BlackNBlue

Mountain biking has become a passion for me. I wear a helmet when riding right now, but I think a full faced helmet would offer me much more confidence riding downhill aggressively. What do you guys think? When is it necessary for a full faced helmet?

chipcom 

whenever you think it is

randya

I wear one to zoobomb, lots of freeride downhillers not only wear full face helmets but body armor as well

David13

I guess when you feel you need or want it. It won't hurt you, I don't think. Depends on how much safety you decide you want.
We use them on motorcycles but I also recently saw a post where a stunt bicycler on a skateboard course could have used one, as he would then have some teeth left.
dc

daven1986

Hell I use one to commute - don't fancy getting my jaw mashed up on the road. Basically if you feel you need one then go for it, however don't let it give you too much confidence and cause you to take extra unnecessary risks.

Mr York

I use one for commuting too. I reach speeds of 22ish during many parts and just feel better about having it on. A plus is I notice people look at it, so it catches the attention more than a regular helmet would.

When I am riding for pleasure and slower I don't feel the need for it.

uke

^ The extra visual attention is definitely an advantage if you're on busy roads.

ghettocruiser

Indeed.

They may also be required at some lift-serviced mountain or BMX-type bike parks.

If you're into that kind of thing.

I wear mine:

- When riding at DH parks.
- Stunt-prone XC trails (whenever it's not too hot)
- In the winter (with goggles, even commuting... it's warm and comfy)

ghettocruiser

Oh, and don't get carried away with the "confidence you can buy" thing.

It may protect your teeth and be slightly better than a regular helmet with the rest of your head, but it's still just a half-inch of Styrofoam and fiberglass. Expect no miracles.

randya

it's all about risk management, no law or style of helmet is going to protect you from every possibility

everyone can stop discussing helmets forever now

daven1986

Well yes risk management is important, and indeed no helmet will protect you from everything. But it is always good to have one on for the times you fall and it does save you.

@ghettocruiser: I don't expect miracles from it, however I'd prefer not to have the side of my face covered in road rash and my nose broken etc. etc. It also makes me feel safer, which can only be a good thing

David13

Helmets will probably be discussed for any and all activities from now til the end of time.
dc

Dahon.Steve

Wait a second! Where are all the antihelmet forum members?

Didn't they convince us that ALL helmets offer little or no protection? Since when did a full face bicyle helmet get a pass? LOL!

IbikezLA

I guess they too don't want their faces torn off on a high speed fall.

StrangeWill

I got kind of a phobia of damaging my teeth while riding, it's been tempting...

Camilo

when riding a bike, walking down the street or taking a bath - you might fall and hurt your face.

IbikezLA

If you don't want your face to get eaten when you fall then go for it.

srmatte

wish I had had one when I wiped out. Could have saved some facial skin and a chunk of ear.

Mr Danw

If you miss a bend in the trail it will keep branches out of your face. That is always a plus.

Basil Moss

Sounds like a great way to make your hobby that little bit more risky.

Brett77

DH riding is the only time I use full face, it's come in handy too

Brett77

if you go to a lift accessed bike park like Whistler in summer, I would say 90% of the riders you see will be wearing a full face

jeph

For all the full face users: How do they work for cooling as the weather gets warmer. Seems to me they would get quite warm. I had FF helmets in my olden moto days and they got warm and I had an engine to power up the hills with.

I have seen bike looking hellmets that had what appeared to be a football (american) place kicker face mask. Might help protect one's grill in a faceplant but certainly not nearly the protection from a full face downhill type helmet.

I agree that I feel almost naked mountain bikeing and maybe that keeps me out of the last 10% range of riding that greatly increases the crashing risk. don't know whether that is good or bad

ghettocruiser

Poorly.

jeph

Bummer. I thought one of these would be nice for Mountain biking.