Downhill Helmet

jaxxstatic · 06-23-2009, 07:24 PM

I'm assuming they (the faceshields) will be sanded along the edges and cleaned up and whatnot. I'm really tempted to sell my Skyrunner and Bellistic...

sidetrak · 06-23-2009, 08:16 PM

I spoke with the owner at a Trade show last year. He was very interested in getting these to the Gravity Sports market. I think where we left off was sourcing a good face shield manufacturer. The quality is definitely on par with Icaro and Charly helmets, but in terms of safety I can't say. I think we all know what it takes to find that out. Either way I'd be interested in picking one up.

davidp · 06-23-2009, 08:56 PM

i to am very excited to be a part of this project...but let me say a few things again again...$160 is the price for the helmet i am selling right now.WITHOUT a production-made face shield. the one i am using is a TSR face shield that i modified..it looks rough cus its the first one i made..i have a template now so they they look cleaner. YES, making a high-quality, flip-up, easily removable face-shield IS going to happen, in multiple tints if possible(think interchangeable lens on snowboard googles)....this will raise the price, he(the owner) is looking in the $200-250 range, which is still cheaper than a paragliding helmet.

bottom line, if you want a helmet with a lexan facesheidl NOW, for $160 ,email me, if you want to wait and pay more for the modified version, wait until next race season most likely.

B_Dubya_B · 06-24-2009, 05:40 PM

any numbers on energy dissipation for impacts?

Rob Shook · 06-24-2009, 06:21 PM

It says it is rated by CE 1385. Upon searching for information about this, it says the rating is for levels 1-4 of whitewater...
A few things to look at and ponder before using these helmets.

Quote:

Helmets for use in water classes 5 and 6 are outside the scope of this standard. It is expected that these helmets will have performance requirements in excess of this standard.

Quote:

Under [water sports] circumstances it is extremely unlikely that the speed of impact will be greater than 18 km/h (5 m/s) because this is the highest recorded rate of flow in a white water river.

Quote:

This standard is not intended to apply to helmets for use in extreme white water situations such as those where the jumping of high waterfalls is undertaken, because the need for impact absorption for such a helmet, and the area of the head to be protected, are greater than those for most canoeing and white water sports.

Finally, and perhaps most important,

Quote:

The levels of protection recognize that most fatalities in canoeing and white water sports result from drowning after concussion and not from brain damage.

I do not trust the safety of these helmets for anything beyond whitewater, sorry.

Curly_Frie · 06-24-2009, 06:37 PM

i am just getting into downhill skating and im looking for a decant full face helmet for a low price so if anyone knows where to get one please say something

Rob Shook · 06-24-2009, 06:44 PM

search bell dop (~$100-115), bell bellistic (less safe but $50 cheaper), giro remedy, sixsixone full comp, and if you want the most safety, afx-ds 37.
Search

davidp · 06-24-2009, 09:25 PM

rob shook photo,

its good to see somebody doing their research on certifications.i to have read this, that cert. is good for 20mph and under because rivers don't generally go faster than that. thats why i ordered the first helmet from the owner as a test, sort of a gamble..is it gonna be safe enough for what we do, or did i just waste my $$? well, i got the helmet and i feel that it is as safe if not safer than the para-gliding helmets that is based on the amount of EPS foam and the overall rigidity of the helmet.

ALSO....i've had the chance to compare this helmet to a charly no-limit, a Icaro 4flight and various BMX full-faces and this helmet has more hard EPS foam than those...the predator has 1" of hard foam, while the para-gliding helmets have around 1/4" to 1/2"...the mountain bike helmets i've looked at close have about the same about of foam as the predator. so in the end i would liken this helmet more to a BMX or DH-mountain bike helmet than what most people think of as a kayak helmet.

i have been downhilling for 10 years, racing for 7 years and gone through numerous helmets and smacked my head in a good variety of them....i would NOT be trying to sell this helmet if i felt it was'nt safe enough, thats the bottom line. I feel strongly in these and i think that anyone else that actually sees this helmet in person would agree with me.

davidp · 06-30-2009, 09:33 PM

sorry for taking so long to get some pics up. i installed a different visor, this one is none-removable, but inset into the helmet and looks alot more sleek. also, note the amount of hard foam on the inside shot. i've finally taken the time to dail in the fit of the helmet and it fits quite nice, not to tight but secure.

