Fifty Plus (50+) - Which Helmet is Better

Leaving aside the "you should replace your helmet every three years" issue, which of these two helmets is better protection? The black one is a Specialized S1 helmet. The Snell sticker in it says "B90A." The white one has a sticker that says "B90."

Thanks.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a39/TromboneAl/Helmets001.jpg

The best helmet is the one which fits your head best. For me, the (unfortunately, expensive) Giro Xen has proven to be ideal.

According to the Snell Foundation (http://www.smf.org/stds.html), the B-90A (http://www.smf.org/standards/b/b90astd.html#1998%20AUGMENTATION) is a 1998 augmentation of the B-90 standard of 1990:

This Augmented 1990 Standard will be made effective as follows:

1. As of June 1, 1998, all headgear submitted for Certification to the 1990 bicycle helmet standard will be tested according to the Augmented Standard.

2. As of December 31, 1998, all Snell B-90 labeled production of headgear not explicitly certified by the Foundation to the requirements of the Augmented Standard must cease.

There is a later standard, the B-95 (http://www.smf.org/standards/b/b95std.html), and an augmented version (http://www.smf.org/standards/b/b95std.html#add) of it, too.

I know which of those two looks cooler. And I don't mean in terms of style.

There are several decent $30-$50 helmets out there, if you can find one that fits you.

That white one looks old. I don't buy the "3 year" replacement concept, but might tend to think about it at about 6-7 years.

I don't see a picture BUT, as long as it bounces. if it sticks it will break your neck.

White sounds nice

Ventilation is a big factor for me and I don't have the extremes that some of you have. I tend to change helmets after a heavy fall because I have to. This works out to every couple of years or so but last year- no fall and I just wanted a new helmet.

And are you riding Offroad? Offroad and a peak is not only "Cool"- it is necessary. It can be taken off for road riding if you don't want to show your roots.

I always wonder about that little shade thingy coming off and going into your eye in a fall.
Wondered about it for years.

White gives better visibility from a distance.
Which fits your head the best?

ventilation,ventilation, ventilation... unless you ride in winter, in which case you buy a helmet cover to go over the vents and keep the cold out... go with the black one. Also, as has been stated above, B-90A is a step above the B-90...

Also the visor is a plus--

train safe-

White gives better visibility from a distance.
Which fits your head the best?

Agree about the visibility factor. I've often wondered why there are more high-vis helmets out there.

There was an excellent thread on the 50+ forum about this topic. I remember one factor that I was not aware of. Not all helmets are designed for the same shape head, i.e. there is more than one "standard" head. You should make sure it's comfortable so that you wear it whenever you cycle. Sort of the same thing that's said about bikes, make sure you have the right fit. As was said, the GIRO in the pic looks like a very old design with poor venting. As for the visor, it's for mountain biking or slower, MUP riding. I never wear a visor when road biking as the loss of aerodynamics will wear out your neck muscles much faster than a helmet without a visor.
Edit: I don't buy into the "replace at 3 or 7 years whatever". I replace when it's worn out shows evidence of deterioration.

A helmet over a decade old? Bad idea, IMHO.
http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?subcategory=60001045&category=600091&browse=&storetype=&estoreid=&brand=&searchbox=&start=1&orderby=price1&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Adult%20Helmets

Guys tend to fit Bells or Giros, depending on the shape of the head.
However, I have a Bell Metro, and if it fit, it would be a good choice for you.
It's much ruggeder than most helmets and would keep you going another decade.

the visor thing. I use mine while commuting to block oncoming car lights (early to rise, early to bed season is upon us). that way I don't have to close my car side eye to avoid being blinded. I am not worried about areodynamics at this stage of the game. I seriously doubt that visor will affect my neck more than having the helmet up there will. The visor also keeps low hanging branches, etc. from whacking me on my commute several times a week. No not a jungle just bad maintenaince of the road sides. I do wear glasses but every bit helps. Now if I were racing, out doing centuries or other more competitive activities I would be more concerned about the areo factors. Not there yet. Just commuting, and touring so far.

As long as the helmet has not been in a crash there is no real reason to replace it in my opinion.
The Specialized has more venting and will be cooler therefore possibly used more...the only good helmet is one that is worn...A newer helmet will have more modern materials, design and testing in it which should improve its' ability to safeguard the wearer. I have found the sun shield to be both good and bad. While it does provide a shade factor you generally have to crane your neck more to see down the road possibly impairing your vision and reducing safety.

The visor should not be a negative factor in the choice. It is easily removable.

As long as the helmet has not been in a crash there is no real reason to replace it in my opinion.

Does anybody know what the basis is for the "replace every 5 years" recommendation? Does the foam continue to set up and gradually lose it's impact absorbing properties? I've got some helmets that are around 10 years old, have never been crashed, and have no discernable damage. I don't really see any need to replace them but that's not a considered judgement because I don't know what the issues are.

You can be using a 5 year old helmet that you bought on special because it sat in the shop for 5 years. But as you wear a helmet- it gets knocks- It gets Sweat affecting the Fit Pads and the straps get worn. After a hard knock- I will inspect a helmet. Any sign of damage that is more than surface scratches and I am up for a new one. And to me- A well worn helmet gets uncomfortable. The straps get frayed- the tension device(Of fitted) gets loose- and there starts to be a bit of it that niggles on a long ride. That is time to get the new one.

