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Submitted by
greg duclose
a Cross Country Rider
from scottsdale, az
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Only unit at the time that offer protection of the face. With a home made front plastic sheild to protect your face from cold weather, works great in cold mornings/night. | | Weaknesses: | Weight is too high when you are laying low street racing and our head is out and titled up to see, see through the visor openings. Your back neck muscals get strain. You must place a side rod mirror to your right so you can see whats coming from behind. Need to closed off side ears opening to protect from the cold. | | Bike Setup: | street urban bike | | Bottom Line: | Haven used it for 8 years. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake Bean
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso, Texas
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything With Rocks! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Ride On Sports | | Strengths: | Awesome, can be used as full-face, or xc helmet. | | Weaknesses: | Chin Strap squeezes throat when full-face is on | | Bike Setup: | Giant VT One, Manitou Minute 1:00 | | Bottom Line: | Awesome helmet! I've used it for a long time, and its held up beautifully! Saved my bacon a few times too! Very comfortable and cool, a little funky with the chin straps when the face guard is bolted on. Great buy, great performance, definetly recommended. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dresden Lock
a Cross Country Rider
from NC USA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Smith Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Lightweight/Alot of Ventilation/Good Looking/Sturdy/Clear Viewing | | Weaknesses: | Tear Away Pads on the face guard/Tear away Visor/the PRICE/the back adjustment is funky | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose Pro Full suspension | | Bottom Line: | I really like this helmet...Ive used it almost daily for 2 years...I wish you get some more acessories for it like another visor..some more pads etc...other than that..I love it...its lightweight....its a cool feeling helmet...it looks good...its sturdy...I can't complain. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Davies
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Mummah | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Planet Cycles (YOU GUYS ROCK!) | | Strengths: | Very comfortable, nice and airy. Just that little bit of added protection over a XC helmet but with all the comfort. Fits well and is really comfortable. High quality construction, excelent shock absortion. | | Weaknesses: | 1. Price. It is pretty expensive
2. THEY STOPPED MAKING IT ! ! !
I am soooo gutted that they stopped makig this helmet but apparently it was becuase of weakness number 1. I managed to get another one from a supplier that had some old stock..
3. Doesnt absorb sweat from your forehead very well. I get drips running down my face. | | Similar Products Used: | Skate lids... | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Bighit comp 04
04 Marz Junior T
24" dmr rims + specialized roller pro RS tyres
Truvative holz pedals
Rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | I bought this helmet about 3 or 4 months ago and loved it. Last weekend I went endo off a jump down a hill and my 45 pound bighit came crashing down the hill after me and the main top tube smashed me in the head. when it hit me I felt the helmet absorb the impact, aside from being a little dazed I was totally fine. The helmet was mush but my melon was totally sweet. Worth every single penny becuase this helmet saved my life.
Its a real shame that they have discontinued them but apparently they were just too expensive for them to sell as many of them as they would have liked recently.
I managed to find one but I will be very careful with this one as I know I wont be able to get another. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin Bilthouse
a Racer
from Atlanta,USA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Chicopee | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Not for DH. I consider my style aggresive crosscountry and this helmet works very well for that. I take more chances riding with this versus openfaced. | | Weaknesses: | Gets a little steamy after 2 hours. | | Bike Setup: | 03' Fisher Marlin w/ shimano Dh peds, mavic crosslands, avid mech disc, maxxis ignitors, Easton carbon HB and SP, XT rear derailur, Selle Italia pro gel...ummm, i believe thats it. | | Bottom Line: | Your a fool if you use this helmet for DH purposes. This is a great buy for XC riders who want to step it up a notch and take chances. Best part, the face plate removes when you want to ride open face. While it has gotten a little hot sometimes, this helmet has meet the ground many a times before my face has. Make sure you get the right size, mine fits perfect, but these other a$$es don't know the size of their own noggin. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
big hit mike
a Cross Country Rider
from lancaster
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | pacific crest trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | lots of vents,faceguard protection,light weight,cool titanium color | | Weaknesses: | pads inside are starting to come apart | | Bike Setup: | specialized bighit,dc shiver forks,8.1 travel conversion in the rear,8"hayes,and 3 chain rings up front | | Bottom Line: | this helmet saved my ass when i took a 6'drop and crashed much on my face, the face guard hit my chin and ended up with a sore chin but im sure i would have ended up a lot worse if i didnt have the extra protection. ill never go back to open face. if you can still find this helmet buy it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bugzee Malone
a
from Kiwi in Kobe, Japan
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Futatabesan | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | $90 on eBay | | Strengths: | Lotsa vents
Removeable jaw
moveable visor | | Weaknesses: | after a while it rubs my head at the top of my forehead even though I have added padding | | Similar Products Used: | various helmets | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC3 + mods | | Bottom Line: | This is a XC helmet with extra face protection, not a full downhill helmet (Buy a Mad Max instead)
After hitting a tree and getting a black eye and a swollen cheek even though I was wearing a normal bike helmet.
I bought this Switchblade helmet for the extra face protection it offered.
With all the vents its much cooler than other full face helmets I have worn. The jaw doesn't obstruct the vision like others do.
One of the best features is the moveable visor.
While it may not be the strongest, it can be set high so you don't get "clotheslined" by low branches or adjusted low to keep rain etc out of your eyes.
