Helmet Suggestions

[helga]

Well, my head is still okay. My Specialized helmet is, however, broken on the right side in about three places. My question is whether or not there is a better/safer brand of helmet than my Specialized. I am more interested in the safety factor than the vent/appearance factors. I only ride on the street. Any suggestions?
Helga

[SadieKate]

It sounds like your helmet did it's job and we are all grateful!

Here might be a good place to start.

http://www.helmets.org/

[Adventure Girl]

Does Specialized still have a trade-in program for cracked helmets? Several years ago I crashed in a Specialized helmet. It was only a couple of months old. I went back to the LBS to pick a new one, and they told me that Specialized would cover the replacement on warranty. I got a new one for free! I don't know if they still do that, but it's worth asking!

[Nanci]

I've had good luck with Giro. Like saddles, they are kind of personal preference. I am wearing a Lonestar Atmos now- best-ever BD present from BF!
But have in the past been satisfied with a lesser model, who, after crashes too numerous to mention, takes a licking and keeps on ticking. (with no structural damage, of course!)

I think all helmets meet the same safety standards- what you pay for, after that, is lightness and number of vents.

Nanci

[tulip]

All helmets have to meet the same safety standards. I've hit my head hard and had to be airlifted out several years ago. When I went to replace my helmet, I tried on a bunch and got the most comfortable one. It's a Bell Ghisallo, but I didn't go in looking for a particular brand or model. Everyone's head is shaped differently. I like the dial-in feature on the back. It accommodates my hat in the winter.

[Dianyla]

Yeah, what they said. ^^ Just remember that an ill-fitting helmet can be unsafe, so as long as you get an ANSI rated helmet that fits you properly you'll be fine.

[Fuji Girl]

Helmets are definitely a personal thing. I like Giros better than Bells - they fit my head better. I have a Giro Skyla (has a little visor) for city riding and a Giro Eclipse for road riding. Giro has a helmet replacement policy where they'll replace your helmet for you if you get in a crash. Be sure to save your receipt though, because you'll need it for the warranty.

[helga]

It sounds like your helmet did it's job and we are all grateful!

Here might be a good place to start.

http://www.helmets.org/

Lots to read and consider. Thanks!
Helga

[Susan Otcenas]

But have in the past been satisfied with a lesser model, who, after crashes too numerous to mention, takes a licking and keeps on ticking. (with no structural damage, of course!)
Nanci

If you have a helmet that has been worn in a crash, I would encourage you to stop wearing it and replace it! Damage to helmets is NOT always visible. A helmet that's been worn in a crash is compromised, and may not adequately protect you if you take a hard fall like Helga's.

Helmets are costly, but cheap compared to the alternative.

Susan

[Duck on Wheels]

If you have a helmet that has been worn in a crash, I would encourage you to stop wearing it and replace it! Damage to helmets is NOT always visible. A helmet that's been worn in a crash is compromised, and may not adequately protect you if you take a hard fall like Helga's.

Helmets are costly, but cheap compared to the alternative.

Susan

Ditto to that. Your helmet did its job by falling apart. Like the crumple zones in cars that keep the energy of a crash out of the cab where you're sitting. Even if it hadn't broken, you now need a new one. Get one that fits right and feels right, so it's where it needs to be next time you (G-dess forbid) need it -- not slipped out of position, and not left back at home.

[mellic]

I am a mountain biker and in the last 3 years I have owned 5 different helmets - what can I say I fall on my head a lot. Unfortunately no matter what helmet you buy they all fracture on heavy impact to absorb the forces from the fall.

I personally prefer a helmet with hard casing covering most of the helmet as these have been a little bit more durable for me. These helmets cost a bit more but better to have the best possible protection for your head.

Most helmet manufacturers have a crash replacement warranty.

[fixedgeargirl]

I learned when shopping for a ski helmet that they come in different relative shapes, that is oval as compared to round. I may have this backward, but I believe that European heads, and thus most Euro brand ski helmets, are more oval and North American heads/helmets are more circular. I wonder if this is true of bike helmets?

