Advocacy & Safety - Do I need to replace my helmet?

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vinnydelnegro
09-19-06, 03:18 PM
Sorry if this has been discussed, but a search didn't turn up anything. The plastic part on the outside of my helmet is in rough shape. A few weeks ago, it started coming off my helmet, so I used some electrical tape to go around the entire plastic piece so that it doesn't fall off. Yesterday, I noticed that there are cracks in the plastic towards the front of the helmet. I put some electrical tape around that too so that it wouldn't continue to crack. My question is.....does this affect the integrity of the helmet in an event of a crash? I don't really care how it looks, I just want to make sure that I'm being safe. Any help would be appreciated.

Brate
09-19-06, 03:22 PM
I would say yes replace it, but I'm no professional.
Hambone
09-19-06, 03:30 PM
Sorry if this has been discussed, but a search didn't turn up anything. The plastic part on the outside of my helmet is in rough shape. A few weeks ago, it started coming off my helmet, so I used some electrical tape to go around the entire plastic piece so that it doesn't fall off. Yesterday, I noticed that there are cracks in the plastic towards the front of the helmet. I put some electrical tape around that too so that it wouldn't continue to crack. My question is.....does this affect the integrity of the helmet in an event of a crash? I don't really care how it looks, I just want to make sure that I'm being safe. Any help would be appreciated.the plastic outside keeps the styrofoam inside together in case your head bounces on the pavement two or more times. (That is how it was explained to me.)

Considering how inexpensive a new helmet is...

(FYI: if you don't care too much about looks, those skate board/hockey like helmets, from what I can tell, are built to withstand more abuse. And do not need to be replaced after one accident.)

closetbiker
09-19-06, 04:32 PM
You're kidding right?

There are hundreds (I'm kidding) of threads on this topic.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=222534
SemperFi
09-19-06, 05:25 PM
For the sake of your own safety get a new one.
DieselDan
09-19-06, 06:11 PM
If you have to ask, then you've answered your own question.
AndrewP
09-20-06, 03:08 PM
Since the chance of hitting your head while cycling is so remote, your helmet will be fine. When you are at a place selling hemets, check them out, and if there is one that matches your favorite cycling clothes and it looks good on you - buy it.
John Wilke
09-21-06, 11:36 AM
If you have to ask, then you've answered your own question.

I agree. Do you think you need a new helmet?

jw
Blue Order
09-21-06, 11:59 AM
Since the chance of hitting your head while cycling is so remote, your helmet will be fine.Which is another way of saying "as long as you don't land on your head, your helmet will be fine."
Paul L.
09-21-06, 12:16 PM
I had an old Giro helmet whose plastic was doing the same thing after many hours in the sun. The cracks could be a sign that your plastic is undergoing degradation caused by UV. If it is the plastic won't even hold itself together in a crash. I would replace it. I find my helmets last about a year if I ride 6000 miles or so.