I found out if you crash hard enough to break your helmet....
07-07-15, 08:37 PM
#26
Senior Member
Almost 40 years ago, my college roommate took a header over a car that backed out of a driveway. He was wearing one of the original Bell Biker 'mushroom' helmets.
He went over the car, then landed on the pavement, sliding another 60-70 feet on the pavement. Enough that the helmet was worn/ground/sanded through on the one side - that would have been an ear had the helmet not been there. He had a brand new replacement Bell helmet when I met him in the fall of '76...
Anyway, in Spring of '77, I was required to wear a helmet on my first TOSRV, and, coincidentally, someone had left their SkidLid at our club's TOSRV warm-up ride two weeks before so I wore that. (That absent-minded guy later reclaimed his helmet). I've worn some kind of helmet while riding ever since. I've never needed to test out the impact or abrasion resistance of any of them in the intervening years (knocking on my wood desk), and consider the helmet to be one of the 'must-haves' on every ride.
He went over the car, then landed on the pavement, sliding another 60-70 feet on the pavement. Enough that the helmet was worn/ground/sanded through on the one side - that would have been an ear had the helmet not been there. He had a brand new replacement Bell helmet when I met him in the fall of '76...
Anyway, in Spring of '77, I was required to wear a helmet on my first TOSRV, and, coincidentally, someone had left their SkidLid at our club's TOSRV warm-up ride two weeks before so I wore that. (That absent-minded guy later reclaimed his helmet). I've worn some kind of helmet while riding ever since. I've never needed to test out the impact or abrasion resistance of any of them in the intervening years (knocking on my wood desk), and consider the helmet to be one of the 'must-haves' on every ride.
07-07-15, 11:56 PM
#27
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I thought that was what people called unathletic old men who ride bikes (or drive cars) without doing the recommended core training, gymnastics, weight work, weight loss, hearing checks and vision exams.
Sorry to others for being impolite, but the helmet nazi crap needs to be confined to the helmet thread in A&S.
Sorry to others for being impolite, but the helmet nazi crap needs to be confined to the helmet thread in A&S.
07-08-15, 12:10 AM
#28
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I invested in a MIPS helmet earlier this year- it's supposed to help with rotation-related concussion effects. But sadly, the helmet (GIRO Savant MIPS) broke less than 2 months later - the tightening wheel to the temple strap snapped off. So I can't really recommend it. It seemed like a good thought, but now I'm back using my old helmet, contemplating what to do next...
07-08-15, 12:21 AM
#29
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I have sometimes wondered if it is possible to have facial protection and still be able to drink from a water bottle. Some motorcycle helmets have flip up chin bars.
I also wonder if it is so important for helmets to be ultra light. I realize that everything on bikes should be light, in a perfect world, but I'm not convinced that carrying an extra 300 grams on your head is worse than carrying an extra 300 grams elsewhere on the bike. My commuting helmet weighs a bunch with the lights and battery on it, but I've worn it on many centuries with no complaints.
This helmet looks like it has really good coverage.
And it has a removable chin bar
Bell super 2R mips
I have no personal experience with it. I just bought a "roadie" type helmet, and upon further investigation, kind of wish I'd thought out of the box a bit more.
I also wonder if it is so important for helmets to be ultra light. I realize that everything on bikes should be light, in a perfect world, but I'm not convinced that carrying an extra 300 grams on your head is worse than carrying an extra 300 grams elsewhere on the bike. My commuting helmet weighs a bunch with the lights and battery on it, but I've worn it on many centuries with no complaints.
This helmet looks like it has really good coverage.
And it has a removable chin bar
Bell super 2R mips
I have no personal experience with it. I just bought a "roadie" type helmet, and upon further investigation, kind of wish I'd thought out of the box a bit more.
Last edited by jyl; 07-08-15 at 12:24 AM.
07-08-15, 01:21 PM
#31
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I also wonder if it is so important for helmets to be ultra light. I realize that everything on bikes should be light, in a perfect world, but I'm not convinced that carrying an extra 300 grams on your head is worse than carrying an extra 300 grams elsewhere on the bike. My commuting helmet weighs a bunch with the lights and battery on it, but I've worn it on many centuries with no complaints.
Your neck has to support it when it is on your head. Not when it is elsewhere on the bike.
GH
07-09-15, 07:57 AM
#32
Senior Member
I had to do the math. 300 grams is over 1/2 pound. That's about the difference between a 12 oz water bottle or 24 oz. I could see that as significant extra weight on your noggin. Not as significant on your frame. (Or around your mid-section
)
And put me in the always wear a helmet camp.
)And put me in the always wear a helmet camp.
07-09-15, 08:13 AM
#33
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Ha! That's what I call motorcyclists with no helmets! Been down twice, once with a helmet and once way back when they pretty much didn't exist (yeah I'm old). Both times did a lot of damage, road rash, torn bicep, cracked ribs, broken teeth when my mouth slammed shut on impact, but I've never hit my head, thank god, or the state highway dept. would be really P.O.ed. with me.
07-09-15, 08:39 AM
#34
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Expensive helmets aren't necessarily more protective and many are probably less so. I've seen safety ratings for various helmets, and often the lower priced ones rate among the highest. Most helmets are independently tested. The more expensive helmets generally cost more because they are lighter, more aerodynamic and also due to the snob factor for all luxury items.
Personally, I buy helmets when they are on sale and have used the Bell Citi and Muni helmets for the past few years because they have a mount on the back for a taillight, which is a nice feature. Not trying to discourage you from spending $200+ on a fancy Gyro helmet but you should be aware that the extra bucks are not buying you any more safety protection.
Personally, I buy helmets when they are on sale and have used the Bell Citi and Muni helmets for the past few years because they have a mount on the back for a taillight, which is a nice feature. Not trying to discourage you from spending $200+ on a fancy Gyro helmet but you should be aware that the extra bucks are not buying you any more safety protection.
07-09-15, 11:47 AM
#35
Beicwyr Hapus
07-09-15, 12:11 PM
#36
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07-09-15, 06:38 PM
#38
Senior Member
One of my college buddies back in '76/77 wore one of the old BSR cycling helmets that looked fore like what we would call a 'mountaineering' or skateboarder helmet today. kinda like this, but didn't cover the ears...
Oh, and here's a pic of a 'Skid Lid' helmet like I wore in '77...
Oh, and here's a pic of a 'Skid Lid' helmet like I wore in '77...
07-09-15, 08:21 PM
#39
Senior Member
Here's what I wear on the motorcycles. The Bell pictured above has my interest. Anyone wearing one yet?
Last edited by XR2; 07-09-15 at 08:24 PM.
07-09-15, 08:36 PM
#40
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Ben
07-12-15, 09:58 AM
#41
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Reminds me of an encounter I had last summer. I was out on my motorcycle and stopped for coffee and a sandwich at this back roads store I always stop at, when this young stud pulls in, not wearing any protection whatsoever, just jeans, t-shirt and sneakers and wants my opinion on his front tire. I'm wearing a helmet and ballistic jacket so I must know what I'm doing right? His tire is dry rotted so bad I don't know how its holding air, so he sprayed it down with belt dressing!
07-12-15, 10:22 AM
#42
Senior Member
In 2013 motorcycle fatalities declined by 6.4%. In the same year bicycle fatalities increased 2%.
Not to mention more cyclists ride sans helmet than motorcyclists. Hmmmmmmmmmmm..................."Doner" that.
Not to mention more cyclists ride sans helmet than motorcyclists. Hmmmmmmmmmmm..................."Doner" that.
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