Advocacy & Safety - Helmets Are The ####!

Ok so, I'm pretty new to biking (well I learned when I was like 8 a long time ago, but just recently bought a more "real" bike).

Anyway by recently I mean 2 days ago, I bought my used Peugeot hybrid, and today I decided to give it a test run by biking from Upper East Side to Queens and back and through Central Park. Well! I also decided to stop by the sports authority in Queens to pick up a new helmet, my old one is purple and it doesn't look so hot to me. I got to Queens and the store fine, bought my helmet, and as my friend and I (oh yeah I'm with my friend in this story) headed back towards Manhattan, we were going pretty damn fast down a bike lane, and all of a sudden he decides to stop to check if I'm still behind him. Well I'm obviously still behind him, roughly 7 feet to be exact, and I (being a relatively novice biker and not having the most responsive 30 yr old brakes on my bike) slam directly into him. I dont really remember what happened because it was so fast, but we ended up skidding about 5 feet forwards, I was on my side, and my bike was on top of me, and the front of it was literally on top of my head. He had absolutely nothing! Anyway I got him to lift the bike off me and I could stand up, scratched my arm pretty bad, but

NOTHING WRONG WITH MY HEAD! There is a light scratch on the side where it skidded the ground, but thats it! Palm has a little scratch and soreness too, but basically everything will heal in a couple weeks, and theyre all superficial cuts.

Oh yeah, popped my front too and decided to just go ahead and replace the outer tires too. Its amazing how much of an effect new tires have on how old a bike looks.

I'm extremely thankful for the helmet, and know that I'll never go without one, but should I be buying a new one? It's really just a light scratch, didn't feel like a lot of impact on the head anyway (didn't feel anything in my head after the crash), and I just bought it like 15 minutes before the crash anyway. Does it need to be replaced :(?

WEAR HELMETS.

Does it need to be replaced?
Depends on how much you value your head...

Does it need to be replaced :(?

Depending on the manufacturer, you may be able to get it replaced for free or at a discount if they can use your helmet for research to improve future helmets.

Replace it either way.

Ah well, I guess if I really learned my lesson this time then I'd buy a new one, so then I will.

Unfortunately I'll have to pay full price for it, Bell's replacement policy is sending them a check for $35 and the old helmet, when I only paid $30 for the helmet in the first place
-_-;

Bell's replacement policy is great if you have one of their
better helmets. I crashed my Ghisallo, and $35 was way better than
$100.

Blah, I bought their Ukon F5 or whatever its called. Does anyone know the replacement policies of other companies, like Giro or something?

Oh and since I'm new to this whole thing, can someone give me a basic overview on the different types of helmets/manufacturers and what their differences are? Benefits to a $100 helmet an so on and so forth?

Hi,
there are roundy heads and oval heads. The Giro fits ovally, Bell is more roundy. The more expensive helmets are lighter and more holy. I had a bunch of cheap helmets before I got this one. They all pass the same test, so they all work. But this one is cool. I mean that in both senses of the word.

I just cant justify spending more than like $30 on a helmet when the bike itself was only $100. I really like the looks of the Bell Metro though but damn! $70!, and I guess my head is more round anyway so I'll stick with them then? Any other good helmet manufacturers that I should know about?

Thanks for the info!

Yea helmets are great. They are called accidents because you never know when it is going to happen. I have been in 2 crashes since I got my new bicycle 4 months ago. 1st time was when I tried to make a right turn and had my right foot pressed down all the way and the pedals hit the ground and cause me to fall. The 2nd time was when a lady on a MUP had a unleashed dog and I ran into the dog and crashed. Both times I had helmet and gloves on and came out with minor wounds.

Hi,
there are roundy heads and oval heads. The Giro fits ovally, Bell is more roundy. The more expensive helmets are lighter and more holy. I had a bunch of cheap helmets before I got this one. They all pass the same test, so they all work. But this one is cool. I mean that in both senses of the word.

