[Closed] Giro SwitchBlade helmets

Met Parachute. Lighter and better ventilated.

I bought two Switchblades NOS for £50 - bargain, good XC lid, bolt on the chin guard & they didn't look out of place with the DHers in the Alps & come winter the chin guard bolt holes are ace for mounting your lights securly without fear of catching them on branches like top of lid mounted lights.

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I like the look of this lid , was looking at the Met Parachute too

I reckon they should, I like the MET but unfortunatelt they don't make them big enough for my head 😳

I didn't know heads came bigger than mine. 😯

61cm. Hopefully its stopped growing......

I've never really trusted the Bolt on Chin guard concept, I can't see them offering sufficient protection in the same sort of smash that proper full facers are designed for the obvious weak point has always been the connection with the lid and just how the threaded inserts are secured to the upper lid... Will they actually stay in place? when you go down hard and face first?

Can't really see the point of a pretty expensive helmet with a detachable chin guard for "Rad-Curious" types, you can probably have a decent XC lid (Which lets be honest is all you will need for 95% of the time) and a cheaper but properly constructed full facer that offers better protection for DH days all for about the same cost...

They stopped making it because not enough people wanted to buy it... Says it all really...

Still each to their own...

60cm and I'm right on the limit with the parachute.

I've never really trusted the Bolt on Chin guard concept, I can't see them offering sufficient protection in the same sort of smash that proper full facers are designed for

They survive the kind of smashes/vigorous rubbing that you'd rather not use your face for though.

+1 on that 5thElefant and that's the appeal to me.

I don't expect the required protection for DH but for the added face rash protection they seem ideal.

I don't like the fit of the Met Parachute, which is odd because normally my head is Met shaped not Giro shaped.

I've still got a Switchblade but don't wear it anymore. It's so old now and been in so many tumbles that I just don't trust it. One big smash and I reckon it would turn to dust.

I'd love an updated version but am not holding my breath. If anyone knows of a L that's been stored for the last 6years at 4c, in a vacuum and protected from all light and UV, please let me know.

They keep on looking at re-making it but unfortunately the UK was the only market it really sold in, according to the Giro designer I spoke to.

There was talk at one point of making one from the Xen, but again, the costs outweighed the potential.

Shame. I've got an old one. Loved it a lot. Actually tested my first one on the downhill course in Chatel many years ago. Face first into the dirt. Had to poke lumps of clay soil out of the chin piece vents. The chin piece did its job then and the bolts held up. It was perfect for the Alps riding we were doing. Light enough and well ventilated enough for the lift assisted trail riding and just that bit more appropriate for playing on the DH courses as we passed them.

If Giro are reading this, I think making one out of the Xar would be great.

Mine was tested when a branch flicked back from a rider in front & hit the chin guard very hard!
Yes I'd defo buy another.

I loved my switchblade as a normal lid. Gave it to a kid that kept riding with no helment in the end

Having used my face as an emergency stop facility the other day (although my neck and back are worse off), I am suddenly very interested in face protection.

I am also very interested in neck and back protection; for the first moments after my stack I though I had broken my neck.

hopefully I'll be able to get out of bed in under 10 minutes tomorrow!

yea ive got a well worn Switchblade and a met parachute and i recon the Switchblade i way better, it would be nice to go buy a new un (IF Giro are listening?) Lol

I am also very interested in neck and back protection; for the first moments after my stack I though I had broken my neck.

I had 2 of them and I'll buy another one if I could. I just think this helmet was ahead of it's time (a bit like the golden stinky/coilair 😉 ). It would fit new practices very well. You can ride all day long with it on the head as it still breathes very well. Not DH like protection, but again it's not pretending to.

Can't really see the point of a pretty expensive helmet with a detachable chin guard for "Rad-Curious" types,

group to bring it back[/url]

You can get a hydration pack with a built-in spine protector. Can't remember who makes it but thought it was a good idea.

