I started wearing a convertible lid back in 2010ish when the only option was the Met Parachute. My dad got it for me as a birthday present, it had to be imported as it could not be sold in the US. At the time I was living in San Luis Obispo, and most of the trails I was riding consisted of long fireroad climbs followed by fast, rocky descents on the network of old mining roads and improvised singletrack. The chin bar on the Parachute attached with two captive screws, so it was kind of a pain, but I used it regularly and liked the feeling of a little bit more protection. Next I upgraded to a Bell Super R, then my current helmet, a Leatt DBX 3.0. I kept the habit of using the chinbar on descents, and the other day it paid off for the first time in years ( other than the gains in confidence). Riding down one of the California Bay Area's few truly rocky trails in Santa Teresa Park I went otb at a little bit above walking pace on a steep, tricky downhill switchback. The chinbar likely saved my teeth and definitely abrasion and bruising. Thanks to the helmet and my knee/elbow pads (also Leatt), I continued riding literally without a scratch and only wounded pride. Plus a helmet that now needs to be replaced (also impacted the temple), although unfortunately the DBX 3.0 is impossible to find as you mentioned Andrew. I suspect many of them are sitting in garages with seldom-ridden, pandemic-purchased bikes. I've got a Kali invader for the meantime, which I like but really enjoy the convertible aspect of the DBX and similar lids.
Jan. 17, 2022, 11:19 a.m. - GeoMurph
I started wearing a convertible lid back in 2010ish when the only option was the Met Parachute. My dad got it for me as a birthday present, it had to be imported as it could not be sold in the US. At the time I was living in San Luis Obispo, and most of the trails I was riding consisted of long fireroad climbs followed by fast, rocky descents on the network of old mining roads and improvised singletrack. The chin bar on the Parachute attached with two captive screws, so it was kind of a pain, but I used it regularly and liked the feeling of a little bit more protection. Next I upgraded to a Bell Super R, then my current helmet, a Leatt DBX 3.0. I kept the habit of using the chinbar on descents, and the other day it paid off for the first time in years ( other than the gains in confidence). Riding down one of the California Bay Area's few truly rocky trails in Santa Teresa Park I went otb at a little bit above walking pace on a steep, tricky downhill switchback. The chinbar likely saved my teeth and definitely abrasion and bruising. Thanks to the helmet and my knee/elbow pads (also Leatt), I continued riding literally without a scratch and only wounded pride. Plus a helmet that now needs to be replaced (also impacted the temple), although unfortunately the DBX 3.0 is impossible to find as you mentioned Andrew. I suspect many of them are sitting in garages with seldom-ridden, pandemic-purchased bikes. I've got a Kali invader for the meantime, which I like but really enjoy the convertible aspect of the DBX and similar lids.