So how does this translate to "Arai head" vs. "Shoei head". Those are terms I can relate to. I have an "Arai head", but I dunno if that's roundy or ovally. I've never noticed that much of a difference in fit between bicycle helmets brands. I'm pretty happy with my current one, a Specialized M1, but it's about due for replacement...

-Trevor

Hey... Glad to hear you are fine except for the minor road rash one gets when getting seperated from their bike.

I'm with you on the wearing a helmet thing. Doc told me mine saved my life this last December (actually told my wife, don't recall the experience). Had a Bell and bought a Giro Pneumo before getting back on my bike. I really like the "roc loc" mechanism that grabs the back of your head (check www.giro.com and you'll see). You still have to wear the chin strap but it is far more comfy than the Bell.

Also, helmets for the year are on closeout... You can grab one at a good discount now.

I don't recall the return policy but I have the owner's manual around here somewhere and will check it out. I THOUGHT there was a statement that if there was a crash, they would replace it (didn't say how much) within a year. After that, you're on your own.

I just cant justify spending more than like $30 on a helmet when the bike itself was only $100. I really like the looks of the Bell Metro though but damn! $70!, and I guess my head is more round anyway so I'll stick with them then? Any other good helmet manufacturers that I should know about?

Thanks for the info!

The Bell Citi helmet, which looks the same as the Metro, is on sale at Nashbar for $35, I have this helmet and am really pleased with it.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=13026&storetype=estore&estoreid=456&pagename=

Ah well, I guess if I really learned my lesson this time then I'd buy a new one, so then I will.

Unfortunately I'll have to pay full price for it, Bell's replacement policy is sending them a check for $35 and the old helmet, when I only paid $30 for the helmet in the first place
-_-;

$35 will get you a $100 helmet it is a good deal

You should be able to tell if the helmet is damaged beyond useablity by looking at it. Does the outer shell have the appearance that looks like it's delaminating or peeling away from something underneath of it? Did the styrofoam liner get crushed or cracked in any areas? Take the helmet to your LBS and have them exam it. Most of the time in minor crashes like yours where you just scratched the helmet the helmet is still good, there more robust then people on this forum think.

Nothing like that, there just this 3/4 inch long scratch on one side. I inspected all the visible foam and it looked absolutely perfect. It wasn't a very high impact crash (like impacting my head to the floor) I think.

Nothing like that, there just this 3/4 inch long scratch on one side. I inspected all the visible foam and it looked absolutely perfect. It wasn't a very high impact crash (like impacting my head to the floor) I think.

the 3/4" scratch would be in your head if it wasn't for the helmet. See if someone at your LBS can take a look at the helmet if you truely feel that wearing it again is a good idea.

the 3/4" scratch would be in your head if it wasn't for the helmet. See if someone at your LBS can take a look at the helmet if you truely feel that wearing it again is a good idea.

What he said. These helmets are just like eggs. Very strong, but add the tinest of cracks...

the 3/4" scratch would be in your head if it wasn't for the helmet. See if someone at your LBS can take a look at the helmet if you truely feel that wearing it again is a good idea.

If the LBS is at all responsible, they'll tell you to get a new one. Look on the inside of your helmet. If you haven't removed the stickers, it probably has one that says "These helmets are one-crash use helmets. In the event of a crash, microscopic damage can occur to the helmet, and it must be replaced to remain safe."


Giro's replacement policy is something like 20-30% off full retail on a new helmet. It may or may not be worth it, depending on how cheap you can get it elsewhere. Bell's replacement policy sounds really good if you have a high end helmet.

Even "IF" the helmet had a hairline crack (which I'm almost positive in this situation it doesn't) the helmet would not be compromised. If the crack was larger and/or the foam was indented then that would be another story. BUT you need to take it to a LBS or two and have them inspect it just to be safe. I've scratched a lot of helmets over a 30 year plus period of time and they were still safe. This scratch business is the same wives tale that gets spread that your suppose to replace your helmet every 2 years...that's nonsense; as long as the styrofoam is not leaving a residue (foam particles) on your forehead then the foam is good to go, I've had helmets last 8 years averaging 5,000 miles a year...with scratches too!

