Limar F105+ Helmet
By James Sharp

I have always felt that testing a helmet is different than reviewing any other piece of cycling equipment. Hopefully the user doesn't try out the helmet's main purpose, namely, protecting the user's head in the case of a crash. I mean if you want to test a derailleur, you determine how well it shifts; if you want to review a tire, you would see how well it maintains traction in a variety of situations. Now helmets, you judge those by features and fit; such as how many vents, how are the retention devices, its weight, and so on. Any helmet bought in a bike shop since 10 March 1999, will be approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Determining the safety of the helmet has already been done.

Among the helmets that Limar makes are two similar ones, the F105 and the F105+. The difference is that the F105+ is designed more for mountain biking and has a detachable visor and the rear of the helmet is reinforced.

The F105+ is smack in the middle of Limar's line-up. At $99, the buyer is getting the features that are so prominent in mid- to high-end helmets, like 22 large air vents, an adjustable retention system that cradles the back of the wearers head and a reinforced back shell, as opposed to bare polystyrene. So far an impressive features list at any price.

Fit is an especially important assessment in deciding which helmet to buy. No two heads are shaped alike, and no two helmet manufacturers use the same shaped mold to make their helmets. I have a fairly oval head. Many times I find a helmet that fits fore and aft, but needs to have extra pads added to the sides to keep the helmet from moving on me during a ride. This means that the helmet was too round for my oval head. I am pleased to say that the Limar helmet fit like a glove! It was more oval and fit my head better than any other helmet that I have worn. The upside to this is that on a ride the F105+ disappeared. In my mind that is the best compliment that I can give a helmet. It didn't matter if it was a bone shaking descent or a 13-mile climb on the road bike; there was nothing about the helmet that bothered me. It simply stayed put.

Most manufacturers have some sort of cradle for the rear of the head. Limar calls theirs Micro SystemTM Custom Fit Regulator. The Fit Regulator is easily adjusted and does an admirable job at keeping the helmet in place. It is behind a Coolmax pad, so the wearer never feels the plastic that does the holding. I never had it come loose on a ride and I found it to be easily adjusted with one hand.

If you road ride as well as mountain bike I would recommend the F105+ over its sibling, the F105, for the additional protection in the rear of the helmet only, not the visor. Two pegs and a single hook-and-loop patch are all that attach the visor to the helmet. I found it to be too narrow to block much sun and it didn't want to stay put at all. I was worried that it would fall off just wearing the helmet around the house. I promptly took it off and never looked back. If you must have a visor on your helmet I would suggest looking elsewhere. Limar included Coolmax cover for the chinstrap. While a good idea in principle, in practice it was too bulky and the chinstrap was comfortable enough alone.

Summary: At $99 the Limar F105+ is at the low end of expensive. It is an attractive helmet that is comfortable to wear. The visor is almost laughable but I never missed it. There are plenty of great features in the helmet, enough to overlook visor's deficiencies. As an additional incentive Limar helmets all have a 24-month crash guarantee. If you crash with in 24 months of purchase they will replace your helmet for $35. That alone would get me to purchase one.

James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
Trialtir U.S.A., Inc
5800 Windfern Lane
Houston, TX 77041
USA
Phone: 1-888-867-4334
http://www.trialtir-usa.com/2002-limar/limar.htm
customerservice@trialtir-usa.com