Carbon helmets -- just for looks?

[dparm]

I've got a Bell M.8 (SA2015) on order right now, but I did notice there's a carbon version for $300 more. I've been trying to find out if there is a real advantage to a full carbon shell versus the regular composite shell. I do like the way it looks but I'm not really sure if I like it for $300 -- the cost of an extra track day.

I called Bell and the carbon helmet is 10% lighter (3.1 vs 3.4 pounds), but is that even noticeable? I'm not exactly wearing these for several hours at a time and my current G-Force helmet has never felt uncomfortable due to weight.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by dparm

I've got a Bell M.8 (SA2015) on order right now, but I did notice there's a carbon version for $300 more. I've been trying to find out if there is a real advantage to a full carbon shell versus the regular composite shell. I do like the way it looks but I'm not really sure if I like it for $300 -- the cost of an extra track day.

I called Bell and the carbon helmet is 10% lighter (3.1 vs 3.4 pounds), but is that even noticeable? I'm not exactly wearing these for several hours at a time and my current G-Force helmet has never felt uncomfortable due to weight.

Once you wear one though it'll feel worth the weight reduction. I guess your original helmet is still pretty light. Mine was an hjc and felt like a bowling ball in terms of weight. Lol

Edit: bell vs bell cf (pretty light already)

[Sapper_M3]

Originally Posted by dparm

I've got a Bell M.8 (SA2015) on order right now, but I did notice there's a carbon version for $300 more. I've been trying to find out if there is a real advantage to a full carbon shell versus the regular composite shell. I do like the way it looks but I'm not really sure if I like it for $300 -- the cost of an extra track day.

I called Bell and the carbon helmet is 10% lighter (3.1 vs 3.4 pounds), but is that even noticeable? I'm not exactly wearing these for several hours at a time and my current G-Force helmet has never felt uncomfortable due to weight.

Comfort is a factor, but weight that your neck will support in an impact is the greater safety consideration.

With CF, the helmets can often be substantially lighter. In this case, maybe the weight savings aren't worth the $300 though; I'd like to see some independent weigh-ins of the helmets and reviews online.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Sapper_M3

Comfort is a factor, but weight that your neck will support in an impact is the greater safety consideration.

With CF, the helmets can often be substantially lighter. In this case, maybe the weight savings aren't worth the $300 though; I'd like to see some independent weigh-ins of the helmets and reviews online.

I plan to ask a few other helmet manufacturers about this too. Helmet weights are not published consistently; Stilo, for example, only lists the weights of their carbon helmets and not the composite versions.

Typically the carbon construction is reserved for the high-end models that are targeted at pro racers who would be wearing them for 2-3 hours at a time. The fact that Bell even offers it for the M.8 might just be for the "cool" factor than anything else.

[dparm]

Spoke to a few other manufacturers (Stilo, OMP, HJC, Simpson, G-Force) and received largely the same answers: more comfortable if you wear it for long periods of time, no difference in safety, and it's mostly cosmetic for casual weekend racers like me.

Stilo did mention that carbon can be more comfortable for high-G scenarios as the small weight differences do get amplified when cornering, but that for a street car it's negligible.

OMP added something interesting: that carbon is more "resilient". He wouldn't go into more detail.

[SSJTrunks523]

From my motorcycle experience: The CF is something that I can wear all day when riding ('07 yzf-r6). It is a world of difference in the weight on the neck. You need to consider that when riding the r6, my neck is generally bent over due to seat position, so it makes an even larger difference.

I will never purchase another non-carbon motorcycle helmet. Even though the cost is higher and the options are generally limited (cooling vents, etc) in comparison to other helmets. Hope this helps a bit. I know it isn't car-related, but my only experience =)

[Richbot]

There is no difference in impact safety, but there is a difference in neck tension; heavier helmet = more risk of BSF

Get the lighter helmet if you can swing it. Even with a head and neck restraint it's worth it, but if you're tracking or competing without one, really really worth it

[Kong Sheng Han]

Just work out your neck muscles. They'll handle the extra weight.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

Just work out your neck muscles. They'll handle the extra weight.

[Richbot]

Heavier neck muscles do not do you any good in a BSF situation

[VictorH]

Spend the extra money on a good HANS or independent neck restraint system if you don't have a cage.

[Kong Sheng Han]

No idea what BSF is.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

No idea what BSF is.

Bitchin' Super Freak



Basal skull fracture aka Dale Earnhardt, Sr. disease.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

No idea what BSF is.

Basilar skull fracture. It's the injury that killed Dale Earnhardt and is what HANS devices try to prevent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilar_skull_fracture

[admranger]

The student who rode with me at COTA bought a $900+/- Simpson at the school. Thing was light.

Hell, people spend $3k on Rays wheels so I think a carbon helmet isn't out of the question if you have the means...

[Kong Sheng Han]

Ah. Hopefully my HANS prevents BSF if I ever crash.

[MasterP]

I own a Stilo ST4W Carbon. It didn't feel significantly lighter than the Composite to merit 2X the price. I seriously bought it for the bling. The composite vs the carbon is about 6 ounces. For 20-50 minute sessions I don't think you'd notice.

You have to go up to the $5K zero models to really feel the savings on your neck.

I will say that some of the carbon helmets can be heavier than some other brands composite.

[SSJTrunks523]

Montoya runs no paint on his helmets at certain events just to save 6oz. Now we're not talking Indy G's (I'm more of an F1 guy anyways), but still something to note.

As stated above: You need to feel it and want it and your budget needs to be able to support it. A lighter helmet with the same protection will be better for you.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by TrakBch

I will say that some of the carbon helmets can be heavier than some other brands composite.

This is true for cheaper brands. G-Force flat-out told me that the carbon helmet is simply the composite one with a layer of CF over the top. It's not a true carbon helmet.

[Richbot]

The G's we care about are the 40+G impacts you experience when you smack into a wall, Indy cars and street cars at a track day are equally capable of experiencing half a century of G-force in an impact.

[SSJTrunks523]

Originally Posted by Richbot

The G's we care about are the 40+G impacts you experience when you smack into a wall, Indy cars and street cars at a track day are equally capable of experiencing half a century of G-force in an impact.

Good point. So more relevant that I thought =)

[Richbot]

Or look at it another way, we're all just a brake failure away from crashing like the very best professional racecar drivers!