Helmets
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Helmets
I have never worn a helment, but as I get older(65) maybe it would be a good idea. There are so many to choose from and I know nothing about them. Guess my question is, If you wear a helment want kind do you use? If you do not wear a helment no need to reply, this is not about the pros and cons of wearing or not wearing a helment.
thylton
thylton
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 3
From: Beautiful Long Beach California
Bikes: Eddy Merckx San Remo 76, Eddy Merckx San Remo 76 - Black Silver and Red, Eddy Merckx Sallanches 64 (2); Eddy Merckx MXL;
It's more about fit. Set your buget and try some on. (I use the Bell Slant without the visor).
#5
Galveston County Texas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 33,335
Likes: 1,285
From: In The Wind
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Safely rode motorcycles 28 years, always wore a hight dollar full face helmet.
Never crashed.
Bicycle riding a 65 y/o started with a $00.99 helmet from Goodwill.

Bought one of these when I had more cash.
https://www.policebikestore.com/Merch...l-solar-helmet
52,000 miles on the bike and I crashed three weeks ago.
Hitting my helmeted head on this Car Stop.
Front tire hit the end, I went down on my right knee, hip, shoulder, and then my head hit the top sharp edge of the Car Stop.
When my head hit, I said : That Didn't even Hurt.

Get one that fits
Never crashed.
Bicycle riding a 65 y/o started with a $00.99 helmet from Goodwill.

Bought one of these when I had more cash.
https://www.policebikestore.com/Merch...l-solar-helmet
52,000 miles on the bike and I crashed three weeks ago.
Hitting my helmeted head on this Car Stop.
Front tire hit the end, I went down on my right knee, hip, shoulder, and then my head hit the top sharp edge of the Car Stop.
When my head hit, I said : That Didn't even Hurt.

Get one that fits
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 588
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
Bikes: Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Deluxe, Giant Stance, Cannondale Synapse, Diamondback 8sp IGH, 1989 Merckx
sreten is entirely correct.
If the helmet is legal to sell, it will save your brain from any reasonable impact. The rest is a matter of personal preference.
I'd like to emphasize that proper adjustment is important; take the time to to get that right.
Joe
If the helmet is legal to sell, it will save your brain from any reasonable impact. The rest is a matter of personal preference.
I'd like to emphasize that proper adjustment is important; take the time to to get that right.
Joe
#8
If you've got a round head, try Bell. If it's a distinct oval, go with Giro. Other brands, I don't know about.
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Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
#9
commu*ist spy
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 5
From: oregon
Safely rode motorcycles 28 years, always wore a hight dollar full face helmet.
Never crashed.
Bicycle riding a 65 y/o started with a $00.99 helmet from Goodwill.

Bought one of these when I had more cash.
https://www.policebikestore.com/Merch...l-solar-helmet
52,000 miles on the bike and I crashed three weeks ago.
Hitting my helmeted head on this Car Stop.
Front tire hit the end, I went down on my right knee, hip, shoulder, and then my head hit the top sharp edge of the Car Stop.
When my head hit, I said : That Didn't even Hurt.

Get one that fits
Never crashed.
Bicycle riding a 65 y/o started with a $00.99 helmet from Goodwill.

Bought one of these when I had more cash.
https://www.policebikestore.com/Merch...l-solar-helmet
52,000 miles on the bike and I crashed three weeks ago.
Hitting my helmeted head on this Car Stop.
Front tire hit the end, I went down on my right knee, hip, shoulder, and then my head hit the top sharp edge of the Car Stop.
When my head hit, I said : That Didn't even Hurt.

Get one that fits
#10
Banned.
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8,651
Likes: 3
From: Uncertain
OP, it is true to say that all helmets sold have to have been tested against certain minimum standards. That does not mean, however, that they are all equal - clealry, it is possible that some exceed those minimum standards. Some (including specialized) meet more stringent Snell testing standards, you can google for it. How good any of them are at protecting you is another matter, exhaustively explored in the helmet thread in the advocacy and safety forum.
#12

My current inventory consists of Bell, Specialized, and Lazer. I prefer the Lazer, but alternate between that and the Spesh. The Bell is relgated to being my winter lid, because it fits the best over a skull cap.
#13
Life is good


Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
I've owned Bell, Giro, Lazer,and my newest is a Uvex.
My comfort and ease of fit ratings:
Bell = 5-6
Giro = 7-8
Lazer = 8-9
Uvex = 10
My comfort and ease of fit ratings:
Bell = 5-6
Giro = 7-8
Lazer = 8-9
Uvex = 10
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#14
Banned.
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,662
Likes: 1
From: Brighton UK
Bikes: 20" Folder, Road Bike
I'm not sure there is such a thing as a reasonable impact ....
FWIW in terms of a bicycle helmet designed for a one off impact
there is next to no difference in protection between the cheapest
helmets and expensive ones that might be lighter / more ventilated.
I've noticed people using and I have a skateboard type helmet I use
in the winter with a beanie. They are designed for multiple impacts.
However the difference between the two is very large. Both are
obviously better than nothing, the multiple impact think a trick
gone wrong in a park, for the single impact think about being
stopped very quickly at at a good speed and the consequences.
The best materials for the two jobs are cheap but very different.
Setting about each with a hammer is probably the best demo.
One much stiffer crumples / absorbs at high load, the other
softer more elastic doesn't, much harder for a high impact.
A road helmet is unduly hard for skatepark use, generally.
rgds, sreten.
Both types fitted properly will skid on a surface avoiding
neck injuries and cranial abrasion, neither seem pleasant.
Last edited by sreten; 05-14-13 at 07:21 PM.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 0
From: Far, Far Northern California
Bikes: 1997 Specialized M2Pro
I recommend against a used helmet, as it may have been ruined by an impact.
We've always used helmets around $20, but after my wife crashed and got a concussion with bleeding on the brain, even with the helmet, she got a $200 helmet with MIPS.
We've always used helmets around $20, but after my wife crashed and got a concussion with bleeding on the brain, even with the helmet, she got a $200 helmet with MIPS.
#16
Might be worth posting this:
https://www.helmets.org/limits.htm
A couple things to take away:
Bicycle helmets are designed and tested to pass only a 14mph impact - but that doesn't mean complete protection.
Just about ANY accident involving a car will exceed the protection limits of a bicycle helmet.
NOTHING protects better than a little caution.
https://www.helmets.org/limits.htm
A couple things to take away:
Bicycle helmets are designed and tested to pass only a 14mph impact - but that doesn't mean complete protection.
Just about ANY accident involving a car will exceed the protection limits of a bicycle helmet.
NOTHING protects better than a little caution.
#17
#18
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 1
From: NoVA
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sport
Depend on the shape of your head, some helmets will fit better than others. The design tends to fall into round vs oval and high vs lower profile. Then there are the adjustability and ventilation. I have a pencil neck so I don't like heavy helmet.
#20
I haven't worn a helmet since I was 14 (age cutoff for the state helmet law). I have never fallen off a bicycle since I first started learning how to ride a 2-wheeler and even then I never hit my head. However with my recent thoughts of participating in organized tours, I learned they all require helmets worn by every participant, so I'm headed to my LBS to pick one out. I'm sure when I start wearing it, when required, it'll probably come natural that I wear it whenever I'm on the bike.
#21
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
Likes: 363
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Might be worth posting this:
https://www.helmets.org/limits.htm
A couple things to take away:
Bicycle helmets are designed and tested to pass only a 14mph impact - but that doesn't mean complete protection.
Just about ANY accident involving a car will exceed the protection limits of a bicycle helmet.
NOTHING protects better than a little caution.
https://www.helmets.org/limits.htm
A couple things to take away:
Bicycle helmets are designed and tested to pass only a 14mph impact - but that doesn't mean complete protection.
Just about ANY accident involving a car will exceed the protection limits of a bicycle helmet.
NOTHING protects better than a little caution.
In other words, wear a helmet! And be cautious!
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#22
Lazer has the best fitting system of all time IMO. And personally, I do not own a Lazer yet, but I tried on my friends lazer and I was like "WOW." Lazers fit really snug and comfy. Then I own a bell, which is second on my list of most comfy. I think specialized and giros are for different head shapes, they just don't fit me well.
#23
Super Moderator

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,979
Likes: 1,154
From: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
I haven't worn a helmet since I was 14 (age cutoff for the state helmet law). I have never fallen off a bicycle since I first started learning how to ride a 2-wheeler and even then I never hit my head. However with my recent thoughts of participating in organized tours, I learned they all require helmets worn by every participant, so I'm headed to my LBS to pick one out. I'm sure when I start wearing it, when required, it'll probably come natural that I wear it whenever I'm on the bike.
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