View Poll Results: Helmet wearing habits?
I've never worn a bike helmet
178
10.66%
I used to wear a helmet, but have stopped
94
5.63%
I've always worn a helmet
648
38.80%
I didn't wear a helmet, but now do
408
24.43%
I sometimes wear a helmet depending on the conditions
342
20.48%
Voters: 1670. You may not vote on this poll
The helmet thread
#7551
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
There's only one test I've ever seen reported on older helmets. It's at the BHSI website - they took a well-used and sun-yellowed Bell Biker helmet that was over 10 years old and sent it off to Snell for testing. The results were that it did just as well as new Bell Bikers had originally.
I still have my Bell Biker but usually use a newer Bell model that's only 22 years old. It's still 100% effective in its primary function - to avoid complaints on club rides that have a mandatory helmet requirement.
I still have my Bell Biker but usually use a newer Bell model that's only 22 years old. It's still 100% effective in its primary function - to avoid complaints on club rides that have a mandatory helmet requirement.
On the other hand ... I've got some fake carbon fiber covering on order (my twisted sense of humor - in order to fake a CF look on cheap accessories like my seat post or knockoff headlight). If I could wrap that around the Styrofoam on that old Schwinn helmet that could look pretty sharp. Maybe shave it down a bit first so it's not so bulky ...
Last edited by wphamilton; 05-02-14 at 12:20 PM.
#7552
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,529
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2111 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
The "manual" does say "You can scramble an egg just by shaking it."
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 05-02-14 at 12:38 PM.
#7553
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 95
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't really like wearing a helmet, it's uncomfortable for me and i look, well, weird wearing one. I know I probably should start wearing one again so does anyone know how much should you spend on a helmet. I'm not going 100 km/h, mostly mtb and around 20 to max 40 km/h
#7554
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: Rans Stratus, Trek 1420, Rivendell Rambouillet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The writer misses Big Time with his accepting as gospel the conclusions of infamous Thopmpson-Riveria study. "According to a 1989 study in the New England Journal of Medicine, riders with helmets had an 85% reduction in their risk of head injury and an 88% reduction in their risk of brain injury. That's an overwhelming number that's backed up study after study."
Yes that is an overwhelming number that had to be retracted by the study's authors as being inflated, AND has NOT been backed up by "study after study." The study is notorious for its tiny non-random sample selections as well as comparisons of very dissimilar populations of cyclists.
Short critique of this study:
https://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/digest/seattle.html
Longer critique:
https://www.cyclehelmets.org/1068.html
Yes that is an overwhelming number that had to be retracted by the study's authors as being inflated, AND has NOT been backed up by "study after study." The study is notorious for its tiny non-random sample selections as well as comparisons of very dissimilar populations of cyclists.
Short critique of this study:
https://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/digest/seattle.html
Longer critique:
https://www.cyclehelmets.org/1068.html
Accid Anal Prev. 2014 Mar 28;70C:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2014.02.016. [Epub ahead of print]
Bicycle helmets are highly effective at preventing head injury during head impact: Head-form accelerations and injury criteria for helmeted and unhelmeted impacts.
Cripton PA1, Dressler DM2, Stuart CA3, Dennison CR4, Richards D3.
