Helmets for your handlebars
#1
meh
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Helmets for your handlebars
I'm seeing many riders protecting their handlebars with helmets. These handlebar helmets seems to take the place of a helmet on your head. Should I get a handlebar helmet? Will this make my bike safer?
Seriously, wear a helmet or don't wear a helmet, I don't care .... I do both depending on the ride. This IS NOT another "you must wear helmet" thread or "helmets are the problem" thread. But it's just stupid to have a helmet with you and not put it on your head.
If it's too hot for your helmet, buy a new one that is better vented.
If it's uncomfortable, get a new one that fits.
If is mess up your hairdo, I don't care 'cause I'm bald.
If you don't feel the need for a helmet on your head, leave it at home.
Seriously, wear a helmet or don't wear a helmet, I don't care .... I do both depending on the ride. This IS NOT another "you must wear helmet" thread or "helmets are the problem" thread. But it's just stupid to have a helmet with you and not put it on your head.
If it's too hot for your helmet, buy a new one that is better vented.
If it's uncomfortable, get a new one that fits.
If is mess up your hairdo, I don't care 'cause I'm bald.
If you don't feel the need for a helmet on your head, leave it at home.
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I stop and ask them if their handlebar helmet has mips. When they say "what?" I explain that mips handlebar helmets offer greater protection.
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This lady riding with a kid is going to be careening down the road at what, 6 or 7 mph? That's a pretty marginal call at best as to whether helmet wear adds a lot of safety in that situation.
#8
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"care" ?? not really.
I just point out stupid sh... stuff.
You don't want to wear a helmet, leave it a home or better still ... don't buy it.
You don't want to wear a helmet, leave it a home or better still ... don't buy it.
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I don't fail to see nothing, I'm just not impressed. I don't know if she's about to drop the kid off and start some fast riding, or if she just decided on a whim the fresh air felt nice on her head.
You're just assuming she took it off for no reason.
You're just assuming she took it off for no reason.
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False dichotomies are false.
Last edited by livedarklions; 08-06-19 at 10:32 AM.
#12
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I've harassed some friends into wearing helmets.
Now I don't recognize them anymore. On the plus side, everyone looks better without an open skull fracture. I like brains, but I prefer them inside the skull.
It's weird, seeing familiar people when they're either suited up or not suited up as expected for bike rides.
But, yeah, carrying a helmet without wearing it ... y tho? Dangling from the bar is just gonna affect the balance or risk getting snagged on something.
BTW, for those hipsters who bought Bern or Nutcase helmets that look like bowling balls with useless tiny vents, and then don't wear 'em because they're freaking hot... tell 'em to pony up a few more bucks and get a POC Omne Air Spin. I got one a few weeks ago for casual rides. It's basically the same kind of helmet, but with excellent ventilation. Really scoops in the air. It's so comfy I'm wearing it on some road bike rides. I may get a POC Ventral or Octal now that prices have dropped on the older models. POC's skull shaped styrofoam beer coolers are awfully expensive.
Now I don't recognize them anymore. On the plus side, everyone looks better without an open skull fracture. I like brains, but I prefer them inside the skull.
It's weird, seeing familiar people when they're either suited up or not suited up as expected for bike rides.
But, yeah, carrying a helmet without wearing it ... y tho? Dangling from the bar is just gonna affect the balance or risk getting snagged on something.
BTW, for those hipsters who bought Bern or Nutcase helmets that look like bowling balls with useless tiny vents, and then don't wear 'em because they're freaking hot... tell 'em to pony up a few more bucks and get a POC Omne Air Spin. I got one a few weeks ago for casual rides. It's basically the same kind of helmet, but with excellent ventilation. Really scoops in the air. It's so comfy I'm wearing it on some road bike rides. I may get a POC Ventral or Octal now that prices have dropped on the older models. POC's skull shaped styrofoam beer coolers are awfully expensive.
#13
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I've harassed some friends into wearing helmets.
Now I don't recognize them anymore. On the plus side, everyone looks better without an open skull fracture. I like brains, but I prefer them inside the skull.
It's weird, seeing familiar people when they're either suited up or not suited up as expected for bike rides.
Now I don't recognize them anymore. On the plus side, everyone looks better without an open skull fracture. I like brains, but I prefer them inside the skull.
It's weird, seeing familiar people when they're either suited up or not suited up as expected for bike rides.
It's especially funny when I just finished riding for 4 hours 24 inches away from a guy and then we see each other in the bike shop later that day and we both have to pause to make sure we know each other.
