Helmets
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Helmets
I wear one but don't put a lot of stock in them. I need a new one, and my 7 year old twins ride and roller blade a lot too and could use more protective ones. Looking for opinions on the best type of helmet? I would like something that covers the back of the head more than a typical bike helmet. Is that more of a skateboard helmet, or maybe a downhill mnt. bike helmet? I don't have much clue without googling pictures.. Not sure if it's the shape of my sons head, but his helmet always rides to the back and leaves his forehead exposed with multiple normal bike helmets. And I know how to properly fit them. Thanks for advice and opinions.

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I have 4, when I worked (Now retired, I'm 66) used to commute in city, rushed to get to work,in traffic, felt safer with it on.
Youtube has some good videos on helmets. and some online suppliers have clips, like Jensen & Universal. Bought my latest Bell, at REI, and it has an adjustable knob, to tighten fit. I like one that has a visor, and have added my own visors to some skateboard & snowboard helmets. Bike swap meets have some for $20, never like to pay to much.
Youtube has some good videos on helmets. and some online suppliers have clips, like Jensen & Universal. Bought my latest Bell, at REI, and it has an adjustable knob, to tighten fit. I like one that has a visor, and have added my own visors to some skateboard & snowboard helmets. Bike swap meets have some for $20, never like to pay to much.
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Check out the traditional multi-sport helmets by Nutcase, Bern and some Bells. They seem more popular among younger folks than the minimal skeletonized roadie bike helmet. I thought about getting one for the winter but it never got cold enough so I'll probably stick with the cooler (as in temperature, not hipness) roadie helmet. If I did more trail riding under heavy tree cover I'd probably consider a fuller-coverage type helmet, mostly to minimize stuff for branches to latch onto.
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For both more protection in back and quite possibly less concussion or no concussion for common spills where the users head is not slammed head on but is twisted violently when the side of the helmet skids along the pavement, try the POC Trabec helmet with MIPS. (Also a high quality comfortable helmet.) MIPS is a foam designed to slip and not twist the head. A growing number of helmets are incorporating it or equivalent systems.
BEn
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Nothing says fashion like a meat helmet.
But do accessorize with a large can of bear spray.
I grew up as a kid when Evil Knievel was king and we road hard and jumped heavy Schwinn Sting rays over everything from garbage cans to small creeks.
We wrecked and some times we got bloody,I even had a mild concussion once from crashing.
But none of that would even slightly compare to the all out butt kicking you would have gotten for being seen riding on your bike with a helmet on.
Kids where tuffer, we played hard on the monkey bars too, and there was no bark chips or sand under us. Good old Assault.
We never used seat belts because there where non in the bed of Dad's truck!
In those days real bikers not the weekend bikers in sleeveless shirts that work as Pizza Hut 5 days a week. 70 mph on city streets and No helmet.
I won't ware a helmet on a bike, and I don't think any of the kids I grew up with would ware one today either.
I could just see my self running into one of the kids from the block with a stupid foam helmet on my head.
They are a yuppie fashion accessory at best that 1/2 inch of foam is not going to help you much if your going fast enough to need one in the first place.
And don't get me started about young men wearing skinny pants.
Nothing says America has hit a cultural low when that is allowed to continue.
And I don't like Hippies, or people who say peace out.
Helmets ....
But do accessorize with a large can of bear spray.
I grew up as a kid when Evil Knievel was king and we road hard and jumped heavy Schwinn Sting rays over everything from garbage cans to small creeks.
We wrecked and some times we got bloody,I even had a mild concussion once from crashing.
But none of that would even slightly compare to the all out butt kicking you would have gotten for being seen riding on your bike with a helmet on.
Kids where tuffer, we played hard on the monkey bars too, and there was no bark chips or sand under us. Good old Assault.
We never used seat belts because there where non in the bed of Dad's truck!
In those days real bikers not the weekend bikers in sleeveless shirts that work as Pizza Hut 5 days a week. 70 mph on city streets and No helmet.
I won't ware a helmet on a bike, and I don't think any of the kids I grew up with would ware one today either.
I could just see my self running into one of the kids from the block with a stupid foam helmet on my head.
They are a yuppie fashion accessory at best that 1/2 inch of foam is not going to help you much if your going fast enough to need one in the first place.
And don't get me started about young men wearing skinny pants.
Nothing says America has hit a cultural low when that is allowed to continue.
And I don't like Hippies, or people who say peace out.
