After a massive off yesterday (his first) my son (and I) decided a full face might be a good idea. He's only 9 so still growing quick, and right now is XC/Trail riding so don't think a full face only is the best option, something with a detachable chin bar to stick on for a wee bit extra protection. No doubt a proper full face will come in time but just not right option for now.
But holy moly prices are bonkers since I bought my last Bell Super convertible! End of the day I'll pay what I need to but rather not some prices out there. Any good options that don't cost the earth, or deals on more expensive stuff?
He's in small adult or large youth. TSG Seek is the only one coming up in search but no reviews. Any good?
If he’s nine detachable is bad as it’ll be off when it needs to be on.
Not if he's riding with his dad, don't be so presumptious and disparaging
If he’s nine detachable is bad as it’ll be off when it needs to be on.
Nah, maybe at 14 or 15, but at 9 this....
he’s riding with his dad
Have a look for a Met parachute, esp the older ones, cool enough to ride all day. Can be had for around £100 in sales. Fixed chin bar.
You can get a Bell Super Air R mips for £200 (RRP £300) if you choose the right colour and sign up to their email for 15% off (WELCOME15). AT BELLBIKEHELMETS.co.uk
Have a look on Stif cycles, they had some s/m size sweet Protection massively reduced, just over a hundred I think. Bargain for what they are.
Not detachable, but full face MIPS and £90, with change for a half helmet?
I just bought a Leatt Enduro 2.0. It wasn’t not cheap at £140 at CRC, but I like it both with and without the chin bar. I actually use it without the chin bar for most of my trail rides now - I have a shoulder injury, so I’m riding very conservatively at the mo. When I return to normal riding (still not very gnarr) I plan to use it with the chin bar in place, but as a normal trail helmet.
i like that the cheek pads are removable. That makes it feel like a trail helmet, even in full face mode.
Ive just bought myself an Urge Gringo from Windwave in the sale for £47. Not sure if they have any left but they're only about £100 at RRP.
not convertible, apologies. But seemingly very light and breezy and can be had in other colours, in small, at the £150.
I really struggled with the full face Vs open face at that age. The classic of introducing some PPE introduces new risks.
I was concerned, and proved right a few years later, that a full face encourages more speed.
I was also concerned about the fact that so many chin bars stick out a long way - and leverage on young necks is a 'thing', same with adult necks. I could have saved a face or head injury but maybe traded a neck injury.
When we did go Fullface for two of them, I went as light as possible and as small a chinbar as I could. I found it cheaper and better fitting to have an open face and full face, and make the decision based on the days ride.
Your mileage and judgement may vary.
I ride with a few kids that have the Bell convertible lids. They tend to get bought shortly after a scare, but apart from a few rides the chin bar doesn't seem to get used much and gets carried around by Dad. Might be because of the heat in Oz, though.
The Sweet protection helmet does look nice
https://www.stifmtb.com/products/sweet-protection-arbitrator-helmet-matte-black
We bought my son (10) one of these:
https://www.merlincycles.com/endura-mt500-full-face-mtb-helmet-223805.html
Not a convertible, but very airy. He was happy riding with it (with cheek pads removed) in mid to high 20s the other week.
Loads of the smaller full faces I found were heavy and poorly vented. Sure way to put a kid off.
with cheek pads removed
not a lot of point in teh fullface bit of teh helmet without these as you`ll smash your teeth into the chinbar on a faceplant as the helmet moves alot.
They are decent lids, and not too hot, but narrow - mine pinched my cheekbones a bit when new but its bedded in a bit now.
Abus also showed some impressive kids’ full face helmets with removable chinbars. Not DH certified, but great for some extra reassurance. And in better colours than the grownup helmets. All for £99. Or £69 in open face.
From chipps' article....
https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-eurobike-highlights/
That Abus looks cracking! Though on measuring him up now not sure if he'll get much use at all from a youth helmet so may go with one of the adult options mentioned on the thread
Sorry to hijack the thread a bit…
@johnhe where do your plastic adjusters sit on your straps? Mine arrived today but I can’t really get it comfortable.
Without the chin bar I can move the adjusters down to sit below my ear with the strap comfortably under my chin, all good.
If I then fit the chin bar the plastic bits sit right on top of the cheek pads between the pads and my face, isn’t very comfortable and scratches my face when taking it on and off. I have to move them right down and under my jaw, which isn’t right either.
My current lid has the pads stopping short so there is space for the plastic bit to sit without it being pushed into your face.
Bit disappointing tbh as otherwise it fits well.
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