Replace helmet or not?

**RoadTrekkie** · 05-08-2010, 05:45 PM

So I did my first solo crash of the year today. I was drafting and zoning out (lesson learned!) and my wheel overlapped. I didn't realize what was happening until I got slapped down. I landed in gravel on my right shoulder, slid a bit, then my head came down on my right side and I rolled completely over. I was only going 12-13mph at the time of the accident. So, in your opinion would you replace your helmet or should I be okay riding in it?

**zoom-zoom** · 05-08-2010, 06:04 PM

Yes!

**Catrin** · 05-08-2010, 06:36 PM

As others will mention, your helmet was only meant to sustain ONE hit - absolutely replace it. Just because you may not be able to see damage doesn't mean that it wasn't.

**ny biker** · 05-08-2010, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Catrin

As others will mention, your helmet was only meant to sustain ONE hit - absolutely replace it. Just because you may not be able to see damage doesn't mean that it wasn't.

Word.

**jobob** · 05-08-2010, 06:48 PM

What means more to you, your skull or a helmet?

**loopybunny** · 05-08-2010, 07:08 PM

Absolutely replace it!

Check with the manufacturer for their crash replacement policy before going out to buy one though.

**RoadTrekkie** · 05-08-2010, 07:45 PM

I figured.

I was hoping against hope my puny pocketbook wouldn't have to take another hit & I was saving up for other bike gear. Crossing my fingers Lazer has some kind of replacement policy!

**jobob** · 05-09-2010, 05:14 AM

Forgot to add, glad you're OK!

**lph** · 05-09-2010, 06:40 AM

Glad you're ok!

I would probably not replace my helmet if I had rolled over on it after a crash landing, the way you describe. But only you know how hard the impact was. I would say that if the impact was hard enough that your head would have suffered damage (bruising or lumps, not superficial scratches) - the helmet has also suffered damage.

I don't mean to sound flip or reckless, but I've rock climbed for several decades, and the recommendations about when to replace your gear have swung back and forth. The few real tests that have been done usually show that the gear can take a lot more than the most conservative estimates. I don't hold by the "if you have to ask, you know"-rule of thumb, because I know cautious people who would always ask, and reckless people who would never ask... And for that matter, my life is worth more than the total of my climbing gear, but that doesn't mean it needs replacing

I have some very nervous nellies for climbing partners, you see.

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