Bike helmet

[spacecat]

I've got one of those for my mtb. It's a nice fitting helmet. I don't think it looks as dorky as me road helmet. I probably wear that one most of the time.

But hey, look at the rest of the clothing!

If you want to spend more so that you look less dorky to others, then go ahead, I wouldn't waste the money.

 

[baldycyclist]

How about this? Is this dorky looking or not? :P

http://www.cyclesuk.com/product/Ukon_Helmet_CB912271

The name says it all!

 

[ufkacbln]

Thanks all. Going to have a look around and find a helmet that doesn't make me look like a dork.

The important things if you have decided to wear a helmet are:

1. It must actually fit!.
2. It must be comfortable
3. Legally for sale in the UK it must be marked "CE" or "EN1078" however this standard is so weak it is nol longer recognised in the US for racing or Triathlons. Best of the bunchis the Snell B90. Go back to BHSI for a full discussion on standards
4. Ventilation is and can be an issue, the vents and sharp angles on modern helmets reduce the effectiveness as there is less material to absorb impact energy. They can also catch and according to some research cause ejection and rotational injury Again look at BHSI and "snag points". Smoother,Rounder, Safer!

 

[MrJamie]

I seem to remember the really cheapy ones not conforming to the Snell rating.

I bought a reduced to £20 Specialized one, not particularly attractive but I wasnt convinced Id wear it for long, having memories of how hot a Halfords cheapo jobby was many years ago, but the air vents are awesome and is fine even when its hot outside.

If only theyd invent one which isnt horribly noisy.

 

[Norm]

I seem to remember the really cheapy ones not conforming to the Snell rating.

Very few of helmets on sale in this country do meet Snell standards.

If only theyd invent one which isnt horribly noisy.

Use a Buff pulled up over your ears and enjoy the blessed relief from wind noise. I noticed with a Buff over my ears that most of the wind noise is generated by my ears flapping in the wind, with some from the helmet straps. The helmet itself makes very little noise.

 

[lordloveaduck]

Helmets only last for a few years, regardless of how much they cost.

 

[Red Light]

I seem to remember the really cheapy ones not conforming to the Snell rating.

Most of them, even the expensive ones, in the UK don't conform to the Snell standard. AFAIK Specialized are the only ones sold in the UK that do.

 

[MrJamie]

Use a Buff pulled up over your ears and enjoy the blessed relief from wind noise. I noticed with a Buff over my ears that most of the wind noise is generated by my ears flapping in the wind, with some from the helmet straps. The helmet itself makes very little noise.

Flapping ears? :troll: It might just be my helmet, but Ive heard others say the same thing and when I ride without it theres always way less wind noise. When my hair was longer it was much quieter too, so im guessing a Buff would be a good idea

 

[Norm]

Flapping ears? :troll:

My ears aren't that big, really, but I'm still amazed at how much wind noise they generate and how a Buff makes it all go away.

and when I ride without it theres always way less wind noise.

Oh, there is definitely more noise when you ride with a helmet but, as I said, my experience is that it comes from the straps around the chin / cheek and ears rather than the helmet itself, so a Buff pulled up over the nose and ears keeps out bugs and flying stuff and reduces wind noise to, essentially, nothing.

 

[yello]

Helmets only last for a few years, regardless of how much they cost.

Could you expand on that please?

 

[lordloveaduck]

Could you expand on that please?

The inside of a helmet degrades overtime, even without crashing the foam and outer shell loses it's composition (think that's the right word).

http://www.livestrong.com/article/201029-how-when-to-replace-a-mountain-bike-helmet/

http://bikefat.com/is-it-time-to-replace-your-bike-helmet/


http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq

 

[Norm]

Could you expand on that please?

UV damages plastic and polystyrene, oil from hair does the same, they will all get infrequent bangs and knocks... etc

I came across one in my garage which was about 20 years old**. The polystyrene, well, what was left of it, was a yellowed gunk which was about 1/3 the thickness that it was when new.

Sadly, it was well certified and rounded with very few snagging points, but I could barely hold it, I certainly wasn't going to stick it on my head.

** I know that 20 years isn't the "few years" which lordloveaduck mentioned, but it's on the way.

 

[yello]

MET say 8 years for their helmets....

How long will my helmet last?
There are many theories regarding when you should replace your helmet – which is why MET decided to answer the question by testing their own models. And the result? For eight years a MET helmet will do its job just fine, as long as you don't damage it in a crash.

http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/how-do-met-make-their-helmets--21044/

I recall reading somewhere the comment that cycle helmet foam is the same stuff as those disposable coffee cups and environmentalists tell us that they take thousands of years to break down

 

[Tony Sutton]

Some interersting discussions here! Thanks.

I am now off to the city to look at helmets... hopefully will find one that suits me!

 

[Tony Sutton]

Thoughts? http://www.cyclesuk.com/product/Echelon_Helmet_2010_6010-6322-1