Are old helmets still safe?

[tobykenobi]

Lots of manufacturers recommend replacing helmets after 5 years. I am sure there are good reasons for this. Oh yes, and nothing to do with selling more helmets. Not at all.

Given they are made of plastic and polystyrene - neither of which really degrade much over a few years - I can't see why they would need replacing.

I am generally sceptical of any protective benefits of cycle helmets. I only wear one on my road bike as it seems the done thing when in full lycra and my wife nags me if I don't. I never wear one when commuting or short journeys. Is this rational? Probably not.

 

[MontyVeda]

Obeying the wife then doing what you like when she's not looking is very rational.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Definitely no need to spend a ton these days, Giro do some very erm, venty and decent looking helmets around the 60 pounds mark. My wife has the BTwin 700 that cost less than 30 pounds, and I'm actually jealous of her. It looks great and it's really well made.

 

[Grant Fondo]

you certainly don't need to spend £100. Try a few on and buy the one that's most comfortable> I've never spent more than £50 with savvy shopping

Ok thanks vick... will do some research 50 quid sounds good to me the rest can go on mince pies

 

[Tin Pot]

Any advice?

My Specialized is 16 years old, £100 odd quid at the time, but sun, sweat, mud, rain and general 'chod' have taken their toll so how safe are old helmets and is there a suggested replacement date?

Are any helmets safe?

I would suggest you ask Specialized if it still has whatever characteristics it originally claimed to have - I doubt they will say anything other than get a new one.

 

[steveindenmark]

Old helmets are safer on old heads.

 

[Erudin]

Helmet Impact Performance Proven to Hold Up for Decades:

"This is the first time anyone has applied rigorous science to assessing the effects of age on helmet foam liners. It is a welcome antidote to the strident marketing claims that foam deteriorates with age. There are other reasons to replace a helmet--crash damage, strap deterioration, improving fit--but simple aging of the foam liner is not one of them."

http://www.helmets.org/up1505a.htm

"Based on these data, the impact attenuation properties of EPS foam in field-used bicycle helmets do not degrade with the age."

http://biomechanical.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/article.aspx?articleid=2497744

 

[MontyVeda]

Ok thanks vick... will do some research 50 quid sounds good to me the rest can go on mince pies

alternatively, spend it all on mince pies and fashion a new helmet from the plastic trays

 

[gavroche]

It is the same with matresses. Manufacturers advise us to replace them every 8 years. Of course, nothing to do with business.
( good thing I checked the predictive text as it originally changed " mattresses" to " mistresses" !!).

 

[AnthonyC]

The most credible argument I've ever heard for replacing them is that a helmet may develop minor cracks when it drops on the floor or bangs against a hard surface, which over the years happens many many times (in my case anyway, drop it in the garage or something like that..). And that would potentially compromise the overall integrity.

 

[classic33]

UV damage will be unseen damage for the most part. Is there any part that won't have received have much light over the years that you can make a direct comparison with. Major difference, replace. The plastic will be brittle.(Applies not just to helmets by the way)

 

[HLaB]

Whilst I reckon the Helmet replacement thing is just a money spinner at 16years old I'd replace it; you'll probably get a lighter and more vented helmet for less £s You can of course spend more money but IMO it doesn't really get you much more.

 

[T4tomo]

It is the same with matresses. Manufacturers advise us to replace them every 8 years. Of course, nothing to do with business.
( good thing I checked the predictive text as it originally changed " mattresses" to " mistresses" !!).

Mistresses should be changed much more regularly than 8 years to keep them feeling mistressy, and unwifey.

 

[vickster]

@Grant Fondo Good black friday reduction here on a well vented helmet (£40 down from £100), free returns too

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Cannondale/Cypher-Road-Helmet/AGLE

 

[oldroadman]

Actually that's not a bad idea...best check with Signora ORM first. These continentals can be a bit feisty about that sort of thing.