Trail riding w/ Helmet, eh?
#1
1GEAR
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Milwaukee, Wi
Posts: 135
Bikes: 20" DBI, Trek 69er, Kona Caldera, 26" Goose DJ
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Trail riding w/ Helmet, eh?
Figure I would post this here as it is more specific to this style of riding.
I wear a BMX style helmet when riding trails and most of the time when I do pass other riders, they are wearing this style :
Are one of these helmets going to offer more protection then the other if I bail into the river or whack my grape on a tree limb? I'm just curious, I have fallen several times with my BMX style helmets and kept my egg crack free, but then again I usually am riding a BMX bike to go along with it. I'm having a blast riding the trails down the road from my house and expect to be doing a lot more mountain biking in the near future, so do I need to buy a new style of lid or does it all work the same?
I wear a BMX style helmet when riding trails and most of the time when I do pass other riders, they are wearing this style :
Are one of these helmets going to offer more protection then the other if I bail into the river or whack my grape on a tree limb? I'm just curious, I have fallen several times with my BMX style helmets and kept my egg crack free, but then again I usually am riding a BMX bike to go along with it. I'm having a blast riding the trails down the road from my house and expect to be doing a lot more mountain biking in the near future, so do I need to buy a new style of lid or does it all work the same?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 409
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Your BMX helmet provides more impact protection at the expense of comfort. A mountain bike helmet will have much better ventilation and also be lighter, but will still offer pretty good protection.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Blo-no, IL
Posts: 556
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport, 1970's Miyata Liberty ala fixed gear
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Every helmet should have a sticker/stickers that say it has fulfilled such and such government safety mandates. Basically they all "work". But they are specialized toward certain styles of riding. Yours will work fine, but since you said you've crashed with it a couple times, check it very carefully for cracks. I just replaced mine because the brow had a nice crack from where I slammed my head into the ground.
#6
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,831
Bikes: Trek 3900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I sport a BMX helmet as well.
Makes me feel safer.
I like the feel of it better,
its just hot... really hot in the summer.
--
Makes me feel safer.
I like the feel of it better,
its just hot... really hot in the summer.
--
Last edited by Cheeto; 10-26-08 at 09:53 AM.
#7
Generic Title
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,927
Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX7, 2007 Trek 1600, 2007 Eastern Warthog
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
BMX/Skate helmets are made to withstand multiple low impact hits, while a dedicated bike helmet is a one-time use, high impact lid.
__________________
Generic Joke
Generic Joke
#8
one less horse
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 409
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm sticking with what I said in my first post.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ChapelBorro NC
Posts: 4,126
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 98 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Miami Beach
Posts: 57
Bikes: Specialized FSR xc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a bell helmet that cost me like $30, and is more circular shaped, then I see helmets like $100 and up, is it really all for more ventilation? It's just hard for me to cough up 100 or more for ventilation, does it really make more of a difference?
#12
Generic Title
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,927
Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX7, 2007 Trek 1600, 2007 Eastern Warthog
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
All it says the EPS helmets lose effectiveness after one hit, while the advertised helmets can take multiple hits. No mention of impact energy anywhere.
I will eat my own defecation if I'm wrong. That said, I am preparing the crap now.
__________________
Generic Joke
Generic Joke
Last edited by ProFail; 10-24-08 at 09:34 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 624
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
your $30 helmet is plenty safe, with the pricey helmets you pay for a couple things:
-more vents
-lighter
-size specific (s/m/l vs universal)
-lower profile (especially in the road ones, you pay for the technoligy to make so little still protect you, basically the more expensive ones look cooler)
-diff adjustment mech (giro roc-loc at like $80+
I really like having a nice helmet, but its not a big deal, i dont' rag on anyone who doesn't fork over that kinda cash on a helmet, as long as you have a current helmet, i will lol at you if you ride some old pos (old school white bell dome comes to mind)
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 380
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you like what you have stick with it. I always thought that once you had a mtb helmet, if you hit something hard enough for it to actually matter, the helmet would basically crack in half.. that is instead of your skull. Maybe I am wrong though.
__________________
Merton Enthusiast
Merton Enthusiast
#15
Generic Title
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,927
Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX7, 2007 Trek 1600, 2007 Eastern Warthog
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That point of a helmet is really to slow down your brain inside your head. The foam material crushes, and although it happens quickly, it helps decelerate you brain slower than just hitting something with your skull.
Skate helmets mainly help your head skid along the ground (preventing torsion to your neck, again from deceleration). MTB/road helmets also do this to a lesser degree.
Skate helmets mainly help your head skid along the ground (preventing torsion to your neck, again from deceleration). MTB/road helmets also do this to a lesser degree.
__________________
Generic Joke
Generic Joke
#16
one less horse
If you really want to discuss comparative helmet safety, you should start by using terms like ASTM and CPSC, not "skate" and "bike." Many helmets meet multiple standards and it's got nothing to do with their "style."
Profail one cup.
Profail one cup.
#17
Rat Bastard
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sammamish, WA
Posts: 1,504
Bikes: Cannondale Prophet, Specialized S-Works SL2, Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I believe that any helmet sold in the US must be certified so in that respect you're covered. Spend what you want on a helmet so long as it's comfortable for you. As far as multiple impacts, I ride motorcycles and threw away a helmet that cost me nearly $700 because it fell off the top of a rack in the garage and landed squarely on the crown. If you bump it, scratch it up, or scrape on something it's fine. If you have a hard impact in it get rid of it, even if you can't see damage. I believe that Giro and SixSixOne have crash replacement policies to encourage you to discard the helmet.
Mike
Mike
#19
Generic Title
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,927
Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX7, 2007 Trek 1600, 2007 Eastern Warthog
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Of course it has nothing to do with the style. Skate helmets ARE designed for multiple impacts. Bike helmets are not. It all has to do with what group the helmet is aimed at.
__________________
Generic Joke
Generic Joke
#20
Generic Title
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,927
Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX7, 2007 Trek 1600, 2007 Eastern Warthog
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#21
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,831
Bikes: Trek 3900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, my Ace Spade "skate" helmet covers the back of my head.
So, I feel safer in it.
I still dont see what your trying to prove profail, other than my helmet can take more hits than yours, The "skate" style helmets can take just as much force as the "bike" styles.
Anyone have 2 helmets to test??
take 100 pounds and drop it on each helmet, see which ones better...
So, I feel safer in it.
I still dont see what your trying to prove profail, other than my helmet can take more hits than yours, The "skate" style helmets can take just as much force as the "bike" styles.
Anyone have 2 helmets to test??
take 100 pounds and drop it on each helmet, see which ones better...
Last edited by Cheeto; 10-26-08 at 09:54 AM.
#22
Generic Title
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,927
Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX7, 2007 Trek 1600, 2007 Eastern Warthog
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The point is that a BMX helmet is designed for multiple low-energy impacts, and dedicated bike helmets are meant to withstand a single, high-energy impact. You'd know that if your read the thread.
__________________
Generic Joke
Generic Joke
#23
Fourth Degree Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: American Gardens Building
Posts: 3,826
Bikes: 2005 Kona Cinder Cone & 2010 Cannondale SuperSix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's hardly a conclusive test. I won't even explain why because it's so obvious.
The point is that a BMX helmet is designed for multiple low-energy impacts, and dedicated bike helmets are meant to withstand a single, high-energy impact. You'd know that if your read the thread.
The point is that a BMX helmet is designed for multiple low-energy impacts, and dedicated bike helmets are meant to withstand a single, high-energy impact. You'd know that if your read the thread.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 624
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
bmx/skate help with neck injury b/c they are rounded and flat on the back not pointed like road helmets, b/c of this bmx/skate helmets allow your head to lie flat, that is if you are on your back they don't cause your head to roll to one side, the point on road helmets causes your head to roll to one side exaserbateing neck injuries. Also some mtn helmets now have more rounded backs, the giro hex comes to mind
as for type of impact idk but skate helmets do have a foam liner inside a plastic shell so they should be fine for mtn biking (foam just like mtn helmets)
the only thing i would say against a skate helmet is that they don't have the adjustable fit like a modern road/mtn helmet. So its likely they it doesn't fit you as tightly as a mtn/road helmet, there fore in a sliding fall it might allow the helmet to shift on your head, but skate helmets cover so much of your head prolly doesn't matter
as for type of impact idk but skate helmets do have a foam liner inside a plastic shell so they should be fine for mtn biking (foam just like mtn helmets)
the only thing i would say against a skate helmet is that they don't have the adjustable fit like a modern road/mtn helmet. So its likely they it doesn't fit you as tightly as a mtn/road helmet, there fore in a sliding fall it might allow the helmet to shift on your head, but skate helmets cover so much of your head prolly doesn't matter
#25
Banned.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
bmx/skate help with neck injury b/c they are rounded and flat on the back not pointed like road helmets, b/c of this bmx/skate helmets allow your head to lie flat, that is if you are on your back they don't cause your head to roll to one side, the point on road helmets causes your head to roll to one side exaserbateing[sic] neck injuries.
Thank you!