Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Click the "Create Account" button now to join.

To disable ads, please log-in.

Shop at TeamEstrogen.com for women's cycling apparel.

Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
    Posts
    5,251

    Should you always get a new helmet after a crash?

    To disable ads, please log-in.

    Ok- so I think I already know the answer, but thought I'd ask to be sure anyway.
    Had my first crash today (I'm kinda proud of it, actually- I always wondered when it would happen). Did an organized ride and my tire got caught in a road groove less than 1/10 mile from the finish. I flew off and hit the pavement. I think my head hit hard, but I really don't remember for sure how hard it was. I think I was going about 16 ish mph- so not terribly fast.
    No cracks in the shell or the foam, but I'm guessing I should replace it anyway, huh?

    Aside from the major road rash on the shoulder and the bruised hip I'm fine. Just embarrassed that I couldn't catch my breath and was a little weepy when a group stopped to help (and thankful that I didn't fall into the line of traffic). Crashes always look kinda cool on TV- but it's not as fun when you can't watch it happen (I'll bet it was cool looking, tho).

    Is it weird that I'm proud of this like my mtn bike crashes? I want to show off my cuts and scrapes. It's kinda like a badge of honor...

    New helmet, huh???
    Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com

    Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
    Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)

    1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
    Cannondale F5 mountain bike

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Wiltshire, England, UK
    Posts
    509
    Definitely a new helmet. The one you have, although you can't see it, will be damaged now and may not stand up to another whack. Better safe than sorry.

    I know about the badge of honour. I fell off my bike the other day. Hadn't had gravel rash on my knee since I was a youngster. Thought I'd gone past the stage of sticking plasters on my knee 30 odd years ago LOL
    There are a lot of unwanted, unloved bikes out there - go on give a bike a good home

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Columbia River Gorge
    Posts
    3,565
    Yes, new helmet!!

    Congrats on bustin' yer cherry and not getting busted up too bad. I like to make a point of visiting as many cycling buddies and stores as possible after a crash. I don't say anything but I make sure I'm wearing something that allows either the rash itself or my dressings to show....so they'll ask and then I can blather on about it. So I don't think it's weird to be proud. But then again, I'm a little weird.
    Living life like there's no tomorrow.

    http://gorgebikefitter.com/


    2007 Look Dura Ace
    2010 Custom Tonic cross with discs, SRAM
    2012 Moots YBB 2 x 10 Shimano XTR
    2014 Soma B-Side SS

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Limbo
    Posts
    8,769
    Don't we all take photos?
    Last edited by Zen; 08-11-2007 at 12:24 PM.
    2008 Trek FX 7.2/Terry Cite X
    2009 Jamis Aurora/Brooks B-68
    2010 Trek FX 7.6 WSD/stock bontrager

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Israel (Middle East)
    Posts
    1,199
    Yes, 1000X yes

    All you need is love...la-dee-da-dee-da...all you need is love!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Oslo, Norway
    Posts
    4,066
    Oh I visit all my cycling buddies AND blather on about it immediately. I'm shameless

    I'd buy a new helmet.
    Winter riding is much less about badassery and much more about bundle-uppery. - malkin

    1995 Kona Cinder Cone commuterFrankenbike/Selle Italia SLR Lady Gel Flow
    2008 white Nakamura Summit Custom mtb/Terry Falcon X
    2000 Schwinn Fastback Comp road bike/Specialized Jett

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    1,764
    YES re the new helmet

    Glad you're ok. You'll definitely have to proudly sport that road rash and win the admiration of all!

    Ouch though. You'll have to let us know how you're feeling tomorrow. So, you going helmet shopping?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Middle Earth
    Posts
    3,997
    Technically - yes...

    But actually in our house? We don't always. We do a good check of the helmet, and consider the visual assessment in conjunction with the type of impact...

    But I would always advise a new helmet...

    Road ~do-as-I-say-but-not-as-I-do~ Raven

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
    Posts
    5,251
    OK- new helmet it is. I thought I should, but wanted to hear from others (aside from the LBS guy who'd just want to sell me one anyway).
    The one I was wearing today was a freebie that I won at Bike to Work Day- so it's not like I'm out any money.

    Thanks, ladies! Like all the rest of you that have crashed at one time or another- I'm just really thankful that it wasn't bad, and that all my bones are still in tact (and who said big thighs are bad?- all that padding saved my hips from damage ).
    Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com

    Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
    Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)

    1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
    Cannondale F5 mountain bike

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Wiltshire, England, UK
    Posts
    509
    Was looking at some helmets myself today at my LBS (don't worry I've already got a helmet) and there are some really nice colours and designs now. Have fun choosing a new one
    There are a lot of unwanted, unloved bikes out there - go on give a bike a good home

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    I'm the only one allowed to whine
    Posts
    10,557
    Oooh, I like it! Go new helmet shopping while casually wearing clothes that expose your lovely road rash, then you can tell the crash story.

    (I always ask when I see boo-boos on folks at my LBS. So I'm the perfect boo-boo audience.)
    "If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Central TX
    Posts
    757
    Yes a new helmet, and I don't think it's strange at all to be proud of your crash. To bad someone didn't get action shots for you.
    I'm glad you are okay and came out basically unscathed.
    Donna

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    82
    Make sure you tell the LBS guys it's to replace one from a crash. I bought a new helmet today after my crash Thursday. (See my thread - I immediately shared my crash with other riders here!)

    Anyway - at my LBS they do a 10% discount on the ticket price if you've had a crash & are replacing your helmet. I'm impressed with that on their behalf. You might just get the same deal if you mention it.

 

 

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •