C&V Helmets?
02-26-16, 05:57 PM
#26
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I have a tough time with helmets, I know I know, I hear it from my wife. I actually like just cycling flip caps so I can see in front of me vs. a regular ball cap.
02-26-16, 06:20 PM
#27
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You know, it's not very difficult. A modern helmet is the correct helmet for riding a modern bike in modern times. If you want the correct period correct helmet for "period correct" riding on a vintage bike, the correct helmet is no helmet at all. If you prefer you can say a prayer to Saint Tullio and wear some kind of hairnet, but the latter will do you no more good than the prayer. And that's okay. It was good enough for Fausto Coppi, and it was good enough for Tommy Simpson, and if you want to be like them, it may be good enough for you.
And don't worry, I won't tell your wife, honest.
And don't worry, I won't tell your wife, honest.
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02-26-16, 06:38 PM
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But, most of the styrofoam helmets may pass. Are the average police officers really that much on top of the current bike equipment?
02-26-16, 06:53 PM
#29
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In my dealing with helmets for various applications tells me most mandates also require a current safety standard rating on the helmet. I can't just jump on a motorcycle in Michigan, for example, and toss an old WWI German helmet on to comply with the law, it has to be marked as DOT approved. According to Wiki, you require something that adheres to AS/NZS 2063.
Whether or not you expect to get checked on that, I dunno, but worth keeping in mind. As a personal matter, I wear a current (albeit cheap) helmet, not out of compulsion or worry about safety, but because it is much more comfortable than a ball cap or my hair flopping everywhere on a long ride on a hot day.
Whether or not you expect to get checked on that, I dunno, but worth keeping in mind. As a personal matter, I wear a current (albeit cheap) helmet, not out of compulsion or worry about safety, but because it is much more comfortable than a ball cap or my hair flopping everywhere on a long ride on a hot day.
02-26-16, 06:53 PM
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I would advise finding a helmet that looks good with C&V bikes, but is built to modern standards. I started a thread on this waaaaay back but I don't recall what the results were, and helmets have changed anyway.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I will say that most of the helmets that are made to look like they're just hats look totally ridiculous. They have to scale the hat up too much and you end up looking like a cartoon character. I saw two guys out once in helmets with covers that looked like driving or pub caps, and it was totally comical.
edit: LOL! Here they are! They actually looked even worse in person, if that's possible! Another version.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I will say that most of the helmets that are made to look like they're just hats look totally ridiculous. They have to scale the hat up too much and you end up looking like a cartoon character. I saw two guys out once in helmets with covers that looked like driving or pub caps, and it was totally comical.
edit: LOL! Here they are! They actually looked even worse in person, if that's possible! Another version.
That may be ok if Sherlock Holmes rode a bicycle.
But, for a Texan, it would have to be something like this.
Oh, it looks like that western model has been discontinued. You might have to go with a helmet cover, or make your own cover.
02-26-16, 06:55 PM
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02-27-16, 08:33 AM
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Even in states where no helmet is required, most events that have to get liability coverage have to require participants wear helmets. Then, of course, they make you sign a waiver, so if you take off the helmet and go with a cap, they're pretty much off the hook. Still, I've seen a SAG vehicle report a helmetless rider, who simply had his number taken. He still rode the rest of the event.
Again, cycling wear is so good when in motion on a bike, and the moment that you dismount, instant dorkism.
Again, cycling wear is so good when in motion on a bike, and the moment that you dismount, instant dorkism.
10-01-17, 07:11 PM
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FWIW, in my League of American Bicyclists instructor training, we were told that helmets should no longer be worn when they're more than five years old (and that's why, at least in the U.S. and Canada, they're required to have a date-of-manufacture sticker).
This may well be propaganda from the manufacturers, but the consensus is that plastic foam does not age well. I definitely wouldn't use one that's more than ten years old.
This may well be propaganda from the manufacturers, but the consensus is that plastic foam does not age well. I definitely wouldn't use one that's more than ten years old.
10-01-17, 08:04 PM
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A large majority of the helmets of reasonable protection use expanded polystyrene as the impact absorber.
UV is the big waster of that.
For motorcycles with Snell endorsement, 5 years to end of service life.
For me, 3-4 years. In fact I just replaced one this year. I buy reasonable, with the local carbon crowd I don't make the $200 Helmet acceptance level. Tough crowd in SoCal.
But why do they have to train on $3k Carbon wheels?
That's another story.
UV is the big waster of that.
For motorcycles with Snell endorsement, 5 years to end of service life.