Abstract
Cycling is a popular form of recreation and method of commuting with clear health benefits. However, cycling is not without risk. In Canada, cycling injuries are more common than in any other summer sport; and according to the US National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, 52,000 cyclists were injured in the US in 2010. Head injuries account for approximately two-thirds of hospital admissions and three-quarters of fatal injuries among injured cyclists. In many jurisdictions and across all age levels, helmets have been adopted to mitigate risk of serious head injuries among cyclists and the majority of epidemiological literature suggests that helmets effectively reduce risk of injury. Critics have raised questions over the actual efficacy of helmets by pointing to weaknesses in existing helmet epidemiology including selection bias and lack of appropriate control for the type of impact sustained by the cyclist and the severity of the head impact. These criticisms demonstrate the difficulty in conducting epidemiology studies that will be regarded as definitive and the need for complementary biomechanical studies where confounding factors can be adequately controlled. In the bicycle helmet context, there is a paucity of biomechanical data comparing helmeted to unhelmeted head impacts and, to our knowledge, there is no data of this type available with contemporary helmets. In this research, our objective was to perform biomechanical testing of paired helmeted and unhelmeted head impacts using a validated anthropomorphic test headform and a range of drop heights between 0.5m and 3.0m, while measuring headform acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HIC). In the 2m (6.3m/s) drops, the middle of our drop height range, the helmet reduced peak accelerations from 824g (unhelmeted) to 181g (helmeted) and HIC was reduced from 9667 (unhelmeted) to 1250 (helmeted). At realistic impact speeds of 5.4m/s (1.5m drop) and 6.3m/s (2.0m drop), bicycle helmets changed the probability of severe brain injury from extremely likely (99.9% risk at both 5.4 and 6.3m/s) to unlikely (9.3% and 30.6% risk at 1.5m and 2.0m drops respectively). These biomechanical results for acceleration and HIC, and the corresponding results for reduced risk of severe brain injury show that contemporary bicycle helmets are highly effective at reducing head injury metrics and the risk for severe brain injury in head impacts characteristic of bicycle crashes.
Bicycle helmets are highly effective at prev... [Accid Anal Prev. 2014] - PubMed - NCBI
Bicycle helmets are highly effective at preventing head injury during head impact: Head-form accelerations and injury criteria for helmeted and unhelmeted impacts.
Cripton PA1, Dressler DM2, Stuart CA3, Dennison CR4, Richards D3.
Abstract
Cycling is a popular form of recreation and method of commuting with clear health benefits. However, cycling is not without risk. In Canada, cycling injuries are more common than in any other summer sport; and according to the US National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, 52,000 cyclists were injured in the US in 2010. Head injuries account for approximately two-thirds of hospital admissions and three-quarters of fatal injuries among injured cyclists. In many jurisdictions and across all age levels, helmets have been adopted to mitigate risk of serious head injuries among cyclists and the majority of epidemiological literature suggests that helmets effectively reduce risk of injury. Critics have raised questions over the actual efficacy of helmets by pointing to weaknesses in existing helmet epidemiology including selection bias and lack of appropriate control for the type of impact sustained by the cyclist and the severity of the head impact. These criticisms demonstrate the difficulty in conducting epidemiology studies that will be regarded as definitive and the need for complementary biomechanical studies where confounding factors can be adequately controlled. In the bicycle helmet context, there is a paucity of biomechanical data comparing helmeted to unhelmeted head impacts and, to our knowledge, there is no data of this type available with contemporary helmets. In this research, our objective was to perform biomechanical testing of paired helmeted and unhelmeted head impacts using a validated anthropomorphic test headform and a range of drop heights between 0.5m and 3.0m, while measuring headform acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HIC). In the 2m (6.3m/s) drops, the middle of our drop height range, the helmet reduced peak accelerations from 824g (unhelmeted) to 181g (helmeted) and HIC was reduced from 9667 (unhelmeted) to 1250 (helmeted). At realistic impact speeds of 5.4m/s (1.5m drop) and 6.3m/s (2.0m drop), bicycle helmets changed the probability of severe brain injury from extremely likely (99.9% risk at both 5.4 and 6.3m/s) to unlikely (9.3% and 30.6% risk at 1.5m and 2.0m drops respectively). These biomechanical results for acceleration and HIC, and the corresponding results for reduced risk of severe brain injury show that contemporary bicycle helmets are highly effective at reducing head injury metrics and the risk for severe brain injury in head impacts characteristic of bicycle crashes.
Bicycle helmets are highly effective at prev... [Accid Anal Prev. 2014] - PubMed - NCBI
#7555
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
How about this study, from a more reliable, peer-reviewed source:
... At realistic impact speeds of 5.4m/s (1.5m drop) and 6.3m/s (2.0m drop), bicycle helmets changed the probability of severe brain injury from extremely likely (99.9% risk at both 5.4 and 6.3m/s) to unlikely (9.3% and 30.6% risk at 1.5m and 2.0m drops respectively). These biomechanical results for acceleration and HIC, and the corresponding results for reduced risk of severe brain injury show that contemporary bicycle helmets are highly effective at reducing head injury metrics and the risk for severe brain injury in head impacts characteristic of bicycle crashes.
