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Old 11-22-12 | 11:30 PM
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Invisible bicycle helmet

I'd buy one, at least for cool weather riding. (sorry if this has been posted before, Search yielded no results)
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Old 11-22-12 | 11:39 PM
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I wonder how it would feel in hot weather, you would have the advantage of not having a helmet on i guess.

very neat idea
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Old 11-23-12 | 12:49 AM
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the "hövding" has been around a while (at least 2 years)

for sale at designtorget in sweden

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Old 11-23-12 | 07:07 AM
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I wonder what would activate it?
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Old 11-23-12 | 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by tractorlegs
I wonder what would activate it?
accelerometer
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Old 11-23-12 | 08:03 AM
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Originally Posted by acidfast7
the "hövding" has been around a while (at least 2 years)

for sale at designtorget in sweden
If I'm reading this correctly and the translation is correct, then its cost (3995 SEK) is $600 USD. Hopefully that would come down as it catches on. That's a bit steep for most cyclists...yet still far cheaper than an E.R. visit.
https://www.designtorget.se/designtor...ew_0_a_id=2710
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Old 11-23-12 | 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by skijor
If I'm reading this correctly and the translation is correct, then its cost (3995 SEK) is $600 USD. Hopefully that would come down as it catches on. That's a bit steep for most cyclists...yet still far cheaper than an E.R. visit.
https://www.designtorget.se/designtor...ew_0_a_id=2710
Yeah, that's right. You have to remember that in Sweden all prices include 25% VAT (Value added tax) ... so the tax-less cost is less. With exchange rates, taxes, cost-of-living adjustment it's probably at $300 price point in the US (+ sales tax).

I admit that it's costly, but probably only 2-3x that a good helmet, so it's still a boutique piece, but it is Stockholm after all, which is probably the most avant-garde in Europe with respect to fashion.

Also, ER trips are free as is essentially unlimited time away from work afterward to heal
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Old 11-23-12 | 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by tergal
I wonder how it would feel in hot weather, you would have the advantage of not having a helmet on i guess.

very neat idea
Maybe your head itself but it looks like having that big collar on would be uncomfortable and hot.
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Old 11-23-12 | 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by tergal
I wonder how it would feel in hot weather, you would have the advantage of not having a helmet on i guess.

very neat idea
Looks like a thick neck gator; would be horrible in hot weather.
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Old 11-23-12 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by acidfast7
Yeah, that's right. You have to remember that in Sweden all prices include 25% VAT (Value added tax) ... so the tax-less cost is less. With exchange rates, taxes, cost-of-living adjustment it's probably at $300 price point in the US (+ sales tax).

I admit that it's costly, but probably only 2-3x that a good helmet, so it's still a boutique piece, but it is Stockholm after all, which is probably the most avant-garde in Europe with respect to fashion.

Also, ER trips are free as is essentially unlimited time away from work afterward to heal
Functional helmets are available for less than $50 in the states.
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Old 11-23-12 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by JanMM
Functional helmets are available for less than $50 in the states.
That's great. I'll take the increased costs/increased benefits every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
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Old 11-23-12 | 10:01 PM
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never found it that hard/difficult to wear a helmet. will continue to do so
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Old 11-23-12 | 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by acidfast7
the "hövding" has been around a while (at least 2 years)

for sale at designtorget in sweden
What material is it made of? It looks like his brains shot out!
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Old 11-24-12 | 12:02 AM
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Well if you wear this you're f**ed



or this



or this



or this

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Old 11-24-12 | 07:02 AM
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Originally Posted by skijor
If I'm reading this correctly and the translation is correct, then its cost (3995 SEK) is $600 USD. Hopefully that would come down as it catches on. That's a bit steep for most cyclists...yet still far cheaper than an E.R. visit.
https://www.designtorget.se/designtor...ew_0_a_id=2710
What makes anyone think that this boutique helmet would replace an E.R. visit after a cyclist has an accident with a moving vehicle? Newsflash: the air bag does not surround the cyclist's head and body with an invulnerable shield of protection from trauma. Is there any evidence that it offers anymore "protection" than the current crop of flimsy bicycle helmets?
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Old 11-24-12 | 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
What makes anyone think that this boutique helmet would replace an E.R. visit after a cyclist has an accident with a moving vehicle? Newsflash: the air bag does not surround the cyclist's head and body with an invulnerable shield of protection from trauma. Is there any evidence that it offers anymore "protection" than the current crop of flimsy bicycle helmets?
I was referring to the necessity for the E.R. with regards to a head injury. Obviously no helmet would prevent injury to anything below the neck. And I thought I took things too literally
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Old 11-24-12 | 08:21 AM
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Both conventional helmet and hovding protect from head injury during fall. What about branches, assorted projectiles - gravel, acorns, walnuts etc. - shot from under car wheels and falling off the trees? I took a walnut to helmet - it gets your attention. Thankyouverymuch - I take my Styrofoam bucket any day of the week.
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Old 11-24-12 | 08:27 AM
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this thing again??? let it die please!
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Old 11-24-12 | 08:48 AM
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Interesting, but one can't help question how reliable the trigger is to activate the air bag. I know when my helmet is on my head but this leaves the question, "Will it be there when I need it most?". I don't see it creating the same psychological comforting presence of a standard helmet. I will give them the credit that it is really cool how well it blends with cold weather clothing. I find this to be for some but not all, and I'll be sticking with my foam dome for now.
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Old 11-24-12 | 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by skijor
I was referring to the necessity for the E.R. with regards to a head injury. Obviously no helmet would prevent injury to anything below the neck. And I thought I took things too literally
Do you think that a cyclist whose helmeted or unhelmeted head strikes a hard object during a fall or crash at speed should not take a trip to the E.R. for possible internal head injury checkup?
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Old 11-24-12 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by catonec
this thing again??? let it die please!
Yeah, I admit I don't always read OPs either
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Old 11-24-12 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Do you think that a cyclist whose helmeted or unhelmeted head strikes a hard object during a fall or crash at speed should not take a trip to the E.R. for possible internal head injury checkup?
Of course the possibility for a concussion is still there. Look at how many football players have treated similar blows lightly and how many are now having problems in their later years even though they were wearing traditional helmets. So in answer to your question, I suppose they ought to especially since most cycling accidents happen when riding solo (I'm speculating). It's easier for a person to blow off the incident if alone. Fellow riders might notice behavior that indicates a more serious situation.

This product seems like a viable option.
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Old 11-24-12 | 12:46 PM
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I see a bigger problem here. Even a flaw in the design of the system.
Due to the time it takes to open it this system has been tested for an impact of the head on the ground but what about hitting a tree, a lorry or a pole which leads to impacts way sooner than impacts on the ground. If your bicycle hit a tree, a lorry or a pole your head will be in contact with it way before that the system is deployed. It's a deadly flaw.

Last edited by erig007; 11-24-12 at 01:06 PM.
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Old 11-24-12 | 01:00 PM
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^ good point about tree impacts. That said, it's likely intended for the more casual rider. However, the two videos cover impacts with vehicles.
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Old 11-24-12 | 01:11 PM
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well riding through a city anything could come at you for instance if you ride through a construction site or something is dropped from a building. Anything is possible even more in cities. Something intended for half of the possible impacts i don't call it a safety system at all as it means that you have 50% of chance to die (not exactly but still). Permanent head gears have the advantage to be on the head all the time ready for whatever is coming at you.

Last edited by erig007; 11-24-12 at 01:32 PM.
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