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From: porat@sri-unix.ARPA (Ron Porat)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Info needed on buying helmets
Message-ID: <202@sri-unix.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 1-Nov-85 13:59:45 EST
Article-I.D.: sri-unix.202
Posted: Fri Nov  1 13:59:45 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 3-Nov-85 09:51:17 EST
References: <848@decwrl.UUCP>, <404@yale.ARPA>
Organization: SRI, Menlo Park, CA.
Lines: 21

I've been using both the old bell biker and the V-1 Pro.  The V-1 Pro is
much cooler and lighter (because of the cutouts) and therefore very 
comfortable compared to 
the biker.  It also generates less wind noise and is cut higher in front,
so that the field of vision is better (no interference).

The advertising claims about air scoops and spacer pads letting air 
circulate around your head are probably true for bald mannequins (not for me). 
Cutouts as in the V-1 are order-of-magnitude more effective for cooling.

After about 3,000 miles, the plastic clasp on the V-1 broke.  I called
bell and they immediately sent me a replacement with a form letter
acknowledging problems with their old clasp.  Indeed, the new one is
stamped with a '2', whereas the old is stamped with a '1', though they look
identical.  Must be a materials change.

Another factor to consider is helmet color (white v. black).  The Black
gets hot under the sun, but fortunately there is an inch of styrofoam
insulating the shell from your head.  The color also affects visibility.
I use my old white biker for commuting, because it's more visible in the dark
and warmer than the V-1 on these colder days.