This is something I've wondered for a while. I know it's a very personal thing, but do many of you wear helmets while riding? If so, is there a preferred type of C&V helmet?

What are people's opinions on helmets in general? There's a group of us here that go on regular C&V rides, often fast enough to make me wonder if I should have one, or what good it would do me if I did.

****/M

I always wear a helmet when riding the bike; but never a C&V one. I rather wish I had saved one of my Bell Biker helmets from the 70's - 80's, but I didn't. Other than a Bell Biker, I don't think there's a C&V helmet worth wearing.

You don't need a helmet for going fast. You need it for accidents. You never know when you're going to need it. I haven't needed mine yet, and am not in the least disappointed about that.

CV helmets certainly won't help you that much. Not that modern ones do, if you crash really hard (last weeks accident in the Giro pointed that out again). I wear a modern one which doesn't really look good next to the bike, but at least the colours match . In any case, I don't ride significantly faster on my modern bikes compared to my C&V bikes and most of my riding consists of fast jaunts over narrow paths through the dunes with loads of cyclists about - these paths have taken their toll over the years so I better be careful.

I always wear my Bell helmet (actually, on a commute a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't until I got to work and went to undo my helmet strap that I realized I had forgotten to put it on!). My first helmet was a Skid-Lid, purchased *after* I took a header on my bike in 1980. Very C&V, very fugly, fairly non-functional.

Neal

I always wear the helmet.......my passion is MTB and crashing is not at all uncommon. I have been on the lookout for a C&V helmet for some time now.

After my face narrowly missed the windshield-pillar of an oncoming car at about 45mph, I started wearing one.
- Not that it would have been particularly useful in that circumstance, but in many other cases, a helmet can protect against a disabling head injury such as going down on gravel, a front tire failure, etc.
- Nothing could be worse than getting injured in such a grievous way - UNNECESSARILY.

- I bought a better helmet, largely for fit, light weight and ventilation and I expect to have it for a very long time. (Unlike my bikes) I don't care how C&V it looks.

Please DO NOT muck up C&V with a helmet thread. For once leave this alone.

I personally don't think the term "C&V" and helmet belong in the same room with each other. A helmet is no place to go classic and vintage. I bought the highest quality modern helmet I could afford and never ride without it. Besides, it looks cool enough with a vintage bike.

I've started to wear a helmet in the shower. If it saves my life it will be worth it!

+1. I also don't think one of those C and V leather hairnets is any better than no helmet. If you don't want to wear a helmet, on your head shall it be. Personally I think there should be a waiver that states if you're in an accident, and need medical attention that a helmet would have prevented, you will receive no public funds at all for your medical care, in any circumstance. You should also be required to be an organ donor.

If you wonder whether you should have one, you probably should. (Famous last words: "You think I'll need my helmet? Nah.") That said, it's a personal choice. I do wear one whenever I'm riding any major distance. I tend to ride fairly aggressively though which ups the risk. Just remember it's just one part of an entire safety solution.

You don't need anything expensive, just make sure it's been tested and approved for cycling by your country's testing institute. I have a low end Bontrager (Trek) but it'll do the job. If you can find a C&V style helmet, go for it but don't use an older helmet. The plastic and foam break down over time (esp in the sun) become brittle and protection is severely reduced. Bell and Nutcase make some fun ones if you're into those styles.

I never wore a helmet in the '70s, '80s, '90s or '00s, and never will. Totally unnecessary in my opinion. The stereotype of a cyclist, even the racers, was never someone with brain damage from an accident, and for very good reason. Bicycle riding is a very safe thing to do, even in our modern times.

https://www.facebook.com/no.helmet.law

Okay, then! time to lock or move?

Can we get this threwad locked down now? Might as well beat it to the punch.

Didn't realise it was such a contentious issue. Don't know why it's such an annoying question to ask, either. If it bothers you that much, tell me how and I'll remove the thread.

I didn't mean the leather hairnets, either. I just wondered if many people wore helmets on C&V rides.

EDIT: I've read on, and see that some people feel pretty strongly about it. I didn't mean to start a big debate about the rights and wrongs. More than anything, I was wondering if there was a recommended make or model that doesn't look too flash, or cost too much.

I'm more C&V than my bikes...wearing a helmet would detract from my classic sexual allure and vintage good looks.

It doesn't have to be a contentious issue...but sooner or later someone will chime in with a comment that will make it so.

I still ride with one of those, the one I used racing over 30 years abck -- worse, it's vinyl, not leather. My wife wants me to ditch it. I'd be OK with that, I guess, but the ones in catalogs I've seen are all the space-alien look. Anything newer/safer that is more C&V-appropriate?

I think that part of it is cause enough NOT to lock the thread.

i'm wearing mine now in case the thread gets too boring and my head bounces off the keyboard

EDIT: on the real - why is it though that dudes w/o helmets always ride against traffic - mon now

Yes, lock this thread before anyone else dares to speak against the culture of fear promoted by the bicycle helmet lobby and those wanting to mandate the purchase of a "magic pill" response to ignorant drivers and irresponsible riding. There is nothing wrong with helmets, and I fully support those who want to wear them, but the endless retelling of "my helmet cracked when it touched the pavement so it alone saved my life and therefore they MUST be worn by everyone, everywhere and always" has got to be countered by rational, scientific and polite discussion of reality. Somewhere.

C'mon .... Where are all those old leather hairnets?!?

Guys: Did I do something wrong? If I did, apologies. What happens when a thread is locked, and are there a set of rules that govern the locking? I didn't realise it was going to get people so shirty.

It looks like Lance forgot which end his jock strap goes on.

The wearing of helmets is a contentious issue, and it brings out broad statements from people who otherwise have nothing to say. Threads devoted to the wearing of helmets are famous for descending into pontification. I think there's a perpetual thread on this subject in the safety and advocacy forum; read one page of that, and you'll probably have heard the full range of opinion &c on the subject. Enjoy!

This is just something that belongs over in the A&S forum, It has hashed/re-hashed/super-hashed. It gets boring, acrimonious, and is just generally bad.

Mods, please lock this thread.

In a polite discussion of the topic, the only contention comes from those unwilling to tolerate the minority view here. But it's the majority view amongst the rest of the world of bicyclists.