Bike Forums - The helmet thread

Motor cycle helmet no. But as I posted several pages ago back in the 80s Bell sold a helmet called the Tourlite I believe. It had a lexan shell that was super tough, and it was not that heavy. I wish they still made it.

I remember that post, I posted back that I had the same helmet. That was a much better helmet then anything on the market today because it was Snell rated which is a tougher test to past then what the law now requires helmet manufactures to past. The only problem with the helmet was the cooling vents weren't well designed, but I lived along the coast at the time so it wasn't an issue. I think the requirements for cycling helmets need to go back to the Snell rating.

But that Lexan covering wouldn't ever rip or melt or allow something to punch through it. However they still used styrofoam for the cushioning which I think is ok but it should be either thicker or use a different material that will work better.

I-Like-To-Bike

09-07-12 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlackerInc (Post 14700295)

Huh? Then how can motorcycle riders wear them? Are you saying their necks and lungs are stronger or something? LOL

You mean "Duh" doncha? The "or something" is the fact that bicycle riders are working up a sweat and exercising while providing the energy to get somewhere, motorcycle riders don't.

rekmeyata

09-07-12 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike (Post 14701261)

You mean "Duh" doncha? The "or something" is the fact that bicycle riders are working up a sweat and exercising while providing the energy to get somewhere, motorcycle riders don't.

True, but if you're riding with a big thick helmet on and no vents on a hot day...trust me your head is hot.

SpasticSprocket

09-07-12 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rekmeyata (Post 14701501)

True, but if you're riding with a big thick helmet on and no vents on a hot day...trust me your head is hot.

The exception to that is that a motorcyclist generally moves a lot faster than a bicyclist, and that poor ventilation becomes more effective at higher speeds. But yes, while stationary, those helmets get very hot.

rydabent

09-07-12 07:55 AM

While that Tourlite didnt have as many vents as todays helmets, I really dont remember of it being that hot.

Unlike some here that argue against helmets, as I have said before once I put mine on, it is basically out of sight and out of mind.

SpasticSprocket

09-07-12 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydabent (Post 14701738)

Same here, once I start riding I don't even notice it. I used to refuse to wear one because I hated it, but then I had a nasty crash that messed up the right side of my face for a good week or so. Now I'm like "what helmet?" At least until I peel it off of my hair covered head.

njkayaker

09-07-12 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlackerInc (Post 14700295)

Huh? Then how can motorcycle riders wear them? Are you saying their necks and lungs are stronger or something? LOL

Many (not all) motorcyclists are riding upright (it's easier to carry weight that way). Many (not all) cyclists are leaning forward (it's harder to carry weight that way). Of course, if they were cool, bicycle riders might not mind the extra weight as much. Clearly, heavier is not desirable in both case but it's more of a "cost" (problem) for bicyclists.

If it was such a great idea to use a motorcycle helmet while bicycling, you'd actually see people doing it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rekmeyata (Post 14701501)

True, but if you're riding with a big thick helmet on and no vents on a hot day...trust me your head is hot.

No doubt, they can be hot. It would be worse (and, maybe, hazardous), on a bicycle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpasticSprocket (Post 14701602)

And bicyclists are producing extra heat and even more of it going up hill when they are going slow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydabent (Post 14701738)

While that Tourlite didnt have as many vents as todays helmets, I really dont remember of it being that hot.

People don't all ride the same (some ride up hills and some don't) and people have different sensitivities to heat. (And your recollection might be flawed.)

beastoftheeast

09-07-12 10:14 AM

Long Time Biker, First Time Poster Here
As a motorcyclist and auto enthusiast, I always sought out (or was required to use by competition regs) Snell rated helmets. Snell ratings for the various types of helmets have long been presumed without question in the press and by consumers as a "tougher" set of standards. This was clearly true decades ago when Snell ratings were essentially the only ratings, but Snell had come under some criticism in the recent past for not rating a motorcycle helmet's likely protective qualities, so much as the helmet's durability in a peculiar set of tests - not the same thing. European standards were more influenced by neurologists, who focussed on the actual affect of likely impacts on the human brain - the presumed point of a helmet. You can google a controversial exposé in a 2005 Motorcyclist magazine (previously mentioned here in the Forums before, I see) which concluded that in some cases the generic DOT rating on a helmet - sans Snell approval - ironically appeared to be a predictor of a helmet's superior protective qualities. Despite publicly refuting the criticism, Snell's newest 2010 motorcycle standard has taken some of these issues into consideration. The previously erroneous presumption of superiority may now actually be true - or at least more true.