Deuter Attack

my switchblade was my dh helmet to start with, gave it a good testing several times at aston it was trashed in the end but i kept my good looks thanks to its robustness
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there is another company that makes a removable chin guard but cant remember the name

but they dont make a big one either!
edit its the [url= http://www.xc-elitesports.com/product_info.php?products_id=1585&currency=USD ]casco viper[/url]

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Evoc make a couple of trail packs with certified back protectors as well to add to the sub topic.

Fancied the Met Parachute myself until I saw other people wearing one, it's not a great looking lid when it's on. The chin guard really looks like an afterthought and all the wearers appeared to have ridiculously sized head.

I had the Casco one and the chinguard just slots in. Put the chinguard in the backpack for the climbs and stick it on at the top. Wasn't convinced I owuld have gone to the hassle of bolting and ubolting a chin guard so regularly so didn't really see the point of the parachute and switchblade over a conventional light and well vented full facer.

Love my Switchblade, we both have one for riding the tandem.
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Sandy is especially fond of hers as it stops branches smacking her in the face if I cut a corner a bit tight! A full face would be way too hot, but the extra protection over a normal lid is very welcome when bailing out is a bit trickier than normal!

so didn't really see the point of the parachute and switchblade over a conventional light and well vented full facer.

I had a switchblade years ago and really liked it ....
until a friend of mine directly in front of me failed on a medium size drop and crashed on the chinguard of his switchblade....the guard collapsed, the foam inside popped out and the sharp edged plastic caused a 2 inch cut on his cheek.....
..since that experience and seeing the scar and the stitches.. I decided to wear a regular giro (xen)..being aware of the risk or an speci deviant.....

I agree, I never took the chin piece off. I'd be happy with a one piece but I can't find anything that is as light or as well vented.

A mate had a Switchblade, he loved it and i thought it looked better for our riding than a "normal" full face lid.. We've both got Casco Viper helmets now and think they're even better than hie Switchblade.

Well lighter than they look or I imagined. £129.50 delivered.

its going to the Alps in July. Hope I don't test it!

Met Parachute looks and feels like its made of spaghetti, before its boiled.

two mates have the casco right now....
it looks a bit odd but for my/our opinion its far better than switchblade or parachute....

would love to try one in the alps in august..

i think the spsh deviant is the lightest airiest full facer around
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all nice helmets im sure BUT not to use all day Up and Down, the Switchblade needs to make a return IMO 😉 i know i would buy a new'un.
(Are you listening Giro?)

i had a giro switchblade and cant believe Giro have stopped making them. But a mate introduced me to the Casco Viper MX a couple of years ago and its a great helemet. The chin guard comes off easily with a clickn into place mecansim. so dead easy to ride up with the chin guard in your pack pack and down hill with extra protection. Its weighs 525gms with the chinguard which is over 300gms lighter than any other permanent full face helemet(including the deviant carbon). much tougher than the met parachute but excellent ventilation.

If you watch the Gadget show on monday 25th you will see Jason Bradbury wearing a Casco-viper.

took my Viper (minus chin and visor) on a road ride this afternoon! it was just an Alps hat really but thought I'd give it a spin.

I have to say, the ventilation was excellent! Wish i'd left the chin guard in place though, to deflect the bugs that aimed at my face at 20mph+

I tried a Spesh Deviant. They look amazing but the fit was dreadful and they're 900g!

Happy with my Viper here.

thats right...the speci deviant is definitely NOT for all day up and down...

I really like my switchblade helmet, but I got myself a Spesh deviant in the end.

These were the only helmets to fit my 63cm head! Remedy fits, but a bit too hot really.

I do XC riding these days, so if anyone wants my old switchblade, make me an offer 🙂

One of the guys I went on holliday with crashed on the last corner of the first day (litteraly on the apex he could have extended his arms and touched the road!). And broke his helmet.

He had to wear the guides spare helmet.

From then onwards he was known as Switchblade Dean.

I'll stick to propper full faces 🙂

I have one for sale. as new condition, link to pink bike for ad!
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/970122/

Thanks