Bontrager Circuit WaveCel Helmet Review

  NOTE: Please read the Standard Disclaimer Page for reference in terms of review product and my relationship with the product. Thank you! 

Earlier this year my friend and contributor to RidingGravel.com, Grannygear, received a helmet to review from Bontrager. It didn't fit him. Too big, he said, and he wanted to know if I wanted to try it out. Well, as fate would have it, I was riding in a Bontrager Starvos Wavecel helmet which I was fortunate enough to have reviewed already and so I knew the Circuit helmet Grannygear had would fit,. So, here is a review of that Circuit helmet. Oh, and if you think you've heard a bit about this already,you would be correct. I just mentioned this a while back in an "FN&V" post.

The Bontrager Circuit Wavecel helmet.

So, WaveCel..... It's a kind of application to avert shearing loads on the head when you crash. "Normal" helmets will absorb energy when you strike your head, but researchers are saying that loads observed in tests show that crashing causes more dynamic forces which can cause damage like concussions, or worse, to the brain. Does WaveCel help? Research seems to point to a "yes" on that. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that it does or that it does not. And, more importantly, I do not aim to find out either. 

No, what I really wanted to point out here in this review is the fit of the Circuit helmet (and by way of that- the Starvos as well) See, I have a big head. No.....not like that! A large sized 'melon'. That's what I mean. Size 7 7/8ths, (63cm) if you really want to know. Just big enough, and egg shaped enough, that I have never, yes- never- had a properly fitting helmet until, that is, the Starvos and now this Circuit helmet came along. 

The Circuit has built in magnetic mounts which fit certain Bontrager lights.

Normally I would have to pull all the padding out of a size XL helmet, and sometimes even Dremel off a bit of the foam liner, just to get a helmet to sit close to right on my head. Typically Bell helmets were best for me, but they also never really fit right. 

So, I would suffer headaches, ill fitting spots which would get sore, and all sorts of sweat in the eyes when I rode with a helmet. Honestly, if y'all didn't care I would have not worn a helmet at all if it was left up to me. I don't think I'm alone here in that. That's where this new line of Bontrager helmets has really made a difference. The Starvos and the Circuit actually fit- with all the padding -which I have never been able to use before with any other helmet. In fact, I can actually dial in the adjuster some, whereas most helmets I had to open the adjustment up as far as it could go. Now I can comfortably wear cycling caps, Buffs, or thicker wool caps, whereas before I was really struggling with those things. 

I just never complained before because, well, that's the way things were. I "had" to wear a helmet, so...... Suffering was part of the game plan. Now I am elated that I have a helmet like most of y'all have- one that actually fits. It may seem like no big deal to you, but for me, this is a game-changer. In fact, it is so revolutionary for me that I could give a rip about the WaveCel part. I'm just happy I don't have discomfort due to an ill-fitting helmet anymore. 

A little closer look at the magnetic mount which comes with the Circuit.

But it does have that WaveCel thing and while there may be some debate as to its effectiveness, it is cutting edge tech for helmets, so this isn't like those old Bell King Head helmets which were monster sized entry level helmets, (and too big for me, by the way), so I don't have to accept a cheesy helmet just to get one that fits right. 

In fact, with the Starvos, you get a helmet that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, but works on bigger noggins. But if you want a lighter, more performance oriented helmet, you can get this Circuit helmet, which only weighs 389 grams. 

I haven't had the Circuit very long, but I have had the Starvos over a year, and it has been a fabulous helmet. The Circuit is a bit sleeker, smaller in profile, and lighter, so I have no doubt that I will get on with it just fine. 

You might wonder about that WaveCel material. Is it something that inhibits airflow? Are these helmets hotter because of this? Do bees find WaveCel attractive because it resembles a honeycomb? (I'm kidding about the third question!) Well, I have found these are no hotter than typical helmets I have tried. So, I have no issues there. 