The lesson for us here may be that one entity's or another's stamp of approval ought to be subject itself to critical evaluation. There is nothing about Snell that makes them uniquly qualified to approve our bicycle helmets. Their testing facilities and methodology may be quite developed, but their results would only as valuable as their testing parameters are applicable. We still have to decide for ourselves what applies to our activities in the context of our own personal risk aversion.

Personally, I bought a new 2010 Snell helmet, but have no problem with using my older ones. Meanwhile, my "new" bicycle helmet is twelve years old. Has the subject of acceptable helmet age ever been brought up before? Just kidding...

SlackerInc

09-07-12 03:47 PM

Okay, I get it now: we're talking about people who are all into their road bikes and jerseys and are going around racing (or practicing) basically...gotcha. I ride an upright "comfort" bike, for transportation rather than exercise (in fact, I try to avoid sweating if possible) and (as I mentioned in another thread, heh) I'm just coasting 70 percent of the time. So it actually might be feasible for me to wear a motorcycle helmet. Thanks for the idea!

Closed Office

09-07-12 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danmc (Post 14698737)

You had the accident described in the link and ended up going to work!!?? I would have had to clean the crap out of my underwear, at least, if I went through that.

I had a bit of good luck that made it easier. A woman with a pickup offered me a ride, and I could throw the bike in the back. (I wanted to salvage some of the parts.)

Physically I wasn't hurt badly, and I tend to be enthusiastic. I happened to be lucky and things rolled the right way after the first impact.

I had a much slower speed accident years later that did more damage.

Conan

09-07-12 07:11 PM

I never wore a helmet when I was young. Always thought it was uncool, uncomfortable. Now I never ride without it. I purchased a Limar 909. It is soo lightweight I forget I am even wearing it. It feels like I'm wearing nothing and the airflow is great. The thought of eating it going downhills at 50mph and ending up with brain damage is motivation to wear one.

rando

09-07-12 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DScience (Post 14696149)

I've lived in Davis CA for a year now, and casual riders tend to stay away from helmets. I followed this lead, until now. I have this forum to thank for that too. After reading of the horrific accidents people report on here, I had some sense knocked into me (pun intended!). What did it most was a nice gentleman who posted about his wife being struck by a car from behind and how she didn't even realize her helmet was damaged. It made me think. I used to assume that if I was careful enough I could avoid careless drivers. But now I realize there are times where you just can't react or make any decisions in time.

Well, I tested it out and it's not as bad as I thought! I actually like it! It's very low profile: Specialized Echelon. It's cheap and I feel like it will be okay for my daily commutes. If anyone thinks that this inexpensive helmet isn't as safe, please let me know!

:D Protect the most amazing piece of matter on earth...the human brain!

Yes, except that the Helmet really doesn't protect your brain that much. The helmet hardly does anything, as a matter of fact. they test them by dropping them from about 6 feet above the ground on the very center of the helmet. you're very unlikely to have an accident that impacts that point in the helmet. in fact, you're very unlikely to have any accident at all on a bicycle, despite what you might have heard. If the helmet gives you piece of mind, Great. but don't think it will save your life (your brain) in an accident. just saying.

I-Like-To-Bike

09-08-12 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan (Post 14704360)

The thought of eating it going downhills at 50mph and ending up with brain damage is motivation to wear one.

