BBB Grid Helmet with Rear LED Light

The BBB Grid helmet is a stylish and affordable piece of kit that aims to improve the visibility of urban riders, including through an integrated rear light, while protecting your head should you come off your bike – although you may want to consider sizing up to the large version if your head measurement falls towards the top of the medium size.

Our best cycling helmets buyer's guide rounds up all sort of helmets for all sorts of riders at all sorts of prices.

Founded 25 years ago by ex-pro cyclists Chris Koppert and Frank Moons, the clothing, accessories and parts that the company makes span all types of cycling, with products aimed both at what the Dutch term wielrenners, ie those who ride bikes for sport or fitness, and fietsers, people who use one for more sedate leisure riding and as a way of getting around towns and cities whether to travel to work or school, or run errands.

This unisex helmet is clearly aimed squarely at the latter, and while the vast majority of everyday cyclists in the Netherlands ride their bikes without one, the company's international distribution means it is available in other markets, including the UK, both online and through independent bike dealers.

Without wishing to fan the flames of the eternal helmet debate, for a number of years now I've chosen to cycle without a helmet. But the job I recently started, delivering groceries by cargo bike, means I am required to wear one, making it an opportune time to test this product.

Of course, the true test of a cycle helmet is how much protection it affords should your head hit the ground, which thankfully hasn't happened yet on my rounds. It does, however, conform to the European Standard EN-1078 for bicycle helmets, which is also the basis for the British Standard BS EN 1078:1997.

The outer shell comes in three colours: black, white and, as tested, neon yellow. I suspect most people considering this helmet will be riding a bike in an upright position, and feedback from colleagues is that the version I've been testing is clearly visible from a distance, a large part of which of course will be due to the colour.

On all three, visibility from behind is enhanced not only by two reflective tabs, but also an integrated rear light, which is simple to operate – press once for steady mode, once again for flashing mode, and again to turn it off.

The light can easily be seen from a distance of 100 metres-plus, and despite heavy usage during six hours of mainly evening shifts after the clocks have gone back, the single CR2032 button battery, accessed through unscrewing its compartment from the inside of the helmet using a small, cross-head screwdriver – hasn't yet needed changing.

Ventilation is excellent. According to the official product description, there are 10 vents, although the housing for the rear light takes up one of those, so for practical purposes, that leaves nine – three at the front, three in the middle, and three at the year.

The cooling provided by those vents mean that even on a seven-hour shift pedalling a heavy, though thankfully e-assisted, cargo bike around west London, once I take the helmet off, there's little in the way of sweat on my scalp.

The front three vents also have a mesh screen that prevents insects from making their way inside – admittedly not a problem I've encountered now we are into the winter months – as well as a detachable washable lining.

The helmet, secured in place by an adjustable chin-strap with further fine-tuning provided by a rear dial, comes in two sizes – M, for a head circumference of 54-58cm, and L, for 58-62cm.

The product tested was an M, and while my head measures 57cm, and the helmet fits nicely and isn't tight or uncomfortable, having tested it I'd be inclined to go for the larger size when purchasing, which would also enable it to accommodate a cap underneath now the winter months are coming.

Value

So far as pricing is concerned, I think it's difficult to find a branded, urban-styled helmet at this price point that to me looks as striking as this one, and with the benefit of an integrated rear light.

Simon recently tested the distinctive-looking TSG Geo Urban Helmet TSG Geo Urban Helmet, which he liked and which also features an integrated rear LED, though at £79.99 it's a fair bit dearer than the BBB.

The Met Mobilite has a £100 RRP, though you can find it for a good deal less, and not only does it have a rear LED, it also has Mips and comes in three sizes. Matt Rated it when he put it through its paces a couple of years ago.

Since 2020 we've only tested a handful of sub-£50 helmets and those tend to feature much sportier styling. But Hollis was wowed by the Specialized Align II and Emma rated the female-focused Liv Relay. Both come in at just £45 and, like the Met, they both feature Mips.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this is a stylish, affordable helmet for urban riders that is aimed to increase their visibility, and I think does a good job of that, although you may want to consider the large version rather than the medium, depending on your head size and especially if you think you may wear something underneath during the colder months.

Verdict

A stylish, affordable helmet that aims to increase the wearer's visibility – but you may wish to consider sizing up