Once I get the forehead padding sorted out I will be very satisfied with it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Albany, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Biker & Boarder Town near Gore MT. | | Strengths: | Well vented, security of knowing you have that little extra protection (lets you push yourself over harder riding), not to forget the added protection over most standard bike helmets, versitility | | Weaknesses: | Flimsy visor (broke off on simple crash), $h!tty padding (poor sweat absorbtion, not all too comfy), rubs my head at the center of my forehead and middle of the back of my head... probally my oddly shaped head though) | | Similar Products Used: | Bell w/o chin plate | | Bottom Line: | A good helmet if you don't mind giving a little comfort for a added security... I find when I am not concerned about what my grill will look like in my next interview, I push myself harder and over more difficult terrain. Good if you got the cash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Beast
a Downhiller
from Hell
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$159.00 | | Purchased At: | 123bikes | | Strengths: | It gives ok protection
Good venting
Light
Removable faceplate
One of the only helmets that fits my large head | | Weaknesses: | protection not as good as some full face
Kinda pricey | | Similar Products Used: | Other full face and xc helmets | | Bottom Line: | Well...I did a nice face plant into the dirt I hit really hard and all I ended up with was a couple scratches on the face (the rest of me was quite f**ked up). If giro made faceguard bigger, farther away form the face and made it fiberglass or carbon fiber I would have had nothing on my face and the face guard might have not cracked. I cant really complain though because it really saved my ass and I can get a replacement fo cheap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Matias
a Weekend Warrior
from Lisbon, na, Portugal
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Loja das Bicicletas - Lisboa | | Strengths: | Aparent resistance (fortunatelly never tested..). Painting. Weight. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of pads; Bad sweat absorption; Lousy owner's manual. | | Similar Products Used: | Bell (whatever model it was) | | Bike Setup: | Mondraker Pensacola Pro w/ Rock Shox SID lockout rear, Marzocchi MX Pro ETA, XT/Deore, Formula 4 racing, ONOFF components. | | Bottom Line: | It could be more comfortable, but perhaps it's only a problem of compatibility of shape head/helmet. My previous Bell was more comfortable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Godlike DHR
a Downhiller
from poole,England'uk
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Les Gets | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | good light helmet which has the advantage oftaking the face guard off. Also good for summer riding because it so many vents | | Weaknesses: | not much padding and easily cracks. Mine cracked all the way down the back but it was a harse crash | | Similar Products Used: | other giro's | | Bike Setup: | Club Roost DH8, Shiver DC, Hope M4, 321s on Hope bulbs, Blackspire, X-lite | | Bottom Line: | Great helmet for summer use but for racing and all year round use its better to get something stonger. I ahve know recently invested in a tld D2 which is an amazing helmet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terrence Miyasato
a Weekend Warrior
from Waipahu, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All of 'em | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bike | | Strengths: | First & Foremost: Diane, Customer Service @ Giro. Secondly, helmet is light considering it can be used as a full face. Removeable face guard for when you don't want to look to hardcore when cruzing in your neighborhood, well then again it depends on what neighborhood your cruzing in (ha)! Rock lock keeps your melon snug. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Bell | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Rocket 88 - xt components, rock shox sid F/R
Schwinn Straight 6 - xt components, fox shox, rock shox psylo
Schwinn 4 Banger - xt components, rock shox judy F, sid R
| | Bottom Line: | Well to start, Diane, customer service at Giro is the greatest. My padding was getting shredded and local bike shops don't carry replacements. Emailed Giro, Diane responded immediately and sent replacements free-ninety-free (cha-ching! - no charge!) Couple of weeks later, downhilling, I ate it, must have impacted the front (good thing for the switchblade), lost my visor. Again, no place carries it, Diane came through again, all this via email. Hopefully, she doesn't get swamped by email requests, but it is really great to know that there are some companies that still provide great customer service. Now on to the helmet, there are countless times that I have gone over the bars and the helmet saved my melon. Lots of air slots keep my head cool between crashes. The faceguard may seem like a little much, but there are times when I've looked at my helmet after rides and noticed scrapes and some new dents in the guard and didn't even realize I hit that part of the helmet. Who should use this helmet? Perhaps all experience levels. The trails I ride have varying terrain, some cross country and some nice single track with steep technicals here and there. To some it might be overkill, but for me with varying riding terrain its perfect, the faceguard is removable should you feel its unnecessary for your riding. Therefore, I give five big flaming chiles for value rating due to great customer service and product quality/function and again five big flaming chiles for the overall rating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon Gleason
a Weekend Warrior
from Chapel Hill, NC
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with jumps or drops | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Pro Deal | | Strengths: | -Light
-Looks Good
-Fairly Strong
-Keep your head cool | | Weaknesses: | -Doesnt fit very snug
-Not enough pads | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC Air...Stock exept for XT cassete and Race Face bash guard | | Bottom Line: | Good helmet but not quite what I was looking for. If there were more pads and it fit better it would be great. I probaly should have gone ahead and gotton the Mad Max II. But if you dolight urban riding or dirt jumping this helmet is great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Burns
a Cross Country Rider
from Folsom, Calif
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Cruz Trail (near Santa Barbara) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | Moab...don't remember the name | | Strengths: | full face is a good way to go. This helmet is light and relatively cool. | | Weaknesses: | expensive.... and see below | | Similar Products Used: | no other full face helmets | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Juliana | | Bottom Line: | My wife has been riding with this helmet for about 3 months. She crashed really hard about 1 week ago. The helmet, while probably saving her face, didn't work perfectly. Problem: the little extra straps that they add to this helmet to add stability came loose on one side during the crash. Then the face plate section of the helmet smashed into her chin and cut her all the way through. She had a inch long hole in her face. When I checked the helmet later I noticed that the edges of the face plate are like a freaking knife. Now that I see that it sure seems like a stupid design. Why put a piece of very sharp plastic right infront of your face. They need to fix this. The edges of the face plate shouldn't be so dangerous. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lonnie
a Downhiller
from Moab Utah
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ANYWHERE IN MOAB......... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Strengths: | It looks good and it is light.... | | Weaknesses: | It is weak....the first day I tried it I jump and went over my handle bar and landed on it which resulted in it being cracked it in half. IT also just doesnt feel good on your head. | | Bike Setup: | Gaint AC1 with White Brothers DH 2 fork | | Bottom Line: | This helment is great for XC biker or just someone messing around town doing some freeriding but I wouldnt trust it for going fast. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
poonjabie native
a Downhiller
from victoria bc
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt jumpin | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | russ hays | | Strengths: | lookes good, light. | | Weaknesses: | fits like crap, god dam expensive | | Similar Products Used: | bell | | Bike Setup: | m1 with boxers | | Bottom Line: | looks cool lightweight good for xc riding | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Biker
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria,Bc,Canada
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | i donno 2 many | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$259.00 | | Purchased At: | russ hays | | Strengths: | light waight,lots of holes so you can cool down on the trails!! my friends have other full faces and they always have 2 take them off to cool down.plastic visor doesn't snap when you do a face planet but instead it bends so you don't have to buy a new one.has buckle on chinstrap instead of the other stupid systems other companes have. chin gaurd doesn't get inthe way as much as other full face helmets. | | Weaknesses: | the pads inside wear out easily. | | Similar Products Used: | none that i'm aware of | | Bike Setup: | Norco 4 Hun | | Bottom Line: | I definetly recomend this to any one lookin 4 a full face halmet!!!!!4 sure!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Chow
a Weekend Warrior
from Monterey Park, CA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light weight, lots of vent, piece of mind protection, and Looks Cool!! | | Weaknesses: | Looks kind of odd at first, Especially riding on easier trails. Hard to drink with the chin guard. Can put the helmet on with glasses on. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V 1000. XT/XTR...... | | Bottom Line: | I had a big crash about 6 months ago, which broke my chin and end up with 12 stitches. I bang my head up pretty good. The last helmet save me from cracking my brain out, but didn't do anything for the chin. Anyhow, to make the long story short. It's good to have a light weight full face helmet for trail ride. But I would get something else if you are doing real down hill stuff. So far, this is the only one that combine light weight with some protection for the chin. I would never go back to open face. Full face is the way to go! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Rapid City, South Dakota
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bone Hwy 44 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Acme Bike | | Strengths: | More face protection than normal helmets. Light weight, great ventilation. | | Weaknesses: | Pads came off ver quick. | | Similar Products Used: | Never used full face type before. Always had Giro | | Bike Setup: | Kona Bear Dee-Lux | | Bottom Line: | In October 2001 I wrecked and broke 10 bones in my face
(Le Forte III fracture). Doctor said without a helmet I would have at the minimum I would of had sever brain damage. My friends then purchased the Switchblade for me because of my accident. I am riding again with more confidence than before because of the Switchblade. I will never ride without full face protection. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sledge Foot
a
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to my first review.
