The Perfect Fit: The Right Cycling Helmet for Your Ride

The best helmet for triathlon differs from the best helmet for mountain biking, which differs from the ideal helmet for road riding. Just as bikes have splintered into specialized forms, so have today’s cycling helmets. Use the helmet guide below to find the perfect Rudy Project head protection for your riding style.

Road Cycling

Road cyclists want a helmet that’s well-ventilated, lightweight, and comfortable over thousands of hours in the saddle. It must also come with tested and proven protection in the event of a crash. With carbon fiber panels that increase safety and ventilation while reducing overall weight, Rudy Project’s Rebel cycling helmet stands out as a top choice. The Rebel also features advanced rotational-impact protection, a secure ergonomic strap system, and durable in-mold EPS built to resist everyday abuse without sacrificing speed or structural integrity.

Triathlon 

Aerodynamic triathlon helmets, such as Rudy Project’s wind tunnel-tested Wing and Wingdream, can shave minutes off an Iron-distance triathlon bike leg without requiring the rider to expend any extra energy. This free speed comes with Rudy Project’s commitment to strategic ventilation channels and a removable visor that work together to keep the rider cooler, as a cool head allows the rider to reach peak performance. For training rides that do not require a dedicated aero helmet or triathletes who want a more versatile road aero helmet, the Nytron helmet offers an aero advantage combined with maximum ventilation.

Mountain Biking

Rudy Project’s Protera+ mountain bike helmet packs all the features needed in a high-quality lid. The helmet covers more surface area around the back of the head to protect against a backward fall. A snap-on adjustable visor shades the eyes from glare and errant branches on the trail. EPS in-mold production adheres the polycarbonate hard shell to the EPS foam for structural rigidity, durability, and lightness. The front of the Protera+ allows the rider to fit goggles underneath for high-speed downhill riding and secure the goggles to the helmet with a clip on the rear.

Gravel Riding

The perfect gravel riding helmet offers outstanding ventilation and the lightweight of a road helmet, plus the added protection across the back of the head found in mountain biking helmets. One oversimplified way to think of a gravel helmet is a mountain biking helmet without a visor. The wearer enjoys all the protection minus some features (and their added weight) of a mountain bike helmet's protection. Case in point: Rudy Project’s Venger features a bug-stop net liner to keep bugs, gravel, and other debris off the head.

Rudy Project’s Helmet DNA

No matter what kind of bike an athlete rides, our Rudy Project team brings our leading-edge technology and design to every helmet we develop.

• We use EPS in-mold construction for stiffer and more durable helmets. 

• Rotational impact engineering and testing boost Rudy Project helmets’ ability to protect the head in sideways or angled impacts. 

• Integrated airframes across the forehead are designed for a snug, comfortable fit that doesn’t collect sweat, leaving the rider cooler. 

• Wind-tunnel testing ensures that the helmets help, instead of hinder, a rider’s movement through the air.

Since the release of our Thunderbolt helmet in 1993, we’ve been leading the charge in cycling helmet innovation. Learn more about our longstanding commitment to protection and performance here.