Review Options:
Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating |
|
Reviews 1 - 15 (41 Reviews Total)
|
| Next 15 |
User Reviews
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, QLDDate Reviewed: May 8, 2003
Strengths: Protects your head, fits pretty well for a cheaper helmet, good airflow,Weaknesses: A bit heavy, the fit of a cheaper helmetBottom Line: Had this helmet for years and in all honesty, probably should have replaced it long ago for safety's sake. That said, 2 weeks ago when it came to the crunch and a crash gave me a blow to the head that I've no doubt would have killed me the Banshee stepped up and did it's job flawlessly and I got away without even a concussion. Can't really argue with that.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Bike Setup: DMR Trailstar, dirt jump / urban / DH setup
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Arno Janssen
a Cross Country Rider
from Venray, The NetherlandsDate Reviewed: May 1, 2001
Strengths: - Good quality for the price!
- Easily adjustableWeaknesses: - little heavy and big
- Older ( not so safe ) building method: outer shell taped instead of bonded to inner shell
- Not as well ventilated as some newer helmets
Bottom Line: This is actually a very good helmet for the money. It's the first mountainbike-specific helmet I started out with, and never had too much complaints about it. It's just a little heavy and big, so much more a beginners helmet than for racer's or pro's, but hey, then we're talking different kind of cash, right ? The Web Retention system ( copy of Giro's RocLoc ) doesn't work too good, I like Giro's better, that actually works instead of just being there like a chunk of plastic.
All in all a good helmet for the money, it served me well for over 2 years, anybody wanna buy it ? ;-)
I crashed only once during those 2 years ( how I do that? I dunno.. ), landed on my head against a concrete pole, but the helmet was fine. I wouldn't be if I hadn't worn one!
People, just buy and wear al helmet every time, it's your own safety and we've all got people who love us and are pleased if we wear one and return home safely, at least most of the times!
Happy trails !!
Favorite Trail: Anything dirty
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At: Schumi
Similar Products Used: Very old Giro 'shoebox' kinda thing
Going to buy a new Giro Pneumo in a few days
Bike Setup: GT Karakoram
Raleigh roadbike
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CODate Reviewed: February 17, 2001
Strengths: The web retention retention system keeps thing snug. With the light weight, you hardly know you have it on. Good visibility, even with the visor. Looks pretty cool, also.Weaknesses: None so farBottom Line: Got a great deal at $49 and with another $20 discount, wear it for a year and pitch it if you don't like it. For all of the great features, I'll keep mine until it falls apart and will probably look for Specialized again. Great helmet all around.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: Performance Bike
Similar Products Used: Bell Helmets
Bike Setup: Schwinn S-10
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
HOE-C
a Cross Country Rider
from Milan - ItalyDate Reviewed: September 12, 2000
Strengths: You don't look an alien when you wear it
Light and well vented
Good quality inside and outsideWeaknesses: "Web" retention system is not as goog as King Cobra "brain trust"Bottom Line: Very good helmet in general.I tried King Cobra and frankly speaking is better. Its new retention system "brain trust" helps you to set the helmet perfecly. No moves when you ride.
I bought Banshee first for the price (only 45£ against 90£ of King Cobra)and then for the look.
It also has a very good ventilation. I've removed the front visor to increase ventilation and visibility.
Web retention system is quite good but requires a little bit of time and patience to set, but at least the result are appreciable.
Goog idea from Specialized adding extra pads to put on the foam shell to increase confort (better add extra pads after few rides). I've used three of them after testing the helmet for a few rides and now my banshee fits very good and it's comfortable also thanks to its own lightness.
At least it's a very quality product. Since this helmet is no longer available for the next season, I suggest you to buy an helmet with "brain trust" retention system from specialized catalog (King Cobra if you have money enough)but Enduro Comp or Enduro pro are also good.
For chilis only because the retention system can be improved
Favorite Trail: Triangolo Lariano
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At: Bici Mania - Lissone (MI)
Similar Products Used: I tried Specialized King Cobra
Bike Setup: Specialized Stumpjumper M2 2000
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Cerial
a Cross Country Rider
from waterloo, ontario, CANADA EH!Date Reviewed: July 25, 2000
Strengths: everything!Weaknesses: nothing!Bottom Line: awsome awsome helmet. its the best deal for the cost.
the vents keep your head really cool too.
i picked this little baby up nice and cheap because it was used once as a test helmet..
very nice, i recommend it to everyone.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Bike Setup: 97' devinci boogie
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Lam
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ONDate Reviewed: June 11, 2000
Strengths: Amazing looks, fits very well and snug, keeps my head much cooler than previous helmets of mine.Weaknesses: A bit pricey.Bottom Line: Excellent helmet! I really like the way it sits on my head snug. Hardly notice that I'm wearing the helmet. Big bonus is that it looks so good too. My previous helmet, a Bell, after a ride my hair would be soaked from sweat -- didn't do its job of keeping my head cool. The effective vents on the Air Banshee keep my head amazingly cool. Very pleasantly surprised, since you can't really tell how well the helmet will perform in this area just by looking at it in the store.
A bit pricey, but then again, there are plenty of more expensive helmets. Excellent helmet and my fav to date.
Favorite Trail: Any
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Similar Products Used: Giro, Bell, and Specialized helmets.
