Velo Poll: We Want to Know What You Care About the Most in a Bike Helmet

The PIKIO Si OBLIK is the number one rated helmet in Virginia Tech testing, and it’s not even all that close. I just added it to the best bike helmets buyer’s guide, but it opens up a question: what is the point of the rest of the buyer’s guide as long as that helmet exists? If that helmet scores the best in Virginia Tech testing and we’ve agreed that Virginia Tech testing matters, does that mean it is the only helmet anyone should be purchasing?

The PIKIO helmet is not particularly aerodynamic, and if you care about going fast on a bike, aerodynamics is the biggest lever you can pull. When it comes to aero, a helmet is one of the cheapest ways to get big gains. You can save as many watts with a good helmet as you can with a set of deep wheels.

On the other hand, the PIKIO is highly vented. Maybe aerodynamics doesn’t really matter at all, and a comfortable helmet with good ventilation at slow speeds is all that matters? Or maybe you understand that a modern aero helmet vents just as well as a non-aero helmet anyway. Or maybe helmets are for safety, period, the end… except, how much do we trust Virginia Tech as the final word, and is a helmet with a slightly lower rating really not worth purchasing? So many questions! It’s time to get your input. What is most important to you when you consider a helmet purchase?