If the LBS is at all responsible, they'll tell you to get a new one. Look on the inside of your helmet. If you haven't removed the stickers, it probably has one that says "These helmets are one-crash use helmets. In the event of a crash, microscopic damage can occur to the helmet, and it must be replaced to remain safe."


This statement is made because of lawsuit happy Americans who will find fault where there is none and blame someone for their injuries, thus that statement is too protect the helmet company.

Ok so, I'm pretty new to biking (well I learned when I was like 8 a long time ago, but just recently bought a more "real" bike).

Anyway by recently I mean 2 days ago, I bought my used Peugeot hybrid, and today I decided to give it a test run by biking from Upper East Side to Queens and back and through Central Park. Well! I also decided to stop by the sports authority in Queens to pick up a new helmet, my old one is purple and it doesn't look so hot to me. I got to Queens and the store fine, bought my helmet, and as my friend and I (oh yeah I'm with my friend in this story) headed back towards Manhattan, we were going pretty damn fast down a bike lane, and all of a sudden he decides to stop to check if I'm still behind him. Well I'm obviously still behind him, roughly 7 feet to be exact, and I (being a relatively novice biker and not having the most responsive 30 yr old brakes on my bike) slam directly into him. I dont really remember what happened because it was so fast, but we ended up skidding about 5 feet forwards, I was on my side, and my bike was on top of me, and the front of it was literally on top of my head. He had absolutely nothing! Anyway I got him to lift the bike off me and I could stand up, scratched my arm pretty bad, but

NOTHING WRONG WITH MY HEAD! There is a light scratch on the side where it skidded the ground, but thats it! Palm has a little scratch and soreness too, but basically everything will heal in a couple weeks, and theyre all superficial cuts.

Oh yeah, popped my front too and decided to just go ahead and replace the outer tires too. Its amazing how much of an effect new tires have on how old a bike looks.

I'm extremely thankful for the helmet, and know that I'll never go without one, but should I be buying a new one? It's really just a light scratch, didn't feel like a lot of impact on the head anyway (didn't feel anything in my head after the crash), and I just bought it like 15 minutes before the crash anyway. Does it need to be replaced :(?

WEAR HELMETS.

I know that I am late on this thread, and everybody else have answered this for you. However, $30-$40 dollars is not too much money. Buy a new one. It's worth it.
I am totaly opposed to mandatory helmet laws, however, I believe in taking responsability for my own safety. As they say in Mexico, "vale la pena"

Even "IF" the helmet had a hairline crack (which I'm almost positive in this situation it doesn't) the helmet would not be compromised. If the crack was larger and/or the foam was indented then that would be another story. BUT you need to take it to a LBS or two and have them inspect it just to be safe. I've scratched a lot of helmets over a 30 year plus period of time and they were still safe. This scratch business is the same wives tale that gets spread that your suppose to replace your helmet every 2 years...that's nonsense; as long as the styrofoam is not leaving a residue (foam particles) on your forehead then the foam is good to go, I've had helmets last 8 years averaging 5,000 miles a year...with scratches too!
The fam does deteriate fast. Helmet companies etc sugest 2 years because thats the shortest life span they have found based on humidity tempreture changes during the year etc. Styrofoam breaks down prety fast realy.
A helmet with a crack dent or bruise should be replace asap. Do this go buy 2 of these fisher price helmets you see and bash one around a bit till you get a small visable crack in it. Leave the other alone and intact. Now take the cracked helmet in both hands one on the frot one on the back and squeez as hard as you cant till it breaks (be warned when it does go if theres any strenth left at all its going to just suddenly break possibly painfully so).
Now after you break the purposfully damage one repeat with the undamaged one. What your going to find is youll bust the slightly damaged one far easy than you might expect. The undamaged one will likly be so strong that your unable to bust it. I say use the fisher price kids helmet because they are cheap and also made delibratly weaker. Kids can get head and neck injuries if a helmet survive a hard fall. Beign the weakest will also show you just how strong they truely are.

As damaged helmet is not better than no helmet ither btw.