The helmet is important protective equipment you can use during the bike ride. Whether you are using a road bike or a mountain bike, wearing a helmet is a must for every biker for safety and protection purposes. But what is the difference between a mountain bike helmet vs road bike helmet? Let us find out below.
| Features | Mountain Bike Helmet | Road Bike Helmet |
| Eye Protection | With Visor | Without Visor |
| Design | Light and Beefy Design | Aerodynamic Design |
| Ventilation | Fewer Vents | Plenty of Vents |
| Vision | Limited (Up to 10 feet) | Very Far |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
Mountain Bike Helmet
Mountain biking on a trail can be fun but also dangerous with the slippery surface, rocks, bushes, trees, jumps, and other obstacles. With the constant danger on the trail, it is a must for a biker to use a mountain bike helmet during the ride.
A Mountain bike helmet may look similar to a road bike helmet, but there are differences in terms of features and functionalities. In addition, a mountain bike helmet comes in different shapes and sizes but has one primary purpose, which is to protect the biker at all costs on the trail.
In addition, the pricing of a mountain bike helmet varies from one brand to the other. However, pricing automatically increases when extra features are being built into the helmet. For example, a helmet with additional vents will be more expensive than a helmet with lesser vents.
Mountain Bike Helmet Features and Functionalities
Perhaps the most significant difference between a mountain bike helmet and a road bike helmet is the visor. In fact, a standard road bike helmet does not come with a visor. Mountain bike helmet comes with a visor that helps block the sunlight from impeding the biker’s vision. When you are riding on wet trails, the visor will protect the biker’s eyes from mud and other debris, which can hurt the biker’s eyes and vision.
When a biker is on the trail, it is normal for him to spend so much time in wooded areas and forests. So, the chance of encountering different obstacles coming from branches of trees during the ride is unavoidable. Having a visor will protect the eyes from these obstacles and will make you safe throughout the ride.
Another feature of a mountain bike helmet that differs from a road bike helmet is its physical structure. Mountain bike helmet has this elongated design on the rear end which is not found on a road bike helmet. This design is specifically made with the purpose to protect the biker during crashes.
When a biker crashes along the trail, it is more likely that the biker will flip over on the bicycle. The elongated design will protect the head while reducing the biker’s impact during the crash. It will help protect the back of the head from rocks and other debris.
Meanwhile, if you are one of those mountain bikers who want to go down very fast on a mountainous trail, you will definitely need a full-face mountain bike helmet. Unlike a regular helmet where it covers only half of the head, the full-face helmet covers the entire head. This helmet also comes with a chin guard that protects not on the chin but the teeth during the crash.
Road Bike Helmet
A biker who has a road bike usually prefers to ride with more speed on the road. This situation means that a biker with a road bike needs a helmet that has enough ventilation to keep the biker fresh throughout the ride, especially during warm days.
Making a road bike helmet that balances between safety and proper ventilation can be a challenge to manufacturers. This situation is the reason why road bike helmets made with enough ventilation are more expensive compared to those standard ones.
Biking a road bike is usually done on the road, which means the biker only needs glasses to protect the eyes. This feature is the big difference between a mountain bike helmet and a road bike helmet. The road bike helmet does not have a visor because it is not needed on the road.
Road Bike Helmet Features and Functionalities
Normally, a road bike helmet is built with a durable polycarbonate shell that protects the head of the biker just in case of a crash. Inside the helmet is an EPS foam liner that helps absorb the energy while protecting the head and the brain during the crash.
A road bike helmet also comes with chin straps which helps in making the helmet fit into the head snuggly. Meanwhile, the vents will help make the head fresh all the time throughout the ride.
The vents’ positioning is also different compared to the mountain bike helmet. Apart from having more vents, the shape and the location of these vents in a road bike helmet is very important. They are positioned with aerodynamics in mind, which is why most road bike helmets come with a round or ovular shape, which helps increase aerodynamic properties.
Also, most helmets of any type are made to be light, but a road bike helmet is generally lighter compared to a mountain bike helmet. The lighter the helmet of a biker, the less fatigue the biker will endure after the bike ride. This situation is the reason why road bike helmets are lighter compared to their counterparts.
Conclusion
Comparing a mountain bike helmet vs road bike helmet is not that difficult. Each of these helmets is built in such a way that it fits the type of ride the bike owner is doing. The helmets are built with the purpose to protect the biker at all costs, even in different road types, situations, and weather.