Helmet "shield"

[Generic Rider]

I'm new to this board, so pardon me if I'm bring up something that's already been discussed. This is my first winter to ride, and I'm thinking a shield that attaches to the helmet might be a good idea. Also might use it in the summer, as I don't really care for the taste of bugs...

I see them on other sport helmets, (and, of course Motorcyclists) why not bicycle helmets?

Appreciate any ideas on the subject...

[Chris L]

As far as summer riding is concerned, one of those things would be far too hot around here, as it probably also be in winter for that matter. I personally quite like the bugs, they are very nutritious! I just wish I could take them home to have with my vegemite! :D

[velo]

I don't think you need a full-face shield for your helmet. Why don't you try sunglasses? If it's not for the sun, try the many kinds of glasses that you can change lens, and get a clear lens.

velo

[Jean Beetham Smith]

The main problem with a full face helmet in the winter is condensation and frost, just like on cars. There are some windshields that some winter riders like, but they are attached to the handlebars a la motorcycles. Instructions for building one can be found at www.danenet.wicip.org/bcp/ .

[Steele-Bike]

In the coldest of weather I use a helmet cover and clear lenses in my shades. I have problems with my eyes watering, so the clear lenses help a lot on the pre-dawn ride in to work.

[mike]

Actually, your idea isn't too crazy.

For winter riding, I have heard of bicycle wind shields like you find on motorcycles.

From what I have heard, they block the wind and make the ride much warmer.

These bicycle wind shields have been marketed. They were too expensive for me to even make a note of where I saw it. They were something like $350.00 which, to me was a lot of money for plexiglass.

I also saw plans on the internet a couple of years ago for making a shield. Sorry, I don't quite remember where, but there was an article posted on one of the web-based bicycling sites that described how to make your own bicycle shield. That might be worth surfing for.

[thbirks]

you may be interested in something like this.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.html?SKU=5081&Store=Bike

[Jean Beetham Smith]

Been there, done that, save your money. The velcro wasn't strong enough for cross winds, and it did fog.

[MikeR]

The face shield appeals to me too. As soon as the temperature starts to drop the skin on my face starts drying our and peeling, no matter how much chapstick I smear all over my face. Motorcycle helmets have face shields - would they work?

[Steele-Bike]

Does anyone else have opinions of the helmet shield that thbirks refered to? http://www.performancebike.com/shop...5081&Store=Bike

Even though I wear clear lense cycling glasses, the winter wind still freezes my forehead/nose area. A balaclava only covers so much.

Does the shield attach just with velcro or does it also snap into the existing visor holes?

[Jean Beetham Smith]

The one I received only attached with velcro. I was very disappointed with the product. It is the only thing from Performance I've ever really felt I'd been mislead on. I tried it for 1 week and it had serious problems in rain; warm & dry; and cold & dry conditions. I trashed it.

[mike]

I was in Japan last week and found a wind screen that was pretty neat. It was made of a clear poly or maybe PVC flexible material with a wire frame around it.

The shield went all the way down the front forks to about the axle of the front wheel and was a bit higher than head level, so it was quit the shield.

It sold for about $13.00. I was tempted to buy it and bring it home just for the curiosity, but I have so much unused bike junk already that I just couldn't convince myself to get it.

It was marketed to mothers who carry their babies on front mounted bicycle carriers. It is charming to know that mothers in Japan will bring their children on bicycles even in the rain - knowing what many western mothers have forgotten; babies don't melt from a little rain.

[Steele-Bike]

Originally posted by mike
It is charming to know that mothers in Japan will bring their children on bicycles even in the rain - knowing what many western mothers have forgotten; babies don't melt from a little rain.

This morning my GF needed (wanted) me to drive (UGH!) her to an appointment. It was 40 degrees and raining, so how could I say no? On the way back I was pleasantly surprised when, despite the inclement weather, I passed a lady towing her young daughter in a Burley. So, Mike, there may just be a little hope left.

Jean, thanks for the info on the shield. Now, if only someone would make one that actually worked.

[Merriwether]

I wear goggles in the cold and wet. They're better than a helmet shield, I think. I don't always wear a helmet anyway (shocking, I know.)

I use these laboratory goggles-- they're cheap, well-vented, and large enough for sunglasses underneath.

