New helmet or not?

[Fredwina]

I crashed recently. However, The helmet seemed to have made it though unscathed. I took to to bike shops and the both said not to worry about it (Thanks to In Cycle in San Dimas and Coates in Pomona). But, I'm still a worry wart. anybody else want to put their two cents in?

[emily_in_nc]

If your helmet hit pavement in a crash, you should replace it even if it seems undamaged. They are designed to withstand only one crash. Considering that you can get helmets for under $30 these days, it's cheap insurance. Your brain is too important to risk otherwise.

Not very impressed with those LBS folks....!

Emily

[DebW]

I crashed recently. However, The helmet seemed to have made it though unscathed. I took to to bike shops and the both said not to worry about it (Thanks to In Cycle in San Dimas and Coates in Pomona). But, I'm still a worry wart. anybody else want to put their two cents in?

If you are worried, then you should get a new one for your own peace of mind. Compare the cost of a helmet to the value of your head/life. In my crash last year, the helmet was not obviously damaged, but there was a bump on my head and a brief period of unconsciousness, so I replaced it.

[DeniseGoldberg]

If your helmet hit the ground - replace it! As Emily said, our helmets are designed for a single crash.

Warning: don't go to this (linked) page if blood bothers you. It contains pictures of the helmet I was wearing when I crashed (wow, 2 years ago now). The first photo is a view from the side, and it's very difficult to see the remnants of the crash (other than the blood spots, that is). The second 2 pictures show the deep cracks that were the result of the crash. This previously uncrashed helmet saved my life... http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...?page_id=12901

It's a bit more obvious after a crash like mine that the helmet needs to be replaced - but really, any time a helmet hits the ground it's time for a new one.

--- Denise

[tprevost]

Jana,

From what I've read I can't tell if your helmet even hit the ground but it sounds like you should replace it for your own piece of mind!

T~

[latelatebloomer]

Latelate works at a brain injury rehab. (Rehab as in, some people have been there 15 years and will never leave. )Please buy a new helmet for HER peace of mind!!! Seriously, your brain is such an irreplacable marvel - if you have a nagging feeling about your helmet, listen to your intuition.

[tygab]

I'm another in agreement with the new helmet idea.

Also, remember all those out there that over time UV rays and stuff break down that helmet wonder foam, and periodically the standards change. Helmets are relatively inexpensive protection, and if you have one that is older than say,
-your refrigerator
-your senior citizen cat
-the box of stuff in the basement you never opened when you moved ....

you get the idea - maybe it is ok to get a new one. In my case, my old helmet met all three criteria, so I got a new one shortly after getting the new bike.

-T

[margo49]

Buy a new one.
You have irreparably damaged any helmet you have crashed on. I took an ax(axe) to mine after my "Kiwi breaks beak" crash and it was real tough to break. But that doesn't mean it was 100%. Its all the invisible air and even more invisible engineering that saves your life, so your helmet might only have a scratch visible but still be useless.

[SalsaMTB]

Warning: don't go to this (linked) page if blood bothers you. It contains pictures of the helmet I was wearing when I crashed (wow, 2 years ago now). The first photo is a view from the side, and it's very difficult to see the remnants of the crash (other than the blood spots, that is). The second 2 pictures show the deep cracks that were the result of the crash. This previously uncrashed helmet saved my life... http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...?page_id=12901

--- Denise

Not to change the subject but oh my gosh Denise!! Great documentation of the accident, crazy scary though. Glad to see you got right back on the bike! Not sure if I could so easily after something like that.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Not to change the subject but oh my gosh Denise!! Great documentation of the accident, crazy scary though. Glad to see you got right back on the bike! Not sure if I could so easily after something like that.

It probably helped a great deal that I have no memory of the accident (didn't then, and still don't...).

[latelatebloomer]

Hey everyone, just a reminder that when you have to buy your first or replace your helmet, your health insurance company, if you are lucky enough to have one, might reimburse you. Mine (Blue Cross) does to the tune of $30 bucks.