In Closing: Yes, I really like the Bontrager Starvos and Circuit helmets. They are good helmets with some nice features. I am biased a bit because these actually really fit my big head, and so I write this for those out there who, like me, have struggled to find a decent bicycle helmet that fits because you find yourself just outside the normal range of helmet fit. (The Bontragers go up to 65cm, by the way) 

I also have learned an important lesson from this experience, and it really doesn't have anything to do with this particular helmet, and it has everything to do with it. What is that? Well, that athletic equipment has been sized for fit, slim, athletes and has left most other body types to 'suffer' the consequences of those decisions by brands and companies. This is why it is important for companies to not only make clothing and accessories for non-traditional body types in a sporting context, but to also include those people in imagery and in their employ. You don't have to get all crazy about it, just be aware that- like me and helmets- some people are waiting to join in that cannot due to certain limiting decisions made by those who control what gets made and what gets shown. 

I mean, you all would not have let me ride with you, and you event directors would not have let me ride in events without a helmet, right? Had I had a head just a tiny bit bigger? Yeah.....you probably wouldn't know about me. Why? Because I wouldn't have been able to have been included. 

Something to think about......

Bontrager Circuit WaveCel Helmet Review

  NOTE: Please read the Standard Disclaimer Page for reference in terms of review product and my relationship with the product. Thank you! 

Earlier this year my friend and contributor to RidingGravel.com, Grannygear, received a helmet to review from Bontrager. It didn't fit him. Too big, he said, and he wanted to know if I wanted to try it out. Well, as fate would have it, I was riding in a Bontrager Starvos Wavecel helmet which I was fortunate enough to have reviewed already and so I knew the Circuit helmet Grannygear had would fit,. So, here is a review of that Circuit helmet. Oh, and if you think you've heard a bit about this already,you would be correct. I just mentioned this a while back in an "FN&V" post.

The Bontrager Circuit Wavecel helmet.

So, WaveCel..... It's a kind of application to avert shearing loads on the head when you crash. "Normal" helmets will absorb energy when you strike your head, but researchers are saying that loads observed in tests show that crashing causes more dynamic forces which can cause damage like concussions, or worse, to the brain. Does WaveCel help? Research seems to point to a "yes" on that. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that it does or that it does not. And, more importantly, I do not aim to find out either. 

No, what I really wanted to point out here in this review is the fit of the Circuit helmet (and by way of that- the Starvos as well) See, I have a big head. No.....not like that! A large sized 'melon'. That's what I mean. Size 7 7/8ths, (63cm) if you really want to know. Just big enough, and egg shaped enough, that I have never, yes- never- had a properly fitting helmet until, that is, the Starvos and now this Circuit helmet came along. 

The Circuit has built in magnetic mounts which fit certain Bontrager lights.

Normally I would have to pull all the padding out of a size XL helmet, and sometimes even Dremel off a bit of the foam liner, just to get a helmet to sit close to right on my head. Typically Bell helmets were best for me, but they also never really fit right. 

So, I would suffer headaches, ill fitting spots which would get sore, and all sorts of sweat in the eyes when I rode with a helmet. Honestly, if y'all didn't care I would have not worn a helmet at all if it was left up to me. I don't think I'm alone here in that. That's where this new line of Bontrager helmets has really made a difference. The Starvos and the Circuit actually fit- with all the padding -which I have never been able to use before with any other helmet. In fact, I can actually dial in the adjuster some, whereas most helmets I had to open the adjustment up as far as it could go. Now I can comfortably wear cycling caps, Buffs, or thicker wool caps, whereas before I was really struggling with those things. 

I just never complained before because, well, that's the way things were. I "had" to wear a helmet, so...... Suffering was part of the game plan. Now I am elated that I have a helmet like most of y'all have- one that actually fits. It may seem like no big deal to you, but for me, this is a game-changer. In fact, it is so revolutionary for me that I could give a rip about the WaveCel part. I'm just happy I don't have discomfort due to an ill-fitting helmet anymore. 

A little closer look at the magnetic mount which comes with the Circuit.

But it does have that WaveCel thing and while there may be some debate as to its effectiveness, it is cutting edge tech for helmets, so this isn't like those old Bell King Head helmets which were monster sized entry level helmets, (and too big for me, by the way), so I don't have to accept a cheesy helmet just to get one that fits right. 