Well I finally took a spill and the helmet save my right jaw from any kind of cuts or worse. I was riding on a trail that was very loose and lost traction and fell over and hit face first. Can't say that I helmet saved me from a certain broken jaw, but I'll never know.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wolfman
a Weekend Warrior
from montreal/quebec/canada
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | st-francois | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle eddy | | Strengths: | fit perfect (stay still), very light, good ventillation, built tuff, cool design... | | Weaknesses: | Price$$$ in canada (quebec/montreal) this helmet cost me 300$ CND with the taxes!!! (but hey! i goat the money)... | | Similar Products Used: | None... (all full face are made for downhill, so they are to heavy and to hot for XC or crosscountry) | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fysher Sugar2 (2000) | | Bottom Line: | This helmet is made for cross-country, freeride or the crazyest urban riders... It's very tuff but remember: it's not a downhill helmet!!! That said, i'm a hardcore cross-country rider and this helmet is just perfect ;-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EngineerX
a Weekend Warrior
from City of Freaky Angels L.A.
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Backbone & Gabrielino | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | I forgot! | | Strengths: | comfy + it's a Giro!! | | Weaknesses: | mmmm ..... no "quick detach" feature for faceguard but that would probably add too much weigth, increase price & reduce interlock strength | | Similar Products Used: | ARAI F1 - Motorcycle helmet | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Enduro Expert/Thomson/Hayes/XTR-XT/Vuelta FR's/MonkeLite | | Bottom Line: | Full face helmets DO work !! I had a close call once when I hit an Astro van in the 10 freeway @ the 5 freeway in L.A. (threading the needle between lanes during rush hour) 1st thing to contact the pavement was my face guard! I saw the pavement thru the windscreen rush before my eyes as I slid with my faceguard being the only point of contact between me & the pavement! - It must have looked sweet. Moments later my shoulder and knee hit the pavement & I came to a stop. I slowed down quite alot before flying over the handlebars of my Kawasaki Ninja so I only flew about 15 - 20 feet in the air. Got up - checked for fractures or any protruding organs or body parts - thank God there was none of that! so walked to my bike, picked it up (never felt so light! - adrenaline helped) & pushed it to the shoulder. The guy I hit (he kind of got in my lane - in between the 2 lanes) was nice enough to give me a ride to work, I picked up my bike later that day because it wouldn't start (carb flooded from being on its side). Well the whole point is, half of my face, theeth, jaw would've been ripped by the pavement had I not had a fullface helmet! So - all I know Fullface helmets = good!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sledge Foot
a Cross Country Rider
from W. Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Strengths: | Offers better face proctection than regular helmets. Price was also a plus, I picked mine up for $100 on sale. Great Color (Mango-ish yellow). Convertible to regular helmet. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. Well, sometimes it's quite the attention getter, some riders think it's overkill for XC riding. | | Similar Products Used: | First "quasi" full face, other helmets worn: Briko Twinner, Giro Transit, Specialized King Cobra | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper FSRxc | | Bottom Line: | I am not a downhiller, I ride cross country, but just wanted some extra protection for my face.
I picked up this helmet after reading about too many face injuries . Then I was browsing through all the photos of accidents and crashes in the gallery section of this site and was sold on getting this helmet for $100. The thought of breaking my jaw and loosing teeth and eating through a straw didn't excite me.
Call me a chicken, but I'll be the chicken with all my teeth. Broken limbs are easy fixes (took a month for my broken shoulder to fully heal), but when it comes to the noggin, I take it more serious.
The Switchblade is not a full fledge full face helmet, more like a semi full face helmet. It exposes more area then DH helmets. The helmet is light and I have not noticed any additional weight compared to riding with my regular helmets. If you breath through your mouth, you will notice the air around it is warmer because the face guard prevents cool air from flowing immediately in. The quality is high, very nice workmanship. Peripheral vision is not blocked in any way. After the 3 day or so, I forgot that the faceguard was even there. The RocLoc system is the same as on any Giro helmet.
This is not a DH helmet. It's a more like a cross country helmet with a little extra protection. The face guard is not stiff like a true DH helmet. So please buy this helmet for what it is: XC with extra protection.
I like the helmet. I haven't crashed with it yet. So I can't testify and give it my AMEN on that level. I picked up the mango yellow one, nice color.
I ride with this helmet all the time, even when I am just taking a quite spin to my sister's place or the market. People do look at me like I am Mad Max or something, but hey I don't mess with saftey.
If you are XC rider, and want to keep that face in tact, this will help out more than a regular helmet. I am giving this a 5 rating for value, because at $100, it's the same price as regular helmets. I can only give it a 4 for overal rating, because it's the best fair rating I can give for the experience that I have had with it. If I had crashed with it and proved itself, then I would give it a 5, but a 4 is all it gets for now.