Bicycle helmets are highly effective at prev... [Accid Anal Prev. 2014] - PubMed - NCBI
John
... At realistic impact speeds of 5.4m/s (1.5m drop) and 6.3m/s (2.0m drop), bicycle helmets changed the probability of severe brain injury from extremely likely (99.9% risk at both 5.4 and 6.3m/s) to unlikely (9.3% and 30.6% risk at 1.5m and 2.0m drops respectively). These biomechanical results for acceleration and HIC, and the corresponding results for reduced risk of severe brain injury show that contemporary bicycle helmets are highly effective at reducing head injury metrics and the risk for severe brain injury in head impacts characteristic of bicycle crashes.
Bicycle helmets are highly effective at prev... [Accid Anal Prev. 2014] - PubMed - NCBI
John
It seems that they make a lot of biomechanical assumptions there, since we obviously know that's not true ...
#7556
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 9,183
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1111 Post(s)
Liked 244 Times
in
196 Posts
I don't really like wearing a helmet, it's uncomfortable for me and i look, well, weird wearing one. I know I probably should start wearing one again so does anyone know how much should you spend on a helmet. I'm not going 100 km/h, mostly mtb and around 20 to max 40 km/h
Bell Furio Road Helmet - Dig In HUGE SAVINGS While Items Last
Giro Rift Sport Helmet - Dig In HUGE SAVINGS While Items Last
Louis Garneau Letour Sport Helmet - Dig In HUGE SAVINGS While Items Last
Louis Garneau Edge Sport Helmet - Dig In HUGE SAVINGS While Items Last
Fox Flux Helmet - Dig In HUGE SAVINGS While Items Last (MTB helmet)
Louis Garneau Orbit Mountain Helmet - Dig In HUGE SAVINGS While Items Last
Bell Alchera Road Helmet - Dig In HUGE SAVINGS While Items Last
Bell Variant Mountain Helmet - Closeout - Dig In HUGE SAVINGS While Items Last (MTB helmet)
this is just one example of closeout helmets one company is offering, there are others too like Performance. These closeout helmets will be about the same price as Walmart type of helmets but will be made a lot better.
#7557
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: Rans Stratus, Trek 1420, Rivendell Rambouillet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Accid Anal Prev. 2014 Mar 28;70C:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2014.02.016. [Epub ahead of print]
Bicycle helmets are highly effective at preventing head injury during head impact: Head-form accelerations and injury criteria for helmeted and unhelmeted impacts.
Cripton PA1, Dressler DM2, Stuart CA3, Dennison CR4, Richards D3.
Author information
Abstract
Cycling is a popular form of recreation and method of commuting with clear health benefits. However, cycling is not without risk. In Canada, cycling injuries are more common than in any other summer sport; and according to the US National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, 52,000 cyclists were injured in the US in 2010. Head injuries account for approximately two-thirds of hospital admissions and three-quarters of fatal injuries among injured cyclists. In many jurisdictions and across all age levels, helmets have been adopted to mitigate risk of serious head injuries among cyclists and the majority of epidemiological literature suggests that helmets effectively reduce risk of injury. Critics have raised questions over the actual efficacy of helmets by pointing to weaknesses in existing helmet epidemiology including selection bias and lack of appropriate control for the type of impact sustained by the cyclist and the severity of the head impact. These criticisms demonstrate the difficulty in conducting epidemiology studies that will be regarded as definitive and the need for complementary biomechanical studies where confounding factors can be adequately controlled. In the bicycle helmet context, there is a paucity of biomechanical data comparing helmeted to unhelmeted head impacts and, to our knowledge, there is no data of this type available with contemporary helmets. In this research, our objective was to perform biomechanical testing of paired helmeted and unhelmeted head impacts using a validated anthropomorphic test headform and a range of drop heights between 0.5m and 3.0m, while measuring headform acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HIC). In the 2m (6.3m/s) drops, the middle of our drop height range, the helmet reduced peak accelerations from 824g (unhelmeted) to 181g (helmeted) and HIC was reduced from 9667 (unhelmeted) to 1250 (helmeted). At realistic impact speeds of 5.4m/s (1.5m drop) and 6.3m/s (2.0m drop), bicycle helmets changed the probability of severe brain injury from extremely likely (99.9% risk at both 5.4 and 6.3m/s) to unlikely (9.3% and 30.6% risk at 1.5m and 2.0m drops respectively). These biomechanical results for acceleration and HIC, and the corresponding results for reduced risk of severe brain injury show that contemporary bicycle helmets are highly effective at reducing head injury metrics and the risk for severe brain injury in head impacts characteristic of bicycle crashes.