[Grog]

I have both a Giro Atmos and Bell Sweep (don't ask me how I ended up with TWO such expensive helmets... it dizzies me just to think about their price). The Giro is about half the weight of the Bell, but at first I prefered the feel of the Bell, and its adjustment mechanism is a bit superior (although the list price for the Bell Sweep is much less than what they ask for the Giro Atmos... but heavier, too). After getting the Atmos, I think it fits pretty well too, after all, it just took me more time to adjust it.

And they're stylish! And they make BF jealous. They feel much, much more comfy and above all less hot than the previous helmet I had (a commuter's Bell helmet). The fit is quite impressive. On the other hand, I have a cheaper helmet that fits wonderfully. It's just much heavier. Go figure. I use it for commuting and leaving attached on my bike.

This being said, you can get your helmet inspected by a bike shop that does inspections for triathlons. Often you fall but aren't sure whether your head touched the ground or not (or you're convinced it didn't and... it did).

[Nanci]

I'd have to be a millionaire to replace my helmet every time I crashed my mountain bike. It's never had a hard wallop directly to it, like tree contact, or anything. It's ok, don't worry!

Nanci

[DeniseGoldberg]

Helga -
Happy helmet shopping! If you're ready to replace your helmet, you must be continuing to make great healing progress.

One word of warning though... if you're anything like me, I'd advise not buying your helmet until your body is ready to ride again. I found that once I replaced my helmet I absolutely had to get back on my bike (I had an ok from the orthopedic surgeon at that point, but not from the neurosurgeon... I figured I knew my body well enough to judge that is was safe. That turned out to be true, but you never know...)

--- Denise

[Jen]

Performance had a nice looking helmet for 1/2 price, the Bell alchera. After reading one of the links on helmets, it says that helmet in europe don't have the same rigid standards. the Alchera has limited us availablity, Europe???

[Jen]

Denise,
Enjoyed your website. What a fall you too girl.. Wow. And, how about that bike "Friday". Looks like a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. You must have a lot of fun.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Denise,
Enjoyed your website. What a fall you too girl.. Wow. And, how about that bike "Friday". Looks like a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. You must have a lot of fun.

Thanks Jen!

I actually have 2 Bike Fridays - a Pocket Rocket, which is set up as a road bike, and an Air Glide, set up as a touring bike (the difference? the touring bike has a mix of road & mt. gearing (Ultegra + XT), has brakes that allow fatter tires for bad road conditions).

And you're right - I do have a lot of fun traveling with my bike.

--- Denise

[Brandi]

yeaaa! Helga is helmit shopping! I am so glad to see she is moving forward! Helga do you have a pic of your cracked helmit? Or did you toss it? Denise had a pic of her helmit and let me tell you it was good reminder of how safe we need to try and be with ourselves.

[Aint Doody]

Absolutely replace your helmet after a crash. My helmet looked fine after my crash that resulted in a concussion--7 places in my brain bled. I spent 2 days in ICU. I certainly replaced my helmet and have saved it. It is the reason I'm not a vegetable today.

[bikerchick68]

aintdoody... YIKES!

my friend, Purepink, (who's registered but rarely posts) crashed at the Tour de Palm Springs... about 58 miles in... she remembers hitting her head on the pavement and the strap that keep the helmet fitted against her head snapped... I have to say I was nervous about completing the ride knowing the integrity of that helmet was compromised...

we finished the ride and she has replaced the helmet... hasn't been able to wear it yet tho... still in physical therapy for the shoulder injury she sustained. :( she'll be back tho! :)

[Aint Doody]

Fortunately I don't remember hitting the pavement. I just remember a swerve that was a result of my front tire hitting my friend's rear one. The next thing I remember was seeing my husband at the emergency room--where I sat bleeding from where my glasses had cut my forehead for 45 minutes! My husband finally got agitated enough to demand that somebody come look at me. I was in la-la land.

