Quote Originally Posted by HK1837 View Post
Good reply! I'm pretty much with you though. Everything I go to buy, if it says "made in China" it goes back onto the shelf, unless there is no alternative! Been looking at bike helmets over the last few days, picked up a Shoei TZ-X Etheral for $499. Looking at the cheapies makes me wonder how well a $199 Chinese helmet would help you in a crash.
Not only that but with something like a helmet if you buy a cheapie you put up with mediocre comfort, excess wind noise and within a year the padding feels nearly non existent. I've had my current Shoei for nearly 6 years and it still feels as comfortable as the day I got it. Sure , it cost nearly $1000 but I would have spent that on cheap helmets in that time and had to put up with all the drawbacks. I've found that with cheap bike gear you can't wait to get to your destination and get the gear off. Wear the good stuff and you'll just want to keep riding