Advocacy & Safety - Full Face Helmet - Necessary When?

Mountain biking has become a passion for me. I wear a helmet when riding right now, but I think a full faced helmet would offer me much more confidence riding downhill aggressively. What do you guys think? When is it necessary for a full faced helmet?

whenever you think it is

I wear one to zoobomb, lots of freeride downhillers not only wear full face helmets but body armor as well

I guess when you feel you need or want it. It won't hurt you, I don't think. Depends on how much safety you decide you want.
We use them on motorcycles but I also recently saw a post where a stunt bicycler on a skateboard course could have used one, as he would then have some teeth left.
dc

Hell I use one to commute - don't fancy getting my jaw mashed up on the road. Basically if you feel you need one then go for it, however don't let it give you too much confidence and cause you to take extra unnecessary risks.

I use one for commuting too. I reach speeds of 22ish during many parts and just feel better about having it on. A plus is I notice people look at it, so it catches the attention more than a regular helmet would.

When I am riding for pleasure and slower I don't feel the need for it.

^ The extra visual attention is definitely an advantage if you're on busy roads.

whenever you think it is

Indeed.

They may also be required at some lift-serviced mountain or BMX-type bike parks.

If you're into that kind of thing.

I wear mine:

- When riding at DH parks.
- Stunt-prone XC trails (whenever it's not too hot)
- In the winter (with goggles, even commuting... it's warm and comfy)

Oh, and don't get carried away with the "confidence you can buy" thing.

It may protect your teeth and be slightly better than a regular helmet with the rest of your head, but it's still just a half-inch of Styrofoam and fiberglass. Expect no miracles.

it's all about risk management, no law or style of helmet is going to protect you from every possibility

everyone can stop discussing helmets forever now

;)

Well yes risk management is important, and indeed no helmet will protect you from everything. But it is always good to have one on for the times you fall and it does save you.

@ghettocruiser: I don't expect miracles from it, however I'd prefer not to have the side of my face covered in road rash and my nose broken etc. etc. It also makes me feel safer, which can only be a good thing :)

Helmets will probably be discussed for any and all activities from now til the end of time.
dc

Wait a second! Where are all the antihelmet forum members?

Didn't they convince us that ALL helmets offer little or no protection? Since when did a full face bicyle helmet get a pass? LOL!

Wait a second! Where are all the antihelmet forum members?

Didn't they convince us that ALL helmets offer little or no protection? Since when did a full face bicyle helmet get a pass? LOL!

I guess they too don't want their faces torn off on a high speed fall.

Oh, and don't get carried away with the "confidence you can buy" thing.

It may protect your teeth and be slightly better than a regular helmet with the rest of your head, but it's still just a half-inch of Styrofoam and fiberglass. Expect no miracles.

I got kind of a phobia of damaging my teeth while riding, it's been tempting...

Mountain biking has become a passion for me. I wear a helmet when riding right now, but I think a full faced helmet would offer me much more confidence riding downhill aggressively. What do you guys think? When is it necessary for a full faced helmet?

when riding a bike, walking down the street or taking a bath - you might fall and hurt your face.

If you don't want your face to get eaten when you fall then go for it.

wish I had had one when I wiped out. Could have saved some facial skin and a chunk of ear.

If you miss a bend in the trail it will keep branches out of your face. That is always a plus.

but I think a full faced helmet would offer me much more confidence riding downhill aggressively.

Sounds like a great way to make your hobby that little bit more risky.

DH riding is the only time I use full face, it's come in handy too

if you go to a lift accessed bike park like Whistler in summer, I would say 90% of the riders you see will be wearing a full face

I use one for commuting too. I reach speeds of 22ish during many parts and just feel better about having it on. A plus is I notice people look at it, so it catches the attention more than a regular helmet would.

When I am riding for pleasure and slower I don't feel the need for it.

For all the full face users: How do they work for cooling as the weather gets warmer. Seems to me they would get quite warm. I had FF helmets in my olden moto days and they got warm and I had an engine to power up the hills with.

I have seen bike looking hellmets that had what appeared to be a football (american) place kicker face mask. Might help protect one's grill in a faceplant but certainly not nearly the protection from a full face downhill type helmet.

I agree that I feel almost naked mountain bikeing and maybe that keeps me out of the last 10% range of riding that greatly increases the crashing risk. don't know whether that is good or bad:)

For all the full face users: How do they work for cooling as the weather gets warmer.

Poorly.

Poorly.

Bummer. I thought one of these would be nice for Mountain biking.

For all the full face users: How do they work for cooling as the weather gets warmer. Seems to me they would get quite warm. I had FF helmets in my olden moto days and they got warm and I had an engine to power up the hills with.

I have seen bike looking hellmets that had what appeared to be a football (american) place kicker face mask. Might help protect one's grill in a faceplant but certainly not nearly the protection from a full face downhill type helmet.

I agree that I feel almost naked mountain bikeing and maybe that keeps me out of the last 10% range of riding that greatly increases the crashing risk. don't know whether that is good or bad:)

I don't find it too bad in hot weather. Last summer I was riding in 30+ degrees weather and although it was a bit sweaty it wasn't as bad as I had expected.

If you feel you have to ask this question, you need one.

Safety first, right? I wont be doing much mountain biking this summer, but I will most likely buy one in September. Does anyone have any suggestions on an affordable, quality full faced helmet? ($75-$150). Websites would be appreciated. I'm new to the bike world so I dont have all the connections yet. Thx

Does anyone have any suggestions on an affordable, quality full faced helmet? ($75-$150). Websites would be appreciated. I'm new to the bike world so I dont have all the connections yet. Thx

Try this thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=531088