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D3 Helmets are available!

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dropmachine

Turbo Monkey
Sep 7, 2001
2,922
10
Your face.
I am willing to bet that the aerodynamic difference between a D3 and a Giro Remedy Carbon, THE carbon and 661 Evolution carbon is so minimal that it would barely be picked up in a wind tunnel by a bunch of white coats.

Same with the weight. Actually, guess I'll find out soon, since I have those three helmets in for review, and access to a D3.

I'll have to check but as far as I know all 3 of those helmets passed the same safety standards as the D3, although how well each one did isn't publicly available.

For the record, I will always get great enjoyment out of people who buy TLD stuff saying that they bought it cause its the best, rather then they bought it because of the fashion statement it makes. At least the dood above who admitted he got one "because he always wanted one" has the balls to admit the truth. :)
 
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bikesair

Chimp
Jun 30, 2009
67
0
San Luis Obispo CA
dropmachine.com said:
I am willing to bet that the aerodynamic difference between a D3 and a Giro Remedy Carbon, THE carbon and 661 Evolution carbon is so minimal that it would barely be picked up in a wind tunnel by a bunch of white coats.

Same with the weight. Actually, guess I'll find out soon, since I have those three helmets in for review, and access to a D3.

I'll have to check but as far as I know all 3 of those helmets passed the same safety standards as the D3, although how well each one did isn't publicly available.

For the record, I will always get great enjoyment out of people who buy TLD stuff saying that they bought it cause its the best, rather then they bought it because of the fashion statement it makes. At least the dood above who admitted he got one "because he always wanted one" has the balls to admit the truth. :)
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First, until you actually throw that helmet in a wind tunnel and do the testing you will never know. Any improvement at all means a win vs a loss in the race world.

I owned a Specialized Deviant composite and it was a piece. I am fairly positive my Deviant was lighter than my D3 but it's pretty dang amazing how light the D3 is. It's quite a surprise what you expect and what you actually feel when you pick up the helmet. I think the larger profile makes it even more of a surprise.

Same with the venting. This thing breathes like a champion. You need very little forward movement to feel the chill of the air against the top of your head (I have pretty short hair though). If there is a slight breeze or gust then you don't even need to move, just turn your head. You can tell that the aerodynamics were more than just for reducing drag.



The protection to weight ratio is a fib. I do know that from viewing the helmet that every spine/rib built into the helmet is not only aerodynamically sound but offers a serious structural benefit to the helmet. The top three ribs are made almost specifically for aid in support.
 
Uncle Cliffy

Uncle Cliffy

Turbo Monkey
Jan 28, 2008
4,490
42
Southern Oregon
dropmachine.com said:
For the record, I will always get great enjoyment out of people who buy TLD stuff saying that they bought it cause its the best, rather then they bought it because of the fashion statement it makes. At least the dood above who admitted he got one "because he always wanted one" has the balls to admit the truth. :)
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Thanks. :D:D:D

My D3 showed up today and I have to say I'm impressed. The fit is spot on, graphics are clean and smooth, and it's lighter than my carbon Remedy.

...and they give you another friggan visor!!! I didn't know you get 2 VISORS! Oh and a bag! Yippie!!! :rofl:
 
bdamschen

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
If it had a dot sticker on it that would keep the ranger off my back when I ride moto with it, I'd be all over it. But it doesn't.

All you condescending e-hecklers need not worry though, I'm probably going to get an SE-2 with gnarly graphics on it instead. I'm thinkin checkers maybe...
 
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Banshee Rider

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2003
1,452
10
Seriously? A wind tunnel debate? Over helmets?

Buy it because you want it. That should be enough for you; I know it is for me.
 
zdubyadubya

zdubyadubya

Turbo Monkey
Apr 13, 2008
1,273
96
Ellicott City, MD
Banshee Rider said:
Seriously? A wind tunnel debate? Over helmets?

Buy it because you want it. That should be enough for you; I know it is for me.
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I think most people are just practicing their excuses for their significant others (spouse, lover, whatever...). They are going to have to justify spending that amount of money on a helmet somehow...
 
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Banshee Rider

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2003
1,452
10
zdubyadubya said:
I think most people are just practicing their excuses for their significant others (spouse, lover, whatever...). They are going to have to justify spending that amount of money on a helmet somehow...
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Unless your significant other is dropmachine.com, who is one of the impossible to please types anyway (;)), then I can assure you justifying it won't be this hard.
 
bdamschen

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
Banshee Rider said:
Unless your significant other is dropmachine.com, who is one of the impossible to please types anyway (;)), then I can assure you justifying it won't be this hard.
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did you just... wink at him? :think:


My SO currently has a D2, while I'm rockin a 661 evolution. My biggest wife hurdle to buying a D3 would be explaining why I got one and she didn't.

You'd THINK that would make life easier...
 
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bikesair

Chimp
Jun 30, 2009
67
0
San Luis Obispo CA
Banshee Rider said:
Seriously? A wind tunnel debate? Over helmets?

Buy it because you want it. That should be enough for you; I know it is for me.
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Ya actually I didn't really want my D3 but I bought it anyway...you know, just to keep my wife real stoked. Of coarse I bought it because I wanted it :think:

Tell that to the guy who wears the full Lycra suite down the DH coarse...
Or to the Trek engineers who are doing wind tunnel testing down to the tires...

The point is, especially when DH's are up in the 40kph mark, air resistance has a LOT to do with your speed.

I haven't rode every helmet out there and I cant compare the D3 to everything. I just know when you lose by a 3 thousandths of a second you might wish you had spent a little more. I bought my D3 because it's the best. Everyone is quick to say "show me"...ya well...YOU show ME the D3 doesn't provide the best protection to weight ratio of any helmet out there...Also, you can believe it or not but pretty much every experience I have had stands true with "You get what you pay for.
 
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Banshee Rider

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2003
1,452
10
bikesair said:
Tell that to the guy who wears the full Lycra suite down the DH coarse...
Or to the Trek engineers who are doing wind tunnel testing down to the tires...

The point is, especially when DH's are up in the 40kph mark, air resistance has a LOT to do with your speed.
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What is this, a clay porter film? Downhill racing; its serious business. Blah blah blah. Last I knew, no one in this thread (myself included) is quick enough to make finals at any given WC round. Skinsuits, wind tunnels, air resistance, it doesnt matter to us. The helmet protects your head, it fits good, and it looks rad. Sounds like 3 checks FTW to me?
 
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bikesair

Chimp
Jun 30, 2009
67
0
San Luis Obispo CA
Banshee Rider said:
What is this, a clay porter film? Downhill racing; its serious business. Blah blah blah. Last I knew, no one in this thread (myself included) is quick enough to make finals at any given WC round. Skinsuits, wind tunnels, air resistance, it doesnt matter to us. The helmet protects your head, it fits good, and it looks rad. Sounds like 3 checks FTW to me?
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haha okay. par ftw!
 
sikocycles

sikocycles

Turbo Monkey
Feb 14, 2002
1,530
772
CT
I am deciding between the D3 and SE-2 right now. Is the SE-2 a larger helmet in the XXL?
Is the D3 as protective as the SE-2?
 
Iridemtb

Iridemtb

Turbo Monkey
Feb 2, 2007
1,497
-1
sikocycles said:
I am deciding between the D3 and SE-2 right now. Is the SE-2 a larger helmet in the XXL?
Is the D3 as protective as the SE-2?
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OMG I hear another helmet debate coming. Anyways... for mountain bike applications, I say D3. For motocross, obviously the SE-2. But people will never cease to claim their motocross helmets will protect them better. And maybe they do, like in Johnny Waddel's crash. But for falling head first in a rock garden going 20mph, I say the D3 cause it's ASTM rated. BUT, others will disagree.
 
