Commuting - Build an All-Weather Helmet!

Hello All,

Many of us ride no matter what the weather is like, and sometime that decision can result in wet and chilly bodies. I've just completed instructions on how to build something that help eliminate this: The All-Weather Helmet!

http://www.rebel-cycles.com/article_pics/helmet_photos/helmet_intro.jpg

Using a regular bike helmet, some nylon fabric and a commercially available helmet windscreen, you can build a helmet suitable for bad weather in just an hour, for less than $50 (maybe even free)!

Follow the link (www.rebel-cycles.com/articles.html) to find out how.

Keep on ridin', friends!

Let us know how it works out.

I'm concerned something like that would fog up for me... But I like the idea :)

In China the clear plastic face shield is common but
not sold in North America.

I remeber my first cycle hemet, a glossy red hard palstic Vetta Super Corsa. It has a half shield that was wicked looking. I loved that helmet, albeit a bit heavy :)

Let us know how it works out.

I'm concerned something like that would fog up for me... But I like the idea :)

Heh, my glasses already fog up. There are a few products out there that claim to eliminate fogging, I'll try one of those if fogging up becomes an issue.

Humm..

This is my Hockey Helmet. Maybe I should try this while commuting? :lol:

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2389/bauerhp2.jpg

Well I guess you could tear the visor off and mount it to a bike helmet. I wouldn't recommend wearing a hockey helmet while riding, though.

Well I guess you could tear the visor off and mount it to a bike helmet. I wouldn't recommend wearing a hockey helmet while riding, though.

I was kidding ;)

Well I guess you could tear the visor off and mount it to a bike helmet. I wouldn't recommend wearing a hockey helmet while riding, though.

Hey... it worked for that Russian character in the movie American Flyers. :p

Humm..

This is my Hockey Helmet. Maybe I should try this while commuting? :lol:

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2389/bauerhp2.jpg

hey viper, how much are those oakley visors? i don't think they sell those on their website anymore

hey viper, how much are those oakley visors? i don't think they sell those on their website anymore

I think it was about $80 cdn. I bought it at Mayfair Sharpening (Big Hockey Store) in town.

I wonder if the visor would help with debris flying?

Wouldn't you want a helmet without vents on top for cold rainy weather? I get rain running in the top vents and getting on the inside of my glasses via my forehead.

Vents on the side would be okay.

Let us know how it works out.

I'm concerned something like that would fog up for me... But I like the idea :)
As a former seasoned motorcyclist, i'd be very surprised if this suffers any fogging since
a) the nose and mouth are below the windscreen,
b) there is so much ventilation around the screen.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that i will make one of these, thanks jeff-o

Wouldn't you want a helmet without vents on top for cold rainy weather? I get rain running in the top vents and getting on the inside of my glasses via my forehead.

Vents on the side would be okay.

In the link I describe how to discreetly cover all the vents with nylon fabric. Look closely in the picture, you'll see all the vents are covered.

I used my new helmet this morning in dry -5C weather, and it performed very well. I didn't need a hat to keep my head warm (and I have very short hair), and the windscreen prevented my eyes from watering even at 40 km/h. My face mask, which covered my face and mouth, did cause my glasses to fog up, but not the screen. When I pulled the face mask down below my nose, everything cleared up. I didn't even need the mask to cover my nose, because the windscreen was pretty effective at deflecting most of the wind.

I'm looking forward to trying this helmet in colder weather...

Nice plans. Being a tinkerer with other's designs, I was wondering if you considered just using a raincover for the helmet? If so, why not go that route? It seems it would be easier, but I can see the windscreen might get in the way.

Humm..

This is my Hockey Helmet. Maybe I should try this while commuting? :lol:

Hey, don't laugh! I used to use my hockey helmet (sans face shield) for commuting. Back then the only alternative was that useless "hairnet" used by racers.

Nice plans. Being a tinkerer with other's designs, I was wondering if you considered just using a raincover for the helmet? If so, why not go that route? It seems it would be easier, but I can see the windscreen might get in the way.

