucket!

jings... think that Bell one is rated 58-65cm anyway. 71cm....jings.

I sympathise. I measured my head at 68cm and thought I would never find a helmet. However, my LBS took it as a challenge, and for the last ten years have occasionally said to me, "We've got this helmet for you to try."

The other week they produced a Bell Triton, which is apparently the successor to the Sequoia, and it fitted!

BTW, I share Pete's reservations about helmets, but there are a couple of groups I occasionally ride with who require them, and I wanted to protect myself against the possibility of legislation for compulsory helmets. Therefore I haven't actually worn it on the bike yet ...

I saw a post-girl this morning on a bike wearing a helmet but with the chin strap undone. Does this actually achieve anything?

I was cycling with a friend on a cyclepath when she had a fall - ended up with a grazed and slightly indented helmet - god knows what would have happened to her head itself without the helmet.