Storing Bike Helmets--Longevity
 

Hey, so I am tempted to pick up a Trek Circuit helmet from someone who has only used it a few times for only $40.

I already have a helmet though, and I was wondering---if I stored my current helmet (Giro Indicator), which has probably only around 30 hours of use, in the closet, would it still be safe to use if I came back to it years later? For example, if I stored it now, could I reuse it again say...from 2015-2018 (assuming it doesn't crash)?

PS-offtopic: I won a 2012 Bell Sweep for $73 shipped off ebay, good deal or no?

Here: http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/safety.html

Jim Langley says they should be replaced every 5 years.
Not clear if it matters if it is used or stored though. Says they "age".
He says replace after each crash, too.

Long article on helmet longevity here:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/33...icycle-helmet/

^yup, i've spent a long time trying to find out...I know the typical 3-5 years (some people say longer), but there is a lack of info about whether amount of usage/storage affects longevity.

I assume that if I keep a helmet in my closet for 3 years, it'd be basically good as when I originally put it there--I mean the worse I'm subjecting it to is fluctuating 45-90 degrees F temperatures

Anyone? Already about the Trek Circuit and I am tempted to go ahead and buy the Bell Sweep 2012 model for $73...only if I know I can use it years later if I keep it stored in my closet? Alternatively, do Sweeps go lower in price than $70 during closeouts?

Once some of the chemicals are mixed to make the plastics used they out gas stuff.

No PhD on chemistry to say whether they are stable when that is over,
or past their prime.

We were always told to replace our (plastic) hard hats every couple of years, the theory being that UV light degraded the plastic over time. Don't think that would be much of an issue for a helmet stored in a closet.

Uh, if you won it already, you are obligated to buy it...

Yeah I know, in the past I have contacted the seller asking if they can cancel the sale and they said okay---typically they get a higher bid for the item so they are willing to cancel the sale in order to try to get more $$$

The only actual testing of longevity of which I'm aware was done by BHSI when they sent off a 10-year old well-used and sun/UV yellowed Bell Biker to be tested. It passed the same certification tests that same model had when new with no noticeable degradation due to age and wear/tear.

I see no reason why keeping your helmet stored under reasonable conditions for a few years would affect its performance. Of course, if you race, there'd be the slight risk that some new certification becomes mandatory in the future and renders older helmets unacceptable for competition use.

No opinion on longevity and how to achieve it, but the Sweep you mentioned is a very nice helmet, especially for the money. I'm on my third season with mine. You can see it in my avatar. $73 is a pretty good price for one, I think.

I'm sure the helmet manufacturers would prefer you get a new one every season.

Now, even when new the helmet has no real chance to mitigate head injury of any kind, so I'm not sure what the lessed performance over time would be, but that's a different topic ;).

+1 this

It's just a styrofoam hat, don't worry so much about it either way.

I believe there is a special forum specifically for the propagation of this kind of nonsense.

Saw a fellow today wearing the same model Vetta helmet that I wore 25+ years ago. Said he was wearing it because he loaned his son his current helmet. The Vetta looked ok. ????

Note: This statement holds no water.

OP, it is your head, do what you want with it.