Bicycle helmets are highly effective at preventing head injury during head impact: Head-form accelerations and injury criteria for helmeted and unhelmeted impacts.
Cripton PA1, Dressler DM2, Stuart CA3, Dennison CR4, Richards D3.
Author information
Abstract
Cycling is a popular form of recreation and method of commuting with clear health benefits. However, cycling is not without risk. In Canada, cycling injuries are more common than in any other summer sport; and according to the US National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, 52,000 cyclists were injured in the US in 2010. Head injuries account for approximately two-thirds of hospital admissions and three-quarters of fatal injuries among injured cyclists. In many jurisdictions and across all age levels, helmets have been adopted to mitigate risk of serious head injuries among cyclists and the majority of epidemiological literature suggests that helmets effectively reduce risk of injury. Critics have raised questions over the actual efficacy of helmets by pointing to weaknesses in existing helmet epidemiology including selection bias and lack of appropriate control for the type of impact sustained by the cyclist and the severity of the head impact. These criticisms demonstrate the difficulty in conducting epidemiology studies that will be regarded as definitive and the need for complementary biomechanical studies where confounding factors can be adequately controlled. In the bicycle helmet context, there is a paucity of biomechanical data comparing helmeted to unhelmeted head impacts and, to our knowledge, there is no data of this type available with contemporary helmets. In this research, our objective was to perform biomechanical testing of paired helmeted and unhelmeted head impacts using a validated anthropomorphic test headform and a range of drop heights between 0.5m and 3.0m, while measuring headform acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HIC). In the 2m (6.3m/s) drops, the middle of our drop height range, the helmet reduced peak accelerations from 824g (unhelmeted) to 181g (helmeted) and HIC was reduced from 9667 (unhelmeted) to 1250 (helmeted). At realistic impact speeds of 5.4m/s (1.5m drop) and 6.3m/s (2.0m drop), bicycle helmets changed the probability of severe brain injury from extremely likely (99.9% risk at both 5.4 and 6.3m/s) to unlikely (9.3% and 30.6% risk at 1.5m and 2.0m drops respectively). These biomechanical results for acceleration and HIC, and the corresponding results for reduced risk of severe brain injury show that contemporary bicycle helmets are highly effective at reducing head injury metrics and the risk for severe brain injury in head impacts characteristic of bicycle crashes.
Head Injury Criterion (HIC) is defined in Wikipedia, which also states:
At a HIC of 1000, one in six people will suffer a life-threatening injury to their brain (more accurately, an 18% probability of a severe head injury, a 55% probability of a serious injury and a 90% probability of a moderate head injury to the average adult).[4]
E4.4 Impact Test Interpretation
The peak acceleration of the headform shall not exceed 300 G's for any valid test impact. Similarly, the helmet's protective structures shall remain intact throughout the testing. If, the Foundation's technical personnel conclude that the headgear has been compromised by breakage, the sample shall be rejected.
Snell Foundation - B-90A helmet standard
The peak acceleration of the headform shall not exceed 300 G's for any valid test impact. Similarly, the helmet's protective structures shall remain intact throughout the testing. If, the Foundation's technical personnel conclude that the headgear has been compromised by breakage, the sample shall be rejected.