For me, 3-4 years. In fact I just replaced one this year. I buy reasonable, with the local carbon crowd I don't make the $200 Helmet acceptance level. Tough crowd in SoCal.
But why do they have to train on $3k Carbon wheels?
That's another story.
10-01-17, 08:20 PM
#38
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This was the latest style in 1965. That's me on the right. Glad to say I never had to crash test it in actual use. I did crash with a modern Specialized helmet, got a cuncussion, but lived to ride again. I still have the bike, the hairnet is long gone. I wear a modern helmet so I can enjoy the old Legnano for a few more years, hopefully.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 10-02-17 at 03:57 PM.
01-21-19, 09:42 PM
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I ride with a vintage helmet.
I've also used it a couple of times, or three.
Picking up pizza.
selfie, with flare.
I've also used it a couple of times, or three.
Picking up pizza.
selfie, with flare.
01-21-19, 11:21 PM
#41
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My friend Gene, on the left, wore his vintage Bell on the 2016 Eroica. I dont know if that was the real color, or if it faded from white. Very stylish.
01-21-19, 11:31 PM
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This was the latest style in 1965. That's me on the right. Glad to say I never had to crash test it in actual use. I did crash with a modern Specialized helmet, got a cuncussion, but lived to ride again. I still have the bike, the hairnet is long gone. I wear a modern helmet so I can enjoy the old Legnano for a few more years, hopefully.
Last edited by deux jambes; 01-22-19 at 01:39 AM.
01-22-19, 12:16 AM
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I think that the Giro Synthe in matte black is the most vintage looking modern helmet. 
01-22-19, 08:01 AM
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Way back in the very early 80s I wasn't that impressed by the bike helmets on offer, but I was also climbing mountains and when climbs involved rock climbing instead of glaciers I discovered Rock Climbing Helmets and for many many years my yellow MSR helmet served both purposes. The shape of rock climbing helmets would seem to meet your needs for a vintage look, but would offer modern materials and a fair degree of ventilation. There are many different styles and colors to choose from , removing the decals should be an easy thing and then adding decals, custom paint is left to your imagination. Just a thought.
Last edited by since6; 01-22-19 at 08:05 AM.
01-22-19, 11:57 AM
#47
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'Thousand' makes some neat looking modern helmets. This is the Epoch Collection
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/b...800226619.html
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/b...800226619.html
01-22-19, 12:34 PM
#48
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01-22-19, 12:37 PM
#49
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The thing about modern 'retro' helmets is that they are all look like they'd be too hot and poorly ventilated to be used for actual sport riding. I admit I rarely rode with a helmet BITD. The only ones that really were effective helments, Bell Bikers, were too hot and heavy for me. I suppose it depends a lot on your local climate. California can be pretty hot.
I had a Skid Lid early on. Those weren't too bad. Crash protection probably not the best, though IMO it would still have been 10x better than nothing. Ventilation was OK. Later on I got a Brancale 'sport' for racing, because juniors races were pretty brutal at the time. Hot, but at least it was hardshell. Lots of intentional crashing and hooking went on. Most people still wore hairnets, most of which were useless against preventing anything other than minor abrasions, but they did vary greatly. Many were nothing more than useless other than fulfilling the requirements. The Kucharik Super Helmet was reasonably substantial and provided at least some protection.
Anyway, C&V helmets pretty much all sucked. That's why so many didn't wear them, BITD. Modern helmets are amazing, and that's what I wear now. I do wish there were some that were a bit less over-styled. I have a black Giro Atmos with all the stickers stripped off. Not too ugly.
I had a Skid Lid early on. Those weren't too bad. Crash protection probably not the best, though IMO it would still have been 10x better than nothing. Ventilation was OK. Later on I got a Brancale 'sport' for racing, because juniors races were pretty brutal at the time. Hot, but at least it was hardshell. Lots of intentional crashing and hooking went on. Most people still wore hairnets, most of which were useless against preventing anything other than minor abrasions, but they did vary greatly. Many were nothing more than useless other than fulfilling the requirements. The Kucharik Super Helmet was reasonably substantial and provided at least some protection.
Anyway, C&V helmets pretty much all sucked. That's why so many didn't wear them, BITD. Modern helmets are amazing, and that's what I wear now. I do wish there were some that were a bit less over-styled. I have a black Giro Atmos with all the stickers stripped off. Not too ugly.
01-22-19, 12:44 PM
#50
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Sill have one in storage (same web pic) they had a center panel of Gore-tex for rain..
Last edited by fietsbob; 01-22-19 at 12:50 PM.