Giro Stelvio

Price Paid:  $40.00 at World of Units, Iowa

Favorite Ride:
ragbrai

Bike Setup:
all around rider, road, mtb, city, etc.

Summary:
6 years later and the pad that runs from one temple, around the back, thru the webbing and to the other temple is completely shot. Giro has no replacement parts for a helmet that old. It fit so great, I went back to the store to buy a second. 1 for home based rides, 1 for work based rides. First helmet among dozens of prior helmets that fit great.
The brow pad has done great at keeping sweat out of the eyes. Easily removed to squeeze it out. I bought another a few years later but the design was poor and it went back. Just a warning when looking at new helmets, a full width brow pad is important, some have gaps that will direct sweat straight in to your eyes.

Strengths:
Fab fit. Bright safety yellow for max city visability.

Weaknesses:
No replacement parts available which is irksom considering the parts needed are just pad material they cut of endles sheets of the stuff.

Similar Products Used:
Nearly every brand ever sold.

Price Paid:  $85.00 at Touring Cyclist

Bike Setup:
Colnago CT-1, Campy Record, FSA carbon cranks, Ksyrium SL, 3T bar/stem, Selle Italia SLR

Summary:
Not a bad fitting helmet but there are not enough vents. The heat becomes unbearable in the summer or the spring or fall for that matter. I have the carbon color which only makes it worst. I used this thing for two years, or at least I owned it for two years, before I bought a Pnuemo.

Strengths:
Good fit.

Weaknesses:
Not enough ventilation. Too damn hot to wear in the summer.

Similar Products Used:
Giro Pnuemo, Bell.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at N/A

Favorite Ride:
Smooth downhill asphalt with a stiff tailwind

Bike Setup:
2001 Specialized Allez Comp
Full Ultegra

Summary:
Giro graciously replaced my Giro Terrero (which I donned for almost four years) for free with my current lid - the Giro Stelvio.

You see, after contacting Giro to complain about the poor durability of the Terrero (the staps frayed from day #1, and the velcro pads rarely stayed attached even after retrofitting them with new pads from Giro twice), they sent me the Stelvio.

After wearing it for a year now, I can say I'm ready for a new lid. The Stelvio has been much better than the Terrero. It's lighter and more aerodynamic in appearance, but the ventilation isn't that great.

Strengths:
Safe helmet.

Weaknesses:
Ventilation isn't the best.

Similar Products Used:
Giro Terrero.
Bell (Bell & Giro are both produced by the same company - Veltec Sports).

Price Paid:  $45.00

Favorite Ride:
KATY

Bike Setup:
Trek 5200

Summary:
This week I crashed during a race. I hit the pavement at about 25 mph. I cracked a rib, collapsed a lung, busted up my shoulder some, and have road rash. I also suffered a slight concussion but have no headache or impaired thinking. The helmet is a mess with major cracks and crushed areas. Thankfully the Giro did it's job in absorbing the impact.

Strengths:
Light, airy, comfortable, works.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Bell

Price Paid:  $40.00 at DB Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Any road

Bike Setup:
2001 Lemond Zurich.

Summary:
This is what I call a midway, practically styled helmet, not too flashy and not too dorky. Quality is adequate and for the price, you can't go wrong getting it. I could've bought it at a better price, but it's still good value. Unless I'm really short on cash, my next helmet will have to be a Pneumo.

Strengths:
It's a Giro. Doesn't look bad. Great value.

Weaknesses:
It's no Eclipse or Pneumo. Without a full cover bandana, I'd lose a few hair on the sticky velcro top.

Similar Products Used:
Generic Bell helmet from Costco. GT Orion.