[mike]

Originally posted by Steele-Bike


This morning my GF needed (wanted) me to drive (UGH!) her to an appointment. It was 40 degrees and raining, so how could I say no? On the way back I was pleasantly surprised when, despite the inclement weather, I passed a lady towing her young daughter in a Burley. So, Mike, there may just be a little hope left.



That's neat! I am delighted whenever I hear about anybody taking their kid's on bikes. sadly, though, a friend of mine almost lost custody of his child because his ex-wife's attorney was able to convince a judge that my friend was endangering their child by transporting the child in a bicycle mounted child carrier.

Hey, here is some neat news. I contacted Mr. Bill Macher who wrote the article in "Bicycle Community Forum" about how to make a windshield for a bike. Bill was kind enough to send me some photos, but I haven't been able to open them yet (computer glitch). When I do figure out how to open them, I will post them.

[MichaelW]

You can get time-trialling helmets with an integral face shield, but they dont provide much crash-protection.The clear platic stops just below the nose, so you dont steam it up. The sports which use full-face masks are perhaps not as aerobic as cycling.
In winter you can use a thin balaclava and goggles. You really need your peripheral vision, which some safety and skiing goggles obstruct.
Bike mounted wind shields have all kinds of problems esp in sidewinds and gales.

[Generic Rider]

Originally posted by Merriwether
I use these laboratory goggles-- they're cheap, well-vented, and large enough for sunglasses underneath.

Not sure what you mean by Laboratory goggles. Where do you think I can buy them?

Thanks.

And thanks to everyone that responded to my original post. Appreciate your input.

[MichaelW]

Chemistry lab safety goggles. You can get them from any industriual supply house.

[mike]

Fork/handle mounted wind screens, laboratory goggles, motorcycle helmets...

Did anybody notice that any of the proposed wind-shield solutions will have you looking like the ultimate geek?

[Steele-Bike]

Originally posted by mike
Did anybody notice that any of the proposed wind-shield solutions will have you looking like the ultimate geek?

Isn't that what cycling is all about? If I had an image complex, I would be driving an SUV to work. :)

[velo]

Originally posted by Steele-Bike


Isn't that what cycling is all about?

...but not that bad... ;)

[Merriwether]

Originally posted by MichaelW
Chemistry lab safety goggles. You can get them from any industriual supply house.

What he said!

I think I got mine from labsafety.com.. I can't remember. They were about $7 mail-order.

Whoever it was I bought the goggles from has since sent me several huge color catalogs. There went their profit and then some.

[Leo C. Driscoll]

Biking in winter conditions in the Northeast is comparable to back country skiing. I do both. So It was natural to use my BMW blue Boeri ski helmet with goggles in Boston traffic. Basically, I look like a Broncos line backer- my favorite team ;-) I look scary to motorists and pedestrians alike. Since commuting in Boston traffic is a form of warfare, this is not inappropriate.

Boston is the Wild East; we ride on icy sidewalks as well as on unplowed streets. If we have very heavy snow and ice, I plan to switch from WTB 700c Tyranosaurus (?) tires to the WTB MotoRaptor 2.1 tires on my Marin Eldridge Grade or even WTB NanoRaptor 29-inch tires. If it gets really exteme, I may order some studded ice tires from Finland. These would enable me to crunch through the snowfields along the Charles River.

Any commute on any bike in Boston is a better experience than driving (and giving up your shoveled-out parking space) or being claustrophobed in a subway that is primitive and third-world (in comparison with Tokyo or even New York).

[Tom_The_Bikeman]

Hi,

I've used a ZZipper fairing http://www.zzipper.com/ZipUprightfolder/UprftSolarRace.jpg in Seattle and some here, but I don't use it in the winter. It does keep your hands warm, and reduces the amount of rain that hits you...

If that sounds like your kind of fun, check out pricing and more information than you can shake a stick at at ZZiper Web Site (http://www.zzipper.com/prices.html)

But...the main thing is to have glasses that don't fog, and ear covering of some kind. Also, you want to be visible on the bike.

I couldn't discern if you were a generic male or female, so I don't know if this will help, but growing a beard does help when it gets really cold (and is neat looking when you have ice in it)

You'll be well off to ensure that you stay upright on your bike in the winter. I had great experiences with my Nokkian studded tires on my MTB last winter. Didn't go down once, even in ice and snow. (I'm in Switzerland, and we get ice and snow in the winter, but it won't be Ohioian...)

good luck,
Tom