What about people who get hurt with a helmet on? They saw it coming, they knew they were going to crash, and still didn't change their ways. That seems much more stupid to me.

The effect I remember hearing, is that people who normally wear a helmet, ride more cautiously if they forget their helmet. So it's not that the helmet gives them a sense of security, it's that not having a helmet heightens their sense of vulnerability. It's an interesting psychological effect that's hard to quantify in studies.

thanks for the response! Thats a really good point. Once i started researching, i quickly became a bit overwhelmed. Hadnt thought about all the little things..weight, vents, and the main thing that has me questioning that particular helmet is that from what i gather its somewhat made for mtb trails with the visor and what not. I actually like the shape of helmets that have that visor but i also dont wanna look like an idiot wearing an incorrect helmet that isnt for the type of riding im doing. I.e i dont wanna look like a gut wearing a motorcycle helmet on a bike so to speak lol. Thanks for any and all help! Much appreciated!

yup thats exactly what i had found. Really wanting the black matte though to match the matte bike color scheme XD. Im OCD like that haha

you make a good point. I didn't realize that i was splurging on a helmet until i started research them i had no concept of what a helmet cost. I assumed it was normal price for something that can save your life lol. Regarding the mushroom comment, i definitely would prefer not to have one like that lol. Would you consider the one i was looking at a mushroom helmet? I didnt think so, but i also tried it on prior to doing research so may have not really studied the look on me so to speak. This may be a stupid way of thinking but I just want to make sure that i get something that visually looks good on me and the bike and of course feels right so that i dont have a reason ever to not wear it. I think if i like the way it looks ill never hesitate for even the smallest of rides. Thanks for any and all help! Very much appreciated!

Actually, I don't think the Tour riders are allowed to take their helmets off at any time. Lance Armstrong (yes, that Lance Armstrong) was actually talking about this on his podcast a few days ago, arguing that the risk is virtually zero on the steep climbs where they are going under 10mph (although a rider broke a vertebrae that very day on the climb). He was basically arguing that allowing fans to see the heads and faces of the riders will help the sport.

I've seen the video, and although it's hard to tell, I doubt he was going anywhere near 60mph. (Perhaps it was 60kmh?). Anyway, I've spent plenty of time on a motorcycle (years of commuting included), and I would say it is about a wash in comparison to a bicycle. The fact that you can keep up with traffic and don't have to worry about countless people overtaking you is a big factor. Ditto making a left hand turn at most intersections, which just seems ridiculously unsafe on a bicycle if you need to use regular traffic lanes.


Why is putting out your hands to break your fall a mistake? Should people just being going down head first?

I didn't read that it was during the filming of a movie. seek out the video. he really is lucky

I've read here on the forum, not long ago, that for cycling, one should fall with the bike & deal w road rash rather than broken bones. like on your leg & shoulder, I guess. I forget actually. she had a broken knee cap some tears ago & so purposely avoided hitting that instead. recently using cleated pedals for the 1st or 3rd time I came to a stop & forgot I was clipped in. as I tried to remove my right foot I could see myself leaning (not yet falling) to my right, "leading with my knee" but I quickly uncleated & put my foot out. I was there thinking about how I would have fallen & thinking knee first, then a hand, but I really don't know. if I come across the thread about how cyclists should fall I'll share it. I think the responder was citing a pro racer talking about the same thing (how not to break an arm falling off a bike)

just found an article

https://blog.mapmyrun.com/fall-off-bike-not-get-hurt/

"For spills from the side, use the back of your shoulder, hip and butt to absorb the impact instead of your arm as you hit the road. "

I thought about this thread this morning on the way into work. It's a very humid day, and I thought how nice it would feel to take my helmet off. But when I have it, I wear it. I never know what might happen. I got hit head-on by a car once, and that was before most people wore helmets, so I got lucky. I could get lucky again.

Mmmm, not sure how helpful that article/advice really is. There are so many different factors and permutations involved in every crash, so the advice doesn't seem particularly practical, but it probably can't hurt (no pun).

A few years ago, my friend that coaches youth soccer mentioned that it seemed to him like kids didn't know how to fall down anymore. They were often getting hurt in situations that were particularly bad because they didn't know how to take a fall, and he mentioned them not putting their hands out to absorb some of the impact. I realize that falling while running is a little different, and there is no bike to get tangled with, but most athletic adults can run at speeds of 15mph or greater.

The Quantum MIPS? Not as much as some, but I think MIPS is probably desirable in a helmet.

