Shortly after I started riding (several years ago), I grabbed one of the first convertible helmets (Bell Super 2R) for all the reasons you listed. I then upgraded to the Leatt because it fit my head better. But I got sick of dealing with the removable chinbar, and when the TLD Stage came out, I got that to replace them. The Stage is lighter than the convertibles, and breathes well. I only wear a pack (and even then, just a Camelbak Chase vest) for very long rides, so stashing a chinbar is just an awkward chore. If I've brought the Stage and am climbing, I just hang it off the handlebar since 98% of climbing I do is on fire roads.
But I also own a Fox Speedframe Pro and now a TLD A3. I wear them for most of my rides. Like many have said, it's about risk assessment. If I'm riding flow trails that I've ridden hundreds of times before, I judge the A3 to be plenty protective. If I'm riding rocky chunk, progressing on jumps, or doing anything shuttled, I wear the Stage. Hell, even riding pumptrack I take the Stage. When I'm regaining confidence after having a rough crash, I wear the Stage more. The risk assessment of which helmet to wear does seem to have a little bit of an affect on my riding: I might focus more on doing lots of laps and goofing around with the half shell, and more inclined to go as fast as possible or try newer jumps with the full face. But on the flip side, I can also wear down mental blocks on certain features by consciously choosing the half shell - I know it's really safe enough to ride with it, so just commit and ride!
FWIW, I also bought my son a Fox Proframe XS at age 4 (the swappable pads allow it to grow with the kid) as his only helmet. I'll probably make him wear light full faces until he gets much older and I feel confident in his own risk assessment.
Jan. 12, 2022, 12:30 p.m. - Andeh
Shortly after I started riding (several years ago), I grabbed one of the first convertible helmets (Bell Super 2R) for all the reasons you listed. I then upgraded to the Leatt because it fit my head better. But I got sick of dealing with the removable chinbar, and when the TLD Stage came out, I got that to replace them. The Stage is lighter than the convertibles, and breathes well. I only wear a pack (and even then, just a Camelbak Chase vest) for very long rides, so stashing a chinbar is just an awkward chore. If I've brought the Stage and am climbing, I just hang it off the handlebar since 98% of climbing I do is on fire roads. But I also own a Fox Speedframe Pro and now a TLD A3. I wear them for most of my rides. Like many have said, it's about risk assessment. If I'm riding flow trails that I've ridden hundreds of times before, I judge the A3 to be plenty protective. If I'm riding rocky chunk, progressing on jumps, or doing anything shuttled, I wear the Stage. Hell, even riding pumptrack I take the Stage. When I'm regaining confidence after having a rough crash, I wear the Stage more. The risk assessment of which helmet to wear does seem to have a little bit of an affect on my riding: I might focus more on doing lots of laps and goofing around with the half shell, and more inclined to go as fast as possible or try newer jumps with the full face. But on the flip side, I can also wear down mental blocks on certain features by consciously choosing the half shell - I know it's really safe enough to ride with it, so just commit and ride! FWIW, I also bought my son a Fox Proframe XS at age 4 (the swappable pads allow it to grow with the kid) as his only helmet. I'll probably make him wear light full faces until he gets much older and I feel confident in his own risk assessment.