DeTomaso Mailing List: March 99, Message #290

Jack (and others),

I went to Zoom cyclery as you suggested.  I was not all that impressed.

I went directly to the counter where they have MANY helmets on display.
I waited while an older guy shot the bull with a customer, and a kid (16-18)
shot the bull with another kid.  When I finally got some attention, the kid
asked if I needed some help.  I told him I was looking for a nice helmet,
but it HAD TO BE SA95 approved, as this was for auto racing.
His response was at first a dumb look....the older man walked away.
The kid didn't know which helmets in stock had SA95 approval, so we
took EVERY helmet down for inspection.  While we doing this, I
asked the older man, which helmets were SA95 approved.  He said
"some of them there"...The kid kept trying to give me M95 rated helmets.
I explained why SA95 was required.  After reviewing ALL helmets, I
requested that the kid find a manufacturer flyer so we might find an SA95
rated helmet.  I followed him behind the counter to flip through their
rack of brochures.  Only after more than 1/2 hour of search, did the SAME 
older man mention (correctly this time) that he does not stock SA95 helmets.
Why he didn't say this upon my initial request ?  I can only presume he
felt that he could sell me a M95 helmet instead.  He did offer to order a
SA95 helmet (with full payment in advance), but I wanted to "handle"
it before committing the money, so I left.

I was willing to pay more (versus mail order discount) as I wanted to try
them on.  I wear glasses, and I want a good fit.  I don't want to take 
chances...

Does Silver State require a full face helmet ?

I did learn that most helmet companies have few sizes...X-small, small, 
Med Large, X-large...so for most of you mail order might make sense...
but Bell still sells in sizes like 7 1/2...7 5/8...7 3/4 perhaps a larger
range 
of options.

I went to Frey Racing (open until 7pm on Fridays...til 2pm on Sat)....
They stock only SA95 rated helmets.  They had many sizes in stock.  I 
tried on the size I bought over 20 years ago, and it seemed too small...
perhaps I am getting fat headed as I age....anyway......
They have at least two Bell styles in stock that suited me.  
(Simpsons were expensive so I ruled them out.)  They have other brands too.
The main differences in the models were the type and location of the 
air vents....and the size of the opening.  The model M2, has less air vents,

but a larger "eye" opening.  The small opening seemed too small, and 
made me (rare helmet wearer) claustrophobic.  In the desert heat of 
Silver State or the Vegas Track, I am sure I'd desire the one with more 
air vents, but I took the one with a larger opening anyway.... 
Cost was significant...$250+.  Sure I could save a few $ with mail order, 
but I was willing to pay the higher cost, since they had provided
me with the service of "inventory" and personal attention.

Questions ?

CM