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Submitted by
gointhedistance
a Cross Country Rider
from Coon Rapids, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Theodore Wirth, MN | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$62.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | LOOKS, fit system, breath-ability, value | | Weaknesses: | runs a half size big in my opinion... | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized helmets | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakota Elite, XT, easton | | Bottom Line: | This is a great helmet so far. It fits well. It is fairly light, and breaths very well in my opinion. I think for the price it is one of the best helmets you can buy. GREAT VALUE. If you are thinking about a mid-level helmet for mountain biking-just go with the Havoc. Its an awesome deal. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dudeimanoldfart
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis, TN
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Stanky Creek, Yellow Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$54.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Looks great, Fits very snug. Really keeps the sweat out of my eyes. Ha i take the helmet off and all the sweat comes dripping out. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing really. The one i bought, the straps don't lay down flat against my cheeks, its like they were put in backwards or something ha, but that's not a big problem for me. | | Similar Products Used: | Other Giro's | | Bike Setup: | Gary fisher wahoo disc, stock except TIME pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is great helmet for an awesome price. Ive seen some helmets out there that are way more expensive with the same durability. Looks awesome, feels good. Great helmet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frs1661
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester NY
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | Fairly light weight, good airflow to the cranium. Also comfortable, love the ease of adjustment of the roc-loc system! | | Weaknesses: | None that I found | | Bottom Line: | A good all around helmet. I only replaced mine due to a semi-severe crash that put a small crack in the helmet. It almost certainly saved me from a concussion. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Conner Smith
a Racer
from Eden, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wheelers to Green Pond | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Ebay (the best place ever) | | Strengths: | easy to adjust, comfortable | | Weaknesses: | have to wash the sweet out of the pads and straps often | | Bike Setup: | 07 Specialized Stumpjumper Elite with upgraded bontrager mustang wheals and Chris King Hubs | | Bottom Line: | good helmet for the $$Money$$ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Clemmons
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Gift... | | Strengths: | Bombproof, comfortable, cool, looks good. | | Weaknesses: | Pads wear out, velcro peels off. | | Bottom Line: | Had this lid for many years now without complaint. Many trees, rocks and roots this thing has sampled and not even a crack. Just this year I had the front and two side pads fall apart on me. I epoxied new velcro and cut a piece of headband as replacement which actually works better than OEM pads.
Oh yeah.....I have a melon and the XL fits my 24 3/4" dome comfortably even with cold weather gear underneath, which is why I bought it in the first place. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodland Hills, CA. USA
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bell Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$36.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Good Looks, in-mold, COMFY!!! | | Weaknesses: | A tad snug on the sides, but I can live with it. | | Similar Products Used: | Bell Influx | | Bike Setup: | Access XCL 100mm MArz, RF, Hayes. | | Bottom Line: | Killer helmet for a killer deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Terrace Trail, Kananaskis | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Roc-loc good adjustability
good looks
does what it is supposed to | | Weaknesses: | straps get a bit twisted up, but nothing major
bugs fly into air vents and crawl around on my head | | Similar Products Used: | some other Giro | | Bike Setup: | Giant Iguana se
| | Bottom Line: | I've had this helmet for a long time now and it has served me really well. The Roc-Loc makes adjustability a breeze. I ride year round and being able to adjust the helmet with a hat on underneath for the ride to work, and easily adjust it for the ride home without a hat is really nice. Just tested the durability too. was clocked on the head by a parkade garage door and the helmet did its job very well and I didn't even lose consciousness! I will buy again.
