The Trail Helmet (Part Deux)

The Trail Helmet (Part Deux)

Not all helmets have been created equal

As I previously been going through the features and qualities I personally believe a good trail helmet should have, here is my honest and unbiased review of the Bluegrass Goldeneyes helmet.

First, one could ask, “Buying helmet for a large retailer does not make you an expert in helmets, just one in what helmets is likely to sell well”, and one would be right, but then, I was not only buying helmets, I have also been testing many through sponsorship as a coach and because I crash regularly and need to replace my leads. Just to give you an idea, this is my current helmet collection … And yes, that is a lot of helmets for one head but do remember, I do pass a LOT of time on bikes of all sorts ;)

Now, I have ridden with the Bluegrass Goldeneye but I have not and do not intend to thoroughly test it. Helmets do go through less dangerous (to me) and more scientifically based tests than me, crashing headfirst into a tree to ensure that it does what is supposed to in those circumstances.

So far so good.

So, let’s start with sizing. My head circumference, when measured as it should be, is 58cm. and the size Medium designed for 56cm-59cm is actually spot on. Comfortable, glued to my head and not moving at all despite my attempts at dislodging it by riding over some gnarly rocks and roots gardens at all sort of speed.

The helmet seems to be well ventilated but since the temperature are hovering only a few degrees C above freezing in the Stockholm archipelago at the moment, I cannot really make a final judgement on wherever it will overheat of not in the highs of summer, farther south of the pole. It is obviously more likely to do so that a pure XC helmet, but then again, the added protection does come at a price and usually both weight and ventilation are it.

• Good fit

• Good protection

• Good adjustable visor

• Works well with both riding glasses and goggles.

• Looks OK (nothing really look great on me and all helmets look like they are perched high on my head and give me that mushroom look so this one is actually doing a fair job at not making me look any worse than usual)

Really the only thing that I will change if I was given a say in the matter (and despite my thinking that all should really pay more attention to what I say, I am finally come to the realisation that it is not going to happen and that might actually be a good thing), is the buckle of the chin strap. Not that the one the chosen is bad per say but, I really think that ALL high end trail helmet today should include a magnetic buckle of the like that can be found on many helmets nowadays in the like of 2020 Fox Speedframe Pro (an other great choice for a trail helmet but 15% heavier and about 50% more expensive)

I was heading toward the warmth of the Spanish Sierra Nevada in a few weeks for 5 days of high altitude trail riding with one of my favourite bike holidays companies, and I was planning to take the Goldeneyes with me and will get back for a short final thoughts on the matter after some heavy riding in warmer temperatures.

Unfortunately, this plan is now looking less than likely to happen before the summer and although I will definitely head there sometimes this year (at least I hope that we will be able to),

This review is sponsored by Bikester.se, as this is a review of the product supplied by Bikerster and not of their services. However, I have complete freedom of writing all and anything I think about the products itself and my recommendation is on whether you should consider purchasing it or not and not where you should do so. This said, one can find far worse places to shop that this well priced, well supplied, German omnichannels group that is actually investing in Sweden and employ Swedish residents, opening Swedish retail outlet(s) and pay taxes here. Just saying…

The Trail Helmet (Part Un)

What should you look for in a trail helmet?

This blog post is sponsored by Bikester.se

Helmets brand and models are, like most things in mountain bikininesg, very much a matter of personal choice.

Even more so that all have a differently shaped head, and what is the best fitting helmet for one might well be ill fitted or even painfull to wear to the next.

However, there are some design and feature that you should look for in any helmet, and more so when trail riding as the question of crash testing those features in very much a matter when and not if you discover that your relationship with Newton's law of gravity is an abusive one.

So, I will quicky go through the different type of cycling helmet available, which type is best for trail riding and what feature you should look for in your next helmet.

But first and foremost, I will start by saying that the best helmet is the one you wear and that as much as wearing riding gloves or not is a matter of choice, wearing a helmet is NOT!!!

Altho there are some other very niche type of helmets, the main types are:

The XC helmet

also suitable for gravel and road riding

The Convertible Helmet

just think about where you will keep the chin guard when removed…

The Trail Helmet

also suitable for light “Enduro”riding

The Enduro Racing Helmet

some will prefer the convertible option

The DH Helmet

also the one I am the easiest on the eyes in ;)

And for this blog post, we will concentrate on the trail helmet as this is the one type most riders are likely to use more often than not.

So what, other than being the right size (see or next week blog on the subject) and fitting your head shape makes a great trail helmet and what features should you really look for when purchasing your next helmet.
First and foremost, a good helmet is one that actually protects your skull and brain in case a crash where your head impacts ground, tree, rock or anything really as at a certain speed, anything but fresh air becomes a potential issue.

And for this, coverage is by far the most important feature as all the technology world will do you no good if you hit your head somewhere without any cover.

This is why I believe that any decent trail helmet does need to have good coverage of the back of the head. This, with the addition of a peak/visor, are the main difference between a Gravel /XC/ Road helmet.
A quality size adjustment ratchet, adjustable visor and good ventilation are also key feature to look for.
Lastly, some refinement such as the Fidlock neck strap buckle, google strap guide and removable/washable lining are niceties that I would look for as, although not a must in term of safety, the sure make for a more pleasurable use.

I recently acquired, as replacement for my Sweet Protection Bushwaker II Carbon (any crashed helmet need to be replaced as soon as possible), a lovely Orange Bluegrass Goldeneyes and will be reviewing in fully in a few weeks, once I have had a few rides wearing it. So, join the mailing list and keep your eyes open for this one.

Next week I will be going through the different type of helmets and what make it of them a particular tool for a particular job in the our new YouTube channel :)