Do helmets degrade over time?
#1
山馬鹿
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,407
Bikes: Nakagawa
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do helmets degrade over time?
I was at my LBS and the guy told me that overtime helmets start to loose their ability to absorb energy in the even of an accident. My helmet is 4 years old and was not very expensive to start off with, but has not been involved in a major accident.
Right now the main motivation to replace it is that it is ugly . However, would I be better off from a safety standpoint to go out and buy a $40US new helmet?
Right now the main motivation to replace it is that it is ugly . However, would I be better off from a safety standpoint to go out and buy a $40US new helmet?
#2
I am a lonely visitor
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Where even Richard Nixon has got soul
Posts: 2,630
Bikes: Michelle Pfieffer, the Carbon Fiber Wonder Bike: A Kestrel 200 SCI Repainted in glorious mango; Old Paintless, A Litespeed Obed; The Bike With No Name: A Bianchi Eros; RegularBike: A Parkpre Comp Ltd rebuilt as a singlespeed.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The people who make and sell helmets all say that helmets degrade over time and lose their ability to protect your head. Of course, they have a vested financial interest in saying that. I believe that exposure to sun and heat probably do break down the composition of your helmet. Does that mean you are not protected when you wear it? Probably not. You may just not be as fully protected.
Replace your helmet. Replace it because it is ugly and old and probably smells bad. After four years, it has served you well and doesn't owe you anything more.
Replace your helmet. Replace it because it is ugly and old and probably smells bad. After four years, it has served you well and doesn't owe you anything more.
__________________
Religion is a good thing for good people and a bad thing for bad people. --H. Richard Niebuhr
Religion is a good thing for good people and a bad thing for bad people. --H. Richard Niebuhr
#3
山馬鹿
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 1,407
Bikes: Nakagawa
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My helmet doesn't smell bad... (or at least I don't think so ). You're right though my dear old helmet has served me well!
#4
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Big discussion on this on USENET a couple of years back. You might search Google.com.
Anyway, the conclusion, inculding posts by folks who seemed to know about materials, is that this is mostly a ploy to sell you another helmet, given that the helmet has not been physically damaged due to a crach, etc.
Anyway, the conclusion, inculding posts by folks who seemed to know about materials, is that this is mostly a ploy to sell you another helmet, given that the helmet has not been physically damaged due to a crach, etc.
#6
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,799
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,329 Times
in
837 Posts
Originally posted by DnvrFox
... this is mostly a ploy to sell you another helmet, given that the helmet has not been physically damaged due to a crach, etc.
... this is mostly a ploy to sell you another helmet, given that the helmet has not been physically damaged due to a crach, etc.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#7
Life is good
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Posts: 18,209
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 522 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
10 Posts
I'm no expert but I've read and heard that the UV rays cause the styrofoam and shell to deteriorate.
My head is worth more than $40 so I replace mine every 3-4 years.
Look at the Hot Deals forum. I posted a Limar helmet special last week.
My head is worth more than $40 so I replace mine every 3-4 years.
Look at the Hot Deals forum. I posted a Limar helmet special last week.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: New Castle, IN
Posts: 126
Bikes: Cannondale R600, Huffy 10-speed, and a Mongoose
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by Spire
"Hot Deals" forum? Do you have an address?
"Hot Deals" forum? Do you have an address?
#12
horizontally adapted
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 566
Bikes: Specialized Stumpie, Bianchi Pista, Optima Baron
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Use your own common sense. If upon a careful inspection there are visible signs of deterioration then there is no cost-savings reason to justify putting your priceless skull at possible risk. My old helmet started to delaminate from its shell - I know the shell is decoration but I figured a bond breakdown probably didn't speak well of the condition of the foam either. Maybe it's three years, maybe ten, between replacements - hopefully the rider can assess helmet condition and descriminate appropriately.
__________________
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all.
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: NEW JERSEY
Posts: 230
Bikes: Specialized,Klein,Paramount,Univega
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think its best to replace a helmet every 2-3 years.
salt from sweat and the sun will break down the helmet with
little signs of wear and a small impact will shatter it like glass.
replace the helmet if you notice small cracks in the plastic outer shell. its not worth taking a risk with your head.
salt from sweat and the sun will break down the helmet with
little signs of wear and a small impact will shatter it like glass.
replace the helmet if you notice small cracks in the plastic outer shell. its not worth taking a risk with your head.
#14
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Originally posted by ahuman
I think its best to replace a helmet every 2-3 years.
salt from sweat and the sun will break down the helmet with
little signs of wear and a small impact will shatter it like glass.
replace the helmet if you notice small cracks in the plastic outer shell. its not worth taking a risk with your head.
I think its best to replace a helmet every 2-3 years.
salt from sweat and the sun will break down the helmet with
little signs of wear and a small impact will shatter it like glass.
replace the helmet if you notice small cracks in the plastic outer shell. its not worth taking a risk with your head.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well will an ugly helmet deter you from wearing it?
Anyway, the straight scoop. Snell foundation recommends every 5 years or so, here's the quote from their FAQ section
https://www.smf.org/faqs.html
"Why replace helmet every five years?
The five year replacement recommendation is a consensus position from both the helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner materials, and general liner deterioration as a function of hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, and normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five year period due to advances in materials, design and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from prudent safety philosophy. "
However if you go to helmets.org, they will give you a more flowery answer. They believe a helmet will last up to a decade, the phrase (my personal deciding phrase) is "up to", which means if you take good care of it and you are lucky. That certainly exempts me. So a about every 5 years.
If you wish to talk to someone, Bell Sports gives the advice of 3 years, but will tell you that helmets can often last up to 10 years. They mentioned paint and hairspray but acknowledge that salt will not breakdown the foam and the plastic cover is UV tolerant.
Anyway the number is (800) 456-2355, M-F, 8-5, Central Time.
Hope this is close to the answer you wanted.
Anyway, the straight scoop. Snell foundation recommends every 5 years or so, here's the quote from their FAQ section
https://www.smf.org/faqs.html
"Why replace helmet every five years?
The five year replacement recommendation is a consensus position from both the helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation. Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production can affect liner materials, and general liner deterioration as a function of hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics, and normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet degradation. Additionally, experience indicates there will be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic of helmets over a five year period due to advances in materials, design and the standards. Thus, the recommendation for five year helmet replacement is a judgment call stemming from prudent safety philosophy. "
However if you go to helmets.org, they will give you a more flowery answer. They believe a helmet will last up to a decade, the phrase (my personal deciding phrase) is "up to", which means if you take good care of it and you are lucky. That certainly exempts me. So a about every 5 years.
If you wish to talk to someone, Bell Sports gives the advice of 3 years, but will tell you that helmets can often last up to 10 years. They mentioned paint and hairspray but acknowledge that salt will not breakdown the foam and the plastic cover is UV tolerant.
Anyway the number is (800) 456-2355, M-F, 8-5, Central Time.
Hope this is close to the answer you wanted.
#16
We drive on the left.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 1,096
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If salt did break down styro-foam (which it doesn't) why do they make "boogie boards" out of the stuff, and other floation devices?
CHEERS.
Mark
CHEERS.
Mark