If you want to spend your hard earned money on helmets, go right ahead.
I've got a helmet already, and plenty of other things to do with all that money.

I'm constantly amazed by the way so many people seem to think that by throwing MORE money at something they're somehow
going to be magically better-off than if they had taken the time to spent their money thriftily. Worse yet when they brag about
how much money they spent on something, and make up lame stories to ridicule those who didn't.

I wasnt bragging, just making a point. Oh, well...

OKie I will let it slide if you acknowledge the supreme kick-assedness of vintage antique Old Skool hemlets of yore.
JK. To each his own helmet. I've also seen lots of crusty old guys pedalling around in white Bells that look 20 years old.

Hey, as long as it keeps your brains inside your noggin, it's all good!

Could have been a defect in that helmet. I've had many last 5 years or more. And even then I change just to have a newer one (different color, more vents, etc.)

SS

I bought my giro transit helmet brand new for thirty bucks with free shipping. Great helmet for commuters, cheap and good, and hell its a giro helmet.

You guys probably don't want to hear this, I wear Protec(Yup, skateboard helmet!) and loving it. Pads are replaceable($10.-), cheap(I bought my latest one $24.- at Sportmart online), fits much better than Giro which I thought was the best fitting helmet when I bought it. Protec helmets are much more likely to stay on your head when you hit the ground head first. If those guys can trust it when they go up 50feet in the Big Air event(that scarey thing), you can trust it too.

dont be cheap! whats more important than keeping your brains in your skull?!?!?!
Anyway, newer helmets often have higher safety standards than the older ones, new materials and the like. If you are going to be cheap, expect a sore head when you actually take a serious spill!

It's still just styrofoam with a chinstrap. Styrofoam and nylon don't cost more then $0.10 to make.