Interference with the windscreen is the main issue. Many (but not all) rain covers also aren't compatible with visors, which are useful for keeping low sun and rain out of my eyes.

Cost is another issue, $3 of nylon is cheaper than an $18 helmet cover.

I also think that the nylon under the plastic cover looks cooler than a helmet cover. ;)

Thanks. That's what I thought. I like the clean look of your design.

Has anyone tried using a motorcycle helmet, or do you think you would look too damn ridiculous? You could mount a helmet mirror on one, as they have very flat surfaces, and many have forehead and chin vents. I assume there is a weight issue as well?

Anybody just thought of wearing a skullcap or balaclava under your helmet for bad weather? Works fine for me. I just throw goggles on if it gets real cold.

For rain, just put a cycling cap on underneath. It has the added benefit of keeping rain out of your eyes too.

I like this idea a lot, but the Louis Garneau visor costs about what my helmet did. Probably too much to spend. I looked around and it looks like I could buy a replacement face guard like you use in a machine shop for about $3. It should be easy enough to trim that down to a proper shape and affix it with velcro just like the Garneau. If I get a chance to try this out I'll post some instructions and pics. I love these DIY ideas.

Hey, don't laugh! I used to use my hockey helmet (sans face shield) for commuting. Back then the only alternative was that useless "hairnet" used by racers.


Not Laughing at all.... Every Canadian knows a Hockey Helmet can do double duties in the role of Universal Stunt Man Helmet as required ;)

I have used one for many experimental and potential crash senarios as a young boy, all the way to an adult :lol:

Interesting. I saw a bent rider just yesterday with a face shield on a BMX style helmet.
I thought he looked a little like Robocop.
He must be a reader of your site =D

I like this idea a lot, but the Louis Garneau visor costs about what my helmet did. Probably too much to spend. I looked around and it looks like I could buy a replacement face guard like you use in a machine shop for about $3. It should be easy enough to trim that down to a proper shape and affix it with velcro just like the Garneau. If I get a chance to try this out I'll post some instructions and pics. I love these DIY ideas.

It's probably the same type of plastic, so that would probably work just as well. If I get the chance, I should trace around the windscreen and make a pattern for others to follow. Hmmm, if that sort of thing is legal, that is. ;)

Anybody just thought of wearing a skullcap or balaclava under your helmet for bad weather? Works fine for me. I just throw goggles on if it gets real cold.

Thats exactly what i do. OR windstopper hat + all clear wraparound safety glasses with side-thingeys replaced by elastic strap.

Jeff-o -- go ahead and copy, live on the wild side.

Seeker333 -- I do the balaclava thing, but with glasses it is hard to find a good way to keep cold wind out of the eyes. This sort of shield would solve the problem and not restrict vision or fog up.

The fully optioned Bell Metro is a factory issue all weather helmet.

anyone ever tried these?
http://www.kroop.com/

cheap! thinking of ordering soon

Cheap helmet vent cover: shower cap

anyone ever tried these?
http://www.kroop.com/

cheap! thinking of ordering soon


anyone know why you would need goggles for bass fishing? I understand how polarized lenses could help, but goggles? Are bass that dangerous?

>>>Every Canadian knows a Hockey Helmet can do double duties in the role of Universal Stunt Man Helmet as required ;)


Great for cruising through Christmas shopping crowds! Give Way..com'n through!

>>>Every Canadian knows a Hockey Helmet can do double duties in the role of Universal Stunt Man Helmet as required ;)


Great for cruising through Christmas shopping crowds! Give Way..com'n through!


That too :lol:

I've been looking for a wind shield everywhere. But it looks like it won't work with a helmet mirror. I have a Take A Look mirror.

I've been looking for a wind shield everywhere. But it looks like it won't work with a helmet mirror. I have a Take A Look mirror.

The windscreen still allows you to keep all your peripheral vision, but the take-a-look might have to be modified or attached to the outside of the windscreen. Of course, if you made your own windscreen out of a piece of plastic, you could modify it to work with the mirror...