Helmets ....
Last edited by goraman; 03-08-16 at 11:37 PM.
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Nothing says fashion like a meat helmet.
But do accessorize with a large can of bear spray.
I grew up as a kid when Evil Knievel was king and we road hard and jumped heavy Schwinn Sting rays over everything from garbage cans to small creeks.
We wrecked and some times we got bloody,I even had a mild concussion once from crashing.
But none of that would even slightly compare to the all out butt kicking you would have gotten for being seen riding on your bike with a helmet on.
Kids where tuffer, we played hard on the monkey bars too, and there was no bark chips or sand under us. Good old Assault.
We never used seat belts because there where non in the bed of Dad's truck!
In those days real bikers not the weekend bikers in sleeveless shirts that work as Pizza Hut 5 days a week. 70 mph on city streets and No helmet.
I won't ware a helmet on a bike, and I don't think any of the kids I grew up with would ware one today either.
I could just see my self running into one of the kids from the block with a stupid foam helmet on my head.
They are a yuppie fashion accessory at best that 1/2 inch of foam is not going to help you much if your going fast enough to need one in the first place.
And don't get me started about young men wearing skinny pants.
Nothing says America has hit a cultural low when that is allowed to continue.
And I don't like Hippies, or people who say peace out.
Helmets ....
But do accessorize with a large can of bear spray.
I grew up as a kid when Evil Knievel was king and we road hard and jumped heavy Schwinn Sting rays over everything from garbage cans to small creeks.
We wrecked and some times we got bloody,I even had a mild concussion once from crashing.
But none of that would even slightly compare to the all out butt kicking you would have gotten for being seen riding on your bike with a helmet on.
Kids where tuffer, we played hard on the monkey bars too, and there was no bark chips or sand under us. Good old Assault.
We never used seat belts because there where non in the bed of Dad's truck!
In those days real bikers not the weekend bikers in sleeveless shirts that work as Pizza Hut 5 days a week. 70 mph on city streets and No helmet.
I won't ware a helmet on a bike, and I don't think any of the kids I grew up with would ware one today either.
I could just see my self running into one of the kids from the block with a stupid foam helmet on my head.
They are a yuppie fashion accessory at best that 1/2 inch of foam is not going to help you much if your going fast enough to need one in the first place.
And don't get me started about young men wearing skinny pants.
Nothing says America has hit a cultural low when that is allowed to continue.
And I don't like Hippies, or people who say peace out.
Helmets ....
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Maybe look at multi-impact helmets like the ones Pro-Tec makes:
Protec Helmets
Some kids like the look of these skater-style helmets.
Protec Helmets
Some kids like the look of these skater-style helmets.
#12
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I know of someone who coasts his bike to a slowspeed stop, as his disability comes into effect.
Just before the full stop, the fall-down, on the side --- happens.
(since the helmet purchase) Sometimes -- the first crack shows up, on the first fall, of above. But most of the time, it takes a few multiple falls that the helmet be unsafe to use anymore. It varies on the falls, of the width of the cracks. But normally on the pressure/what the fall be on; speed of the fall.
Helmet foam design really never gets improved over time. Just the shell.
Just before the full stop, the fall-down, on the side --- happens.
(since the helmet purchase) Sometimes -- the first crack shows up, on the first fall, of above. But most of the time, it takes a few multiple falls that the helmet be unsafe to use anymore. It varies on the falls, of the width of the cracks. But normally on the pressure/what the fall be on; speed of the fall.
Helmet foam design really never gets improved over time. Just the shell.
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Nothing says fashion like a meat helmet.
But do accessorize with a large can of bear spray.
I grew up as a kid when Evil Knievel was king and we road hard and jumped heavy Schwinn Sting rays over everything from garbage cans to small creeks.
We wrecked and some times we got bloody,I even had a mild concussion once from crashing.
But none of that would even slightly compare to the all out butt kicking you would have gotten for being seen riding on your bike with a helmet on.
Kids where tuffer, we played hard on the monkey bars too, and there was no bark chips or sand under us. Good old Assault.
We never used seat belts because there where non in the bed of Dad's truck!
In those days real bikers not the weekend bikers in sleeveless shirts that work as Pizza Hut 5 days a week. 70 mph on city streets and No helmet.
I won't ware a helmet on a bike, and I don't think any of the kids I grew up with would ware one today either.
I could just see my self running into one of the kids from the block with a stupid foam helmet on my head.