Can't remember whether it was MB Action or Bike magazine, but one of them reported who
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
STINGRAY
a Weekend Warrior
from suisun ca us
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Strengths: | PLENTY OF AIR FLOW AND SUPERLITE. PROBABLY BECAUSE ITS NOT FOR DOWN HILL USE. WHO CARES? I CRASH A LOT (BIG CRASHES EVERY 20 MINUTES) AND STILL ON MY FIRST ONE. | | Weaknesses: | NEED A PH D TO ADJUST IT. ONCE ADJUSTED IT'S NO TROUBLE. | | Similar Products Used: | BELL | | Bike Setup: | ROCKY "SWITCH" | | Bottom Line: | THIS THING IS FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS A FULL FACE AND DOESN'T WANT TO OVER HEAT. LITEST FULL FACE AVAILABLE! WORKS PERFECT FOR AGGRESSIVE FREERIDING, HITING TREES, ROCKS WHATEVER. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie Shankland
a Downhiller
from Waterloo, ONT, CAN
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Gruvula | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath Waterloo | | Strengths: | You can ride around in the top piece witch fits exactly like a hammerhead. Its looks cooler with the black pieces on the head piece. | | Weaknesses: | Rattles around on my head, doesnt fit like a full face at all. Goggles dont fit well. Face guard is way too flexy. Way to much money, | | Similar Products Used: | Mad Max, Bell thingy, Garnau | | Bike Setup: | Kona '01 Stinky dee, and '02 Stab SE, Neither have all stock parts on them. | | Bottom Line: | The switchblade is for you if your rich, dont do alot of hard riding, dont value your face at all, etc. If you race DH or do alot of hard core stuff. save a hundred bucks and buy a Mad Max. After 2 concussions in my Switchblade, Giro doesnt want to warenteee it at all. buy a durable helmet!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr Dirtbag
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Stairs on Mount Royal belvedere | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | La Cordee (I hate this store) | | Strengths: | -Light
-Much cheaper than the dentist if u crash
-It don't look dorky
-Indestructible | | Weaknesses: | Flippin straps R drivin me battty!!! can't get the damn plastic doo-icky in the back to stay centered, hence straps flip flop around my ears and it makes me want to pull a Vincent Van Gogh!!!! Also, depending on the weather (i.e. when real hot & been ridin in the sun), sometimes have 2 fakin fiddle with the screws to put in the blade, seems like the plastic takes in a bit of the heat & the slight changes makes it not-okeli-dokely to screw the last screw in | | Similar Products Used: | -plastic bucket
-girlfriends underwear
-duct tape
-weed | | Bike Setup: | free rider, cross country & roadie | | Bottom Line: | 'tis a good helmet, love Giro's, have only changed helmets (always had Giros) because the old ones look 2 goofy after a while. i've crashed many times, and never busted my Giros. Switchblade is flippin better than eating through a straw for 2 months if u crash, & it don't look dorky. Kinda feel like Goldorack when I wear it (especially in the shower) This is a very good melon protector...buy one monkey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bellview, Ocala | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | internet somewhere | | Strengths: | Nice tight feel. Doesn't move around on your head at all. Great Fit.... did I mention the great fit?! | | Weaknesses: | Visor doesn't adjust as much as I'd hope. | | Similar Products Used: | Various XC helmets, Bell, Giro, Walmart... | | Bike Setup: | I-Drive | | Bottom Line: | First saw this helmet on a guy at my favorite trail. He'd just gotten it and was happy to show me the helmet... then he showed me his jaw was still wired up from his last crash where he simply fell of the bike but landed his jaw on a rock. That was enough for me. I'm not that good where I don't crash. Hell I crash a lot. I got the helmet and so far I am pleased. Lighter than a normal full face and with plenty of vents.. cheaper that getting your jaw re-wired too! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Point, Stillwell, Catheral Pines | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$119.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Great fitting, great looking. Gives you more confidence when bombing down technical sections. Keeps your face warm when riding in the cold. | | Weaknesses: | May be heavy? Not in issue for me. May be hot during the summer. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Air Banshee, Bell helmet | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Rock Mountain Slayer weighting 28lbs with disc brakes. 2000 Specialized FSR xc s-works | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this Giro should protect you from facial crashes. It's not meant for downhill as it indicates by Giro. I ride mostly xc and the type of trails I ride on, it's easy to fall flat on your face. Weight is not an issue for me. Since I just recently purchased this helmet, it's been working great in the NY cold weather. I'm sure it will get warmer in the summer but there are enough vents to push air in on the downhills. Get this helmet if want more protection. My friends call me a "storm trooper" and they probably think that it looks ridicious. Protection comes first..hell with what they all say. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Green
a Weekend Warrior
from London, England
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Whatever's clever. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light, looks quite good, loadsa vents. | | Weaknesses: | Bit on the bulky side, poor strap mount positioning. | | Similar Products Used: | Mostly MET skid lids. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 GT Palomar | | Bottom Line: | Looks good, weighs nothing, keeps your head coola nd will probably save your noggin when it comes to a meeting with Dr. Faceplant.
Dodgy strap mounts scratch your ears, so need a couple of extra pads and it does make your head look a little doofy if you're skinny.
Overall I like it. Fits pretty well and I got it for half price, so I'll give it 4 chillis instead of 3 for value. 4 chillis for overall as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ANDY
a Downhiller
from Velenje, slovenia
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | maraton | | Strengths: | Looks cool
Many vents
Its a fullface
Strenght
Name
Eye clearance its like a convential helmet | | Weaknesses: | None!!!Its a GIRO | | Similar Products Used: | None comparable to this one | | Bike Setup: | Univega RamDH | | Bottom Line: | I trashed with my bike on my favourite trail and the bike fell on my head!!! GIRO saved my life. It has only a few scratches and is bent at the back side. I hope Giro is going to get me a new one!!! Tough helmet. Buy this one if you seek for hardcore racing!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Polson
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$155.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | many cooling vents
fits well
adjustable
removeable face guard | | Weaknesses: | Price. for a helmet that probably will need to be replaced after 1 crash.... | | Similar Products Used: | Giro Mojave, Bell somethingy... | | Bike Setup: | Specialized enduro expert | | Bottom Line: | After crashing and doing enough damage to my Mojave, I decided it was time for a little bit more protection around my facial area. I did not want a full face downhill helmet, as I enjoy pedaling up the hills as well as down, so I wanted something light, with good ventalation.
Really the only choice was the switchblade. I get the feeling that Giro knows they own this part of the market, so perhaps raise the price a bit?
Either way, I would still buy this helmet again as the fit, cooling, and build quality are superb.
I would give it 3 value chili and 4 overall to persuade a slight price reduction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Fenton
a Downhiller
from Clinton Connecticut
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any one with rocks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Clarke Cycles | | Strengths: | Light Weight, super ventilated, facegaurd is removable, tons of vent, fits awsome, nice pads (coolmax) | | Weaknesses: | um...i dont like the colors all that much | | Similar Products Used: | King Corba 2, Mountain Man, Giro Phnemo, a few others | | Bike Setup: | Specialized P3 | | Bottom Line: | Great helmet for freeriding. Its light weight, comfortable, looks butch, protects, increases confidence, doesn't impair vision or breathing, face gaurd is removable, ventilation is superb, its actually better then soem XC helmets. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miran
a
from Slovenia
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | - | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Racer
from san mateo,ca, usa
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Strengths: | this helmet is great it's lite durable and cool(venting)as for the cost I'll ask your brain doctor as you drool on your self! my head is worth more than $160. is yours?? | | Weaknesses: | none!!!!!!! | | Bike Setup: | xc/DH | | Bottom Line: | buy it if you like life!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony L
a Racer
from Halifax NS, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wrandees, Urban Assult,Fight Trial and St. Francis dirt jumps | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | -Looks Great
-Much cooler than some DH helmets
-makes you more confident when your riding | | Weaknesses: | -Pretty damn expensive
-the velcro on the roc loc came unglued had to return it back to Giro to get a new one and I only wore it for 3 days
had it on the 9th of may now its the 31st of may still didn't get it back hopefully in 2 days it will come in Iam hoping
- not as much padding as other DH helmets | | Similar Products Used: | -TSG BMX helmet
- Giro Mad Max
- bell bellistic helmet
- XC helmets like my old bell
-MX helmet (Fox Pilot) | | Bike Setup: | 99 Trek 6500 ZX (set up for freeride)
-Marzocchi Z3 Flylight 100
-Sugino Cranks w/ black Spire rock ring
-Hayes HMX-1 disc breaks Front
-Specialized Evil tiwn rear 2.2 and Tioga 2.3 DH
-The red fender
-LX rear STX RC front
-Tektro rear break
-Ryno Lites
Welgo flats when doiging freeride and racing XC welgo platform clippless | | Bottom Line: | well I only had this helmet for like 3 days and I wish I can get it back soon.