In fact, with the Starvos, you get a helmet that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, but works on bigger noggins. But if you want a lighter, more performance oriented helmet, you can get this Circuit helmet, which only weighs 389 grams. 

I haven't had the Circuit very long, but I have had the Starvos over a year, and it has been a fabulous helmet. The Circuit is a bit sleeker, smaller in profile, and lighter, so I have no doubt that I will get on with it just fine. 

You might wonder about that WaveCel material. Is it something that inhibits airflow? Are these helmets hotter because of this? Do bees find WaveCel attractive because it resembles a honeycomb? (I'm kidding about the third question!) Well, I have found these are no hotter than typical helmets I have tried. So, I have no issues there. 

In Closing: Yes, I really like the Bontrager Starvos and Circuit helmets. They are good helmets with some nice features. I am biased a bit because these actually really fit my big head, and so I write this for those out there who, like me, have struggled to find a decent bicycle helmet that fits because you find yourself just outside the normal range of helmet fit. (The Bontragers go up to 65cm, by the way) 

I also have learned an important lesson from this experience, and it really doesn't have anything to do with this particular helmet, and it has everything to do with it. What is that? Well, that athletic equipment has been sized for fit, slim, athletes and has left most other body types to 'suffer' the consequences of those decisions by brands and companies. This is why it is important for companies to not only make clothing and accessories for non-traditional body types in a sporting context, but to also include those people in imagery and in their employ. You don't have to get all crazy about it, just be aware that- like me and helmets- some people are waiting to join in that cannot due to certain limiting decisions made by those who control what gets made and what gets shown. 

I mean, you all would not have let me ride with you, and you event directors would not have let me ride in events without a helmet, right? Had I had a head just a tiny bit bigger? Yeah.....you probably wouldn't know about me. Why? Because I wouldn't have been able to have been included. 

Something to think about......

Friday News And Views

My quote Tweet from Tuesday on the "Bike-Europe" story.

 Cannondale To Assemble Bikes Again Stateside:

Tuesday news broke that Cannondale, who were recently in the news for being purchased by PON Holdings, is currently building a new assembly facility in the USA. 

The story, published by "Bike Europe", a site for news of the trade, states that the new facility is being constructed in Rincon, Georgia. This city is located just North of Savanna, Georgia and not far from the major East coast port of Charleston, South Carolina, which makes sense from an import of parts and frames/forks standpoint for the brand.

Comments: It should be understood that while the assembly of bikes will be back on U.S. soil, the manufacturing of frames and forks will still occur in the Far East. However; it might prove to make Cannondale more efficient for its US/North American based dealer network to have this assembly factory based here since it may allow Cannondale to react more quickly to supply changes and demands for the market here. 

What may be of more importance for the future is that Cannondale is trying to make it so that their bicycles can be assembled and ready to ride in fifteen minutes or less by dealer technicians. Presumably this would be so easy that consumers might also be able to accomplish assembly of a bicycle. New box designs and major assembly of bicycles in the Rincon facility could portend a move to a consumer direct retail model, which many in the industry are thinking will be where the major bicycle brands are going to focus sales on in the coming years. 

But for the near-term, the "Bike Europe" article only quotes a Cannondale official as saying  that this will have .... a quick impact on the market but (the new US and European facilities) are also set up to evolve and grow with demand and innovation opportunity...” Innovation opportunity? That's an interesting term. Could mean anything, but with onsite storage capabilities of assembled bikes, it would make sense that a future "innovation opportunity" might include consumer direct sales. 

Mid-South- SBT GRVL Events Partner Up To Encourage Junior Participation:

The Mid-South gravel event has partnered up with the SBT-GRVL event in Colorado to encourage more participation by under 18 riders by offering reduced prices for entry to their respective events. The announcement was made on their respective social media accounts Tuesday of this past week and a post on the SBT-GRVL site gives more details. 

