Road vs. MTB helmets

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Tray-Z
I'm new to road biking (not so new to mountain,) and I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on the difference between a road helmet and a MTB helmet. I currently have an old helmet which I am looking to replace, but I don't want to get a separate helmet for each bike. Which is better all around? Will I get the old point-and-laugh if I'm wearing the wrong kind of helmet for the type of biking I'm doing?

Generally, there's no difference apart from stylistic and marketing considerations. A Giro Xen will look a bit out of place on the road, but only because there are aesthetic expectations built up within cycling culture -- road helmets should be swept back, minimal, and full of vents; mountain helmets should be solid, forward, and robust.

The key different you'll notice is that most dedictaed mountain helmets are sold with a removable (in some cases, fixed) visor, designed to provide added protection from flying [censored] and branches. On a road helmet, this wouldn't be the most aerodynamic (or aerodynamic-looking) addition, so you're less likely to see them.

By the same token, many of the best road lids -- the Limar F111, for example -- are available with visors, and intended to be adaptable to either purpose. Instant ATB helmet, viola.

Bottom line? It's up to you. A mountain helmet on the road might look a little unusual, but it's not uncommon and certainly not much less functional. All helmets sold in the US satisfy the same safety standards. Good luck chosing!

Typically the MTB Helmet will have a visor and more vents. The vents will help cool at the lower speeds and the visor is some extra protection from sun and branches etc... (Aerodynamics isn't as big a factor at MTB speeds). With a road helmet, most are looking at something that will be fairly aerodynamic with decent cooling (ie: forget the visor).

I have a MTB helmet with a removeable visor (Giro E2) tha I use for both. Works great.

It’s more common to see a MTB helmet on a road race than a road helmet on a MTB race. To be honest, I never had seen this combination what so ever.

Regards

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by cuervo
It’s more common to see a MTB helmet on a road race than a road helmet on a MTB race. To be honest, I never had seen this combination what so ever.

Interesting observation. I've actually noticed the opposite myself -- though I've seen plenty of MTB helmets in casual use on the road, I've never seen a MTB helmet in a road race.

On the flipside, I've known MTB racers who wear Giro Pneumos, and even think I've seen them on XC teams...

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
Interesting observation. I've actually noticed the opposite myself -- though I've seen plenty of MTB helmets in casual use on the road, I've never seen a MTB helmet in a road race.

On the flipside, I've known MTB racers who wear Giro Pneumos, and even think I've seen them on XC teams...

Maybe you’re right about that you can find road helmets in the mountain, but the ones that I haven’t seen are those fast looking with three vents and aerodynamically improved.

I my self race at the mountain and on road with a MTB Trek helmet, If you wish to honor us with a visit to Monterrey, Mexico, you will be very welcome with any helmet that you wish to bring with you, I guarantee you that your riding will be the most important issue.

Regards

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by cuervo
If you wish to honor us with a visit to Monterrey, Mexico, you will be very welcome with any helmet that you wish to bring with you, I guarantee you that your riding will be the most important issue.

I'm sure you're right! Riding is the thing. 😉

When I first purchased my road bike I bought with it a MTB helmet. Soon enough I realized it was a stupid idea, as my viewing when my hands were on lower part of of the handlebar (the bendy bit) was very much restricted. With or without a visor.

So I bought a road helmet, albeit a cheap one, it was way better than my other one.

Stallion, that's a good point. I had stated earlier that the differences were largely aesthetic (swept back and heavily vented, versus visored and more encompassing), but the swept-back styling of dedicated road helmets is at least a little functional.

You need to feel good about your field of view when down in the drops on a road bike; the more minimized your lid is at the forehead, the less likely it is to impede your vision.

Interesting to see that some of the Gerolsteiner team this year are riding with MET 5th Element, which is MET's MTB helmet. I ride one too (on and off-road) and its a great helmet.