Opinion on GSB helmets.

DecapitatingJ... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Karma :

Hey so I'm fairly new to this bike stuff. I'm almost through with lessons, and will be picking up a bike in the next few months.

What I would like to know is, what do you more experienced people think about GSB helmets? They seem pretty affordable compared to the ones I was looking at (HJC and Spirit), but of course the lower price makes me think they're a load of crap.

I'm probably totally wrong, but I would like to get some feedback on em and this seemed like a good place to ask.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Have you tried them on?

DecapitatingJ... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Karma :

Not yet. I'm just looking to see what brands I should avoid at all costs. It's entirely possible the store I'm going to wont even have GSB helmets, but I thought it would be best knowing what to avoid before I go looking.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

There aren't any brands to avoid.

DecapitatingJ... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Karma :

That certainly makes things easier. Thanks.

Cronik · Scooby Slapper Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Karma :

https://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

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DecapitatingJ... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Karma :

I'll have a look through that, thanks.

Hefty · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 25 Jun 2013 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Cost is no indicator of safety: 5-star helmets can be had for as little as £40.

There's also some evidence that cheaper thermoplastic lids actually work slightly better in survivable impacts.

I'd go by fit, then features, with safety rating as a distant third. Anything that's passed ECE 22.05 is likely to be much of a muchness.
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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

DecapitatingJ... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Karma :

Most helmets around my area are ~£100 (R2000) so I was gonna use that as my budget for one. I'd like to get something cheaper which is why I was thinking of GSB. Spirit also do some less expensive ones.

I was more curious as to if GSB was decent or not, since it seems to be a slightly cheaper Chinese thing and those are normally a bit of a gamble.

I'm gonna get my head measured before I go to look at em so I know what my options are.

bamt · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Karma :

As long as it has /real/ approval stickers (rather than fakes fitted to substandard helmets) and fits it'll be OK.

You pay more for more comfort, lightness, better ventilation, better quality (e.g. ratchet mechanisms and strap fastners likely to have a nicer action and fail less frequently), more easily removable padding for cleaning, better sound insulation. I also don't believe in the "how much is your head worth" argument for spending a lot of money; in tests some cheaper helmets do better than more expensive ones, and the tests aren't necessarily representative of the actual accident you'll have (where a softer or stiffer lining than you have might have helped - but you don't know which until you're sliding down the road).

As long as you buy from a reputable seller (preferably a proper bike shop where you can try stuff on and feel the quality) rather than something that is a "bargain" on eBay you are likely to avoid dangerous fakes.

DecapitatingJ... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

DecapitatingJ... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Think of it like buying a car when you have no interest in MPG or BHP.

A Fiesta will do the same job as an S-Class for a fraction of the cost.

Both do the same job but the merc is more comfortable, better build, will last longer, has a better finish etc. etc.

It's sometimes false economy to by cheap, escpeially if you use your lid daily. I used a £90 HJC (lasted a year) and a £180 AGV (18 months) the £330 Arai I bought after lasted 4 years, mainly because of ease of availability of spares.
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Cronik · Scooby Slapper Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Karma :

Cronik · Scooby Slapper Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Karma :

bamt · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

bamt · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Karma :

Oh, I drive "quality" cars and use fairly expensive helmets. I know that my Jaguar (now owned for 10 years) has cost me less to maintain and run than a fiesta would have done, and given me far more pleasure - hence the comment about paying more to have something nicer if it is being used a lot.

Just pointing out that an HJC that lasts 12 months and costs £90 (£7.50/month) is more economical - taking only cost/month into account - than an AGV that lasted 18 months (£10/month), and quite close to the Arai at £6.87/month+spares.