A quote from the story linked above: " This initiative isn’t just aimed at elite juniors,” said Amy Charity, owners of SBT GRVL. “We want to welcome and raise up the next generation of back-of-the-packers, the kids who simply want to have a good time out on a bike and see where two wheels can take them. This is about fun and experiencing gravel. ”

Comments: A great idea and I think this will be well received. Interestingly this marks the second partnership with another event for the Mid-South. Once again, this makes me feel like a door is opened for more in the way of partnering and perhaps even a series format for these three events is in the future. All three events and their directors have staunchly resisted any associations with USAC/UCI and are representative of the biggest non-corporatized gravel events happening currently. 

Again, any series ideas are completely speculation on my part, but with the energy and enthusiasm that Bobby Wintle brings and with the influence he has with his Mid-South event, I could totally see this happening. Especially so with the leadership shift at Gravel Worlds. I'm feeling this could be in the cards. Convince me otherwise.....

45NRTH Debuts New Boots:

The long running boot models, Ragnarok and Wolfgar, from 45NRTH have received updates for the '21/'22 season. The Wolfgar is more about fat biking in ultra-cold conditions. I won't cover that one here. That boot has been redesigned, but the features are more about small tweaks. Not so with the completely new Ragnarok Tall, a boot which has a taller cuff now than the normal Ragnarok. 

The cuff is made of Neoprene and is a claimed 5.75" high, a full 3.5" taller than the Ragnarok. The cuff is closed with hook and loop material but the main boot is a BOA closure system. The normal Ragnarok remains in the line up if you don't want the taller cuff. However; it would seem that the 'bumble-bee' color scheme is inescapable. 

Ragnarok Tall will cost $245.00 and should be available starting in November from any 45NRTH dealer.

Comments: I think this new Ragnarok Tall is interesting. I like all the tweaks, the taller cuff, and the boot looks much like something I'd want in a mild-weather Winter boot. That said, whenever you compromise on ease of entry/exit for the foot, you introduce more places for air/water leakage. I had a boot with a very similar overlapping Neoprene cuff and I did not really like it. The area where the hook and loop closure is causes a doubling up on materials, which I found a bit less comfortable than a single 'sock' style Neoprene layer, as with my Northwave Winter boot. Plus, those hook and loop panels often snag on wool socks and on Lycra tights, which is a bit fussy. Some folks with more abrupt ankle to calf transitions probably won't go with this anyway and opt for the regular Ragnarok boot. Finally, the "yellow and black attack" color scheme is perhaps a bit polarizing. 

I'll probably pass on the Ragnarok Tall this time, mostly because I still am rocking the OG Ragnarok and I still have those Northwave boots which are really good. But when it comes time to move on from those, I'll likely look at these as a top choice for a Winter boot when the temperatures are above 20°F.

Bontrager Circuit WaveCel Helmet.

Bontrager Announces New Circuit WaveCel Helmet: 

Yesterday Bontrager announced a new WaveCel helmet called the Circuit. I have a WaveCel Starvos helmet and it is the only helmet I have ever had that fit me 'right'. Typically I have to modify a helmet to get it to be comfortable for my head. But Bontrager announced last year that they were going to make their "XL" size a true XL and I was pleasantly surprised when I got the thing. It really is an XL! 

For reference, my hat size is 7 7/8ths or 63cm, (approx), so pretty large. Most "XL" helmet sizes in the past went up to 60cm, maybe 62cm, and I am forced to find that extra space for my noggin when I used those other helmets in the past. Things like removing all the padding, and in some cases the Velcro patches that held the padding in as well. (Note- Now I see other companies doing bigger XL sizes as well, so Bontrager seems to not be alone in this) 

Anyway, I loved that I was able to slap the Starvos on my head, with all the padding intact, and have extra space in case I wore a cap, or buff. Wow! That was a first for me. Now I have - through a snafu with Grannygear getting the wrong size to review - another WaveCel helmet. It fits great as well. Plus, it is a racier, lighter helmet with fancy-pants magnetic light mounts. Woo! 

