Advocacy & Safety - The Perfect Helmet?

Hi, this is my first post, so i hope i posted it in the right place.


I'm new to the whole 'bike riding' scene, and want to get involved, and, of course, i do know how to ride a bike. ;)

My uncle has just let me borrow his bike, which i suspect is made from a very light metal, as it weigh's practically nothing, could you recommend a helmet? I was thinking a Full-Face Helmet, complete with shatter-proof goggles.

Any ideas? I only work two days a week, so it can't be that expensive.

Ummm, well, it depends on what kind of riding you do. If you do a lot of downhill riding or extreme mountain biking, I would go with the full face helmet. If you are riding a hybrid on the MUP or doing some road riding, get a normal helmet.

And don't bother worrying about style. You already look like a fool for riding a bike, so the helmet isn't going to subtract from your "cool" factor.

Go to an LBS and try on some helmets and see how they feel. Expect to pay $30-$70 for a good, basic helmet. Just make sure that they feel comfortable and are the right size.

And to protect your eyes, use sunglasses/safety glasses. Unless you do get the full face. But as stated above, a full face is probably overkill.

Good ventilation maqkes a helmet a lot more comfortable, particularly if you are exerting yourself. There is a basic standard of protection that all helmets meet, so get the cheapest one that is comfortable.

It depends on what you're using it for. On the road, you'll want a helmet with a rounded design so that it doesn't snag on the road as you're sliding along after a fall. :) Off-road, you'll want one that is capable of absorbing multiple impacts. Downhill, you'll want full-face.

Welcome.

I wouldn't get a full-face helmet for riding on the road. Seems a bit much. Just get one that fits at Walmart. See how I threw in the "W" word? Soon people will be complaining and taking off their clothes in protest. I really don't see a big difference in performance from one helmet to another that's designed for bicycle riding. The're designed to take one good hit and then to be retired.

Thank you for the help, i'm basically doing a lot of off-road and on-road riding, the route i'll most likely take is narrow, and downhill, so i have to be careful. I wanted a full-face helmet for more protection, and it's just plain 'cool'. :thumb:

I'll take a trip down to Halfords, and see what happens, i still need to see what size i am. Also, where can i purchase the goggles?

I think ski goggles will be fine, but don't quote me on that.

Insist on a helmet which can be adjusted to fit your head perfectly, and take the time to learn how to fine-tune the retention system for your maximum safety and comfort. This is where a reputable bike shop has a big advantage over mail order or any form of *-Mart. I spent over $100 on a Giro Xen because it has a superb safety rating and fits as though it were built around my near-spherical head, but a different, perhaps cheaper, helmet may be just right for you.

Also get a pair of cycling gloves because it will hurt a lot for a long time if you slide along the road on the palms of your hands. What part of the UK are you in? I will be going to London next month and also spending a week at St Ives, Cornwall.

I'...and, of course, i do know how to ride a bike. ;)Are you sure?
Read this :thumb:
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm
and then report back if you really knew how to ride a bicycle.

Also get a pair of cycling gloves because it will hurt a lot for a long time if you slide along the road on the palms of your hands. ... Yes! I wear full-finger mountain biking or BMX gloves year-round, on road and off.

full face helmet is pretty much only for downhill mountain biking

very few people even use them for trail riding