Snell Foundation - B-90A helmet standard
Above, there was mention of the effects of heat and cold. I thought people would also like to see the criterion for testing under these conditions using the Snell Standard:
E1. Conditioning for Testing
The barometric pressure for all conditioning and testing environments shall be 75 to 110 kPa. The laboratory temperature and relative humidity shall be within 17C to 27C and 20% to 80% respectively. All test samples shall be stabilized within these ambient conditions for at least four hours before further conditioning and testing.
a. Cold. The sample shall be conditioned by being exposed to a temperature of -20 C ą 2 C for a period of not less than four (4) hours, nor more than twenty-four (24) hours.
b. Heat. The sample shall be conditioned by being exposed to a temperature of 50 C ą 2 C for a period of not less than four (4) hours, nor more than twenty-four (24) hours.
c. Wet. The sample shall be immersed crown down in potable water at a temperature of 17C to 27C to a crown depth of 305 mm ą 25 mm for a period of not less than four (4) hours, nor more than twenty-four (24) hours.
All testing of these hot, cold and wet helmets shall begin within two (2) minutes from the time of removal from the conditioning apparatus. The samples shall be returned to the conditioning apparatus between tests.
Snell Foundation - B-90A helmet standard
The barometric pressure for all conditioning and testing environments shall be 75 to 110 kPa. The laboratory temperature and relative humidity shall be within 17C to 27C and 20% to 80% respectively. All test samples shall be stabilized within these ambient conditions for at least four hours before further conditioning and testing.
a. Cold. The sample shall be conditioned by being exposed to a temperature of -20 C ą 2 C for a period of not less than four (4) hours, nor more than twenty-four (24) hours.
b. Heat. The sample shall be conditioned by being exposed to a temperature of 50 C ą 2 C for a period of not less than four (4) hours, nor more than twenty-four (24) hours.
c. Wet. The sample shall be immersed crown down in potable water at a temperature of 17C to 27C to a crown depth of 305 mm ą 25 mm for a period of not less than four (4) hours, nor more than twenty-four (24) hours.
All testing of these hot, cold and wet helmets shall begin within two (2) minutes from the time of removal from the conditioning apparatus. The samples shall be returned to the conditioning apparatus between tests.
Snell Foundation - B-90A helmet standard
John
Last edited by John C. Ratliff; 05-03-14 at 10:40 PM.
#7558
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
You need to re-read the citation:
Note that these were actual measured values, not some hypothetical. Yes, these values happen from a height of 1.5-2 meters, dropped onto pavement or cement. This is why we advocates for helmets say that it is important to wear one; these injuries can happen from a normal fall height. The reason we don't always see it is that the head may or may not strike the ground in a fall. If the person tucks his/her head and rolls, or uses arms to keep the head from hitting, then the head doesn't suffer the potentially fatal impact.
Head Injury Criterion (HIC) is defined in Wikipedia, which also states:
The Snell Standard states:
As you can see, measuring 827g's means that a traumatic brain injury from that impact is almost certain. It is the luck of the draw as to whether the head actually impacts or not.
Above, there was mention of the effects of heat and cold. I thought people would also like to see the criterion for testing under these conditions using the Snell Standard:
By the way, I switched from CPSC certification to Snell certification in my most recent helmet.
John
Note that these were actual measured values, not some hypothetical. Yes, these values happen from a height of 1.5-2 meters, dropped onto pavement or cement. This is why we advocates for helmets say that it is important to wear one; these injuries can happen from a normal fall height. The reason we don't always see it is that the head may or may not strike the ground in a fall. If the person tucks his/her head and rolls, or uses arms to keep the head from hitting, then the head doesn't suffer the potentially fatal impact.
Head Injury Criterion (HIC) is defined in Wikipedia, which also states:
The Snell Standard states:
As you can see, measuring 827g's means that a traumatic brain injury from that impact is almost certain. It is the luck of the draw as to whether the head actually impacts or not.
Above, there was mention of the effects of heat and cold. I thought people would also like to see the criterion for testing under these conditions using the Snell Standard:
By the way, I switched from CPSC certification to Snell certification in my most recent helmet.
John
"As you can see, measuring 827g's ..."
You are incorrectly assuming that a fall from 1.5 or 2 meters will result in this g force impact. A disconnected head will. Obviously, most falls from a bicycle do not result in this trauma.
