dougphoto

I've always been told that after about 5 years helmets need to be replaced, because of the way they are made. how many people follow this rule? My current helmet is close to 10 years old.

prathmann

Mine are 40 and 22 years old. Bought the newer one mainly because it's significantly lighter. I'd expect either of them to still offer the fairly minimal protection offered by current models.

RPK79

At least that's longer than carbon forks.

Hermes1

I just replaced a 11 year old helmet because the retention system was failing.

datlas 

I know, right?

Adonis72

I think that was made up by the same people that say if you drop your motorcycle helmet at all you should replace it.

noodle soup

I replace mine more often, but I base it more on use. Every year I ride 14,000-15,000 miles, and use 17.5mph as an average speed. After about 1,700 hours of use I figure that I got enough use out of it, and I replace it.

RPK79

If I replaced my helmet every time I rode 14,000 miles at 17.5 MPH average within a one year period I'd never replace my helmet.

MotorToad

The 5-year thing is because the EPS that absorbs shock is supposed to break down, but I don't know what it is that breaks it down. UV? Ozone? Scotch-encrusted sweat from hangover rides? I've never seen anything definitive. I've only replaced helmets because I crashed or I wasn't willing to put my head in it anymore; usually two sets of pads.

I really don't have high hopes for a bicycle helmet, anyway. The one time I've crashed and hit my head I hit my ear and jaw and got a pretty nasty concussion. I'm still not willing to pedal in a full-face, though. :-\ I mostly wear a helmet to try to look more "cyclist" and less "homeless."

prathmann

Of course the previous poster didn't say that. He indicated replacing his helmet at 1700 hour usage intervals which equates to about every 30,000 miles at his average estimated speed. I'd have quite an extensive collection of helmets if I followed that policy. But have seen no need to contribute that much to the profitability of the helmet manufacturers.

rmfnla

More likely it was made up by the same people who sell sell bicycle helmets...

datlas 

The helmet manufacturers say 2-3 years. It's clearly in their interest to keep the products moving.

I think the "correct" answer, like most inquiries in this nuthouse, is that it depends. Depends on the actual helmet, how much it's been used/abused, how much sun and sweat exposure, etc. I suspect with "typical" use a helmet should last several years, but again it depends on many variables. YMMV.

Xherion

If your helmet was made before 1999, I would replace it since it wasn't until March 1999 that the CPSC standard was introduced. That being said, I can't see using a helmet for more than 5 or so years because the straps, pads, etc. start to get pretty worn out by then. That and I think newer helmets look cooler. The latter being the primary reason to replace a helmet.

noodle soup

30k miles is about 2 years of use. At that point the straps start to show wear, the pads are toasted, and the retention system usually begins to have issues.

The cost per hour rate is less than $.10 per hour. I'm okay with that.

D1andonlyDman

Rules are made to be broken. So are helmets.

Psimet2001 

I replace mine when I hit the deck hard enough to cause visual damage to the helmet (knowing it took a hit). Sometimes I switch mine when we switch kit colors.

The general rule of thumb has been ~3-5 years but I have heard that change a lot over the years. The previous idea was supposedly because the UV light would break down some of the materials after extended periods of exposure.

meh...

In reality my helmets take a lot of small hits all the time from being thrown into the car, falling off a table, banging into stuff in my bag, etc.

So...it's your head. Use your own judgement. They are really designed for single impact use so think about all the stuff you've banged it into.

Psimet2001 

...and yeah almost everyone I know just replaces theirs when they wreck or change teams which is usually less than a 5 year span.

datlas 

You sure you are not just bragging about your awesome annual mileage?

LesterOfPuppets

Is that better than Snell, ANSI, whatever else was around BITD?

Ghazmh

Not for nothing but doesn't styrofoam last forever? i dont believe for a second that it breaks down or degrades after 5 years. I get at least 5 years out of helmets. However if folks want a newer shinier aero-er lighter sexier helmet I understand that.

Psimet2001 

Yes. It turns out helmet manufacturers have discovered a way to make styrofoam degrade quickly. Turns out the solution to our environmental problems were in fact solved by capitalism.

noodle soup

+ 1

any wreck that shows some rough contact on the helmet, and it gets replaced.

After 2 years of daily use, my helmet has done enough. A few years ago I had to replace my helmet 3 times in the same month due to wrecks. It sucked, but it was a small price to pay for the protection.

noodle soup

I'm happy to do that, but this isn't the place.

For many people, every 2 years is a little more often than needed, but for some it's pretty reasonable.

Adonis72

I'm sure its the manufacturers in both cases! Hey if we tell them you should replace it every 2-3 years we make more money!!!

datlas 

There's another place for that: https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...ge-thread.html