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Bike Helmets

If you're looking for the best bike helmets near you in the Westchester County area, stop by our bike shop in Mount Kisco, NY. Our helmet selection is extensive and includes recreational, road, kids', and mountain bike helmets. Helmet safety relates to the standards used by the manufacturer. But it also requires a proper fit. We'll assist you in finding a bike helmet that meets all the necessary safety regulations. More importantly, we'll ensure the right fit. 

3 bike helmets hanging on a display in a bike shop

Bike Helmet Styles

Depending on your riding style, you can select from various helmet options. Each offers different features to accommodate your needs.

Recreational Bike Helmets

They're great for commuting and general bicycle riding and are typically the most affordable. Recreational bike helmets usually come in 2 sizes per style with adjustable retention to secure the fit. Even the most basic bike helmets have a fair amount of ventilation these days. Some will even come with removable visors for added sun protection.

Kids Bike Helmets 

It's basically a mini adult helmet. The biggest thing to be aware of is buying a helmet with the notion your child will grow into it. To protect your child adequately, you'll need to ensure it fits appropriately right now, out of the box.

A kids helmet usually includes a visor, lots of vents, and a buckle system that allows adjustments to ensure the fit is correct. Getting small children comfortable wearing bicycle helmets helps ensure they'll wear them as teenagers and adults too!

Road Bike Helmets

Road bicycle helmets are lightweight with improved ventilation and an aerodynamic design for riding at high speeds. Premium helmets use carbon fiber composites to reduce weight but provide substantial protection. They'll also incorporate channels through the helmet to improve airflow and keep you cooler. 

These bike helmets will not have visors. Most higher-end road helmets come in 3-4 sizes per model to ensure a precise, tight fit.

Mountain Bike Helmets

A mountain bike helmet includes a visor and more substantial coverage for the back of the head. Mountain bike helmets fit snugly when riding over rugged terrain. Unlike road bike crashes with the rider moving forward, mountain bike crashes can occur in any direction. Greater coverage provides greater protection. 

With downhill mountain biking, helmets include complete face protection. Convertible bike helmets are also available, allowing for removing a protective chin guard. Some mountain bike helmets come with camera integration if you like using a GoPro to film your ride.

Regardless of your riding style, a helmet is one of the most critical pieces of cycling gear you need. We carry the best bike helmets in Westchester County at our bike shop in downtown Mt. Kisco, NY.

Best Selection of Bike Helmets in Westchester County

close up a woman cyclist wearing a bike helmet with cheerleaders clapping behind her

Bicycle Helmet Construction

Typically, bike helmets use in-mold construction that fuses an outer shell and inner lining without the need for glue to create a lightweight yet rugged design. The outer shell is plastic and designed to absorb impacts, while the inner liner is made of expanded polystyrene foam to a cushion and blows to your head.

Technology advancements have led to the creation of multi-directional impact protection systems, or MIPS. A MIPS helmet incorporates a low-friction layer that allows the liner to rotate slightly around your head during an impact to help prevent neck injuries and concussions. MIPS-equipped bicycle helmets are the new safety standard in bicycle helmet technology and are available on most models. 

Bontrager's Wavecel is another safety feature to consider. Like MIPS, it provides additional safety and can even be safer than MIPS in certain types of crashes.

In addition to their safety features, cycling helmets are also available with ventilation, visors, full-face protection, straps, and hair ports. 

Ideally, it would be best if you looked to replace your bike helmet every three to five years. Sun and sweat combine to deteriorate the styrofoam and reduce the helmet's effectiveness. And always replace your helmet if you've been in an accident, even if it looks fine.

All bike helmets sold in the United States must meet Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. So, make sure your helmet has a sticker indicating it has passed the CPSC safety standards. Without that sticker, it's best to walk away.

a group of cyclists wearing bike helmets going around a turn at a bike race

Getting a Proper Fit for Your Helmet

There are plenty of great helmet manufacturers, including Bontrager, Scott, Bell, POC, and Giro. We carry an impressive selection featuring some of the best bike helmets available at our Mt. Kisco cycling shop. So, you can find a bike helmet near you in all the popular styles and colors. As a courtesy, we adjust each helmet we sell to ensure it fits properly.

A helmet should stay in place without the aid of a retention system under the chin. The retention system prevents it from coming off in the event of a jolting force. With the retention system in place, you should be able to fit two fingers between the strap and your chin. 

The right fit is crucial to protecting the most critical part of your body, your head. If you have questions about the fit of your current bike helmet, stop by, and we’ll be happy to help.

Sizes are typically available in small, medium, and large sizes. That said, sizing often varies by brand. For example, a medium in one brand may be the equivalent of a small in another. So, it’s essential to measure the size of your head before purchasing a helmet.

Using a measuring tape, you can get a notion of size in advance. Wrap it around the largest part of your head, roughly one inch above your eyebrows. You’ll also want to consider pressure points and whether your bike helmet will allow cycling glasses to fit correctly.

Not Sure What Bike Helmet to Buy? We'll Help.

young girl wearing a bike helmet with an NYC sweatshirt riding her bike

5 Tips for Buying the Best Bike Helmet

Well, the first tip is a no-brainer. Always wear a bike helmet. A helmet reduces the risk of bicycle-related head injury by about 80 percent. But unfortunately, most riders don't heed that advice -- only 19 percent of adults and 15 percent of children use helmets all or most of the time while cycling.

But here are five tips to help you select the best bike helmet.

  1. Buy a helmet that matches your riding style. If you're a mountain biker, get a mountain bike helmet. Get a road bike helmet if you prefer speed and the open road.
  2. Never buy a bike helmet that doesn't have an approved standards label.
  3. Get a MIPS helmet that delivers the most head protection.
  4. Fit is everything. In general, you should be able to fit two fingers between your eyebrows and the bike helmet. You should be able to fit one finger between your chin and helmet strap. When in doubt, buy smaller.
  5. It's o.k. to spend more. More expensive bicycle helmets typically deliver greater comfort and ventilation. And that makes you more likely to wear it.

Whether you're a road-tested cycling warrior or enjoy a casual ride over the weekend, a bike helmet is your most critical safety consideration. But, if you aren't sure about the fit, give us a call or stop by our bike shop in Mt. Kisco, NY. We'll help you select the best bike helmet that meets your cycling style and affords the best protection.

Great Selection of the Best Bike Helmets

Keep in mind that there are no universal helmet laws when selecting a bike helmet. Only 21 states and the District of Columbia have statewide helmet laws, which only apply to young riders. However, check your state bicycle helmet laws HERE to ensure you are appropriately covered.

We’ve been selected as one of America’s Best Bike Shops for ten years. So you can depend on our staff to help you wade through the collection of bike helmets at our Westchester County, NY bike shop. We’ll get you hooked up with the best helmet for your riding style. One that fits properly and keeps you safe on the road or trail.