So, I'll be pitching in my two cents on the Circuit WaveCel soon and adding it to my Starvos as the only other helmet - ever - to fit me out of the box unmodified. (Standard Disclaimer in effect)

And A Thank You To: All who commented on Tuesday's post, thank you! I appreciate the support and thoughts expressed concerning my mother's death and I found those comments comforting and thought provoking. I am doing well and remain thankful for the good times, memories, and lessons passed on to me by my mother. 

I just thought I should take a space here to mention how much I appreciated all the support and the time some of you took to comment, or reach out via messenger/email, or to leave a note on Facebook. 

That is a wrap for this week! Stay tuned for more and thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions.

Friday News And Views

My quote Tweet from Tuesday on the "Bike-Europe" story.

 Cannondale To Assemble Bikes Again Stateside:

Tuesday news broke that Cannondale, who were recently in the news for being purchased by PON Holdings, is currently building a new assembly facility in the USA. 

The story, published by "Bike Europe", a site for news of the trade, states that the new facility is being constructed in Rincon, Georgia. This city is located just North of Savanna, Georgia and not far from the major East coast port of Charleston, South Carolina, which makes sense from an import of parts and frames/forks standpoint for the brand.

Comments: It should be understood that while the assembly of bikes will be back on U.S. soil, the manufacturing of frames and forks will still occur in the Far East. However; it might prove to make Cannondale more efficient for its US/North American based dealer network to have this assembly factory based here since it may allow Cannondale to react more quickly to supply changes and demands for the market here. 

What may be of more importance for the future is that Cannondale is trying to make it so that their bicycles can be assembled and ready to ride in fifteen minutes or less by dealer technicians. Presumably this would be so easy that consumers might also be able to accomplish assembly of a bicycle. New box designs and major assembly of bicycles in the Rincon facility could portend a move to a consumer direct retail model, which many in the industry are thinking will be where the major bicycle brands are going to focus sales on in the coming years. 

But for the near-term, the "Bike Europe" article only quotes a Cannondale official as saying  that this will have .... a quick impact on the market but (the new US and European facilities) are also set up to evolve and grow with demand and innovation opportunity...” Innovation opportunity? That's an interesting term. Could mean anything, but with onsite storage capabilities of assembled bikes, it would make sense that a future "innovation opportunity" might include consumer direct sales. 

Mid-South- SBT GRVL Events Partner Up To Encourage Junior Participation:

The Mid-South gravel event has partnered up with the SBT-GRVL event in Colorado to encourage more participation by under 18 riders by offering reduced prices for entry to their respective events. The announcement was made on their respective social media accounts Tuesday of this past week and a post on the SBT-GRVL site gives more details. 

A quote from the story linked above: " This initiative isn’t just aimed at elite juniors,” said Amy Charity, owners of SBT GRVL. “We want to welcome and raise up the next generation of back-of-the-packers, the kids who simply want to have a good time out on a bike and see where two wheels can take them. This is about fun and experiencing gravel. ”

Comments: A great idea and I think this will be well received. Interestingly this marks the second partnership with another event for the Mid-South. Once again, this makes me feel like a door is opened for more in the way of partnering and perhaps even a series format for these three events is in the future. All three events and their directors have staunchly resisted any associations with USAC/UCI and are representative of the biggest non-corporatized gravel events happening currently. 

Again, any series ideas are completely speculation on my part, but with the energy and enthusiasm that Bobby Wintle brings and with the influence he has with his Mid-South event, I could totally see this happening. Especially so with the leadership shift at Gravel Worlds. I'm feeling this could be in the cards. Convince me otherwise.....

45NRTH Debuts New Boots:

The long running boot models, Ragnarok and Wolfgar, from 45NRTH have received updates for the '21/'22 season. The Wolfgar is more about fat biking in ultra-cold conditions. I won't cover that one here. That boot has been redesigned, but the features are more about small tweaks. Not so with the completely new Ragnarok Tall, a boot which has a taller cuff now than the normal Ragnarok. 

The cuff is made of Neoprene and is a claimed 5.75" high, a full 3.5" taller than the Ragnarok. The cuff is closed with hook and loop material but the main boot is a BOA closure system. The normal Ragnarok remains in the line up if you don't want the taller cuff. However; it would seem that the 'bumble-bee' color scheme is inescapable. 

