Street Pedaler

Hi, everybody. Ok, this is gonna be kind of a weird question but I'm kind of at a loss.

When I got my new bike in June, the LBS was kind enough to throw in a Bell Volt helmet at no charge. I've been wearing it with no problems up until my three most recent rides. Now, for some reason, about 5 miles in to a ride, the helmet feels like it's crushing the front of my head. I mean, it gets downright painful. I haven't tightened it and, in fact, am having to loosen it to the point that it's actually a bit too loose on my head. But, at least it's somewhat comfortable. This is not my first helmet, nor is it my first Bell, but it's the first time I've ever experienced this problem.

My question is, even though the helmet is basically just plastic and foam, is it possible for the internal padding to shrink? I sweat A LOT and was thinking that maybe that had caused a problem. The only other thing I can think of is that my cranium is expanding and that brings up a whole new set of concerns, lol.

Anyway, thoughts/ opinions welcome. Thanks!!

RandoneeRider

I know nothing of bicycle helmets..... but it sounds like you got what you paid for.

In the motorcycle community, it's known (among the enthusiasts) that different helmets cater to different shape heads. Some of the more expensive helmets actually have several shapes from which to choose. I have a cheap motorcycle helmet that does the same as you explained. The helmet was made for a round head, my head is more along the elongated shape.

Go buy yourself a helmet you can wear (comfortably) for hours on end.... a loose or ill-fitting helmet can actually do MORE damage in a get-off than a correct fitting helmet. "How much is your head worth?"

Street Pedaler

Thanks, Rider, that's kind of what I was thinking too. The Volt isn't exactly a cheap helmet but it's certainly not a $200+ one. I actually have a Bell City which was even cheaper but was actually pretty comfy. But it was old and due for a change. Guess I'll dig a li'l deeper into the pocket and see if I can't find something a bit better. Thanks again!

RandoneeRider

I bought into the sales pitch given to me by the VERY first bicycle shop I walked into. He sold me some VERY expensive (by my standards) chamois (sp?) lined shorts, then offered me a Specialized Helmet with 10% off.... ('cause I bought an $88 Specialized seat from him) stating that if he was to spend under a hundred dollars for a bicycle helmet, the Specialized is the ONLY helmet that would meet up with his standards. He was right about the chamois lined shorts (gel kinda sucks), and I feel responsible for having bought the single most important part of a cycling costume. After I buy a swoopy doopy color splashed jersey, shaving my legs may be in my future..... "costuming" don'tyaknow.....

Street Pedaler

HA! I hear ya. I've heard some good things about Specialized helmets. I'll have to get out this weekend and see what I can find. I may, at some point, join the swoopy doopy color splashed jersey club, but I'm not sure about the whole leg shaving thing. I'll have to ponder it a bit. In the meantime, I'll just try really, really hard not to get road rash!

Pinyon

I think that the Volt should work just fine. I have a Bell Slant, that has lasted longer than much more expensive Giro helmets that I've had in the past.

Padding in expensive helmets often have the same problems. The spaces between the foam cells get gunked-up with salt crystals from your sweat, skin cells, sweat...goo, etc.

I've had good luck with a few repeated scrubs with soap and hot water. The foam "poofs" right back out. For the first 1-2 years, anyway.

The foam wears out, eventually. .

StephenH

I don't think the padding would shrink, but might become less compressible. I just rinse mine out after each ride.

Have you had a haircut since June?

Pinyon

The shorts and stuff are just for comfort for most people.

Cycling shorts don't ride up your legs, or other places, chafe as much, etc. I didn't know how much time I spent fussing with my pants and underwear, until I got used to wearing lycra shorts, and decided to do a 1+ hour ride in regular clothes.

Well...some people don't have this problem at all, but they tend to have a slim build, or an iron backside.

Jerseys? They dry faster, don't rub as much when you really sweat, and they have pockets in the back. Lycra shorts don't have pockets. It is really convenient to have things like keys, wallet, phone, etc. handy.

I also don't like wearing race team jerseys, unless you race. I like silly ones, though.

Most my my jerseys are a single and very bright color (more visible to cars), although I do have a few themed ones that I got for Christmas over the years (53/11 coffee, and a couple with college logos), and have seriously thought about buying others (state of Colorado, Charity ride jerseys, Fat Tire beer, etc.).

Not everybody that wears the fancier gear is a snot, either. Most of them just love to ride, have been doing it for at least a few years, and the clothes don't look weird to them anymore.

mkadam68

This.

Street Pedaler

OK, thanks everybody. I do wash it out pretty regularly but, like I said, I sweat so much that I may need to do it more often. StephenH, I get the hair burred (Buzz Cut) about every two weeks and, to be honest, there's not that much to burr. I refer to my haircuts as the fastest two minutes in sports, lol.

Again, thanks, everybody!!

RandoneeRider

I do the same thing with my bicycle helmet as I do my motorcycle helmet. I have a little under-helmet cap that wicks perspiration.... it also does a good job of isolating the salt, smell, and gunk from your helmet's interior. What I haven't done yet though, is buy a second (& third) bicycle helmet through which I can rotate and give 'em each a day of drying & airing out. I started doing this years ago with daily sneakers as well; sneaks suddenly started lasting forever, with the sole going flat & slick before the shoe's interior.

Jerseys..... I DO want some'n kinda cool (someday), but I won't wear a designer-name unless I'm getting paid to wear it. I also hate most spectator sports and the fools who yell at 'em.... I avoid "Sport Bars". So you won't see me sporting some team jersey. I think the biggest issue I'm gonna have with a jersey (I've already returned the two I tried) is I CAN NOT wear anything that clings to my skin. I get prickly heat and feel constricted.

Shaving my legs? Uuuh... no. I have an aquaintance who has been working on some kind of protective bicycle clothing.... something to help prevent road rash. I've only heard a couple of my buddies speak of this, and though I've met and talked with him, I had NO IDEA that I was EVER gonna take up cycling. I just got his email address and will hafta drop him a line to see what my bud's are talking 'bout.

Juan Foote

Randonee, what cap are you wearing?
I sweat a whole lot as well, and my issue is that I cannot keep a set of glasses dry. Been looking for a good thin, wicking type of headwrap to wear under my helmet, which by the way is a Specialized. Caught mine on sale and it is very comfortable.

Mithrandir

You sure it's a Volt? Those things are $175... I find it hard to believe a shop would throw one in for free...

That's what Cadel Evans wore in the TdF this year.

RandoneeRider

punkncat,

I just got back from a little 45 minute ride (that's all Medifast permits me)..... I went out to the garage to look at my cap. Found it at an LBS, "HEADSWEATS" is what's printed on it.... I like it!

Street Pedaler

Mithrandir, yeah, it's a Volt. I dropped $3,200 on my second bike from the same LBS. They take good care of me. Like I said, I've had no trouble at all out of the helmet until my past few rides. Gave it a good scrubbing out as was advised earlier in the thread and it's now air drying. Hopefully, that will settle things down.

Rider, I've been shopping for Headsweats all day. I'd like to try to find some locally just so I can try one on. I'm a bit of a Bulbous Headed Fellow. lol

Mithrandir

Ah that explains it

Maybe I should buy a $3200 bike. I want a Volt but don't want to pay $175 for it!!!

Pinyon

I also wear a bandanna under my helmet. It helps with sweat, but it is mostly to keep my middle-aged and balding scalp from getting sunburned under the helmet vents.

No dignity left...

Street Pedaler

Well, another way of looking at that is that I spent 3K for a $175 helmet. Hmm, all of a sudden I don't feel quite so taken care of. Dang.

Peter_C

I bought this from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ISYAX0

for $15.95.

It has a sorta band that goes across your forehead, it ties in back (I felt goofy with the look) - and after wearing it twice I was completely sold for life~!

I tend to sweat very, very badly around my head, to the point that sweat runs into my eyes, and on to my glasses so I can't see. This stops it completely. Wash-able of course, very thin material, and with my big sized head (usually one size fits all never fits me) it is plenty roomy.

asmac

Have a look at this: https://www.sweatgutr.com