the last pic is nice for comparison.the finals from the santa fe outlaw DH last weekend. i'm on the far left with the predator helmet, will brunson in the half-shell , kyle wester in a DH mtn. bike helmet and joel putruh in a icaro 4flight cut.

i've already sold out of the first batch of lids i got...want one..email me at sk860mph@gmail.com

Bookworm · 06-30-2009, 09:44 PM

If I can interject about the speed of impact. when you fall your head doesn't impact the road at 30, 40, or 50 mph, it hits at the speed it falls to. it then has to endure sliding along the road at said speed, so unless you run headfirst into an obstacle at said speeds, this helmet should provide sufficient protection.

nyuklhed · 07-02-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidp

sorry for taking so long to get some pics up. i installed a different visor, this one is none-removable, but inset into the helmet and looks alot more sleek. also, note the amount of hard foam on the inside shot. i've finally taken the time to dail in the fit of the helmet and it fits quite nice, not to tight but secure.

the last pic is nice for comparison.the finals from the santa fe outlaw DH last weekend. i'm on the far left with the predator helmet, will brunson in the half-shell , kyle wester in a DH mtn. bike helmet and joel putruh in a icaro 4flight cut.

i've already sold out of the first batch of lids i got...want one..email me at sk860mph@gmail.com

hahaha! i did that exact thing to mine on monday, but i will probably need another lexan sheet, as i made one bad cut..., if you're free saturday lets skate

robert borek · 07-02-2009, 09:52 AM

how far down the back of your head does this helmet cover? i cant really tell frop the pic.

davidp · 07-03-2009, 01:29 PM

coverage is similar to most mountain bike helemts. it does'nt go down to the neck, for me the helmet kinda stops right below my skull, which is kinda nice when you are in your tuck.

I'm placing another order soon, $160 w/visor installed, choice of white or black with contrasting racing stripe, shipping in the continental US is around $10-15. interested? email me at sk860mph@gmail.com

Metalhead8290 · 07-03-2009, 02:13 PM

At the largest size about how big of a head do you think it will fit?

gabriel[abc] · 07-03-2009, 02:17 PM

ooo that predator full cut looks old school!

loserplayer · 07-03-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalhead8290

At the largest size about how big of a head do you think it will fit?

i would be very interested in this helmet if i got the answer to this question too.

nyuklhed · 07-03-2009, 02:50 PM

ok, a little review on the predator full-face:

Granted i haven't crashed in it, so i can't give a full review for safety, but for riding, i've done a fair amount of riding with it on. my previous full-face was an azonic t-55, so that is what i will be comparing it to. I've hit sandia a few times, some jemez mountain runs, and a couple really fast tailwind runs in indian school.

Visibility is great, I can just barely see the outside edges in my peripheral vision, and compared to the t-55 the chin bar is much closer to my face, giving it a bigger field of view, while still being able to fully cover and protect your chin in a crash.

The foam is just slightly thinner than the t-55, in about an inch in thickness on the predator and 1 1/4 inch of foam in the t-55. The flex and movement of the helmet is more than the t-55 but less than an charly. the back of the helmet ends at the top of my second vertebrae, which is higher than the t-55, and really nice, it doesn't restrict movement at all, and is really comfortable in my tuck.

It is a one size fits all, i have a small head, wearing a 7 or a 7 1/8 size hat, and the padding that it comes with is excellent, it lets you shape the pads to fit Your head, even if you have a funny shaped head, the shell is quite big, but i would guess it would fit you if your hat size is up to 7 3/4, i'm guessing now, but i'll measure the inside dimensions when i get home.

There is no venting, making it nice and aero, but it isn't hot. I've bombed in the middle of the day in the hot ass new mexico sun, and while i'm riding it is plenty cool, even with my faceshield permanently down. It is a very nice improvement over the t-55, much faster and lighter, i'll post comparison pictures in a couple days.

davidp · 07-03-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalhead8290

At the largest size about how big of a head do you think it will fit?

the helmet does come in only one shell size but i've sold 2 helmets to my friends who wear a L/XL and they described the fit as snug but comfy. i wear a S/M in most helmets and with the fit pads i can dail in the fit pretty well....i'd say if anything if you have a really really small head this helmet won't work, otherwise fit can be dailed in.