but this helmet makes me feel so confident in doing drops and I think this is better than getting two helmets to my perspective.
The face guard is so far away from your chin
there is not enough padding to take this out in a DH race
4 flames for value because of my defect on my helmet
but I will give it 5 flamms overall because it is a good helmet for an expensive price
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Weekend Warrior
from Summerland B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Fresh Air Experience | | Strengths: | Light weight, good vents, looks awesome, feels great | | Weaknesses: | If you crash chin first the face guard won't protect you. But what are the chances that you'll land chin first. (I only did it once) | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing like this | | Bike Setup: | Almost stock Reaper | | Bottom Line: | One of the best freeride helmets you can buy, but only if you can choke up the cash for it. It's really good because it keeps you cool in the hot summer while other full face helmets make you pass out. GO GET ONE!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
4pod
a
from boulder CO
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hairball, Blacksburg VA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | face gaurd. Good fit with roc-loc system. | | Weaknesses: | when temp.'s rise over 90 my head gets a little hot. It's expensive at MSRP. | | Bike Setup: | GT xcr 1500. marz z1 qr20, hope/sun wheel. Formula brakes, king headset, syncros bars, tompson post, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I have fallen on my face before. Not fun. I feel much more secure riding the trails in this helmet. I even commute with it while riding my 'cross bike. I may look like a dork riding a 'cross bike with a full face on, but I don't care. safty first. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philipp Pischke
a Cross Country Rider
from NDS/Germany
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Keha Sports | | Strengths: | Light, very good airflow, protective and cool-looking | | Weaknesses: | Maybe the price, but protection has always been expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Other Giro-helmets. | | Bottom Line: | This helmet is the best you can get: good protection, good airflow, and for a helmet protecting the whole head it is very lightweight. On my head the helmet fits almost perfect, much better than any helmet I know and I have tested. I can just recomment this helmet to anybody riding cross-country and downhill. For people riding less agressive this helmet is maybe a bit expensive.
My comment on Scotties review, giving just one chilie because the helmet does not fit: it's on you to test the fit of the helmet: If it does not fit, don't buy it, and if your dealer doesn't give you a 160$-helmet for a short test-ride, change the dealer :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Burnaby B.C.
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$164.00 | | Purchased At: | Deep Cove | | Strengths: | Light weight, looks killer and versatile! The main reason I bought this helmet despite the price was the face protection it offers. Most full face helmets I've looked at are too heavy and has almost no vents. I don't want my brain to cook on long climbs. The ability to remove the jaw gaurd is a plus as well. | | Weaknesses: | Price?? But whats your head worth to ya...
A larger assortment of different thickness pads would be nice so you can really custom fit the helmet. | | Similar Products Used: | A few Bell helmets... | | Bottom Line: | Great helmet! Half the weight of any DH helmet and is suited for most types of riding. You may want the protection of a full out DH helmet made from carbon fiber or fiber glass if all you do is decend. For the rest of us, this THE helmet to have. Think about how much you've spent on the rest of your bike and then look at your current helmet. Paralysis isn't cool, get a good helmet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Baecker
a Racer
from Budd Lake,NJ
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Deer Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Craft | | Strengths: | Strong..Good ventalation.."Roc Lock" adds for great comfort...looks good great helmet for downhill,XC,and road racing | | Weaknesses: | one minor problem one of the screws came out (not supposed to) but not a big flaw at all | | Bike Setup: | `00 Access ALU-HT frame,Mars C fork , Rolf Dolmite wheelset and a LX buildkit. | | Bottom Line: | a great all around helmet...if you want a helmet that will be great for any type of cycling to matter if its cross country,downhill,freeride,bmx or road this helmet will cover it all. Its strong its stylish and most importantly IT PROTECTS YOUR HEAD. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Shiprock, NM
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | 10 Mile Mesa | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | Full face protection. Light. Cool. Looks. | | Weaknesses: | None identified so far | | Similar Products Used: | I'm on my third Switchblade, wouldn't use anything else. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed, Rock Shock Sid, Mavic Crossmax, XTR | | Bottom Line: | Facial fractures are not usually lethal but the rehab is a nightmare. I ride mostly on HARD rock and the helmet has been a lifesaver. The first Switchblade broke my fall onto the Navajo sandstone formation at Moab. I walked away with a split helmet, a black eye and a smile. Add a toothguard and you are set. I find the helmet comfortable and not too hot even in >105 degree heat. If you ride hard and don't want to have your crushed face pulled out and pinned look no further. VIVA FREEDOM! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tattoos
a Weekend Warrior
from God's Country
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$119.00 | | Purchased At: | wheel world | | Strengths: | Really light for a full face helmet, looks KILLER, well ventilated, very comfy fit, can be converted to skid lid only by removing 6 screws, new color (olive) is really cool, doesn't make your head feel like a yo-yo on big drops, you can hear really well for a full face helmet, has a *fairly* decent crash replacement policy. | | Weaknesses: | Not suitable as a downhill helmet, stock pads suck, only comes in a couple of sizes, still fragile like any xc helmet, but bigger. Don't try to spit!!!!... ew!, hard to use a camelbak, worst of all, get up over 30 mph., and it sounds like you are riding a freight train! I mean, good gawd! I can't even the screams of the hikers I run over (just kidding) ;o) | | Similar Products Used: | all sorts of helmets | | Bike Setup: | 2001 big hit w/ stratos S7 -all the bells & whistles- | | Bottom Line: | This is a great lid for adventure biking, freeriding, whatever you want to call it. You don't get the feeling that it would be much good at freeway speeds. However, the makers of this helmet have no such delusions, and say right out that this is *not for downhill*! I love the Switchblade, and would highly recommend it to anyone. Given the chance, I would buy it all over again. I didn't pay retail, and at $119.00 it was a value. For $179.00 it is a ripoff. I give therefore only 4 flaming meadow muffins for value based on what most people would pay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Durden
a
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | None, now go away! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | Guthries | | Strengths: | Light, breathable with all those vents. | | Weaknesses: | Light. Not a good choice when it's cold out. Probably doesn't do well in a full on DH race. Not enough space to plaster a big SLAYER sticker. Oh well | | Similar Products Used: | Giro Exodus RL, an old Bell, Azonic AZX. | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain with all the goods. | | Bottom Line: | An excellent full face helmet that is worth it's weight in gold when it's hot out. I've hit my head pretty hard while wearing this helmet and walked away without a headache. If I was bombing a serious drop, I would definitely choose a more traditional MX style full face. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vince Lenardon