This was alleged to be a study of biomechanics. Doesn't it seem absurd to you to cite a 99.9% chance of brain trauma in an alleged biomechanics study, which disregards all of the actual biomechanics involved?
#7559
Cycle Year Round
Remember that the helmet that just predated the the thin shell model was just the styrofoam only helmet (with maybe a cloth covering for appearance). When the styrofoam hit the ground, it stuck and caused severe rotational forces = neck injuries and concussions. The helmet manufacturers began to understand that their helmets were causing many more injuries than not having a helmet.
Their solution was the thin plastic to let the helmet skip across the ground a little better. They also needed to get rid of the evidence before anyone else realized what was going on, so they began the free helmet with the return of a helmet that was in a crash program.
So the thin plastic coating does reduce injury when comparing to the styrofoam only helmet.
__________________
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
#7560
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: Rans Stratus, Trek 1420, Rivendell Rambouillet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't want to appear to flippantly dismiss your long post, but there's just one key part here:
"As you can see, measuring 827g's ..."
You are incorrectly assuming that a fall from 1.5 or 2 meters will result in this g force impact. A disconnected head will. Obviously, most falls from a bicycle do not result in this trauma.
This was alleged to be a study of biomechanics. Doesn't it seem absurd to you to cite a 99.9% chance of brain trauma in an alleged biomechanics study, which disregards all of the actual biomechanics involved? (emphasis added, jcr)
"As you can see, measuring 827g's ..."
You are incorrectly assuming that a fall from 1.5 or 2 meters will result in this g force impact. A disconnected head will. Obviously, most falls from a bicycle do not result in this trauma.
This was alleged to be a study of biomechanics. Doesn't it seem absurd to you to cite a 99.9% chance of brain trauma in an alleged biomechanics study, which disregards all of the actual biomechanics involved? (emphasis added, jcr)
John
Last edited by John C. Ratliff; 05-04-14 at 01:28 AM.
#7561
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,054 Times
in
634 Posts
trancel
You say you look weird with a helmet. Depending on the skills of the undertaker, you might look really weird laying there in the casket because you were not wearing a helmet. Think about that.
You say you look weird with a helmet. Depending on the skills of the undertaker, you might look really weird laying there in the casket because you were not wearing a helmet. Think about that.
#7562
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280
Bikes: Nashbar Road
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
228 Posts
No marketing hype. But it does not tell you what it was being compared too.
Remember that the helmet that just predated the the thin shell model was just the styrofoam only helmet (with maybe a cloth covering for appearance). When the styrofoam hit the ground, it stuck and caused severe rotational forces = neck injuries and concussions. The helmet manufacturers began to understand that their helmets were causing many more injuries than not having a helmet.
Their solution was the thin plastic to let the helmet skip across the ground a little better. They also needed to get rid of the evidence before anyone else realized what was going on, so they began the free helmet with the return of a helmet that was in a crash program.
So the thin plastic coating does reduce injury when comparing to the styrofoam only helmet.
Remember that the helmet that just predated the the thin shell model was just the styrofoam only helmet (with maybe a cloth covering for appearance). When the styrofoam hit the ground, it stuck and caused severe rotational forces = neck injuries and concussions. The helmet manufacturers began to understand that their helmets were causing many more injuries than not having a helmet.
Their solution was the thin plastic to let the helmet skip across the ground a little better. They also needed to get rid of the evidence before anyone else realized what was going on, so they began the free helmet with the return of a helmet that was in a crash program.
So the thin plastic coating does reduce injury when comparing to the styrofoam only helmet.
#7563
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,529
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2111 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
I don't really like wearing a helmet, it's uncomfortable for me and i look, well, weird wearing one. I know I probably should start wearing one again so does anyone know how much should you spend on a helmet. I'm not going 100 km/h, mostly mtb and around 20 to max 40 km/h
Start by looking at Bell and Giro and POC and even Yakkay. There are certainly many many more styles out there. Browse.
Once you decide the look, find a LBS that carries them or something like them. Then go try them on. Find one that fits, is comfortable, and doesn't look "weird" to you.
How much does it cost? That's how much you should spend.
