Originally Posted by
crtreedude
Sigh - I really shouldn't say anything but.... why not. If you do smack your head sans helmet get yourself checked out. The rattling of your brain inside your skull can kill you (i.e. internal bruising) even if you don't have road rash on your noggin.
Less pain - but more dangerous. Helmets help primarily to prevent road rash and sharp object trauma - they don't do a whole lot for the force of impact being transferred to you brain inside your skull.
Go ahead and wear the helmet - we are ugly enough already.
As much as I enjoy riding without a helmet around my neighborhood, I have to disagree with your assessment.
Helmets are specifically designed for absorbing impact. That's what the foam is for. It compresses to absorb, and it does not bounce back into shape. Once it's used, it's no good. So, toss the helmet after an accident.
Also, I suppose a helmet will help quite a bit with road rash. However, the last time I slid down the road on top of my head.....
Meaning, preventing road rash isn't the main reason they make them. Otherwise they would wrap around your whole face like a Downhill helmet.