Ragnarok Tall will cost $245.00 and should be available starting in November from any 45NRTH dealer.

Comments: I think this new Ragnarok Tall is interesting. I like all the tweaks, the taller cuff, and the boot looks much like something I'd want in a mild-weather Winter boot. That said, whenever you compromise on ease of entry/exit for the foot, you introduce more places for air/water leakage. I had a boot with a very similar overlapping Neoprene cuff and I did not really like it. The area where the hook and loop closure is causes a doubling up on materials, which I found a bit less comfortable than a single 'sock' style Neoprene layer, as with my Northwave Winter boot. Plus, those hook and loop panels often snag on wool socks and on Lycra tights, which is a bit fussy. Some folks with more abrupt ankle to calf transitions probably won't go with this anyway and opt for the regular Ragnarok boot. Finally, the "yellow and black attack" color scheme is perhaps a bit polarizing. 

I'll probably pass on the Ragnarok Tall this time, mostly because I still am rocking the OG Ragnarok and I still have those Northwave boots which are really good. But when it comes time to move on from those, I'll likely look at these as a top choice for a Winter boot when the temperatures are above 20°F.

Bontrager Circuit WaveCel Helmet.

Bontrager Announces New Circuit WaveCel Helmet: 

Yesterday Bontrager announced a new WaveCel helmet called the Circuit. I have a WaveCel Starvos helmet and it is the only helmet I have ever had that fit me 'right'. Typically I have to modify a helmet to get it to be comfortable for my head. But Bontrager announced last year that they were going to make their "XL" size a true XL and I was pleasantly surprised when I got the thing. It really is an XL! 

For reference, my hat size is 7 7/8ths or 63cm, (approx), so pretty large. Most "XL" helmet sizes in the past went up to 60cm, maybe 62cm, and I am forced to find that extra space for my noggin when I used those other helmets in the past. Things like removing all the padding, and in some cases the Velcro patches that held the padding in as well. (Note- Now I see other companies doing bigger XL sizes as well, so Bontrager seems to not be alone in this) 

Anyway, I loved that I was able to slap the Starvos on my head, with all the padding intact, and have extra space in case I wore a cap, or buff. Wow! That was a first for me. Now I have - through a snafu with Grannygear getting the wrong size to review - another WaveCel helmet. It fits great as well. Plus, it is a racier, lighter helmet with fancy-pants magnetic light mounts. Woo! 

So, I'll be pitching in my two cents on the Circuit WaveCel soon and adding it to my Starvos as the only other helmet - ever - to fit me out of the box unmodified. (Standard Disclaimer in effect)

And A Thank You To: All who commented on Tuesday's post, thank you! I appreciate the support and thoughts expressed concerning my mother's death and I found those comments comforting and thought provoking. I am doing well and remain thankful for the good times, memories, and lessons passed on to me by my mother. 

I just thought I should take a space here to mention how much I appreciated all the support and the time some of you took to comment, or reach out via messenger/email, or to leave a note on Facebook. 

That is a wrap for this week! Stay tuned for more and thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions.

New Skid Lid

Got me a new hat the other day.

There is one thing that I have always had to compromise on, and that would be my helmet fit. I've never really found one I could afford that actually fit my head. Not there weren't helmets out there that couldn't fit me. There was N.Y. Roll's POC helmet I tried once that fit me pretty well. Kind of, any way. I checked into the price and about fell outta my chair. It didn't fit that well! 

Obviously, if you've been around here long, you know I wear a cycling helmet. Usually I prefer Bell helmets, as they were always the ones that fit me best, and I could actually afford them. I'm not saying what you think here though. When I say, "fit me best", I'm saying that I had to modify them the least.

See, I always had to modify my cycling helmets to fit me. I rarely ever was able to keep the pads in a helmet. Those always just got ripped out and tossed the moment I got a new helmet. I needed all the room I could get, and pads were taking up space. Then the bits of Velcro they use to hold pads in place had to be carefully removed, and sometimes I even had to resort to removing some structure to get the helmet to fit. With a Bell helmet, I generally did not have to do that last thing. So, that's why Bell helmets were always my jam in headgear. But they still didn't sit on my head right, and I can, and often did, get headaches, hot spots, and marks on my head from wearing a cycling helmet.