They are a yuppie fashion accessory at best that 1/2 inch of foam is not going to help you much if your going fast enough to need one in the first place.
And don't get me started about young men wearing skinny pants.
Nothing says America has hit a cultural low when that is allowed to continue.
And I don't like Hippies, or people who say peace out.
Helmets ....
But do accessorize with a large can of bear spray.
I grew up as a kid when Evil Knievel was king and we road hard and jumped heavy Schwinn Sting rays over everything from garbage cans to small creeks.
We wrecked and some times we got bloody,I even had a mild concussion once from crashing.
But none of that would even slightly compare to the all out butt kicking you would have gotten for being seen riding on your bike with a helmet on.
Kids where tuffer, we played hard on the monkey bars too, and there was no bark chips or sand under us. Good old Assault.
We never used seat belts because there where non in the bed of Dad's truck!
In those days real bikers not the weekend bikers in sleeveless shirts that work as Pizza Hut 5 days a week. 70 mph on city streets and No helmet.
I won't ware a helmet on a bike, and I don't think any of the kids I grew up with would ware one today either.
I could just see my self running into one of the kids from the block with a stupid foam helmet on my head.
They are a yuppie fashion accessory at best that 1/2 inch of foam is not going to help you much if your going fast enough to need one in the first place.
And don't get me started about young men wearing skinny pants.
Nothing says America has hit a cultural low when that is allowed to continue.
And I don't like Hippies, or people who say peace out.
Helmets ....

If you collide head on with a car or truck going 70 mph, you are probably toast. But most bike accidents are slower speed incidents. And at slower speeds, wearing a helmet can mean the difference between walking away from an accident and a trip to the hospital, or alternately, a mild concussion versus a permanent brain injury.
#14
Banned
Get 2...Ski/Bike Warm in winter to cover your ears +a better ventilated one in summer .
Cycling Infrastructure sucks : capitalist solution Sell everyone a Helmet ..
Places where the Infrastructure is Better , DK, NL .. helmets are rare.
Theirs is better because of Political Involvement of the Riders.
Cycling Infrastructure sucks : capitalist solution Sell everyone a Helmet ..
Places where the Infrastructure is Better , DK, NL .. helmets are rare.
Theirs is better because of Political Involvement of the Riders.
Last edited by fietsbob; 03-27-16 at 10:52 AM.
#15
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Equestrian helmets from Ovation and Troxel are beefier since the vertical drop they are protecting you from is greater. I ride horses with them in the summer, but would find them too hot to cycle.
#16
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I wear one but don't put a lot of stock in them. I need a new one, and my 7 year old twins ride and roller blade a lot too and could use more protective ones. Looking for opinions on the best type of helmet? I would like something that covers the back of the head more than a typical bike helmet. Is that more of a skateboard helmet, or maybe a downhill mnt. bike helmet? I don't have much clue without googling pictures.. Not sure if it's the shape of my sons head, but his helmet always rides to the back and leaves his forehead exposed with multiple normal bike helmets. And I know how to properly fit them. Thanks for advice and opinions. 

Bell, Pro tek, Giro all make helmets in the $30 to $40 range.
For most riding, your cross country or general sport helmet is a reasonable compromise between coverage, weight, and comfort. Examples include the Bell Solar, or many others the sell for around $35, or less on sale.
For a bit more coverage, you could go with an all mountain helmet such as the Bell Stoker. I have seen a few of the kids on my son's mountain biking team wearing these helmets.
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If you collide head on with a car or truck going 70 mph, you are probably toast. But most bike accidents are slower speed incidents. And at slower speeds, wearing a helmet can mean the difference between walking away from an accident and a trip to the hospital, or alternately, a mild concussion versus a permanent brain injury.
#18
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Nothing says fashion like a meat helmet.
But do accessorize with a large can of bear spray.
I grew up as a kid when Evil Knievel was king and we road hard and jumped heavy Schwinn Sting rays over everything from garbage cans to small creeks.
We wrecked and some times we got bloody,I even had a mild concussion once from crashing.
But none of that would even slightly compare to the all out butt kicking you would have gotten for being seen riding on your bike with a helmet on.
Kids where tuffer, we played hard on the monkey bars too, and there was no bark chips or sand under us. Good old Assault.
We never used seat belts because there where non in the bed of Dad's truck!
In those days real bikers not the weekend bikers in sleeveless shirts that work as Pizza Hut 5 days a week. 70 mph on city streets and No helmet.