Oh, and it looks good too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan Budhram
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico Ca USA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Sport | | Bottom Line: | Very comfortable and lightweight. Doesn't have the hot spots that lots of the other helmets had. Fits like the fox flux but it's way cheaper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicholas
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville, KY, US
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sport | | Strengths: | Light weight, lots of ventilation, very comfortable, no slipping. | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Bike Setup: | 2006 GF Piranha (mostly stock) | | Bottom Line: | This is a fantastic helmet and is fairly durable. I've had a couple knocks on the melon with no ill effects and the helmet only has some superficial marks to show. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Poway, CA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything Technical | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike (on sale) | | Strengths: | 2006 Havoc: Quality construction, lots of vents for riding in 90+ degree weather. | | Weaknesses: | Must purge brow pad from collected sweat several times during harder trail rides, otherwise it will purge itself all over my glasses at the most inopportune times. Brow pad is now falling a part. Additional fitting pads will release from their double-sided tape after one ride. Chin strap is a bit coarse and not nearly as comfortable as my last helmet. Rear retention could be better. | | Similar Products Used: | Bell Influx | | Bike Setup: | Which ever one I'm riding | | Bottom Line: | Since I like my Giro ski helment, I was going to try a Giro Hex or Animas on closeout but came across this deal instead. This falls in well for helmets a step up from the bottom in the $40-60 price range, although I'd probably look at other options if I was paying $60 retail. I ride 3-4 times per week both trail & commuting. For my needs I won't be buying a Havoc again but will consider another helmet from Giro (Hex/Animas/Xen) next time.
Good for the occasional rider looking for a quality helmet. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gareth
a
from London
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Wiggle.co.uk | | Strengths: | Very Strong and Durable.
Easy Fit.
Very Light Weight | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bottom Line: | A very cheap and reliable helmet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Central, Wisconsin, USA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Standing Rocks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Very comfy, stylish, great ventilation | | Weaknesses: | Chin strap gets a little annoying, I find after awhile that it feels like it's rubbing/irritating underneath my neck a little. | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 80, mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | It's a nice helmet - the Roc Loc 3 system holds it on tight. I like how it looks, the included visor is nice keeping some of the sun out of my eyes. It has some great ventilation built into it, you've got to love that. It definitely protects, I recently did an endo over my handlebars while heading down a slippery leaf covered hill when I couldn't stop in time for the log that was in my way =/ Clunked my head pretty good but it did the job.
The chin strap is a little irritating to me, it seems to rub a little bit after awhile, but meh...not the worst thing. I might take some neoprene or something and wrap it around the strap to provide a little cushion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonny
a
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight, well styled, well vented, good size adjustment for fit | | Weaknesses: | Straps arent quite so comfy round the face as my previous helmet | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Chamonix | | Bike Setup: | '06 Kona Kikapu | | Bottom Line: | Thankfully I havent had to test this helmet out by hitting my head, but it makes me feel safe wearing it. Also, the styling is pretty cool, it just seems to look better on than a lot of other helmets, especially in matt black. If anything happened this helmet I would definately replace it, but wouldnt complain if the straps were a bit more comfortable. They tend not to sit flat against your cheek, but after 2 mins you dont even notice it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bart Simpson
a Weekend Warrior
from Northamptonshire
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Decent price, and the thing works. Venting is good | | Weaknesses: | None really. | | Similar Products Used: | Giro Xen | | Bike Setup: | Various | | Bottom Line: | The helmet works, as is evidenced by me sitting here stringing sentences together. I have, in other words, personally tried it out by doing an endo and landing on my head. I would not recommend this as a quality control measure, as I ended up with a strained neck and lots of chiropractic treatment, but the helmet kept my head from caving in, and that is what I bought it for. Otherwise, it is easy to fit, quite comfortable, and quite well vented. It is also cheap and easy to find replacement pads for it. A good product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G H
a Cross Country Rider
from Olympia
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Capitol Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Peak Bike | | Strengths: | LOC TIGHT occipital supports and ventilation | | Weaknesses: | NA | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh Phase II xc All Mountain | | Bottom Line: | Great value for the money; only problem is trying to wrench it away from my son...Plan to buy him one for Christmas!
I like the fact that I can ride all day and keep it in position; ZERO slip. Makes me feel confident to try the crazy sh*t just knowing my brain is protected... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dr. Dom
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City, UT
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Quality of fit | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Tried all the other helmets REI carried. | | Bottom Line: | Fits my noggin beautifully. Great ventilation. Reasonable price compared to current top-of-the-line helmets. (This helmet apparently used to be a high-end model that has graduated down in price over the last couple of years.)
What's not to like?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Finney
a
from Syracuse, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | B3 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Online Catalog shop | | Strengths: | Saved my melon | | Weaknesses: | straps. It seems to me something could be done to improve strap management. | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel EX 6 | | Bottom Line: | Price was better than most, fit well, and I liked the looks. I survived an endo, the helmet is toast but, not a sore spot on my head (my first point of contact) or neck. SO, hoping for the helmet replacement program from Giro and getting a new one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Witkowski
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockford, il,usa
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | split tree | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | blueskycycling.com | | Strengths: | great fit, lightweight, good price, sexy | | Weaknesses: | none adjustable visor, selection in color | | Similar Products Used: | uh
| | Bike Setup: | marzocchi, avid, sram 9. and 990, shimano xt | | Bottom Line: | its my second one my first havoc was destroyed when i jumped a car and boched the landing and bought another kuzz i like it id say get an 05 mor ecolor choice n cheaper its a good helmet light not to expensive | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bonita Springs FL
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Naples Cyclery | | Strengths: | Affordable and is availible in singular color schemes. | | Weaknesses: | I noticed some bad cast molding over the inner frame. Had some type of '200mph' tape over it, under was flash from the inside of the styrofoam framework. No biggie, if it breaks they'll hear from my Unfrozen Caveman Laywer. | | Similar Products Used: | Bell; JT ALS1. | | Bottom Line: | I'd say it will be worth the investment. For a bit more you get a much better fit in total. That's what next seasons are for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bonita Springs FL
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Naples Cyclery | | Strengths: | Affordable and is availible in singular color schemes. | | Weaknesses: | I noticed some bad cast molding over the inner frame. Had some type of '200mph' tape over it, under was flash from the inside of the styrofoam framework. No biggie, if it breaks they'll hear from my Unfrozen Caveman Laywer. | | Similar Products Used: | Bell; JT ALS1. | | Bottom Line: | I'd say it will be worth the investment. For a bit more you get a much better fit in total. That's what next seasons are for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Micheal
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis, TN
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Stanky Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | e-Bay | | Strengths: | -Good Ventelation
-Fits snug
-Protects skull
-Looks cool (the black one anyway) | | Weaknesses: | -None that I've noticed | | Bottom Line: | Good helmet, proabably could be a little cheaper at MSRP but I got my on the cheap cheap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Sims
a Cross Country Rider
from Northants area
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | rothwell foley | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans Cycles | | Strengths: | Lightweight. Snug fit. Roc-Loc is gd,tightens good. looks great. | | Weaknesses: | It sits snug but seems to be a bit fat round the endges so you look like a be*lend. | | Similar Products Used: | Nope | | Bike Setup: | Hardrock 2005 | | Bottom Line: | Good all round helmet. Good looks, fits well. my head shape is weird so it looks weird on me, but i don't care,least it will help save my head. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | almost anywhere that's not under water | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | - lightweight
- fit is awesome (especially on my odd shaped head), thanks in part to Roc Loc
- looks pretty cool
- good ventilation | | Weaknesses: | - visor not as effective as the one on the Mojave | | Similar Products Used: | Giro Mohave, and some Bell product | | Bike Setup: | I hate to see a bike get set up - it was probably innocent. Now look at it, rotting away in prison, doing time for some other bike's crime. Dreadful, really... | | Bottom Line: | I was a bit disappointed when Giro stopped making the Mojave - it was a pretty good helmet, and it was pretty cheap (less than 30.00 U.S., I figure).
I tried on a few Giros, because they're stylish, and because they actually fit my head (think Jean-Luc Picard shape, and you're pretty close). The Havoc fit, and the price was reasonable (well, more than I wanted to pay, but less than a lot of the helmets out there).