Bike Setup: Trek 8000
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
greg
a Weekend Warrior
from indianaDate Reviewed: April 3, 2000
Strengths: *the design is cool
*it fits good
Weaknesses: *after use leaves a mohawk in my hair
*sometimes it's itchyBottom Line: its a good helmet.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: giro
Bike Setup: rocky mountain
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
jordon
a Weekend Warrior
from portland OR USADate Reviewed: February 8, 2000
Strengths: great ventilation fit price
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line: Great helmet it was the best fitting
helmet i tryed on and got it for about
$60 at the LBS... its held up great
beeing thrown and tosed around for 2
years now and it also seems to keep
your head cool even in the hotest
weather.. great product !!!
Favorite Trail: ?
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Similar Products Used: tryed on lots of others
Bike Setup: Access Ti mostly XT-LX
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
David Tsang
a Cross Country Rider
from New York, NYDate Reviewed: January 19, 2000
Strengths: Good looks, lotsa ventilation, adjustable retention system, velcro visor, lightweight, and decent rear protection.Weaknesses: Not as chi-chi as the Giro ExodusBottom Line: Been using the Banshee for about 2 years now (probably time to replace it). The helmet fits extremely well, is very well ventilated (the mouthport at the front of the helmet is cool), provides adequate rear coverage, and fairly light. The velcro visor lets the visor break off easily in the event of a face plant and the web rentention system allows the rider to adjust the fit to pretty much anyway (s)he sees fit. While it does NOT look as good as the Exodus, it does weigh and cost less. As for durability, any helmet that passes the standards should be fine. If you look hard enough on the web, you can probably pick one up for $40 - $60. 5 Chilis on both accounts!
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Similar Products Used: Specialized Sub-Zero, Giro Supermoto
Bike Setup: Access Ti Frame, XMO O2 Fork, SRAM 9.0sl drivetrain, RaceFace Crank/BB, Avid Arch-Rival brakes, Kore stem. Hyperlite bar
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Yummy
a Cross-Country Rider
from FairfaxDate Reviewed: October 30, 1999
Strengths:
Looks nice, light, lots of vents. The red-colored one is pretty dopeWeaknesses:
Makes you look like a cone head (but overall pretty cool)Bottom Line: Pretty cool helmet. The Red/Black/Blue one looks great....like fire! Looking at it from the front, although it looks good from that angle, it kinda looks like a cone ontop of your head because of that one circular vent (what the Hell is it for??) that sits atop the center of the shell. Aaaah, who cares, as long as it guards my melon, I'm happy with it....especially since I only paid 50 bones for it.
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Similar Products Used:
Giro Exodus (too much money to spend for a product that must do nothing else but split in half when hitting the pavement/trail--something a much cheaper helmet can do just as well)
Bike Setup:
GT Avalanche
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingsport, TNDate Reviewed: September 14, 1999
Strengths:
Looks, light weight.Weaknesses:
Only 2 sizes?Bottom Line: This is a much nicer helment than my old Fisher Helment, Lot's of vents, really light and a sharp helment. I got it on close out for about $50. I was pretty lucky in that one of the 2 stock sizes fit me perfectly.
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Similar Products Used:
My old Gary Fisher Helment
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Y.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Medford, MADate Reviewed: August 15, 1999
Strengths:
Light well ventedWeaknesses:
Web system for retention bitesBottom Line: After a year of use the web system has weakened. It causes problems with the helmet becoming loose which is not a good thing. I am constantly adjusting the it but it no longer will hold steady. It was a great helmet at first but they need to make improvements on the retention system.
Favorite Trail:
Middlessex Fells
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Similar Products Used:
Old Bell Helmet
Bike Setup:
Proflex 755
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Rochester, NYDate Reviewed: July 17, 1999
Strengths:
Light, Strong, Stylin'Weaknesses:
Minor Strap LooseningBottom Line: It's just a good looking, lightweight helmet. What else is there to say? I don't feel like a total dork while wearing it, even while going into a store to purchase something. The color schemes on these helmets are unsurpased. Try one. You'll love the way you look and feel in one (they alsoc have a great fit).
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Similar Products Used:
Helmets from Trek, Bell, Others
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JoJo
a Weekend Warrior
from TorontoDate Reviewed: June 24, 1999
Strengths:
Stylish, light, and keeps your melon cool.Weaknesses:
The strap on the sides are minimally irritatingBottom Line: I used the helmet only for one day until it had to be replaced. I did some downhilling the first day that i purchased the Banshee. I was tossed by a bolder and landed on my back, the next thing I saw was the frame of my bike headed straight between my eyes. The helmet was cracked front centre but it cushioned the impact. I didn't fell a thing other than the humilliation. Most of the time I don't even feel like the helmet is on my head. The next helmet I'll get will be the King Cobra. It look way sweeter.
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Similar Products Used:
Louie Garneau LG12
Bike Setup:
Trek 8900 with Judy 100's
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fly
a Weekend Warrior
from KoreaDate Reviewed: June 10, 1999
Strengths:
Great vents, lightweight, looks good.Weaknesses:
Retention device does not stretch...this can be uncomfortable to some people.Bottom Line: Not the best, but definitely one of the better. Great price/performance ratio.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Similar Products Used:
Bell, Giro
Bike Setup:
variable
|
Reviews 1 - 15 (41 Reviews Total)
|
| Next 15 |
Review Options:
Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating |