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I've heard of several crashes caused by helmets on the handlebars. Seen some close calls. And that 5, 6 or 7 mph spill? Your head hits the road with the same vertical velocity and the pavement is just as unyielding. (And there is a very good probabilty that the woman in the photo above would have her head considerably lower if she had to maintain a 20 mph average.)
I get a kick out of the riders with their helmets protecting their stems. Since those riders obviously value their stem more than their brains, we get to see in dollar values, just what they consider their brain worth. Nice TTT? $70. Old OEM NItto. What? $8? I have a custom ti stem but I still think this battered brain is worth more. Guess I'm pretty vain.
Ben
I get a kick out of the riders with their helmets protecting their stems. Since those riders obviously value their stem more than their brains, we get to see in dollar values, just what they consider their brain worth. Nice TTT? $70. Old OEM NItto. What? $8? I have a custom ti stem but I still think this battered brain is worth more. Guess I'm pretty vain.
Ben
#16
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IF you see the value in having a helmet, you know that keeping it on your head is the only place to safely carry it.
Additionally, if you're riding with your child and putting a helmet on their head, be a good example and put yours on too. It's funny is the number of young teens I see doing the same thing - they ride around just like mom, with it hanging from the bars. But I'm sure mom feels much better knowing that they left with a helmet. LOL
If I have a helmet with me on my bike, it goes securely on my head. If it's a slow roll for a slice and beer, the helmet stays at home. Or if I do a club ride, then grab a slice and beer a mile from home - the helmet goes on my head for the last mile, just like the 60 miles before the beer and pizza. It's just that simple, and not a false dichotomy.
Based on the feedback here, I guess we have a lot of BFers that see the value in protecting their handlebars with a helmet.
Additionally, if you're riding with your child and putting a helmet on their head, be a good example and put yours on too. It's funny is the number of young teens I see doing the same thing - they ride around just like mom, with it hanging from the bars. But I'm sure mom feels much better knowing that they left with a helmet. LOL
If I have a helmet with me on my bike, it goes securely on my head. If it's a slow roll for a slice and beer, the helmet stays at home. Or if I do a club ride, then grab a slice and beer a mile from home - the helmet goes on my head for the last mile, just like the 60 miles before the beer and pizza. It's just that simple, and not a false dichotomy.
Based on the feedback here, I guess we have a lot of BFers that see the value in protecting their handlebars with a helmet.
#17
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Actually, recovery day(s) - reference: The DAMn - Day Across Minnesota
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Actually, recovery day(s) - reference: The DAMn - Day Across Minnesota
Oh well, I guess this is all we can expect on the Interwebs.
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Ben
Last edited by Trsnrtr; 08-06-19 at 07:07 PM. Reason: fixed quote syntax
#21
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I've heard of several crashes caused by helmets on the handlebars. Seen some close calls. And that 5, 6 or 7 mph spill? Your head hits the road with the same vertical velocity and the pavement is just as unyielding. (And there is a very good probabilty that the woman in the photo above would have her head considerably lower if she had to maintain a 20 mph average.)
I get a kick out of the riders with their helmets protecting their stems. Since those riders obviously value their stem more than their brains, we get to see in dollar values, just what they consider their brain worth. Nice TTT? $70. Old OEM NItto. What? $8? I have a custom ti stem but I still think this battered brain is worth more. Guess I'm pretty vain.
Ben
I get a kick out of the riders with their helmets protecting their stems. Since those riders obviously value their stem more than their brains, we get to see in dollar values, just what they consider their brain worth. Nice TTT? $70. Old OEM NItto. What? $8? I have a custom ti stem but I still think this battered brain is worth more. Guess I'm pretty vain.
Ben
If you look at the VA Tech safety ratings, you'll find that there's almost no correlation between price of a helmet and level of protection. Some of the really cheap ones have far better ratings than some of the really expensive ones.
As far as "I've heard of accidents that...", sounds very much like the start of every urban legend I've ever heard.
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#23
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Nothing bogus here - helmets banging around on the handlebars will damage them and make the ineffective at protecting your skull when you wreck. If you don't see the value in a helmet, don't bring it. If you see it has any value, put it on your head. Simple as that.
#24
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Well, everyone has done such a good job at being hall monitor, I'm going to let them clap the erasers.
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If I were going to hang a helmet from my bars, I'd make certain that the helmet has a visible weave carbon fiber shell, two-way adjustable restraint system, prodigious venting, ergonomic clips and removable/washable padding. Only the best for my handlebars. Obviously, it will need to be color matched to my kit.