Customer Reviews

Schwinn Adult Thrasher Helmet

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm glad I bought this helmet! The only reviews I could find about it were the one here at two at Kmart.com, so I didn't have a lot to go on. However, the big selling points were the LED light on the back of the helmet and also how cheap it is. It's the first helmet I ever remember buying, so I can't really review it in comparison to others, but I can tell you what I like about it.

Pros:
1) The LED light on the back. It's great! You press it once to turn it on to flash mode; press a second time and it stays on lit continuously; press it a third time to turn it off. It runs on two small batteries (they look similar to watch batteries) and they're easy to change. I have fingernails so it makes prying off the light cover quite simple, but I could imagine it wouldn't be too hard to do with a toothpick, etc. if you don't have nails. Also, I was messing around quite a bit with the helmet when I first got it and never accidentally turned the light on, so wasting the batteries on accident shouldn't be an issue at all.

2) Adjustable fit - this helmet uses a twist knob on the back (actually it's the same thing the light is mounted on) to size the helmet up or down. Just put the helmet on your head, push down snug, and then turn the knob until it fits securely and doesn't move. It's super easy to adjust with just one hand.

3) The colors - the helmet clearly doesn't look like like it cost $200, but it also doesn't look cheap. It's made of a very nice silver and black that would probably match a lot of bikes very nicely.

4) The straps - there are these little strap holders that you can move up and down to shift the size of the "Y" strap that goes over your ear. That way, you can make sure the straps meet right below your ear (like they're supposed to) regardless of the size of your head or the placement of your ears. Also, the straps lay flat against your face without twisting so they are pretty comfortable.

5) The air vents - My head actually stays cool in the helmet and does get a good amount of air flow to it. The one place that gets really hot and sticky is my forehead, but I guess that is unavoidable. My hair didn't even look bad after biking around in the helmet for an hour and wasn't any sweatier, etc. than without one.

****

Cons:
1) Forehead fit - I have to say that I don't love how the helmet feels on my forehead, but I'm also pretty sure that most other helmets would feel exactly the same way. I just dislike having something pressed up against that part of my face, restricting air flow and pushing on my head. But the only way to avoid that is to not wear a helmet.

2) The "manual" - I guess I shouldn't complain; at least it does come with instructions, but they are pretty basic and applicable to a lot of helmets rather than looking like they were tailored for this particular helmet. Additionally, there is absolutely no information about the LED light (though I guess it's not all that hard to figure it out on your own).

****

Finally, for those of you who care, the helmet has a pretty sleek design instead of a rounder look. The visor on front snaps on and off, depending on whether you want to wear it or not; it's not moveable, however - you can only choose to have it on or off.

All in all, I highly recommend this helmet for anybody looking for something great but cheap.

I was VERY impressed when I pulled this helmet out of the box. I had tried a few on in Walmart and a couple of other places after I had purchased this one. When the helmet arrived it was every bit as good as the best one I saw at Walmart. Yes, that is not the highest-end retailer of bike helmets, but my point is that some of them are more expensive than this one and most are every-bit as expensive. This one came with an LED light on the back straps, just below the helmet, but far enough away from my head that I don't feel it. The helmet fit is quite adjustable, but fit almost perfectly right out of the box for me. I ride in Tempe, Arizona, where it gets very warm in the summer. This helmet has excellent ventillation. I have to give it the highest rating possible because it is every bit as nice as I can imagine a bike helmet could get. I also appreciate the sun visor because it really does cut down on the light in my eyes. I still wear sunglasses, but it keeps the sun from shining directly into the sun glasses.

What sold me about this helmet is that it came with plenty of vents, a visor, and most importantly a rear led light. The styling looks like something a power ranger would wear if he or she was riding bikes.

I'm 5'6" and it fit me fine. The led light on the back which is also a dial to tighten or loosen the fit of the helmet helped keep the helmet on my head snug. The dial light is on a a padded headband inside the helmet that holds your head to the helmet. There is plenty of padding throughout the inside. Everything is held on by velcro except for the side straps and they are secured very good to the helmet.