I won't ware a helmet on a bike, and I don't think any of the kids I grew up with would ware one today either.
I could just see my self running into one of the kids from the block with a stupid foam helmet on my head.
They are a yuppie fashion accessory at best that 1/2 inch of foam is not going to help you much if your going fast enough to need one in the first place.
And don't get me started about young men wearing skinny pants.
Nothing says America has hit a cultural low when that is allowed to continue.
And I don't like Hippies, or people who say peace out.
Helmets ....
But do accessorize with a large can of bear spray.
I grew up as a kid when Evil Knievel was king and we road hard and jumped heavy Schwinn Sting rays over everything from garbage cans to small creeks.
We wrecked and some times we got bloody,I even had a mild concussion once from crashing.
But none of that would even slightly compare to the all out butt kicking you would have gotten for being seen riding on your bike with a helmet on.
Kids where tuffer, we played hard on the monkey bars too, and there was no bark chips or sand under us. Good old Assault.
We never used seat belts because there where non in the bed of Dad's truck!
In those days real bikers not the weekend bikers in sleeveless shirts that work as Pizza Hut 5 days a week. 70 mph on city streets and No helmet.
I won't ware a helmet on a bike, and I don't think any of the kids I grew up with would ware one today either.
I could just see my self running into one of the kids from the block with a stupid foam helmet on my head.
They are a yuppie fashion accessory at best that 1/2 inch of foam is not going to help you much if your going fast enough to need one in the first place.
And don't get me started about young men wearing skinny pants.
Nothing says America has hit a cultural low when that is allowed to continue.
And I don't like Hippies, or people who say peace out.
Helmets ....
peace out.
#19
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My tires slid out on ice one day. I hit the ground with my feet clipped in and my hands on the bars, it happened so fast. As I lay in a puddle I was waiting for the headache to start, the side of my head hit so hard. The headache never came because I was wearing a helmet. A roadie helmet worked fine that day. Just sayin. I never rode without one again. Macho nastolgia? hey, I jumped a car on a stingray with the nut cruncher shifter bar cuz Knievel was cool and so was I. But I still wear a helmet.
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I too slid out on ice one day. Laid the bike down on its side and I fell to my butt. I continued to fall back and the back of my head slapped hard against the pavement. I broke the suspension out of a Nutcase helmet and saw stars for a few seconds. Got up, shook it off, a rode away. I am certain that the helmet saved me from significant injury.
I'm a believer in a good helmet.
I'm a believer in a good helmet.
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Well I bit my tong and bought a stupid helmet, I insist my 6 year old wares one because it's the law and he rides way fast taking turns faster than most adults would.
He came down a steep hill once and hit a steel bridge rail so hard it caved the head tube, he went over the top fell 8ft. into a dirt bank and never let go of the handle bars, he was bruised and had the wind knocked out of him. His bell helmet did help because it was cracked. This was at age 5 then I got him the Redline Jr. race bike for his 6 birthday. With the new bike after the wreck we got him a Prime Redline full face helmet.
He didn't want to ware a helmet yesterday because Dad won't ware one.
So now I do...
I never thought I would but I can't tell him to do something I won't and feel right about it.
Seems they have a sort of universal acceptance at least from all but me,I am still not fully ok with it but I do feel a little better protected I have to admit.
So there I am with a Helmet now,and my son doesn't mind wearing his,at 50 years old things change.
Father son picture taken today.
He came down a steep hill once and hit a steel bridge rail so hard it caved the head tube, he went over the top fell 8ft. into a dirt bank and never let go of the handle bars, he was bruised and had the wind knocked out of him. His bell helmet did help because it was cracked. This was at age 5 then I got him the Redline Jr. race bike for his 6 birthday. With the new bike after the wreck we got him a Prime Redline full face helmet.
He didn't want to ware a helmet yesterday because Dad won't ware one.
So now I do...
I never thought I would but I can't tell him to do something I won't and feel right about it.
Seems they have a sort of universal acceptance at least from all but me,I am still not fully ok with it but I do feel a little better protected I have to admit.
So there I am with a Helmet now,and my son doesn't mind wearing his,at 50 years old things change.
Father son picture taken today.
Last edited by goraman; 03-27-16 at 11:04 PM.
#22
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That was precisely what motivated me back in the day. I knew I had to "live it", so I bought a helmet for myself. Because otherwise my kids would never have gone along with wearing theirs.