Sverre

Sverre

Monkey
Aug 26, 2004
400
0
Norwaii
The D3 is lighter and more ventilated than the SE-2. I was in the same boat as you Siko, but decided to go for the D3 as this one seems to be a better option for mtb use. It´s also better for combining with a leatt brace than the SE-2 for mtb as I´ve understood. Getting mine in a few days. Will post back when I get it.
 
sikocycles

sikocycles

Turbo Monkey
Feb 14, 2002
1,530
772
CT
Sverre said:
The D3 is lighter and more ventilated than the SE-2. I was in the same boat as you Siko, but decided to go for the D3 as this one seems to be a better option for mtb use. It´s also better for combining with a leatt brace than the SE-2 for mtb as I´ve understood. Getting mine in a few days. Will post back when I get it.
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Ok thats good to know since I will be getting a Leatt brace also.
Just hope the XXL fits or it will be in the classifieds soon.
 
bdamschen

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
Now that I've seen a few people rock them in real life....


...am I the only one that gets reminded of this:


When I see a head on or rear view?
 
mtnbiker49

mtnbiker49

Monkey
Jul 12, 2009
242
0
Milford, PA
Anyone know if TLD will be introducing new designs into their production lineup? I am waiting till the D3 with only the carbon fiber showing (no paint) comes out. I saw it in their catalog, but its not on the website.
 
C

cubebiker

Chimp
Apr 9, 2008
88
0
Mine arrived friday.
It is XL and I love it. The D2 feels like a toy after you know the feel of a D3.
But it is way bigger due to the ventilation.





 
zdubyadubya

zdubyadubya

Turbo Monkey
Apr 13, 2008
1,273
96
Ellicott City, MD
chillindrdude said:
sorry, what i meant was...there is a tad more room from the front of my mouth to the jaw piece/part
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you suck man, just got mine last week in the same color. :thumb:

the maroon carbon fiber is really nice in catalog/online, gorgeous in person, and absolutely amazing in the sunlight. two thumbs up for TLD on this one.
 
Mulestar

Mulestar

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2007
1,061
0
in the dirt
Extra visor is an awesome Idea.

On the D2 you get to pay a ridiculous amount of coin to rock some retarded TLD paintjob...then you look like even more of an ass when you smash your visor first crash and have to rock a chrome one.
 
Sverre

Sverre

Monkey
Aug 26, 2004
400
0
Norwaii
Got my D3 today. I´m really stoked on this one!! It feels so much more like a proper helmet that my previous D2´s. Super comfy to wear and the quality seems way higher. Two visors and a great bag included. so far so good.

I´m 60,5cm and the XL fits perfecto.

 
sikocycles

sikocycles

Turbo Monkey
Feb 14, 2002
1,530
772
CT
Looks like i will be getting one soon. The Leatt is on the way and now the helmet. Looks pretty sweet
 
T

tlproject7

Monkey
Nov 15, 2005
520
0
ok 2 questions, especially for owners of previous troy lee helmets. i have an older d2 lg/md (assume they have allways been sized the same) and its definitely is a little big but ridable. then i also have a se2 large, which was a little big, but i got replacement medium cheek pads and now fits great. so the question is, can the medium and large d3s exchange pads to make them fit better. and other question, what d2s or se2 are you guys riding, how do they fit? and what d3s you guys go with and how does that fit? better snug then loose for me. the sizing chart on troy lees site has me confused, i measured my head and that number doesn't go along with what actually fits me and neither does my hat size at all. thanks a lot for any help you can give, and no i cant try one on. (unless one of you guys are in burlington and would let me)
 
Total Heckler

Total Heckler

Beer and Bike Enthusiast
Apr 28, 2005
8,171
189
Santa Cruz, CA
#1: Yes they can. The Medium and Large D3 helmets share the same shell and the pads are interchangeable.

#2: I used a M/L D2 previous to getting the D3. I was at the very end of the medium D3 fitting range. My D3 fit pretty snug in the begining but is not broken in to where it fits pretty dang perfect now. My D2 was a little more loose for sure.

Let me know if you have anymore questions. I would be happy to try and help.

tlproject7 said:
so the question is, can the medium and large d3s exchange pads to make them fit better.


and other question, what d2s or se2 are you guys riding, how do they fit? and what d3s you guys go with and how does that fit? better snug then loose for me. the sizing chart on troy lees site has me confused, i measured my head and that number doesn't go along with what actually fits me and neither does my hat size at all. thanks a lot for any help you can give, and no i cant try one on. (unless one of you guys are in burlington and would let me)
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