Helmets & Cost

**emily_in_nc** · 08-30-2006, 05:42 PM

I don't like buying the super pricy helmets (even though they are gorgeous) because I've had two accidents where my helmet hit the ground hard and had to be thrown out. Nothing like tossing a $150 helmet to ruin your day, on top of your injuries! I'd much rather toss a $30-40 helmet and can do so with no remorse, no temptation to say to myself "I didn't really hit the ground that hard, maybe I'll just keep wearing the helmet." It's just not worth taking chances with my noggin!

Emily, who is in the market for a new inexpensive helmet after her most recent accident, but not at Wally-world

**roguedog** · 08-30-2006, 05:50 PM

HEy.. so my helmet is like 10 yrs old. Is it true what they say about the styrofoam degrading and needing to upgrade every 4-5 yrs?

**Adventure Girl** · 08-30-2006, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by roguedog

HEy.. so my helmet is like 10 yrs old. Is it true what they say about the styrofoam degrading and needing to upgrade every 4-5 yrs?

YES!

**Grog** · 08-30-2006, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by roguedog

HEy.. so my helmet is like 10 yrs old. Is it true what they say about the styrofoam degrading and needing to upgrade every 4-5 yrs?

I have never been too concerned with styrofoam degradation (from just being shelved away) but I am quite sure that in a 3-5 years timeframe your helmets will get a lot of shocks that might accumulate and cause safety issues. So I'd rather be safe than sorry...

**KnottedYet** · 08-30-2006, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by roguedog

HEy.. so my helmet is like 10 yrs old. Is it true what they say about the styrofoam degrading and needing to upgrade every 4-5 yrs?

YES! I just got rid of my 8 year old helmet and bought a new one. I looked under the plastic and around the edges of my old one and could SEE where the styrofoam was "evaporating" away! EEEEK!

Now I will replace every 3-5 years. If mine was so degraded I could see it at 8 years, I imagine it was degraded at 5 too but I just didn't see it.

That 3-5 year timeframe is probably legitamate.

**SouthernBelle** · 08-31-2006, 04:11 AM

Mine has had a couple of bumps too, plus it's jsut looking a little rough. But when I do get new, it will be saved as a backup.

**DeniseGoldberg** · 08-31-2006, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

Mine has had a couple of bumps too, plus it's jsut looking a little rough. But when I do get new, it will be saved as a backup.

Bicycle helmets are designed for one crash only. Small bump, big bump - if you've hit your helmet on something, it needs to be replaced. And in that case your old helmet should not be used as a backup; it should be thrown out.

--- Denise

**bcipam** · 08-31-2006, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by DeniseGoldberg

Bicycle helmets are designed for one crash only. Small bump, big bump - if you've hit your helmet on something, it needs to be replaced. And in that case your old helmet should not be used as a backup; it should be thrown out.

--- Denise

Take note of what Denise states - if you even drop your helmet on the ground - it's time to get a new one. Have a friend, a newbie, struggling to get all her gear together, drop her helmet on the sidewalk. We all heard the big clunk. She picked it up and put it on. I had to explain that the helmet is now no good and she'd have to buy a new one. She learned the hard way to properly take care of her helmet.

Like others, I don't buy the most expensive helmet - I like the Giro Havocs which on sale cost me around $35 - 40. If I fall or drop the helmet, don't feel so bad if I have to get a new one. Also, usually buy 2 at a tme - that way if I need a new helmet - have it handy.

Since I do land on my head on a regular basis, I usually replace helmets every 3 years (if not before). $40 is a small price for safety!!!

**SouthernBelle** · 08-31-2006, 07:28 AM

I'm getting a new helmet even though the current one is only a few mos old because this one has saved my noggin twice. But Pam, by your description and the advice of others, shouldn't you be getting a new helmet everytime you 'land on your head?'

**mimitabby** · 08-31-2006, 06:36 AM

you might have missed WHY i got a new helmet. I had been lusting over the orange CITI helmet but couldn't find a valid reason for buying one.
So when i was at Elliott Bay Bike, there it was. I looked at my old helmet
and there was an almost invisible crack right down the center edge.
If you pulled on it; it opened up.

The day before, the helmet fell out of my closet (about 6 1/2 feet up) bounced
off my head (ooww), and then onto the wood floor.

I think that's what did it, because i examined the thing a month ago in exactly the same way.

**SouthernBelle** · 08-31-2006, 07:13 AM

Mimitabby,

Yours is the first case of the head breaking the helmet.

Kitsune06 · 09-02-2006, 02:00 PM

DGF and I have Giro Skylas... got 'em for about $29 (I think?) from nashbar on sale. Comparing 'em to my old, cheap bell helmet (replaced because it's been damaged enough... no 'definitive' crashes, but lots of collateral damage) they sit a little harder on the head, but are a little lighter and definately breathe better. No idea on the 'do dark helmets feel hotter' question. I've always had a black helmet... I'd think they might because all the cooling you'll feel is air rushing over/through the vents, and if the surface of the helmet is in the sun, it'd be like trying to suck cool air through the vents of a hot car *glares at stupid dark car with no A/C* but I could be wrong there.

I'd rather have a cheap helmet that protects my little skull than something overly expensive for the very reason that if it's way expensive, I'd look at it after crashing and go "Geez... it'd be a waste to THROW IT AWAY.... It doesn't look TOO bad.... even that crack there could be superglued..." or some other nonsense.

Besides...
I think the skylas are sorta sexy on the right model. =)

**emily_in_nc** · 09-02-2006, 05:21 PM

Well, I went to REI today and tried on the Giro Havoc. The size medium fit like it was made for me, and what a difference from the ultra-cheapie Specialized WSD helmet I've been wearing (my emergency backup helmet)! Wow, I love this helmet already!! They only had the silver color in the store so I went online when I got home and ordered the blue/silver to be delivered to the store (which makes the delivery free!) Can't wait to get it!

And Fredwina is right, I can remove the visor for the road - but I probably won't. I honestly don't care about things like that. After all, I'm riding a Bike Friday. I can't care about what people think. I kinda like being different, anyway!

Emily

P.S. I also found a great Shebeest blue sleeveless jersey in my size on the clearance rack at REI - with the extra 50% off it was down to $12 something. Couldn't resist!

**Fredwina** · 09-02-2006, 07:19 PM

Emily, I wear my Havoc when I'm riding my Friday, too!

**velogirl** · 09-02-2006, 09:46 PM

Interestingly enough, the less expensive helmets, which are shaped more "round" than aero and also have more surface contact area (fewer vents) have proven safer in crashes. The science behind it is that there are certain higher-end helmets that because of their shape "snag" on the road when you crash, increasing your likelihood of a neck or spinal cord injury.

http://www.helmets.org/ventsqua.htm

Emily, one reason why most road riders don't use visors is that it forces you to raise your head/hold your neck even higher. But, the market seems to want visors on road helmets which is why you see removable visors on many helmets, including some higher-end ones like the pneumo (New-Mo).

Regarding color, I don't think dark helmets are hotter, but they are definitely less visible. I personally wish helmets didn't come in dark blue or black, but that's just one of my Safety Jane-isms.

Hey, the Atmos is coming in pink this season!!! I should have mine this month.

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