Is the helmet the key that makes going downhills at 50mph "safe" for you? Keep believing it if you like, I would choose a baseball cap and a lucky rabbit's foot, just as good at reducing the risk of brain damage from that activity and the airflow is even better. Or maybe if I really was concerned about reducing the risk of brain damage from bicycling, I would slow down from 50 mph.

rekmeyata

09-08-12 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike (Post 14705312)

I use to ride a Moto Guzzi years ago in the late 70's, and the helmet I had was hot even while riding, maybe they redesigned them since then. All I remember is taking a cruise down the coast from Santa Barbara to San Diego on a hot summer day and my head was soaking wet under the helmet, I had to stop about every 50 miles or so to take the darn thing off once I got down into the Los Angeles area. I no longer ride motorcycles, that was my first and only motorcycle, I had it for about 7 to 8 years though. It was the big touring model 850 T3 convert, it had an automatic transmission! Not sure if Moto Guzzi is still making the auto or not anymore. It was a gorgeous bike, I wished I would have kept it because now I think their classics, but I heard replacement parts are crazy expensive for those now.

tagaproject6

09-08-12 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monster Pete (Post 14699246)

Not intending to present a pro or anti-helmet stance here, since as you pointed out, that's what the other thread is supposed to be for. Just giving information, for the OP to act on as he sees fit.

Intended or not, it ALWAYS end up in the helmet thread.

jim hughes

09-08-12 04:07 PM

I hope no one is seriously imagining that it's "safe" to cycle at 50 mph if you're wearing a styrofoam bike helmet.

Bike helmets don't prevent concussions, or subsequent hematomas, because those are "brain bounce" injuries and helmets - being hard, and unpadded - don't absorb enough impact force to prevent them. Bike helmets can prevent skull fractures - but probably not in a 50 mph impact.

Compared to the helmets used for auto racing, bike helmets are cute, colorful toys.

SlackerInc

09-09-12 12:17 AM

Yeah, 50mph is pretty insane. I wiped out a couple summers back on July 4th at maybe 12-15 mph while trying to hustle to get closer to the fireworks show. I was looking up at the sky and didn't see the curb (stupid, I know). I went flying, badly sprained both wrists and thumbs, and my helmeted head smacked into the corner of another concrete curb. I think I may have gotten a mild concussion, but I feel pretty strongly that the concrete corner would have cracked my head open like an egg on the edge of a frying pan, had I not been wearing a helmet. Instead, I had a red mark along the skin on my forehead from the pressure of the helmet there, and no bleeding or anything.

I-Like-To-Bike

09-09-12 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim hughes (Post 14706836)

I hope no one is seriously imagining that it's "safe" to cycle at 50 mph if you're wearing a styrofoam bike helmet.

At least one poster gets this kind of "Courage for his Head" from his magic hat - See http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post14704360

rydabent

09-09-12 07:17 AM

With all those "research papers" why dont someone do a paper on the IQ of people that wear and dont wear helmets?

surgeonstone

09-09-12 09:48 AM

Helmets may not save lives, but I can tell you what they will do- keep you out of the ER getting lacerations and abrasions cleaned up.

surgeonstone

09-09-12 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydabent (Post 14708387)

With all those "research papers" why dont someone do a paper on the IQ of people that wear and dont wear helmets?

http://cyclingisgoodforyou.blogspot....-bicycles.html

ZmanKC

09-09-12 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydabent (Post 14708387)

With all those "research papers" why dont someone do a paper on the IQ of people that wear and dont wear helmets?

I don't know, why "doesn't" you do it? :rolleyes:

curbtender

09-09-12 06:29 PM

Some people just make bad choices, like these guys that are "all knowing" and handicap football games... go 9ers

sudo bike

09-09-12 09:58 PM

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZmanKC (Post 14708773)

I don't know, why "doesn't" you do it? :rolleyes:

There's a special circle of hell for Internet forum grammar/spelling nazis. It's number four, actually. :p

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=272045

rydabent

09-10-12 07:44 AM

Kinda funny---------------------------here on the anti helmet thread Bell and othe helmet manuf are advertising. That means that the anti helmet cult have a place to vent provided by the very manuf they seem to hate for what really remains an unexplained reason.

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