Helmet

The Bell Javelin time trial helmet shares some of the DNA of the super-fast Giro Selector. The parent company is the same and the Javelin has that familiar shape: dome-like forehead and short tail. It's 75% of the price of the Selector, shaving off a cool £60.

It's not just a poor man's Selector, however, which means I can't use either of the Bo' Selecta puns that I'd prepared: 'poor Selector' and 'no Selector'. It is, unlike those puns, rather good.

The Bell Gage manages to combine a high level of comfort with plenty of ventilation and a light weight.

This new helmet takes over from the Volt at the head (thank you very much) of the Bell range – it's the one that Bell's sponsored riders are now using. It's considerably lighter than the Volt, our medium model weighing in at 235g. There are lighter helmets on offer – the Aeon we reviewed from Bell's stablemate Giro hit the scales at just 189g, for example – but the Gage is a highly reasonable weight for a race helmet.

I can see the Biologic Pango folding helmet's appeal for short haul commuters needing to stash their kit in a very confined space. Substituting the industry standard thin polycarbonate layer with ABS (a thermoplastic) greatly reduces the likelihood of scratches and other accidental damage that comes from banging about in all manner of luggage but contributes to its portly 509g – about the same weight as my first hard-shell lid 25 years ago.

While dragging the parents around the south island this week, I noticed a French Canadian guy folding up his bike helmet and putting it into his backpack. I remembered that ages ago Dahon had advertised their "Pango" so I said hello and had a look. Labelled "Biologic", it was indeed the Dahon folding helmet and very impressive it was too. If anyone's interested it's available from the Biologic site for about $130 and looked really sturdy. Great for commuting I'd imagine.

Ok having a clearout of bits & bobs i have accumulated. All is in A1 + condition or new in boxes. My descriptions of the condition are accurate. I work seasonally for between 3-5 months abroad each year where i am supplied equipment to use so my own stuff see's minimal wear & tear. Feel free to mail me with any questions or for further photos on stevemyers651@hotmail.com

UVEX FP3.0 Road Helmet