Bern Helmets
Anyone know where I can buy these in store in Chicago?
Are they pretty safe helmets?
Views: 1304
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by J on
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Just curious: which Giro weighs 185g? The Prolights we've had in the shop have come in >225g.
Michael A said:I googled bern helmets and clicked on the first link, a bern brentwood, it's claimed weight was 21 oz or 595 grams, your bell weighs about 300 grams, and my giro weighs 185 grams. I now see that bern makes more lightweight models,. You deserve your apple and I applaud the educated retort.
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Permalink Reply by Michael A on
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claimed weight of a prolight is 181, I do not have a scale to weigh mine
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Yup, we've actually had customers return them for being too heavy, but all the helmet companies fudge weights...
But as to the Bern helmet question: like all BMX-style helmets, they are a little heavy, yes -- but more importantly, this form factor favors round (versus oval) heads and so some folks them difficult to fit... so be sure to try them on in person.
The lack of ventilation is kind of an issue (and especially one on the solid designs like the popular Baker/Muse)... but an upside for winter riding.
My biggest issue with Bern is actually more with the CPSC. Originally, when marketed strictly as snowboard helmets, they were made of Brock foam, which is lighter and amazingly breathable for a solid core. Unfortunately, this design didn't pass CPSC and so they had to redesign the helmets to with the more conventional (and heavier and hotter) plastic shell + EPS...
Michael A said:claimed weight of a prolight is 181, I do not have a scale to weigh mine
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I am pretty sure that the advertised weight of the bern is low as well. Bike helmets have never been attractive, find one that fits, is comfortable and most importantly, WEAR IT
J said:Yup, we've actually had customers return them for being too heavy, but all the helmet companies fudge weights...
But as to the Bern helmet question: like all BMX-style helmets, they are a little heavy, yes -- but more importantly, this form factor favors round (versus oval) heads and so some folks them difficult to fit... so be sure to try them on in person.
The lack of ventilation is kind of an issue (and especially one on the solid designs like the popular Baker/Muse)... but an upside for winter riding.
My biggest issue with Bern is actually more with the CPSC. Originally, when marketed strictly as snowboard helmets, they were made of Brock foam, which is lighter and amazingly breathable for a solid core. Unfortunately, this design didn't pass CPSC and so they had to redesign the helmets to with the more conventional (and heavier and hotter) plastic shell + EPS...
Michael A said:claimed weight of a prolight is 181, I do not have a scale to weigh mine
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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on
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Hmm... so mebbe for a person who rides year around it would be prudent to have more than one helmet. One for the enjoyable seasons and one for summer. ;)
Does the foam in a bike helmet age well? That is, if I had two helmets and as a result each of them lasted say, for ten years instead of the usual five, would they each be less safe at the end of their useful lives? Sorry, I guess the question is just, how long can one use a helmet and expect the shock absorbing nature of the foam to remain effective?
(I ask cuz I was lectured recently about the age of my helmet, but I was lectured by one of those crackpots who spout a lot of truth and wisdom, but also a lot of crap and it was hard to sort out one from the other.)
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Permalink Reply by S on
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Tony Adams said:Hmm... so mebbe for a person who rides year around it would be prudent to have more than one helmet. One for the enjoyable seasons and one for summer. ;)
Does the foam in a bike helmet age well? That is, if I had two helmets and as a result each of them lasted say, for ten years instead of the usual five, would they each be less safe at the end of their useful lives? Sorry, I guess the question is just, how long can one use a helmet and expect the shock absorbing nature of the foam to remain effective?
(I ask cuz I was lectured recently about the age of my helmet, but I was lectured by one of those crackpots who spout a lot of truth and wisdom, but also a lot of crap and it was hard to sort out one from the other.)I've always heard that after about 4-7 years, you should replace your helmet because the foam loses effectiveness as it gets exposed to air and the sun. The foam will start cracking after a while and that's it for it being safe. I could be wrong though.
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Permalink Reply by Kelli on
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Haha, I don't know if "great" is the word for it but for the record I do have another lighter helmet for when it's really hot. And I love t-ball.
Michael A said:Besides the no venting, they weigh 2-3 times that of a "standard stupid looking bike helmet" If your riding position is more upright that may not be a factor, but in drop bars holding your head up all day with that much more weight makes a difference. They look like a batting helmet for tball...... I am sure it will look great on kelli though, plus there is plenty of room on em for cool chainlink stickers
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Permalink Reply by Duppie on
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A good discussion on when and why to replace your helmet can be found here:
http://bhsi.org/replace.htm
Tony Adams said:Hmm... so mebbe for a person who rides year around it would be prudent to have more than one helmet. One for the enjoyable seasons and one for summer. ;)
Does the foam in a bike helmet age well? That is, if I had two helmets and as a result each of them lasted say, for ten years instead of the usual five, would they each be less safe at the end of their useful lives? Sorry, I guess the question is just, how long can one use a helmet and expect the shock absorbing nature of the foam to remain effective?
(I ask cuz I was lectured recently about the age of my helmet, but I was lectured by one of those crackpots who spout a lot of truth and wisdom, but also a lot of crap and it was hard to sort out one from the other.)
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Permalink Reply by anthony nicholson on
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They carry them @ upgrade but didn't have my size so bought it @ REI.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Hayden on
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I have the Bern G4 Bike helmet and love it. It's the best helmet I have ever owned! I even wear it!!
The g4 has vents that open and close which is awesome for winter. It comes with 2 inserts one winter that covers your ears and one for summer. Also if you wear glasses it's great too and has like little slots.
The bad thing is they are hard to find. I found mine online.
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Sorry Its a G2!
Jeff Hayden said:I have the Bern G4 Bike helmet and love it. It's the best helmet I have ever owned! I even wear it!!
The g4 has vents that open and close which is awesome for winter. It comes with 2 inserts one winter that covers your ears and one for summer. Also if you wear glasses it's great too and has like little slots.
The bad thing is they are hard to find. I found mine online.
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Permalink Reply by dan brown on
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here is a good deal on a bern (but it's not in a store - and have it shipped to REI for free) -
buy it today for an add'l 20% off too :
http://www.rei.com/product/806344
DB
Jeff Hayden said:Sorry Its a G2!
Jeff Hayden said:I have the Bern G4 Bike helmet and love it. It's the best helmet I have ever owned! I even wear it!!
The g4 has vents that open and close which is awesome for winter. It comes with 2 inserts one winter that covers your ears and one for summer. Also if you wear glasses it's great too and has like little slots.
The bad thing is they are hard to find. I found mine online.
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