GREENSBORO, N.C. — Planning on spending some time on a bike this summer? Before you hit the streets or trails, you’ll need a good helmet.
"My priorities are safety first, and then comfort and then style," said Summer Payne, Consumer Reports and member of Black Girls Do Bike. The league is worldwide with chapters in North Carolina, including in Winston-Salem and Greensboro.
"We're representing the league when we are out on the road, so we have to wear a helmet and first and foremost it's about safety," said Payne.
That’s where expert testing from Consumer Reports comes in to help you find the best helmet that combines safety and comfort.
Consumer Reports experts test helmets in a special lab, measuring how well they absorb impact at about 14 mph–it simulates how a biker might fall in an accident.
To make sure the helmet stays on your head in a crash, they also test the strength of the chinstraps, attachment points, and buckles by dropping an almost 9-pound weight 2 feet so that it yanks on the straps.
But of course, human nature suggests many of us won’t wear a helmet if it’s not comfortable and easy to use, so CR looks at that, too.
"The experts also evaluate the helmets for ventilation, fit adjustments, ease of use, and other key features," said Kevin Loria, Consumer Reports.
In its latest round of testing, CR says the best bike helmet for adults is the Bontrager Starvos WaveCel, which got perfect scores for impact absorption, fit adjustment, and ease of use.
Now that you’ve got the protection you need for your head, it’s time to protect your bike from thieves with a good bike lock.
CR’s tests found that U-locks offered the best security against thieves.
The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini U-Lock performed the best, acing tests against bolt cutters, hacksaws, and brute force.
And if you’re planning on taking your bikes with you on vacation, you’ll need a good bike rack. Despite its high price tag, CR liked the Küat NV 2.0 for being well-built and easy to load.
CR also wants to remind you that helmets don’t last forever—so remember to replace your helmet every five years or right away if it’s damaged.