a Downhiller
from Edmonton Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | hometown Chetwynd BC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | Revoloution | | Strengths: | The obvious. For one it looks very bad arsed but the features go much further than that. The removable face protector is great and it comes on and of in seconds. | | Weaknesses: | The price is pretty high. The main weakness of this procuct is not neccisarily the manufacturers but the consumers. Consumers have this complete misunderstanding that this is a strictly downhill helmet but that is very far from the truth. I would go as far as saying that this helmet is more xc than dh thanks to it's sleek design, numerous vents, and xc padding. | | Similar Products Used: | I have tried numerous other helmets/ | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Enduro expert, 2.7 front and 2.5 back Maxxis tires, Easton stem and handlebars, Race Face cranks, And a great big dh seat by Tioga. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that you as a consumer can justiy the price. What i mean by that is whether you feel that doubling the price for face protection is worth it. For me it was a no brainer having suffered multiple face and head injuries (10 concusions). This helmet fits well and looks great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JR
a Weekend Warrior
from Finland
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Myyrmaen Pyora | | Strengths: | Versatile
Fits and stays on head well | | Weaknesses: | Why do no biking helmets have padding on the plastic buckle securing it to your head? I allways feel I'm loosening the strap too much to feel the strap doesn't strangle me, or give me a rash. | | Similar Products Used: | none as there are no similar helmets | | Bike Setup: | Not that great. | | Bottom Line: | I bought the helmet this Christmas as a gift from my grandma and it is great, I live in Finland, where Santas from and in the winter it gets kind of slippery, the faceguard makes me feel more confident riding on icy trails and also helps keep my face warm. I've had the faceguard on when riding difficult trails and practising jumps and stunts, and taken it off when riding to school. The Versatility is what makes this helmet worth the money, grandma only payed half of it so I did have to ponder some about buying it, but after I used it the first time I knew I had made the right choice, without the faceguard it fits far better than my old Bell Image and actually stays on, and with the Faceguard it gives me the confidence to go faster, steeper and higher. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from SLO, CA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | Light, good adjustability, protection, and looks. And confidence inspiring. | | Weaknesses: | None to complain about. | | Similar Products Used: | Regular helmets. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | This is a great helmet. It gives you full face protection and its still possible to ride fast and hard cross country. The helmet takes a while to adjust, and it's recomended that you take off the faceguard while fitting it to your head. After that, it stays on your head and feels really light. You might even forget that the faceguard is there if its on right. The faceguard is a little warmer on your face, but not at all uncomfortable(use the little pads). Giro should poke two more holes in the faceguard and make it white instead of black so its not noticable at all (until you go to get a drink.) No, it's not difficult to drink with the helmet on, it just takes a little getting used to. This is a lot of money for a helmet, but its a whole lot cheaper that dental work, plastic surgury, or re-hab. If your looking for extra protection(and inspiration) without the weight or heat compromising your cross country fun, this is the helmet. IT IS NOT A DOWNHILL HELMET, DON'T USE (OR REVIEW) IT LIKE ONE!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scotty
a
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pingu-Boogieman | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | Loks great, light, lots of vents | | Weaknesses: | Way to loose a fit | | Similar Products Used: | Bell Bellistic | | Bike Setup: | XC/Free-ride | | Bottom Line: | This helmet is the "Uniform" of choice on the North Shore. Its light, looks and feels cool, and inspires you to ride with more confidence. However it fits really loose on my head, even in a size S/M. I've never had that problem w/ other helmets I've owned:Bell Image 2000, Giro Gila. Bounces around on fast, bumpy decents so that it blocks my vision. I was hoping to have a helmet I can wear up the mountain on long climbs but short of filling it full of padding to make it fit, I must look elsewhere. 1 Chili overall for no fit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Lovelace
a Cross Country Rider
from knoxville
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Haw Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Zoo | | Strengths: | I hope alot better than the Velcro inside. | | Weaknesses: | Velcro straps inside helmet came UNGLUED!!! | | Similar Products Used: | SPECIALIZED and Bell | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose 8.5.Crossride wheels,profile carbon fiber bars,kore stem,XT. | | Bottom Line: | THIS HELMET IS NO LONGER BEING MADE (SWITCHBLADE).WHO KNOWS WHY.Probally because it is to damn expensive for something that comes unglued! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | revolutions | | Strengths: | Looks awsome, light, removable face mask, works great w/ or w/o mask on, lotsa vents. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, feels a little bulky when used as a full face, but it definetly isnt a big problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Bell | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Rocky Mountain Spice | | Bottom Line: | This helmet is great for anyone, you always feel more confident with the extra protection of the full face. If you dont plan on using the face mask often, then it isnt worth getting because of the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light, face mask able to come off. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | bell | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V500 stock. | | Bottom Line: | great looks, larg vents, and light weight | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lewis
a Cross Country Rider
from North Devon, England
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Eggesford Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shed | | Strengths: | Saved my face first day I wore it, don't feel embarrassed to wear it due to the looks. Ultra light weight. | | Weaknesses: | Yeah, it's expensive. Still cheaper than almost any other full face in the UK.
Be careful putting it on/taking off. Velcro straps can come out. I may glue all mine down. | | Similar Products Used: | None. (I've grown up now) | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000LT, Hayes discs, Judy 100mm Race fork, XT, Tamer post. Fast. | | Bottom Line: | I'd never worn a helmet for cycling. First day out in it a rock hit me square in the faceplate. Big gouge - face fine. Lesson learned.
I doubt I'll ever take the face guard off as it looks good and I tend to go over the bars pretty frequently. It gives me a lot of confidence, and I am riding faster. I bought the all black version and some black Oakleys to go with it. Ninja.
I ride with a guy who wears his motocross helmet. He can't get his shades on properly, and boy is he sweating after a climb. He also complains of neck ache after a couple of hours.
