No Helmet -- Nice!
07-16-18 | 12:31 PM
#76
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 210
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From: Calgary
07-16-18 | 01:38 PM
#77
Passista
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,247
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Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
I started cycling more than 50 years ago, so wearing a helmet wasn't natural to me. When I began to train and doing group rides, about 22 years ago, wore a helmet occasionally, but never for commuting. Now my commuting makes for 60% of my kms and more of my cycling time, so I thought I couldn't be so irrational and began wearing a helmet full time a few months ago. Now I feel strange, almost naked without a helmet. Still, I think it's a personal decision and don't look down upon those who don't wear them.
A week ago I was on a group ride, riding two abreast but nowhere near the middle of the street, when a distracted driver touched my handlebar with her mirror. I fell on my elbow, side and knee, luckily no serious consequences although I'm still in some pain. I hoped I could tell one of those dramatic "my helmet saved my life" stories, but it never touched the pavement! Frustrating.
A week ago I was on a group ride, riding two abreast but nowhere near the middle of the street, when a distracted driver touched my handlebar with her mirror. I fell on my elbow, side and knee, luckily no serious consequences although I'm still in some pain. I hoped I could tell one of those dramatic "my helmet saved my life" stories, but it never touched the pavement! Frustrating.
07-16-18 | 04:05 PM
#78
It's MY mountain
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
07-18-18 | 04:13 AM
#79
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Groningen
Bikes: Gazelle rod brakes, Batavus compact, Peugeot hybrid
I saw a guy with a helmet yesterday. It has happened before but he was on a normal poorly maintained single speed oma and not dressed for the ride. It was an old guy with a grey beard in shorts and his helmet was shiny burgundy. Probably a foreign academic.
07-22-18 | 06:46 PM
#82
Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 30
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From: Orange County
Bikes: 2019 FX 3
Sorry to interject, newbie here. I'm actually trying to get my first helmet. In the process of getting my first brand new bike. 2019 FX3. Local shop offered me the Bontrager Quantum MIPS helmet for half off. Any thoughts? Can't find much info, and I dont know if I need or want to get one at that price..retail 110.. my price after credit would be round 60. Just can't figure if I should look elsewhere for helmet and use credit for other items in store. Thanks for any and all help. Again my apologies for being somewhat off topic.
-matthew
-matthew
07-22-18 | 06:53 PM
#83
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Joined: Sep 2014
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Sorry to interject, newbie here. I'm actually trying to get my first helmet. In the process of getting my first brand new bike. 2019 FX3. Local shop offered me the Bontrager Quantum MIPS helmet for half off. Any thoughts? Can't find much info, and I dont know if I need or want to get one at that price..retail 110.. my price after credit would be round 60. Just can't figure if I should look elsewhere for helmet and use credit for other items in store. Thanks for any and all help. Again my apologies for being somewhat off topic.
-matthew
-matthew
If you happen to be thinking about accessories, other items to consider are a rear rack, the means to fix a flat while you're on the road, and a decent floor pump for home use. Of all those things, the pump is your most important maintenance item.
07-22-18 | 07:02 PM
#84
Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 30
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From: Orange County
Bikes: 2019 FX 3
The FX3 looks nice. Congrats! Since I was curious, I looked it up. The helmet is on sale at the Trek website for 70 bucks, so maybe the half-off deal isn't such a deal. On the other hand, it will let you get out and ride, right away, without spending another weekend shopping for helmets. Life is short.
If you happen to be thinking about accessories, other items to consider are a rear rack, the means to fix a flat while you're on the road, and a decent floor pump for home use. Of all those things, the pump is your most important maintenance item.
If you happen to be thinking about accessories, other items to consider are a rear rack, the means to fix a flat while you're on the road, and a decent floor pump for home use. Of all those things, the pump is your most important maintenance item.
EDIT-- just did a direct search for it online instead of on trek site and I found one through the trek site that isn't listed through normal search parameters but it's 70. Only thing is it's only in blue, green and another oddball color. Not sure if that's why they are on sale
Last edited by Matthew2121; 07-22-18 at 07:09 PM.
07-22-18 | 07:43 PM
#86
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Joined: Sep 2014
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thanks for the quick reply! I just looked on trek and it's showing $99..is there another site you are referring to by chance? If it is lower then I agree that it's not worth the deal.. if so I need to figure what type of helmet and brand to get etc..been looking all over the forums for some answers. Bit harder than I though lol As for accessories, definitely want what you mention as well as a bottle cage and bottle was thinking of getting the Bontrager bottle cage, seems nice. Thanks for the help!!
EDIT-- just did a direct search for it online instead of on trek site and I found one through the trek site that isn't listed through normal search parameters but it's 70. Only thing is it's only in blue, green and another oddball color. Not sure if that's why they are on sale
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...elmet/p/14176/
07-23-18 | 07:40 AM
#87
ambulatory senior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6,451
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From: Peoria Il
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Sorry to interject, newbie here. I'm actually trying to get my first helmet. In the process of getting my first brand new bike. 2019 FX3. Local shop offered me the Bontrager Quantum MIPS helmet for half off. Any thoughts? Can't find much info, and I dont know if I need or want to get one at that price..retail 110.. my price after credit would be round 60. Just can't figure if I should look elsewhere for helmet and use credit for other items in store. Thanks for any and all help. Again my apologies for being somewhat off topic.