Trust me- there were days I figured I'd finally just never be able to wear a helmet again. There were times I'd get very frustrated and want to just throw all my helmets in a bin and never look back. But I knew the gas I would get for doing that, so I never went through with that plan.

Then the Bontrager guy said they had a new helmet coming out, asked me what size I was in headgear, and I know that measurement intimately. 63cm, or hat size 7 7/8ths. Long and narrow skull. The Bontrager guy didn't bat an eyelash. The helmet would be coming soon for me to check out and write a review on. I was not hopeful. I mean, I'd heard this line before. There was that time the Lazer helmet guy 'promised' me the helmet would be no problem for me. I couldn't stand it on my head for more than a few minutes. It was no where near fitting me, much less 'no problem'. So yeah, bring it on, Bontrager. 

But you know what? That darn helmet did fit! And it didn't just barely fit either. I actually am not maxing out this thing! Wow! So this is how y'all feel with your helmets on! I never knew.....

Read my 'Quick Review' of the Starvos WaveCel helmet here. https://www.ridinggravel.com/apparel/bontrager-starvos-wavecel-helmet-quick-review/

 Note: Bontrager sent over the Starvos WaveCel Helmet at no charge to Riding Gravel for test and review. We were not paid, nor bribed for this review and we always strive to give our honest thoughts and views throughout.

New Skid Lid

Got me a new hat the other day.

There is one thing that I have always had to compromise on, and that would be my helmet fit. I've never really found one I could afford that actually fit my head. Not there weren't helmets out there that couldn't fit me. There was N.Y. Roll's POC helmet I tried once that fit me pretty well. Kind of, any way. I checked into the price and about fell outta my chair. It didn't fit that well! 

Obviously, if you've been around here long, you know I wear a cycling helmet. Usually I prefer Bell helmets, as they were always the ones that fit me best, and I could actually afford them. I'm not saying what you think here though. When I say, "fit me best", I'm saying that I had to modify them the least.

See, I always had to modify my cycling helmets to fit me. I rarely ever was able to keep the pads in a helmet. Those always just got ripped out and tossed the moment I got a new helmet. I needed all the room I could get, and pads were taking up space. Then the bits of Velcro they use to hold pads in place had to be carefully removed, and sometimes I even had to resort to removing some structure to get the helmet to fit. With a Bell helmet, I generally did not have to do that last thing. So, that's why Bell helmets were always my jam in headgear. But they still didn't sit on my head right, and I can, and often did, get headaches, hot spots, and marks on my head from wearing a cycling helmet.

Trust me- there were days I figured I'd finally just never be able to wear a helmet again. There were times I'd get very frustrated and want to just throw all my helmets in a bin and never look back. But I knew the gas I would get for doing that, so I never went through with that plan.

Then the Bontrager guy said they had a new helmet coming out, asked me what size I was in headgear, and I know that measurement intimately. 63cm, or hat size 7 7/8ths. Long and narrow skull. The Bontrager guy didn't bat an eyelash. The helmet would be coming soon for me to check out and write a review on. I was not hopeful. I mean, I'd heard this line before. There was that time the Lazer helmet guy 'promised' me the helmet would be no problem for me. I couldn't stand it on my head for more than a few minutes. It was no where near fitting me, much less 'no problem'. So yeah, bring it on, Bontrager. 

But you know what? That darn helmet did fit! And it didn't just barely fit either. I actually am not maxing out this thing! Wow! So this is how y'all feel with your helmets on! I never knew.....

Read my 'Quick Review' of the Starvos WaveCel helmet here. https://www.ridinggravel.com/apparel/bontrager-starvos-wavecel-helmet-quick-review/

 Note: Bontrager sent over the Starvos WaveCel Helmet at no charge to Riding Gravel for test and review. We were not paid, nor bribed for this review and we always strive to give our honest thoughts and views throughout.