[Jen]

After reading all these posts about crashes, I think I will be more particular about the helmet I buy. My dog chewed the last one, not badly but perhaps i should look into a new one. I am not going to let you guys scare me though. I am going to get out there and have fun. I will probably crash alot while learning though. Been down there 2 1/2 times already. The 1/2 is the time that could have been a biggy but I compensated and stayed up..

[Yasmin]

My Specialized helmet is, however, broken on the right side in about three places.
Helga

Hello Helga. If you have owned your Specialized helmet for less than 12 months you may be lucky. They have a "no fault helmet crash policy" which applies to most states of the USA. I have a Specialized Decibel helmet & this is what it states in the accompanying brochure. You may check their limited warrany more accurately by visiting:
http://www.specialized.com


Good luck!

If this works, I have copied & pasted the helmet warranty answer for you. Hope it works.


Print Answer

E-mail Answer What is your helmet warranty?

Question
Is there any kind of warranty on your helmets?

Answer
All of our accessories, including helmets, have a 1 year warranty from the date of purchase against manufacturer's defects in workmanship or materials.

If you feel you have a problem with your helmet and it is still within the warranty period, take it to any authorized Specialized dealer. Make sure to bring your receipt.

Tailwinds,
Specialized U.S.

[RoadRaven]

I can't speak for off-roaders, but for road cyclists and racers I can only emphasise the importance of an undamged helmet.

I'm with Susan, Bikeless, Aint Doody... replace your helmet after a crash... if you end up in an emergency room here, I think ACC will subsidise a new helmet.

If you want to race, your helmet as with all your other gear will be inspected here, and if it has a ding, or even the plastic shell is buckled from sun heat, you are not allowed to ride.

We (my cycling family) all use cheapy $40 jobs from the LBS (except for partners TT helmet)... essentially, helmets are pretty much the same, polystyrene with fibreglass/plastic cover. Short of wearing a motorcycle helmet, a more expensive helmet (from what I have seen, and I invite someone informing me otherwise if I have it completely wrong) only gives you a brand name and a better choice in colour or patterns but very little else in terms of more protection.

[helga]

yeaaa! Helga is helmit shopping! I am so glad to see she is moving forward! Helga do you have a pic of your cracked helmit? Or did you toss it? Denise had a pic of her helmit and let me tell you it was good reminder of how safe we need to try and be with ourselves.
Yes, I got a new helmet. My new one is a Bell Vela which I bought two days ago at REI. Sad to say, I am going to have to return it because the straps are laced through the helmet incorrectly. It would take me about 2 hours to get things fixed...not worth the time so back it goes for a trade in. Still, with this year's dividend and the 20% discount the price is worth it.
This week I plan on getting my bike on a cycle ops fluid trainer to see how that feels. One step at a time!
Oh, I haven't taken a pic of my old helmet with its three cracks, but I have saved the "old head saver". I keep it in the living room to remind myself and others to always WEAR A HELMET!

[velogirl]

One interesting tidbit I read when the national helmet safety board (or whoever they are) released their annual study is that helmets with more vents and pointy extensions (such technical terms -- it's late) are more likely to cause cervical spine injuries. The reason for this is they get caught up on the pavement when you crash. Apparently the cheaper helmets, with more smooth surface area, allow you to slide when you crash, reducing the risk spinal cord injury. Makes sense to me, although I wouldn't volunteer to field test it. I guess if your body is sliding and your head gets stuck to the ground (due to a pointy helmet), it can pull on your neck.

I think the link was already posted. Lots of interesting statistics.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Oh, I haven't taken a pic of my old helmet with its three cracks, but I have saved the "old head saver". I keep it in the living room to remind myself and others to always WEAR A HELMET!

Helga -
I'd love to see your "old head saver". Just curiosity, I guess. I found it interesting to look at mine after my crash and see the result of the impact. (photos showing helmet after crash (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/page/?page_id=12901)).

Getting on the trainer is definitely making progress. Remember to be patient with your body as you move back to riding; it does take a while to completely recover from your type of injury.

--- Denise