My only complaint is the visor doesn't seem to work as well as the one on the Mojave. It could be the way the helmet fits me, or it could be that the Mojave was actually poorly fitted. Whatever - it's a minor glitch.
I'll give it four chilis for value, because I still beleive it could be less pricy (but I am a cheap bast**d), and five chilis for overall rating, because it fits good, feels good and survived a fall off my car at 70 kph with only a few scratches. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from South Jordan, Utah
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Perfect fitting helmet. Lightweight, plenty of venting. Good looking too. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Bell Psycho, Similiar Giro | | Bike Setup: | 2005 TREK 8500 | | Bottom Line: | I tried the more expensive Animas, but the Havoc gave me a better fit and less $$ to boot. I would highly recommend this helmet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Indiana Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | the dirty ones | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | some website | | Strengths: | fits well, very light, good airflow | | Weaknesses: | roc lock 2 (or is it 3?) aint anything special but hey, what other choices have u got?? where is the padding in this mother?? | | Similar Products Used: | bell i bought from walmart for when its cold | | Bike Setup: | it dont really madder | | Bottom Line: | probably better than most helmets out there, especially if u can find a deal on last years model - grab it. Good airflow with lots of vents. Roc loc system is kinda cheap-o plastic and doesnt seem to adjust snugly or it just seems wierd to me but never had an issue with it coming loose. it just doesnt seem to snap in place very solid. once u get it adjusted it fits like a glove. my only gripe is that they coulda included more padding stickers cause i used the two or three that came with it - cut them into half pieces and placed them throughout the helmet instead of just three choice spots. it fit even better after that but still doesnt offer as much padding as my cheap Bell from Walmart. overall it does real well though. knocked off a chili for the padding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kirsten
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Lightweight, lots of ventilation, great fit | | Weaknesses: | price, hard to find one under 69.99 | | Similar Products Used: | Bell Bella, Bell Aquila | | Bottom Line: | It's a great helmet. I bought the 2004 Havoc so I got it for a cheaper price (end of the year closeout). I had a Bell Aquila which is also a good helmet...and I tried a Bella, but I like the Havoc better because it fits better. It came in a variety of sizes, whereas the Aquila or Bella are universal fit. I have a small head, so the roc-loc is a plus. it adjusts in different ways to ensure a good fit. The 27 vents are awesome, I ride in Florida where the temps can hit 100 degrees in the summer. right now it's December and its 75 degrees outside! i need a cool helmet with a great fit and this is it. My only complaint is that I do wish that these helmets were a little cheaper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake County IL
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Elroy/Sparta | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Galyans | | Strengths: | Very light, Comfortable, Roc Loc really makes it fit like a glove, Aerodynamic, 27 vents keeps your head cool, although a lot of reviewers say it a warm helmet, i dont seem to have that issue with mine. Bonded outer shell, Straps are easy to adjust. i might add its the most easiest of any helmet that ive owned. out of the box i had it adjusted in a minute. I have and will only buy Giros, their top quality, ive never had any safty issues with them or malfunctions, and they always seem to have helmets that match the color of my bikes. This is a $70 helmet but at Galyans their helmets are all out of order and this one was one out of 10 that were in the wrong box, so i only paid 40, my gain thier loss for having helmets in the wrong boxes. so if theres a galyans near you stop in and you might just get a great deal!! | | Weaknesses: | Tried but cant find any.
In general i think that MTB helmets should have the type of buckels that are on Motor cycle helmets where you pass the strap through the steel loop. | | Similar Products Used: | Other Giros | | Bike Setup: | 05 Trek 4500 Disc | | Bottom Line: | Ive had 10 other Giros in the past 15 yrs and the Havoc is one of the best that ive owned. Stay away from the helmets that have the outter shell taped to the foam helmet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clay
a Cross Country Rider
from Fayetteville, AR, US
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lake Leatherwood, Eureka Springs, AR | | Duration Product Used: |
|
$ 69.99
