I purchased two helmets from Jafrum on Dec. 8, 2006. The one pictured is the HCI model 70. First off let me say that the purchase of this helmet via the website was great. The site is easy to navigate and post purchase tools are very nice. You can look up your order and keep track of all your purchases. The helmets arrived on schedule. Jafrum sent me a tracking number, which is very nice and if it were not for those guys from UPS ... I would have had it early enough on the delivery date to ride on that day ... but they didn't show up until 8:30 p.m. ... nice, since I paid 2nd day air.
The review of the HCI 70.
Paying only $47.95 plus shipping for this helmet immediately made me think that the helmet would be cheaply constructed or sloppy craftsmanship. I was wrong. The HCI 70 is a well thought out helmet and put together extremely well. The "free" helmet bag was a disappointment ... but I rarely use the things anyway. The mechanisms in the shield are very solid. When the shield is closed ... it is closed. Even though I had my head measured several times and the chart says I should wear a XL ... I opted for the 2X and I am glad that I did. At first I thought it was going to be too snug ... but once I got it over my giant ears ... it was ok.
As I stated, I bought two helmets. One for me ... one for my wife. She was hesitant about a full face. I literally had to beg her to go with the full face. She gets a little antsy in closed in spaces ... so she was not a willing candidate. We both donned our helmets on a very nice afternoon and off we went. The first thing we both noticed is an immediate noise reduction from the wind. Making our ride much, much better. My wife rides with the shield open one notch ... because of the whole claustrophobia deal ... and she loves it.
The HCI 70 comes with these little air vents which I thought were just going to be "rattle" points of the helmet ... but not so much. Even though, at this point, I really can not tell much difference in the ports being open or closed ... at least they don't sit there and rattle. I was also noticeably impressed that the helmets did not "whistle" in the wind. Traveling at 75 was not a problem with wind noise at all.
I have to tell you ... I tried on a lot of helmets ... from the Shoei's to the HJC's ... this helmet is comfortable. On cold mornings the neck configuration keeps out cold air from going up the back of my neck. The only place it can seep in is around the chin area ... but a neck gaiter will knock that out. All in all ... I give this helmet a big thumbs up. Frankly, I could not tell the difference from this and a $500 helmet. It's DOT approved and from everything I have read safety wise ... it's a safe helmet ... even though I did not slam my head down on a concrete curb to check that out. I hope I never have to find out.
I am not a Jafrum employee or I am not getting paid for this review ... I'm just a normal every day bike rider.
HG -- that's my review.
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