This past spring one of my sons decided to take up cycling and in the process of getting him ready for hitting the road I gave him my favorite cycling helmet (a beautiful Giro road helmet). He liked the Giro helmet because it was so lightweight (certainly lighter than the Kevlar helmet he wore in Iraq). Since I have several other helmets for special uses (night, rain, MTB) I decided to replace the Giro with an inexpensive Bontrager Solstice Cycling Helmet.
Bontrager Solstice Cycling Helmet
The Bontrager Solsctice is a durable, lightweight helmet that provides excellent airflow due to the large air vents. This helmet is a “one size fits most” and unless you are either very petite or have a large head it should fit you well. Bontrager’s propriety “Micro-Manager Fit System” make this helmet very easy to adjust.
Since I planned on using this helmet for riding on the road I took off the “removable snap-on visor” that comes pre-installed on the helmet. Unfortunately, the plastic pins that hold the visor on place broke while I was taking it off the first time—which means I will never be able to put it back on the helmet. Several “wicking pads” on the inside of the helmet not only make the helmet comfortable, but dry as well. These wicking pads are held in place with Velcro and are both removable and washable.
The Bontrager Solstice cycling helmet comes in four different color combinations and retails for $45. You should be available to find this helmet at any bike shop that carries Trek or Bontrager products. If you can’t find a dealer in your area, you can always buy it online from the Trek Store. If you are looking for a helmet that will make it easier for motorists to see you, please see the review I wrote for the Hardnutz Hi-Vis Yellow Bicycle Helmet.
elisariva
October 24, 2012 at 8:49 AM
Thank your son for wearing Kevlar.
All Seasons Cyclist
October 24, 2012 at 5:32 PM
That is so sweet of you! I’ll pass on the message. Thanks!
elisariva
October 24, 2012 at 6:30 PM
Emilee Jane Tombs
November 15, 2012 at 5:15 PM
Hey, I’m looking for a helmet and can’t find any reasonable priced ones anywhere in shops! Could you help me out with looking for one on the internet? Know any good resources? I quite like the ones which look like skate helmets, possibly something a little colourful/vintage inspired but obviously still safe..?
All Seasons Cyclist
November 15, 2012 at 5:35 PM
Emilee, the good news is that any bicycle helmet sold in the United States or the EU is going to meet very strict safety standards. A very expensive helmet is just as safe as a cheap one. Therefore, choosing a helmet just comes down to finding a color your like PLUS one that is suited for your needs. Judging from the looks of your bike, Fleur, I doubt if you do much mountain biking — so you don’t need the visor that is on the front of some helmets (they are removable anyway). My suggestion is to search Amazon.com for “bicycle helmet women” (I know, it’s a strange order of words). You should see several Schwinn bike helmets listed and I would start there. The number of different color combinations available simply boggles my mind. Ride safely!