One great thing - you can scratch any place on your head due to the ventilation holes all over. Do that in a motocross helmet. It's not a DH racer's helmet, but it doesn't pretend to be - it's the best XC helmet with the odd DH thrown in for luck.
If I bust it, I pay £50 ($70) for a new one, and I think that's OK.
Life is good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James LaPointe
a Racer
from Markham, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$179.00 | | Purchased At: | Silent Sports | | Strengths: | Can't Beat the Protection.
Fits VERY well.
Not Hot.
the fact that you can take the face guard off is neat-o. | | Weaknesses: | a little wide, but hey, no matter.
bugs get suck inside the helmet when they hit my face.
tad on the expensive side, with tax came to 300 canadian!
should come with a helmet bag, | | Similar Products Used: | mostly open-faced helmets | | Bike Setup: | dosn't matter | | Bottom Line: | this is a good helmet, it's saved my teeth a few times on hard crashes, it's fits well, breaths well, and makes for one comfy crash. and looks cool. if your a dh/freerider or any extreemest, it's great, and if you only do that stuff time to time, it's great cuz you can go open faced for xc stuff.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$169.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great Protection!! Fits perfectly!! | | Weaknesses: | no helmet bag. Maybe $$$, but you can't put a price on keeping your teeth, jaw, skull and brain relatively safe. | | Similar Products Used: | Giro Terramoto | | Bike Setup: | FSR-XC | | Bottom Line: | I'm at the age where breaking my face would be a real inconvience. Plus the thought of going to the dentist to fix any broken teeth is not my idea of "cool". A couple of years ago I wouldn't have minded as much. Now with a full time job and a family to support...my melon needs the protection. As for the rest of my body...who cares. Injuries to your head are serious business....injuries to everything else will heal in time. Chicks dig scars; but scars on your brain. HAPPY TRAILS!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from phx.
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | national | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light
looks sweet
well, every-thing | | Weaknesses: | the price!!!!!!! | | Bike Setup: | fsr xc stump-jumper pro | | Bottom Line: | this is the best helmet ever. im a x-country rider and i love for the great protection. you cant go wrong with this helmet, the only thing that sucks is the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seth
a Downhiller
from Vancouver B.C.
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The shore | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | I still have some brain cells left,not many but some
and it is light,really cheap to replace | | Weaknesses: | it is not free | | Similar Products Used: | lots of reg helms with no face guard | | Bike Setup: | khs dom dh100,race face kranks,manitou x-vert dc shocks,mammoth rims,hayes disc, | | Bottom Line: | it is good | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reinout
a Racer
from Randolph, NJ
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | About two years ago I found out that I was missing bone in my jaw and that I was not alowed to ride untill it was healed. The surgeon told me my recovery would take 6 to 12 months. I got the switchblade to him happy and I was able to ride almost fully active about two months later. I did fall numerous times but my face has not once hit the ground. What I like the most is that unlike a one piece helmet, it is lighter, and offers a wider viewing area. I would definently encourage others to buy it... it boost your self confidense. It's more expensive than other helmets but it's worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Laibach
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Good looks even though design is almost 3 years old. Really does the job. Goggles sit so snugly within the helmet, able to remove helmet and goggles all in one motion. Good ventilation. | | Weaknesses: | This applies to all full-face helmets: Have to remove helmet to answer cell phone, which is a pain, most of the time, caller hangs up when I'm ready to talk, but I quickly learned to yell at the phone and tell the person to wait.
Some people complain about the blade's in the way of vision. I say let it be there. You're supposed to study 10-30 feet ahead of the trail anyway, not your front wheel, but it's true you can't see your willy when you take a leak, unless you really bend over or you have a really long one.
At over HK$1200, US$155, kinda costly, but still cheaper than hospital bill. | | Similar Products Used: | Some Taiwan, and China made motorcross style Dh helmets. Never crashed in them so can't comment. | | Bike Setup: | RickyMountain RM6DH Y2K stock, Trek Y33 1998 stock, Specialized Stumpjumper 1992 stock. | | Bottom Line: | Endo'd over handlebar at about 50 kph, bike followed closely behind until I slowed the fall but bike missed me so much it came crashing down and sandwiched my head against the ground from 6 ft in the air and really gave me a big wet one on the cheek. Without it, one side of the face will look like the Sea of Tranquility and the other, Freddie on a good day. The blade saved my day. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris "The Milkman" Benjamin
a Downhiller
from Kelowna,BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ass master | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Saved my Life | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | MSR dirt bike helmet | | Bike Setup: | Kona Stinky,Mr T.,Hope Disc Brakes,mavic D321,D521 rims.Bike frikkin rules | | Bottom Line: | I had a horrific crash,of a 20 foot cliff,I was ridin it down when my front brake broke and sent me to the bottom in record time,the impact was so bad I bent my stachion tubes in my marzocchhi drop offs.My bike ended up 70 feet down the mountain I was at the bottom of cliff and a useless pile,the crash shattered my helmet in nine different places,if the helmet didn't crush like it was supposed to,I would have been a hundred times worse.I ended up with a sprained neck bruised spine,pulled lower lumbar muscles, and a bad concussion.Spent the day in the hospital it has been one month and I am back on my bike now,and I couldn't be happier.Go with a switchblade you own't be sorry,they rule for uphill also,I have never removed the blade once.The worse part about the crash is my wife happened to be hikin up and had to witness it,she thought I was dead,until I got up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Downhiller
from Lier, Buskerud, Norway
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Drammen skisenter Aronsløypa | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | This helmet is great!
It saved my head when I came in 60 km/h down a hill and flew over the handlebar!!
