Scattante Spyder Helmet

HOT! great ventilation (23 vents) fits well good looking

NOT! some creaks awkward adjustment mechanism

Performance Bicycle http://www.performancebike.com/ https://amzn.to/2uqiAtA Cost: $120 MSRP ($80 retail) Source: online, Performance Bike retail How obtained:  review sample RBR advertiser:  no Tested:  20+ hours

I’ve been using a Bell Sweep helmet for the past couple of years. It was a big upgrade for me over my previous Bell helmet, offering better airflow and improved aesthetics. It was a great fit for me, to the point where I would sometimes completely forget I was wearing it. The Sweep is available for around $120.

Performance recently launched a new helmet onto the market, under the Scattante brand.  Called the Scattante Spyder, it is generally available for around $80. My question was how this helmet would compare to more expensive models from makers such as Bell and Giro.

The Scattante Spyder has a carbon and aluminum structure inside the helmet, which allows for light weight (269 grams).  According to Performance, the structure will also lend support in case of an accident. The company claims that this internal structure makes it possible for the vents to be larger, thereby increasing airflow.

The structure of the helmet allows for a lower profile than many I’ve seen, reducing the high sided ???bubble??? look I’ve had with some other helmets. Overall, the helmet wins high marks for aesthetics and compares favorably to more costly helmets on the market.

The helmet comes well-packaged and had the welcome inclusion of an extra set of liner pads. I found the initial set-up of the helmet to be little fussy. Instead of the rear dial on the Bell models, which can be operated with one hand, the Spyder relies on two ratchets which were a little stiff, making adjustments awkward. This led me to be less likely to change the fit while riding. One other point I noticed is that these ratchets sometimes creak while riding. Overall, that’s not a big deal, but it is noticeable.

The helmet also felt a little awkward initially. Later on in the testing this went away; I think it could be attributed to being quite used to the very comfortable fit of the Bell.

First rides had me aware I was wearing a new helmet. It took a few outings before I got the fit dialed in to where I was happy with it. However, since that point the helmet has felt natural while riding. By week three of testing, it had reached the point where it felt as comfortable and correct as my usual helmet.

One of the great things about the Spyder is the air flow. The way the helmet is made allows for 23 very generous air vents. This was very noticeable in the humid North Carolina summer, making hot rides very bearable. This is the most well-vented helmet I’ve used, and it was this feature that truly stood out for me.

For the sake of comparison, after three weeks of use I swapped back to my Bell Sweep helmet. The adjustability of the Bell helmet was the feature I found most lacking in the Scattante Spyder.

The Spyder is the best-vented helmet I’ve used, something I truly appreciated. I liked the styling of the helmet. The adjustment was awkward when riding along; I found the helmet needed to be set up right before starting out. After adjusting to my desired preference, it did feel like a natural fit.

The price is much lower than other high-end helmets, usually $80 or less from Performance, and overall compares favorably to more expensive models.

If you’re in the market for a higher end helmet, and don’t want to break the bank, the Scattante Spyder is worthy of consideration.

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Paul Smith regularly reviews products for RBR. He’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in thePiedmont area of North Carolina. He commutes often, and his car is worth less than any of his bikes. Click to read Paul’s full bio.