There are plenty of vents throughout. The front vents are aimed for incoming wind to cool you off. All the other vents arent aimed for incoming wind but atleast they can release heat build up from your head. While riding on my road bike, I didn't really feel any wind blowing in but atleast the vents were able to let me head breath and not over heat. Note I test rode this helmet in summer heat during the day.

The led light is a major plus. There are no instruction for it at all so I will tell you how to turn it on. On the light fixture in the back, you must press firmly near the center between the two batteries on what seems to be the light bulb. Its not a bulb or the light, its a button. You don't need to hold it, just firmly press the correct spot. Once you know where it is, its easy to turn on and off. One press turns it on in blinking mode, another press makes it go into solid on mode, and the next press turns it off. It is very visible in the dark. I don't know how long the batteries last or what type they are or even how to open the light fixture to replace the batteries when they die. This is horrible that there are no instructions about the led light.

As far as looks go when worn, it looks pretty dorky. The helmet looks even dorkier without the visor since the helmet sticks out of your forehead way too far out, so far that besides looking dumb, you don't even need the visor for sun protection. So I put the visor back on and it doesn't look as ridiculous without it. But to me safety is more important so I will keep wearing while I ride on the street.

I gave it four stars for the quality of the parts representing the cosmetic appearance. The molded plastic sheets that decorate the helmet are cheap, even though nicely painted. The plastic visor is very cheap and doesn't take much force to unattach from the helmet. The light and the headband are also cheap plastic. At this pricepoint the quality of the parts reflect it. I doubt quality on the cosmetic parts will be any better on any other helmet in this price range. The only things that are quality are where it counts, the hardened molded foam and the straps that wrap around your head and chin.

The helmet is inexpensive, and the build quality is about what you'd expect for sub-$30 plus an added light.

The light itself works well, although one of the two batteries had shifted out of place during shipping, so I had to pop the red lens off and push it back to where it belonged. Turning the light on and off requires firm pressure, which seems like a good thing to me. The light's not all that bright, so I use it as an adjunct to a more conventional light attached to the bike itself. (The relative dimness isn't a criticism per se, as making it brighter would require making it heavier and thus annoying to wear on a helmet.)

The straps adjust well, but are affixed to the helmet with velcro. That velcro needs a better glue; I had to re-attach several of the velcro patches. Remember that styrofoam doesn't play well with every glue out there, so read instructions!

All in all, a decent helmet, but certainly not a noteworthy one.

I don't see the need to spend over a hundred dollars on a helment. This is one of the best deals you can get. I looks good, fits well and even comes with the flashing light on the back. On long rides, it ventilates well and minimizes helment head. Definitely a good buy.

I had always used Bell helmets, but the response to this one caused me to purchase it. Am I ever glad I did! Helmet looks and fits great. I was able to use it right from the box. Cools very well, and the visor is super practical. I've had nice comments on it, and feel I made a wise decision in my purchase. Great buy!

This is a greaaaaat helmet. Perfect and comfortably adjustable with its knob, which also increases your visibility with the integrated LED light(batteries included). The design it's also very stylish. You can't expect a better helmet for a Mid-level user.

Ummm, True story. I just ordered this product (NO JOKE) and instead of receiving my helmet, I received a "Basic Essentials Softee" Pink Vibrator!! WHAT???!! I'd take photos, but I'm certain they'd be taken down instantaneously! I'm positive this is a mistake, but what a hell of a mistake! I had to go and review the items purchased to be sure I wasn't losing my mind. Alas, definitely not my error! I know Amazon will take care of it immediately, but jeeez! I'm guessing the guy who packaged my box was quitting from the Amazon packaging warehouse?? If not, I'm sure he'll be fired after they hear of this. Hope everyone got a good laugh out of this...Wow. I give this prank 3 stars.