-matthew
-matthew
07-23-18 | 08:08 AM
#88
It's MY mountain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,173
Likes: 4,229
From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Sorry to interject, newbie here. I'm actually trying to get my first helmet. In the process of getting my first brand new bike. 2019 FX3. Local shop offered me the Bontrager Quantum MIPS helmet for half off. Any thoughts? Can't find much info, and I dont know if I need or want to get one at that price..retail 110.. my price after credit would be round 60. Just can't figure if I should look elsewhere for helmet and use credit for other items in store. Thanks for any and all help. Again my apologies for being somewhat off topic.
-matthew
-matthew
07-23-18 | 09:23 AM
#89
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: Nashbar Road
I realize that there was one study that demonstrated risk compensation, but it was deeply flawed in a basic assumption IMO. They only observed the first few hundred feet of the ride, assuming that a rider would do the same things after many miles.
I am not aware of feeling any greater security with or without a helmet, after the "this is different" feeling wears off. The first minute or so, I'm sure you would observe some difference in how I ride. After that, I doubt it. Analogously, I'd be surprised if people who don't want to ride without one would be riding any differently after 10 or 15 minutes. They'd be riding "normally" for them.
BTW @Matthew2121 my personal take is if you're going to splurge on a nice helmet there's nothing wrong with that, and I'd look for something with more style than the ubiquitous mushroom tops. Some of the Giro helmets look pretty sharp.
Last edited by wphamilton; 07-23-18 at 09:28 AM.
07-23-18 | 12:31 PM
#90
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Southwest MO
Bikes: (2) 1994 Cannondale R900, red, Silver Trek hybrid
False! I wear one all the time and don't take any risk at all I wouldn't take without a helmet. A couple years ago I took a fall that would probably have cracked my skull if I had no helmet on. It cracked the helmet. A skim of mud on the trail from rain the night before. It didn't seem slick to me, it was. I have no pity for people who get hurt with no helmet on. Its just foolish.
07-23-18 | 01:02 PM
#91
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From: Groningen
Bikes: Gazelle rod brakes, Batavus compact, Peugeot hybrid
07-23-18 | 01:18 PM
#92
It's MY mountain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,173
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From: Mt.Diablo
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
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.
07-23-18 | 02:34 PM
#93
Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 30
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From: Orange County
Bikes: 2019 FX 3
If you knew exactly which helmet you wanted, the right size, and how to adjust it - yeah, you can get some good deals on the Web. But you don't know any of those things and you would benefit from the LBS walking you through that learning process, and that's worth a few extra bucks.
07-23-18 | 02:37 PM
#94
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Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Orange County
Bikes: 2019 FX 3
This is what I found, so maybe it's like what you say. The blue does look kinda cool, in a way.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...elmet/p/14176/
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/e...elmet/p/14176/
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
07-23-18 | 02:46 PM
#95
Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 30
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From: Orange County
Bikes: 2019 FX 3
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!
07-23-18 | 03:37 PM
#96
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From: Queens, NY for now...
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
Originally Posted by mtb_addict
I though I read he was going 60mph.
I gave up my motorbike after an accident...and decided I was lucky to be walking and alive. Then got into bicycling.
The speed involved makes motorbikes are way too dangerous.
I gave up my motorbike after an accident...and decided I was lucky to be walking and alive. Then got into bicycling.
The speed involved makes motorbikes are way too dangerous.
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
her wrist broke when she put her hand out on the way down. (classic mistake)...
Last edited by robertorolfo; 07-23-18 at 03:40 PM.
07-23-18 | 03:38 PM
#97
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I though I read he was going 60mph.I gave up my motorbike after an accident...and decided I was lucky to be walking and alive. Then got into bicycling.The speed involved makes motorbikes are way too dangerous. I bet he's asking himself that with his successful career and family, why is he risking live and limb to make a stupid moive?
07-23-18 | 03:49 PM
#98
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
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. "
Last edited by rumrunn6; 07-24-18 at 05:01 PM.
07-24-18 | 08:58 AM
#99
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
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.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
07-24-18 | 09:33 AM
#100
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From: Queens, NY for now...
Bikes: 82 Lotus Unique, 86 Lotus Legend, 88 Basso Loto, 88 Basso PR, 89 Basso PR, 96 Bianchi CDI, 2013 Deda Aegis, 2019 Basso Diamante SV
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 & purposely avoided hitting that instead. recently using clipless 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 cold see myself leaning (not yet falling) to my right, "leading with my knee" but I quickly unclipped & 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)<br /><br />just found an article<br /><br /><a href="https://blog.mapmyrun.com/fall-off-bike-not-get-hurt/">https://blog.mapmyrun.com/fall-off-bike-not-get-hurt/<br />"</a> 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. "<br />
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.