dna02

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the biking sport (recently bought a trek 7300fx) and I am in need of a good helmet and lock.

I was reading up on the "your u-lock is not safe" thread but there are so many pages. Can you please help me out. So far I'm thinking of getting a giro encinal helmet but I dont know what lock is good.

any recommendations for locks and helmets?

el twe

Kryptonite U-lock. The purpose of that long thread was to warn people that their old Kryptos weren't safe (they vould be icked with a Bic pen). The new ones are great. Talk to a bike shop salesman about which partciular lock you need (ie, whereyou'll lock it up, and for how long). Good luck and happy hunting!

Cyclist0383

What kind of riding are you doing, where are you planning to leave your bike, and what are you planning to lock your bike to?

Many people on this forum like mini-U locks made by either Kryptonite or OnGuard. I do not like them because they severly limit what you can lock to due to their small size. If you are only planning to lock to parking meters than a mini-U lock will do. For a wider choice of places to lock up to I use a chain. Both OnGuard and Kryptonite make good chains. Don't buy one from the hardware store.

Before you buy a lock take a look around where you plan to cycle and look for places to lock up. Will a mini-U lock fit there?

What ever you do do not buy a cable lock. They are easily defeated.

Locking skewers or even allan bolts for your wheels are a good idea as well. Quick release wheels are easily stolen.

Get a helmet that is ANSI/SNELL certified and comfortable. Helmets are a matter of personal preference. Wear what you like, all ANSI/SNELL certified helmets are decent.

dna02

thanks for your inputs! i will be commuting to and from college (about 3 or 4 miles) and i live in a urban area. ill be locking it up at a bike rack most likely. ill be taking a look at the suggested brands. thanks again for your help and input!

Hoop

Do helmets even have ANSI/Snell certification anymore?

Aren't they now CPSC?

Cyclist0383

Yes, they are now CPSC.

https://www.bhsi.org/standard.htm#CPSC

alanbikehouston

The Snell program requires that helmets actually be tested. Snell staff buy helmets at bike stores and subject them to the most rigorous testing program available. Other "certifications" are based on the factory in China promising it intends to build its helmets to a specified standard. But, there is no U.S. government testing or independent testing, and the legal/ethical/moral standards of the communist Chinese don't make an "honor system" something you want to bet your life on.

Specialized continues to pay a hefty fee to have many of its helmets tested and certified by the Snell Foundation. If you can't find a Snell certified helmet, find one from a reputable supplier, such as Specialized, Trek, Giro, or Bell. Those companies have tight standards for the products they sell, and can be trusted. They have registration programs so they can notify you if they discover that any batch of helmets has gotten into the stores that require a recall. Many of the better companies have a "crash" replacement program as well.

No helmet works well unless the owner takes the time to get it fitted properly, and get all of the straps properly tensioned. Take a minute in the store to check out HOW the helmet adjusts. Some designs make it a two minute job to get proper strap position and tension. Some designs make that task virtually impossible.