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| They look like the helmet, but do they work? |
This review is for the Catlike Whisper knockoff models that are plastered all over ebay. They haven't changed much since I bought mine in early 2012, so the review should definitely holdover from a few years back to the current models.
I initially wanted a Catlike helmet because I thought they looked unique, were lightweight and were ridden by the Cervelo Test Team. However, when I checked how much they cost, I decided to pass. They were north of $200 and I believe some Whisper models still are. To me, this was one of the worst values for a helmet. Although it did provide "superior" ventilation (according to Catlike) and did stand out, they failed to garner CPSC certification and if I recall did not garner CEN certification initially either. Eventually they did gain CEN certification (hence their presence in the pro peloton), but for a while in the early to mid 2000s, the USA cycling would DQ riders who wore Catlike helmets because they did not pass CPSC standards. So I did not want to invest in a helmet that actually provided little protection..if any.
Review
Let me start off by saying be wary of purchasing helmets from ebay sellers in China. My two experiences have not instilled great confidence in the process moreso than the product. What I mean is that, when I ordered the helmets, they basically came wrapped in a thin layer of wrapping paper. My friend when he saw it at the mailbox knew it was a helmet because the wrapping paper basically conformed to the shape of the helmet. It was not bubble wrapped or even in a protective box that was then placed in another box for shipping. I ordered a second one (a different brand helmet) from a different seller and it came in a similar fashion, although it did have some bubble wrap (that did not actually wrap around the entire helmet). There really isn't much to protect the helmet from fracturing from a moderate drop or from getting banged around during shipping. I say this because I didn't inspect it all that much initially when I first got it and I really should have. I bought it during the winter and so did not have much use for it. I never dropped it and I put in one of those plastic drawers for storage. When it finally warmed up a bit in late February, I took it for a spin. However, when my buddy was dropping by from Indiana to ride, I took a look at both my helmets and discovered that there was a significant fracture at the front that propagated to the middle of the helmet. That was only after three months of mostly weekend riding and absolutely no crashes. So, be wary when ordering as these sellers do not do a particularly good job of shipping.
Anyway, on to the helmet itself. Let's face it, Catlike helmets are built to be light and well ventilated. They aren't going to protect you quite as well as say something like the Bell Lumen, which is much thicker, heavier and less well ventilated. So I knew going in that I needed to be a little more careful. The knockoff is actually a little thinner in foam thickness than the current Catlikes, but it does ventilate very well (much better than my Bell Lumen and other chinese knockoff) and is very lightweight. However, as is customary for many chinese knockoffs, the adjuster knob is a bit clunkier and the way they use the pads and locations are terrible. The pads lining the mid and side portions of the helmet are adequate, but they leave the front awfully uncomfortable. Next, the straps are also slight uncomfortable as well. They also seem to be of a different material than brand name helmets. The texture is rougher and it is a little more difficult to adjust. My Bell Lumen (although also made in China) has straps that are much smother and adjusting and locking the straps in place is a breeze.
Verdict
I can't really recommend based on the dodgy shipping alone. When I've order brand name helmets, they often sit in a thick box and when placed in a shipping box, hardly move and none of the foam is exposed such that any impact would hit the helmet first through the boxes. However, you should contact the seller and let him make his shipping and handling protocol known. If he or she can guarantee proper shipping and handling, I would be a little more inclined to buy another one, but probably a different model. The models with the orange ratchet system aren't that good or comfortable. I may try one more helmet order however, since there are some with a slightly better ratchet system and they finally use larger pad set pieces rather than many individual skinny pads.
Review
Let me start off by saying be wary of purchasing helmets from ebay sellers in China. My two experiences have not instilled great confidence in the process moreso than the product. What I mean is that, when I ordered the helmets, they basically came wrapped in a thin layer of wrapping paper. My friend when he saw it at the mailbox knew it was a helmet because the wrapping paper basically conformed to the shape of the helmet. It was not bubble wrapped or even in a protective box that was then placed in another box for shipping. I ordered a second one (a different brand helmet) from a different seller and it came in a similar fashion, although it did have some bubble wrap (that did not actually wrap around the entire helmet). There really isn't much to protect the helmet from fracturing from a moderate drop or from getting banged around during shipping. I say this because I didn't inspect it all that much initially when I first got it and I really should have. I bought it during the winter and so did not have much use for it. I never dropped it and I put in one of those plastic drawers for storage. When it finally warmed up a bit in late February, I took it for a spin. However, when my buddy was dropping by from Indiana to ride, I took a look at both my helmets and discovered that there was a significant fracture at the front that propagated to the middle of the helmet. That was only after three months of mostly weekend riding and absolutely no crashes. So, be wary when ordering as these sellers do not do a particularly good job of shipping.
Anyway, on to the helmet itself. Let's face it, Catlike helmets are built to be light and well ventilated. They aren't going to protect you quite as well as say something like the Bell Lumen, which is much thicker, heavier and less well ventilated. So I knew going in that I needed to be a little more careful. The knockoff is actually a little thinner in foam thickness than the current Catlikes, but it does ventilate very well (much better than my Bell Lumen and other chinese knockoff) and is very lightweight. However, as is customary for many chinese knockoffs, the adjuster knob is a bit clunkier and the way they use the pads and locations are terrible. The pads lining the mid and side portions of the helmet are adequate, but they leave the front awfully uncomfortable. Next, the straps are also slight uncomfortable as well. They also seem to be of a different material than brand name helmets. The texture is rougher and it is a little more difficult to adjust. My Bell Lumen (although also made in China) has straps that are much smother and adjusting and locking the straps in place is a breeze.
Verdict
I can't really recommend based on the dodgy shipping alone. When I've order brand name helmets, they often sit in a thick box and when placed in a shipping box, hardly move and none of the foam is exposed such that any impact would hit the helmet first through the boxes. However, you should contact the seller and let him make his shipping and handling protocol known. If he or she can guarantee proper shipping and handling, I would be a little more inclined to buy another one, but probably a different model. The models with the orange ratchet system aren't that good or comfortable. I may try one more helmet order however, since there are some with a slightly better ratchet system and they finally use larger pad set pieces rather than many individual skinny pads.
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