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When does a helmet time-X?
How long should a helmet last and when should it be replaced?
When should you replace a helmet that has never been in a crash, dropped or otherwise physically damaged? I have seen 5 years suggested as a guideline and there have been inconclusive discussions on Bike Forums in past years about replacing helmets too. I have a Bell Ghisallo which I really like and it's coming up on 5 years since it was manufactured, 4 years since I started wearing it. As far as I can see it's in perfect shape other than the salty/sweaty straps. The Ghisallo is being discontinued, so should I stock up on a new one (if I can find a recently manufactured one) or is this really a bunch of nonsense. Just manufacturers (and the MBA's who run them) exploiting a marketing opportunity under the guise of a "safety issue" and looking to limit their liability for poor manufacturing and design problems by saying that there is no liability after 5 years. Your thoughts. |
search.
discussed to death. |
Since cycling is such a safe activity, you can keep your helmet as long as you like. However small improvements on the strap and buckle systems happen, so try new helmets occassionally. When you find a more comfortable one buy it.
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Originally Posted by AndrewP
(Post 7922040)
Since cycling is such a safe activity, you can keep your helmet as long as you like. However small improvements on the strap and buckle systems happen, so try new helmets occassionally. When you find a more comfortable one buy it.
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Originally Posted by bccycleguy
(Post 7921925)
How long should a helmet last and when should it be replaced?
When should you replace a helmet that has never been in a crash, dropped or otherwise physically damaged? I have seen 5 years suggested as a guideline and there have been inconclusive discussions on Bike Forums in past years about replacing helmets too. I have a Bell Ghisallo which I really like and it's coming up on 5 years since it was manufactured, 4 years since I started wearing it. As far as I can see it's in perfect shape other than the salty/sweaty straps. The Ghisallo is being discontinued, so should I stock up on a new one (if I can find a recently manufactured one) or is this really a bunch of nonsense. Just manufacturers (and the MBA's who run them) exploiting a marketing opportunity under the guise of a "safety issue" and looking to limit their liability for poor manufacturing and design problems by saying that there is no liability after 5 years. Your thoughts. |
plastics and foams have volatile components which are still evaporating
and drying out but what really kills helmets is UV radiation from Mr. Sun. that is the primary reason helmets have a finite life. they cannot perform the same in a crash when 'dried out' or 'rotted' from UV exposure. you won't know it till you land on yer head and it comes apart another thing is ozone. ozone is everywhere all the time, and it slowly eats away at everything it touches. very slowly. another cause of helmet aging....just sitting around foam dries out so to speak. |
Originally Posted by 127.0.0.1
(Post 7922684)
plastics and foams have volatile components which are still evaporating
and drying out but what really kills helmets is UV radiation from Mr. Sun. that is the primary reason helmets have a finite life. they cannot perform the same in a crash when 'dried out' or 'rotted' from UV exposure. you won't know it till you land on yer head and it comes apart another thing is ozone. ozone is everywhere all the time, and it slowly eats away at everything it touches. very slowly. another cause of helmet aging....just sitting around foam dries out so to speak. |
5 years max, although I usually replace mine every 2-3 years... Or whenever I see another one I want!
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