Helmet giving me a headache?

corblimey

I've got a BBB bike helmet I wore for the first time today, and when I put it on first, with the adjusters slid out to the maximum, it felt a little tight. After about 30mins, I started to get a headache which has not abated since it started. The helmet is a large and like I said, the adjusters are at maximum, but it still sort of digs into my skull a little at the back and just feels generally uncomfortable.

Since I don't believe my head is abnormally large or misshapen in any way, I'm wondering if there's anything I can do with this helmet to make it a little more comfortable, or would I be better off exchanging it for a completely different make - the bike shop had very little choice, just this or a cheaper make - but I'm thinking that if a large doesn't fit me comfortably, I'm going to have to look into alternatives, but I have no idea what they might be.

ETA: BTW, I did try it on in the shop before I bought it, but literally just put it on my head, felt the tightness and assumed that would abate like a new pair of shoes. I've never gotten a headache from shoes before.

Bluefoam

I have a giro hex mtb helmet which is very comfortable due to the fact that the shell doesn't touch your head, it has a suspended retention sysyem. However it isn't as well ventilated as a road helmet.

DirkVoodoo

I have a Giro Ionos and where the strap connects to the crown of the helmet is a plastic connector that tends to dig into my skull. Quite sore over long distance but I remedy this by wearing a cap underneath it.

Cycling caps

I would recommend next time trying on as many helmets as possible. Don't go for one brand, price or look. Just pick whichever one fits you best. I think I tried on a Bell helmet a while ago and it just "fit". Unfortunately I already had the Giro at this point.

corblimey

I was thinking about getting a cap or skullcap to wear underneath it, but I'm sweating enough as it is these evenings Like I said, the choice in the LBS was limited to the one I got and an inferiorly priced model (probably same BBB make, everything they sold me was BBB, nothing wrong with that).

There's a shop in town that has a reasonable selection, but I might try that on Saturday, although I was kinda hoping to do something with this first, rather than abandoning it, or hoping that the LBS will give me a credit note or something.

LastGasp

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I have a Giro Ionos and where the strap connects to the crown of the helmet is a plastic connector that tends to dig into my skull.

I thought I was the only one ! Had a Giro for a while with the same problem. I tried cutting bits off the plastic piece but didn't improve things. It was killing me, even with a cap, so I gave up and got a Bell Sweep instead.

tomasrojo

I don't wish to light the blue touchpaper of the helmet debate, but you could always not wear one if you find that your head overheats. In my estimation, having a clear head (not overheated) is more important than the relatively slight protection helmets afford.

It sounds as if you want it for commuting, rather than off-road cycling or such like?

kona

corblimey wrote: »

I've got a BBB bike helmet I wore for the first time today, and when I put it on first, with the adjusters slid out to the maximum, it felt a little tight. After about 30mins, I started to get a headache which has not abated since it started. The helmet is a large and like I said, the adjusters are at maximum, but it still sort of digs into my skull a little at the back and just feels generally uncomfortable.

Since I don't believe my head is abnormally large or misshapen in any way, I'm wondering if there's anything I can do with this helmet to make it a little more comfortable, or would I be better off exchanging it for a completely different make - the bike shop had very little choice, just this or a cheaper make - but I'm thinking that if a large doesn't fit me comfortably, I'm going to have to look into alternatives, but I have no idea what they might be.

ETA: BTW, I did try it on in the shop before I bought it, but literally just put it on my head, felt the tightness and assumed that would abate like a new pair of shoes. I've never gotten a headache from shoes before.

This is a regular enough problem I see with Helmets, its very hard to tell somebody that their head is bigger than "Medium" also some people , while their heads aint mongo, they just dont seem to fit some brands.

Sometimes companies have different large sizes. Giro goes to 63cm whilst Bell only goes to 61cm. What size in CM is yous OP? It is written inside the helmet

The Helmet shouldnt sit tight on your head, and definatley shouldnt cause a Headache, it only takes a little pressure on th eadjusters to cause a headache due to their location at the back.

corblimey

kona wrote: »

Sometimes companies have different large sizes. Giro goes to 63cm whilst Bell only goes to 61cm. What size in CM is yous OP? It is written inside the helmet

It claims to be 58-63cm which I assume is based on the position of the adjusters

kona wrote: »

The Helmet shouldnt sit tight on your head, and definatley shouldnt cause a Headache, it only takes a little pressure on th eadjusters to cause a headache due to their location at the back.

Yeah, from everything I'm reading online about the problem, I should barely even know I'm wearing a helmet if it's the right fit.

Since I want to go for a ride tonight after the LBS has closed, I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and see if the place in town has any helmets that fit my grotesquely misshapen skull and hope that the LBS will refund me or let me exchange it for something else entirely.

cantalach

I find that whenever I get a new helmet I can get headaches for the first couple of weeks. After that it's as if my head gets used to it and the headaches stop.

corblimey

cantalach wrote: »

I find that whenever I get a new helmet I can get headaches for the first couple of weeks. After that it's as if my head gets used to it and the headaches stop.

A couple of weeks? :eek:

Bikerbhoy

This helmet is the wrong size for you..... the adjuster should be generally at centre position when placing helmet on your head initally and then adjust to fit snug against you head still with an option to tighten a bit more if required.

Change it or get a refund if you can and buy a lid that fits as described above...period.

corblimey

Went out at lunchtime and picked up one in town, an Abus something or other. Just wore it out on my very first 20k, the mutt's. Cheers!