And guess what? It didn't even hurt!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Turnbull
a Cross Country Rider
from Tacoma, WA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Elevator (@ Victor Falls) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light Weight, Good Looks (Green own3z j00!!!!!!!!!!!) removable face-guard, Good Ventilation | | Weaknesses: | Chin strap doesn't quite line up properly--feels like it is choking me sometimes when I strap it down snugly | | Similar Products Used: | Giro Torero, Giro Hammerhead, some Vetta thing. . . | | Bike Setup: | GT ricochet with 1999 Judy XC, '00 Lx hubs with Rhyno Lite rims, 535 clipless pedals, body geometry comp saddle, Zoom seatpost, soon to have '00 XT drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | My protective Mom bought this for me after a serious crash on a trail cut up my face and jaw really bad(Trip to ER/plastic surgeon, some wicked opiates during the recovery period ;-)It is much more well-ventilated, and looks a hell of a lot cooler than my old helmet (which did not survive the crash). It is cool that you can take off the face-guard so you dont look like a biker-dork when you are riding to the store or something in town. I guess the price is a bit crazy, but hell, I didn't pay for it. It does give me confidence on really crazy downhill trails (even though it is definatly not an extreme downhill racing helmet). I guess the deal with this helmet is this: Crash really bad and worry your mother about your safety when biking so she will shell out the cash for something more protective--like the Switchblade. It is well made, light, well ventilated, and looks super-sexy on the trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a
from ny. ny
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | looks good,light weight,good ventalation | | Weaknesses: | false sense of prtection,crash return policy sucks,i mean realy sucks you pay 80% of the orignal price | | Similar Products Used: | specailzed,bell | | Bike Setup: | 99 treck vrx300 | | Bottom Line: | if you want this helmet buy it for the right reasons. its perfect for a cross country helmet that will give you a little more protection than most. however if you buy it to substitute as dh or a helmet for those jumps youv'e been wanting to try then dont waste your money.i recently took it on a dh track and crashed,the hemet cracked and i recived seven stiches on my forehead in the same spot were it cracked. this helmet is not built for any high speed or hardfalls trust me you will brake the helmet.bottom line its good for light cross country falls nothing too extreme. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dwain(er)
a Weekend Warrior
from birmingham alabama
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | blood rock | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | looks strength looks strength and oh yah looks and strength | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | some bell p.o.s. (pice of s***) | | Bike Setup: | 99 fsr huchdson python gold easton ct2 | | Bottom Line: | great light ventalation great for the freerider or xc or somebody who is not to great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tweet
a Cross Country Rider
from columbus, ohio
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | scioto trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | big vents for heat escape
full face coverage for the trail rider
| | Weaknesses: | $$$cost$$$, no bag included
marketed as a downhill helment which it is not. | | Similar Products Used: | a couple of those road helments that they put a visor on it and called it an off-road helment. | | Bike Setup: | Super V w/ Jr. T | | Bottom Line: | I purchaced this helment because the little road adapted mtb skid lids seemed inadequate for my bonzi riding style. This helment is not a downhill helment. It is a great trail helment that will give you a lot more protection than your average visor equipt skid lid. It has huge vents and is not noticeably warmer than regular mtb helments. I bought a Bell Rhythm Pro for downhill and this helment for trail riding (cross country). I'll check back in august to let you know about the heat and durability factor! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Heilbrun
a Racer
from Santiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I can go fastest on | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Safety
Lightweight
Comfort
Looks
Adjsutability | | Weaknesses: | Price
Roc Loc device | | Similar Products Used: | Cratoni Kamikaze, Bell Psycho | | Bike Setup: | Softride Powerwing MTB | | Bottom Line: | I posted a review earlier but it got snuffed in the transfer.
I do not understand the comment of Martyn, the downhiller below. First, we need to understand that this is not a downhill helmet. Because of its full face design, some people might believe that. It is a lightweight cross country design with good ventilation. As such, it is superior to all others on the market in terms of protection. His comments reflect the general ignorance of some bikers who often use products under conditions for which they were never meant and then wonder why the item didn't perform and/or failed. Also, do us all a favor. Detail why a product didn't work for you instead of ranting against it.
If you are a downhiller, get downhill gear. Not XC stuff and then slam it.
There is something to be said about the padding. I was not impressed by the lack of padding in the chin area of the face guard. But I simply glued a couple of the extra pads into the chin area and now it fits even better and would be easier on my mandible in the event of a face forward crash.
The Roc-Loc is decent. My problem is that it is not a durable design. I wear this helmet one hour a day or more almost every single day of the year. The Roc-Loc groves along the track are worn on mine and no longer hold well. They need to find a more durable approach. This is not acceptable on a $200 helmet.
I am happy with this helmet. I do not and will not wear any other. I am not a downhiller or even a freestyler (what ever that is), I'm a commuter. 500 miles a month. I take my safety for real and this helmet is the only way to go as far as I'm concerned. I wish it were less expensive, but as the last guy said, dental surgery is whole lot more.
Four chilis on value for the price, Four on the design till they get the Roc-Loc right. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wierzyman
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC, NY
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Stillwell,LI; Exeter, RI | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Dual purpose. Take off face guard for X-country, put on for new trails or favorite DH. Great to have that extra protection. Gives greater confidence | | Weaknesses: | One of the straps in the front of mine did come loose. Superglued it in place. No problem since. A little pricey, but isn't your head worth it? Also have you priced dental work lately? | | Similar Products Used: | Older Bell | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V 400, Time Atacs, Easton Monkeylite | | Bottom Line: | There were some other testemonials to this helmets qualities, but seem to have been lost in the transfer to the new format. Overall they were all very positive and led me to purchase one. Rocloc holds it in place on my head very well. If your head is shaped very differently from mine, another brand might work better, but the cushioning that they give make for a nice customized fit. Yes, it will make using a hydration pack a little more difficult, but did you ever try to drink from a water bottle with a full face on? Didn't think so. Lost post also said you will forget that it is on the next time you try to clear your throat and spit. I laughed. Then the following month I was riding, spit in to the face guard and had it blow back into my face. I now pull down on helmet a little, spit, then ride. Design flaw? No Rider flaw? Yes. 5 Chilies from me, and another 5 the first time a take a bad head dive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martyn parr
a Downhiller
from Rhyl Wales
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Snowdon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | It hasnt got any, oh yes sorry just one, its sort of light | | Weaknesses: | The whole thing is weak, the chin gaurd needs something to keep it snug against the cheeks or whats the point in having one. Looks stupid, the straps twist and there are too many to adjust. The padding is not thick enough. | | Similar Products Used: | Eurofighter, Oddessey apache, MET | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale SV400SL Jr Ts | | Bottom Line: | Not protecty enough for DH and too bulky and stupid looking for hacking around. Only credit to it is that you can use it as a regular XC helmet which makes it feel a lot safer as the thin face gaurd is not flapping around in front of you with its I'm going to snap and splinter in your face kind of look about it. Crap | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
johnnysmoke
a Downhiller
from Minneapolis
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
Lutsen MTN | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
This helmet saved my riding partner's head! | | Bottom Line: | This helmet rocks! Two days after I purchased this helmet my brotha shaun crashed harder than anyone I have ever seen. 2 thumbs up for protection. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris Coyne
a cross-country rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been waiting for this helmet for over a month now and today it finally came in. I would have to say that it is worth every penny of the $189 I payed for it. It is surprizingly light weight, yet stable, it looks cool with the face guard on or off, fits me like a glove and is very yellow! What more can you ask for? My only problem so far is that it is rather difficult to use a hydration system because the guard is perfectly in the way. If you never crash, you aren't trying hard enough. Buy a helmet that will give you peace of mind and go put it to good use! Five flaming horses for a sturdy, lightweight, relativly low cost full face helmet + 1 for making the guard removable. | | Overall Rating: |
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