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.

[bcipam]

Helmets get one crash - if you hit your head, thus your helmet, it must be replaced.

[Lise]

I agree. Get the new helmet. I recently got a new one because my other one was three years old. No rule that I know of, but it felt like a good idea.

I had a helmet once that had never been in a crash. Yet, one day I looked at it and noticed a puncture hole in the plastic! It must've fallen on the ground one day when I was fumbling for keys or something. I immediately replaced it.

[KnottedYet]

Time for a new helmet.

When in doubt (even if you're not sure your bumped your head) throw it out and buy a new one.

Don't donate it to Goodwill or something, just throw it away.

[Bad JuJu]

This is not exactly a thread hijack, but maybe a little drift:
So when DO you replace a helmet that's never crashed? Lise says she got a new one after three years. I honestly can't remember how old mine is, but it's probably at least three years.

And how about just dropping it on the pavement, without a head in it? Does that compromise its integrity and life-saving potential?

Anybody know the answers to these questions? Inquiring minds (that want to stay that way!) want to know.

[DeniseGoldberg]

So when DO you replace a helmet that's never crashed?

And how about just dropping it on the pavement, without a head in it? Does that compromise its integrity and life-saving potential?

Here's a link to the "when to replace a helmet" page on the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute's web site: http://www.helmets.org/replace.htm.

The helmet manufacturers seem to recommend more frequent replacement for non-crashed, non-damaged helmets than the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute - but then again the manufacturers are in the business of selling helmets. Giro & Bell (yes, I know they are the same company) recommend 3 years.

--- Denise

[SalsaMTB]

Definitely replace the helmet. Remember, you have plastic covering the outside, so cracks in the foam could be hiding underneath the plastic caused by the impact. If you purchased your helmet within the last year there could be a crash replacement warranty, depending on brand. I know Garneau offers 1 yr crash replacement, all handled through LBS. Just go in, give it back, get a new one of equal value, the shop should handle the rest. I think bell and Giro also have something for crash replacement, not positive though.

Definitely get a new helmet though if you think you hit your head.

[Fredwina]

it sound like helmet shoppoing is in order! It's going to be amonth or before I medical clearance to ride any way.
P.s. Putting on a bra one handed is sooo much fun....