Don't bargain hunt on the the interwebs. You will have no idea how it fits or if it's comfortable. (You may or may not even have a good idea if it looks "weird" on you.)
An unworn helmet is not worth very much, no matter how much you paid for it.
-mr. bill
#7564
20+mph Commuter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 7,491
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1422 Post(s)
Liked 315 Times
in
210 Posts
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." - The Bible
I am not religious or superstitious but good advice can sometimes be teased from that Old Book. If you are not familiar with this advice, here is the meaning of the sentence above. If you have a minute it will probably set you free from trying to convert people who do not desire conversion whatsoever. Learning to plant seeds in fertile soil can save you a lot of wasted time.
Last edited by JoeyBike; 05-04-14 at 08:44 PM.
#7565
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: Rans Stratus, Trek 1420, Rivendell Rambouillet
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
*sigh*...300+ pages on this thread have not changed most minds here.
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." - The Bible
I am not religious or superstitious but good advice can sometimes be teased from that Old Book. If you are not familiar with this advice, here is the meaning of the sentence above. If you have a minute it will probably set you free from trying to convert people who do not desire conversion whatsoever. Learning to plant seeds in fertile soil can save you a lot of wasted time.
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." - The Bible
I am not religious or superstitious but good advice can sometimes be teased from that Old Book. If you are not familiar with this advice, here is the meaning of the sentence above. If you have a minute it will probably set you free from trying to convert people who do not desire conversion whatsoever. Learning to plant seeds in fertile soil can save you a lot of wasted time.
John
#7567
Tractorlegs
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
Well, I've watched this thread from a safe distance for 2-1/2 years now, and finally voted. I voted "Didn't wear a helmet, but now do". Reasons:
- When I bapped my head on the concrete in 1991, I did not enjoy the concussion
- When I bapped my head on the concrete in 2003, helmeted, I enjoyed not having the concussion
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
#7570
Senior Member
- When I bapped my head on the concrete in 1991, I did not enjoy the concussion
- When I bapped my head on the concrete in 2003, helmeted, I enjoyed not having the concussion
#7571
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,529
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2111 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
Curious what you were doing in each of these cases? Bicycle riders in The Netherlands have an injury (of any sort, including fairly minor cuts) from a bicycle crash about once every 73 lifetimes and a head injury about once every 900 lifetimes. You've had two in one lifetime.
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 05-07-14 at 08:54 AM.
#7572
Tractorlegs
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
Curious what you were doing in each of these cases? Bicycle riders in The Netherlands have an injury (of any sort, including fairly minor cuts) from a bicycle crash about once every 73 lifetimes and a head injury about once every 900 lifetimes. You've had two in one lifetime.
I probably need to move to the Netherlands lol
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
#7573
Senior Member
I've had three total, in 40 years of bicycling - The 1991 was when a car illegally pulled into a MUP from behind a bush (in a Denver, CO greenbelt where cars should not have been), and I went over the bars onto the concrete at about 12 or 13 mph. The helmeted crash was when I rode too fast (18 or 19 mph) over an unpainted speed bump I didn't see in a parking lot. I actually was laughing too hard to get up, and it happened right in front of a packed pizza joint - I was sore the next morning, but no injuries.
I probably need to move to the Netherlands lol
I probably need to move to the Netherlands lol
#7574
Tractorlegs
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
Hahahaha - - I had been wondering why I was banned from entering the Netherlands, now I know!
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
#7575
Banned
throwing another hat in the ring MorpherŪ | Folding Helmet Technology
from this blog A Foldable Bike Helmet You'll Just Happen To Have In Your Bag : All Tech Considered : NPR
maybe something to fill up that Messenger bag with your Apple Lap top ,
selling at over $100 Computer code writing hipsters at Google And Microsoft will be the market that will early adopt it
since its cheap when compared with the $3K a month rent in the City.
from this blog A Foldable Bike Helmet You'll Just Happen To Have In Your Bag : All Tech Considered : NPR
maybe something to fill up that Messenger bag with your Apple Lap top ,
selling at over $100 Computer code writing hipsters at Google And Microsoft will be the market that will early adopt it
since its cheap when compared with the $3K a month rent in the City.