For pure looks I like the Giro style, like this Cinder? MIPS - Helmets - Men's - Cycling

I wear a cheap Schwinn though

Screw what other people think. If you like a visor, have a visor. FYI that helmet I just linked has a visor, it's just not shown in the picture, but you can see the two holes that one side of the visor clip into.

It does look airy :thumb: but definitely mushroom-style. If that's a consideration.

Do you actually have one of those? Does it feel more ventilated?

Yes, I just recently got it to replace another one just like it that I dented (i.e. probably damaged) in a MTB fall, see post #35 .

It feels quite ventilated.

A few years back I saw a TdF team wearing cool-looking helmets with all holes like that, made me think it was a pod for spawning alien eggs or something. I looked it up and discovered it was a Catlike Whisper. Since there's no way I would pay over $100 for a helmet, I was pretty stoked to find a knockoff on fleabay.

good for you. we should all keep reminding ea other

Well guess what, I'm a dude that thinks all those MAMILs out there (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) look like idiots, and that's not stopping them.

If you buy a bunch of expensive kit, and then show up for a ride and find out it's wrong, then maybe you are an idiot. BUT, don't buy anything, wear what's comfortable, show up for a ride, tell people you're figuring stuff out, and maybe you'll LOOK like an idiot, but at least it won't have cost you anything. But more likely people will not be jerks and cut you some slack, probably give you some recommendations.

Another perspective:
One possibility: you show up in comfortable whatever and are slow: they'll think 'makes sense he's slow, he's just getting started'
Another possibility: you show up in comfortable whatever and are fast: they'll think you're slow at first, but then be impressed.
Another possibility: you show up in immaculate kit and are fast: they'll think nothing. Or that you're 'one of them' already
Another possibility: you show up in immaculate kit and are slow: they'll think you're a poser
Another possibility: you show up in expensive, but somehow 'wrong' kit, and are slow: they'll think you're a poser with no sense of style

Hey, I'm glad to snatch one away from the 'dark side'! And if you end up getting lycra because that functions better for your riding, more power to you. Just don't do what 'they' tell you just because they said so.

In that vein, here's an article you might also enjoy: https://www.rivbike.com/pages/the-shoes-ruse

I like my cycling specific clothing, but they show their advantages best when I take a long ride, longer than ten miles. I'm specifically talking about jerseys and shorts or tights.

That's a good article about shoes, and it could be useful for many people, but cycling specific shoes are a life saver for me. I get severe foot pain when I don't ride with them, for various weird reasons. I use SPD cleats, and my favorite shoes (among my many SPD shoes) are built for mountain bike racing. They are super stiff. The soles are slightly curved, so when I stand in them, I can rock on them, which prevents fatigue. I've hiked in the woods wearing them, and their traction is good except when the cleat occasionally touches a rock, but even that isn't so bad.

My cycling hats are my most comfortable hats of all. I realize I'm breaking "the rules" when wearing one off the bike, but I don't care. I wear hats when I'm outside, as I'm going bald.

More power to you as well!

That is an alien concept to this helmet wearer. If they exist, they are no more or less insane than the non-helmet wearers.

because on your 3speeds bike you are 2slow, you don't need a helmet

I have this helmet. Good price and very good venting.

riding a shared paved trail last week I saw a Dad w his son who was learning to ride. they reminded me of me & my kids. Dad had him suited up with gloves, knee pads & helmet. anyway, from a distance, I spotted them but then heard a thud. I looked up just after he had fallen & hit his forehead on the ground. he was on his hands & knees lifting his head. it was loud enough for me to hear from a closing distance. as I rode by I said "wow that was a good one! good thing you had you had a helmet on!" & tapped my own helmet as I passed with a smile. Dad smiled but the boy looked a little embarrassed. he'll do fine. regarding speed, I don't think he was even rolling when he fell

I've rag-dolled over the bars twice, once when hitting sand on an outside corner at 25 mph and down into a 5' ditch full of large fallen branches (I got a mild concussion on that one, and then rode 25 miles to the finish), and once at 15 mph onto a sharply turning cement bike path at night (I bruised 3 upper ribs on that one), and both times my helmet hit the ground instead of my scalp, and at a minimum spared me a gushing head wound that would likely have ended either ride.

I still do certain gravel/mtb rides helmet-less, as long as there are no cars and minimal trees/rocks.

Right. Context.

Cornering at 15-25mph is dangerous and helmets are a really good idea in those situations.

Tooling around at gentle speeds is less dangerous, and helmets provide less added value.

I agree. Context or the conditions and way you are riding dictates whether a helmet is prudent or not. I would have not problem going helmetless if I am just cruising down the beach at 8 mph. I always wear my helmet when riding my road bike at 20+ mph or my mountain bike since I fall down a lot.