Helmets

[Daniel Wylie]

Is there any difference between a regular stanadrd helmet and a full mask helmet??? I was told that there is. Could someone please help me set the record straight. ???

[CouchingTiger]

Well, a standard bicycle helmet is typically a molded, vented polystyrene base, typically internally re-inforced, with a plastic outer shell. They tend to be "open face" designs, meaning that the wearer's face is exposed or open to the elements.

A full-face helmet is a motorcycle style helmet. Although some full-face bicycle helmets use the same design as a standard bicycle helmet with the addition of a mouth guard (Giro Switchblade), most are built similarly to a moto design. That is, they are a molded polystyrene with thick styrofoam pad liner and a layered fiberglass or carbonfiber outer shell. They also have a built in mouth guard and cover the entire head vs. just the top.

For downhill MTB riding, most everyone uses a full face bicycle helmet and a lot of folks just use a full motocross helmet. The difference is simply amount of protection and ventilation, where the moto version has more coverage and protection but is heavier and not well ventilated (thus hot).

-Couch

[AGENTGRAPE]

what kind of riding are you doing? it sounds like your new to the sport. for basic cross country/trail riding an open face helmet is what 95% of riders use. downhill and freeriders use full face helmuts. i have a giro switchblade helmut also it is NOT a downhill helmut. i like it in the colder weather even with all the vents it is hot in the summer i only wear it if its below 50 degrees.and full face jobs make it hard to use a hydration pack