Back when I raced cars, the Bell engineers told me the following:

The helmet is a one time use device in which the foam is used to trade distance (crush depth) for a decrease in deceleration of the head (reduction in instantaneous G-force)

If the foam degrades (heat, ageing or the routine bumps and bangs of normal life) then its ability to crush in a controlled manner is also degraded and the designed distance/force equation is "messed up". They used to cringe at the sight of a motorcycle helmet bouncing along on the back of a motorcycle, hung in place by a strap.

Their advice: store your race helmet (auto race helmets are expensive) in a helmet bag, in a cool dry place. replace when used.

I think that these are the "used up factors that lead to a replace every "x" years statement. I took all precautions with those helmets and never kept one for more than one racing season (some did not last that long). Modern bicycle helmets are simplified versions of these helmets but I believe that the basic principals still hold. Helmets are like health insurance............neither serve a purpose untill something bad happens................then they may not be good enough.

So, maddmax--based on what you're saying, how often do you replace your bike helmet?

Foam doesn't last forever. I think using a helmet over a decade old is pushing your luck.

So, maddmax--based on what you're saying, how often do you replace your bike helmet?

I have never kept a bike helmet for more than 2 riding seasons. I will admit though that its usually a case of the newer helmets being "better" than the old ones......:D

The best helmet is the one you will wear. I went down five weeks ago, hit head first. In the fall I managed to break my collar bone into three pieces and crack a couple of ribs. This is after hitting the asphalt HEAD FIRST!!!! Our ride requires helmets so wearing one is moot but I can't imagine what it would have been like had I not been wearing one.

Any helmet with a CPSC label meets the minimum safety standards. The helmet I was wearing was a $40.00 Bell. It did its job by breaking and collapsing in the impact area just as it was supposed to do.

The advice to replace every five years must be a legal requirement for helmet manufacturers. I recall my rather expensive and extremely tough (hardshell) caving helmet had a sticker inside recommending the helmet be replaced every five years. I don't don't worry about it, the adhesive dried out and that sticker fell off years ago ;)

All you ever wanted to know about helmets and then some!

http://www.helmets.org/guide.htm

"When Must I Replace a Helmet?Replace any helmet if you crash. Impact crushes some of the foam, although the damage may not be visible. Helmets work so well that you need to examine them for marks or dents to know if you hit. Most manufacturers recommend replacement after five years. We think that depends on usage, and most helmets given reasonable care are good for longer than that. But if your helmet is from the 70's, it's time to replace it. Replace the buckle if it cracks or a piece breaks off. No one requires you to replace your helmet, so give it some individual thought. "


The advice to replace every five years must be a legal requirement for helmet manufacturers.

Ahh - do the helmet manufacturers make more or less money if you replace you helmet every five years?

Not a legal matter - a financial matter.

I've seen foam get very brittle when several years old. Even when sitting in a cabinet. Doesn't seem like a good thing in a bike helmet. I suppose there could be some degree of this within 3-5 years, but I'm inclined to think they can last a few years longer.

Ahh - do the helmet manufacturers make more or less money if you replace you helmet every five years?

Not a legal matter - a financial matter.

That's the obvious cynical answer. Frankly, I'm not too interested in either legal or financial answers. I'd be VERY interested if anybody has an engineering answer.

That's the obvious cynical answer. Frankly, I'm not too interested in either legal or financial answers. I'd be VERY interested if anybody has an engineering answer.

The one on the left looks so dorky, it must belong to an engineer. :p

(you asked for it) :innocent:

the visor thing. .... The visor also keeps low hanging branches, etc. from whacking me on my commute several times a week. No not a jungle just bad maintenaince of the road sides. .......

Actually, that's one of the main functions of the visor. I always use a helmet with a visor on off road rides and it has pushed low hanging branches that seem to pop out of nowhere out of the way.

I always use my helmet with a visor. But on a recent trip, left it at home and had to use my backup helmet (which I had luckily left in my car). I was out riding and the sun kept getting into my eyes. After a bit I noticed that when the sun hit my eyes, I was tilting my head instinctively. Then I realized my present helmet had no visor.

I really missed having it on that entire trip. If anything, I wish it were about another half-inch to an inch longer.

I find that the bill of a cap worn under my helmet provides better sun shade than an attached visor.

I have a hard time getting a ball cap under my helmet. I have to wear the largest helmet they make, a Bell Triton XL.

Cycling caps take less space. Headsweats is making coolmax cycling caps that should work really well, even for a big ol' noggin.

Thanks for the the discussion. Both fit fine. I always wear my helmet, and it's rarely hot around here, so the ventilation isn't that important.

That visor is retractable -- that is, it slides up or down.

Well, I relented and bought new helmets for my wife and me yesterday. Got Bell helmets at Walmart for an embarrassingly low price. Fewer vent holes than the more expensive models, but it's never hot around here.

I now have three older helmets to get rid of. Since they are arguably less safe than new helmets, I can't in good conscience freecycle them. Here's my plan: I'll keep them in the car, and when I see a homeless guy on a bike with no helmet, I'll give him one. :)

AL, do you really think he will wear it?

There something about the black Specialized that reeks of Batman. Lp