Helmet thickness
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Helmet thickness
I purchased a helmet from LBS for twice what helmets usually go for at Walmart.
At first I thought I got ripped off but when I really looked at the bike helmets from Walmart they were about half as thick as my helmet (I'm talking about the EPS).
Does this mean I actually got a good deal? More foam = more protection right? I hate how the CPSC doesn't bother to break down helmet ratings and simply issues a pass/fail. I wish testing like how the IIHS does with vehicles were conducted ...
At first I thought I got ripped off but when I really looked at the bike helmets from Walmart they were about half as thick as my helmet (I'm talking about the EPS).
Does this mean I actually got a good deal? More foam = more protection right? I hate how the CPSC doesn't bother to break down helmet ratings and simply issues a pass/fail. I wish testing like how the IIHS does with vehicles were conducted ...
#2
The Improbable Bulk
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 8,379
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
Actually, higher price helmets tend to fit in one of the following (or more). Ignoring just buying at a more expensive place.
1) Lighter
2) Better air flow (cooler head)
3) Better retention systems
4) More aerodynamic
5) More "cool" factor... i.e. all the cool guys and gals wear them.
6) Constructed on machines run by high end artisan helmet constructeurs.
1) Lighter
2) Better air flow (cooler head)
3) Better retention systems
4) More aerodynamic
5) More "cool" factor... i.e. all the cool guys and gals wear them.
6) Constructed on machines run by high end artisan helmet constructeurs.
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#3
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
Common sense and logic dictate the fact the thicker the foam, the better "G" mitigation it will perform.
#4
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,432
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,701 Times
in
1,027 Posts
I guess it does stand to reason that helmets will perform differently based on construction, but I simply have no idea what-- and forgive the pun-- those break points are. I certainly hope to never find out the hard way. Better reporting from certification bodies would be nice, because yeah, it seems to come down to style, primarily, at this point.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,925
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1818 Post(s)
Liked 1,693 Times
in
974 Posts
Actually, higher price helmets tend to fit in one of the following (or more). Ignoring just buying at a more expensive place.
1) Lighter
2) Better air flow (cooler head)
3) Better retention systems
4) More aerodynamic
5) More "cool" factor... i.e. all the cool guys and gals wear them.
6) Constructed on machines run by high end artisan helmet constructeurs.
1) Lighter
2) Better air flow (cooler head)
3) Better retention systems
4) More aerodynamic
5) More "cool" factor... i.e. all the cool guys and gals wear them.
6) Constructed on machines run by high end artisan helmet constructeurs.
I always buy helmets based fit, and safety. After that, I hope to find decent ventilation. If aerodynamics results in poor ventilation, I pass. Cool factor? You should see a picture of me wearing the original Bell Biker helmet, Dorky then, Dorky now.
I have always hoped that by wearing a helmet I would improve my chances of keeping myself mentallly intact if I had a bad crash
#6
Senior Member
Foam compresses when impacted. Helmet impacts ground and compresses for simple example 3 mm of the foam on the outside of the helmet. Head impacts the inside of the foam and compresses for example 3 mm of the foam. The foam thickness between these 2 points is unaffected. If a cheap helmet has adequate thickness for there to be an area between these points not to crush, then making it thicker does not result in better energy absorption. If a cheap helmet is thinner to where there is no area between these points, then a thicker foam would be "more protection."
Better than thickness would be to change the material. EPP has much higher energy absorption properties than EPS. But if EPS is adequate in absorption properties for head impact, then a more expensive and heavier material still doesn't make "more protection." Thus, EPS is used in helmets for the weight property. At I am guessing less than $1.00/lb for EPS (I extrude, expand, and mold EPP and EPE, no experience manufacturing or selling EPS), you are paying for the shape design of the "better" helmet for the first 3, reasons listed above in Little Darwin's post.
Better than thickness would be to change the material. EPP has much higher energy absorption properties than EPS. But if EPS is adequate in absorption properties for head impact, then a more expensive and heavier material still doesn't make "more protection." Thus, EPS is used in helmets for the weight property. At I am guessing less than $1.00/lb for EPS (I extrude, expand, and mold EPP and EPE, no experience manufacturing or selling EPS), you are paying for the shape design of the "better" helmet for the first 3, reasons listed above in Little Darwin's post.
#7
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 25
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Foam compresses when impacted. Helmet impacts ground and compresses for simple example 3 mm of the foam on the outside of the helmet. Head impacts the inside of the foam and compresses for example 3 mm of the foam. The foam thickness between these 2 points is unaffected. If a cheap helmet has adequate thickness for there to be an area between these points not to crush, then making it thicker does not result in better energy absorption. If a cheap helmet is thinner to where there is no area between these points, then a thicker foam would be "more protection."
Better than thickness would be to change the material. EPP has much higher energy absorption properties than EPS. But if EPS is adequate in absorption properties for head impact, then a more expensive and heavier material still doesn't make "more protection." Thus, EPS is used in helmets for the weight property. At I am guessing less than $1.00/lb for EPS (I extrude, expand, and mold EPP and EPE, no experience manufacturing or selling EPS), you are paying for the shape design of the "better" helmet for the first 3, reasons listed above in Little Darwin's post.
Better than thickness would be to change the material. EPP has much higher energy absorption properties than EPS. But if EPS is adequate in absorption properties for head impact, then a more expensive and heavier material still doesn't make "more protection." Thus, EPS is used in helmets for the weight property. At I am guessing less than $1.00/lb for EPS (I extrude, expand, and mold EPP and EPE, no experience manufacturing or selling EPS), you are paying for the shape design of the "better" helmet for the first 3, reasons listed above in Little Darwin's post.
#8
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
I purchased a helmet from LBS for twice what helmets usually go for at Walmart.
At first I thought I got ripped off but when I really looked at the bike helmets from Walmart they were about half as thick as my helmet (I'm talking about the EPS).
Does this mean I actually got a good deal? More foam = more protection right? I hate how the CPSC doesn't bother to break down helmet ratings and simply issues a pass/fail. I wish testing like how the IIHS does with vehicles were conducted ...
At first I thought I got ripped off but when I really looked at the bike helmets from Walmart they were about half as thick as my helmet (I'm talking about the EPS).
Does this mean I actually got a good deal? More foam = more protection right? I hate how the CPSC doesn't bother to break down helmet ratings and simply issues a pass/fail. I wish testing like how the IIHS does with vehicles were conducted ...
I buy what is comfortable and fits me. The best helmet is the one that is worn and worn properly, if you are going to wear a helmet.
The CSPC standards are pretty low. Years ago there was the Snell certification, to the best of my knowledge it isn't used by bicycle helmet manufacturers any more.
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon