Shain Gara BK100
By James Sharp

Shain isn't a brand that you normally think of when it comes time to buy a helmet. Though not exactly a household name in the United States, the construction and fit is as good as any of the better known brands. We have recently spent some time on the Gara BK100.

Even though you might not have heard of Shain, there are numerous reasons why you are now, and probably will in the future. First and foremost, to our knowledge, no other helmet manufacturer places an aluminum grill into the vents. In the Gara BK100 the mesh is placed in the front and rear vents, but not on the top. I am happy to report that I never had a bug or stick enter the helmet during the test period. By leaving the vents open on the top, helmet lights can be mounted without a hitch. Because the mesh is made from lightweight aluminum, there really isn’t a weight penalty for it, and at 245 grams, it is among the lightest helmets out there. Shain didn’t sacrifice strength to achieve that weight, either. They use a foam called Re-Up-Foam. Unlike normal styrofoam, the Re-Up-Foam returns to it’s normal shape after an impact, allowing the helmet to withstand multiple hits in the same area without destroying the helmet. That’s great news for the crash prone. Fortunately, I can only tell you what Shain claims; I never had the opportunity to put the helmet to its intended use. The Gara BK100 has 18 vents to keep air moving and your head cool.

Another standout feature is Shain’s use of the microshell inside the helmet. Not only does this keep the helmet from absorbing the usual stink, it gives the Velcro used to hold the pads on something better to stick to. I cannot count the number of times I have had Velcro come unglued from the foam inside the helmet. It seems that there isn’t a glue in the world that adheres well to foam. Overall, this makes for a far more durable helmet, one that is less susceptible to minor dings during transport and storage.

The Gara BK100 utilizes what Shain calls "Easy-Tun Fitt". This is a sizing system that works horizontally and vertically. With the turn of a dial, the user can adjust the fit of the helmet one handed. We found this system to be easy to use and offer a wide range of adjustment. It doesn’t, however, provide enough space between the helmet and the rear strap for a ponytail. This could be a drawback to some riders with longer hair. Overall, the fit was good if you have a roundish head, those who like the fit of Giro’s helmets will like the fit of the Shain. My head is more oval, and despite the ease of adjustment, I could not get the fit right. There always seemed to be too much space on the sides of my head to get the helmet to not move around on me. Also, only two sizes are offered, a trend that we are seeing more and more often. Frankly, I don’t think that this is a good thing. It makes sense from a manufacturers point of view (and a retailers, too); there is less overhead and storage, not to mention the reduced cost in molds to make the helmets. From a consumer's standpoint, however, it means more of a compromise in fit, and more reliance on an adjustable rear strap to make a helmet fit better. Sort of the generic baseball hat approach, just cinch up the back and it’ll fit. The helmet may stay put, but it won’t fit.

Summary: With 18 vents, foam that can take multiple hits, inmold shells on the outside and inside, mesh in the vents to keep bees out and ease of adjustment, Shain has a winner on their hands. It’s really too bad that they aren’t more mainstream. They deserve to be. Helmets are hard to recommend, though. The Gara BK100 has all the features that make a great helmet, and it’s lightweight too. Unfortunately, if it doesn’t fit well, it’s the wrong helmet. The same is true for any other helmet. Fit is the number one criteria when shopping for a helmet. However, if you like the fit of a Giro helmet, and are in the market for a new one--one that you won’t see on every other rider on the road or trail--I heartily recommend the Gara BK100. The Gara BK100 retails for $135.

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

For more information, contact:
ThorUSA
www.thorusa.com
- or -
KHS Bicycle Parts
Phone: 1-800-507-6444
www.khsbicycleparts.com