4) All of the padding in my current helmet is disintegrating, including the part that attaches from the back of the helmet to the chin strap. Can I replace this, or do I need a new helmet?

Thanks![/QUOTE]

If your helmet is doing this you should just buy a new one this one sounds like based on what you described it needs to go to the trash. It sounds i rough shape. I am not the helmet police or anything, but its recommended that people buy new ones every 2 years. I don't know how many people really follow this or if its necessary, but that foam is supposed to have a pretty short half life or whatever. For me its easy to just replace them because my health insurance gives me $25 to buy a helmet so I just get one every 2 years and give one of my old ones to someone that doesn't have any cash to get one. Short story--buy a new helmet. =)