Kind of weird helmet question

[Crankin]

I have 2 helmets; both the same brand (Bell). I am not sure of the model, but I know it's a mtb helmet that I rip the visor off of. It has lots of vents.
Anyway, after I've gone on a few rides, the chin strap mysteriously starts getting looser on both of them, to the point where it has to be tightened. In fact, this has happened to me with every helmet I have had. I do readjust the ratchet somewhat frequently, as i sometimes wear a buff or skull cap and my head seems to swell with the heat.
I have never seen anyone else have this problem.

[Becky]

All of my helmets (Giro) do this too. Maybe it's because of natural head motions- turning, talking, breathing, etc.? *shrugs*

I haven't figured out how to fix it, so I just keep tightening that darn strap. I'm curious to hear what others have to say.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's common.

It would be nice if they didn't loosen while riding, for sure.

But- often in Fall and Spring I have to adjust the strap anyway mid-ride anyway, like when I need to remove my wool helmet liner after the sun has warmed things up. If I didn't have to make these types of adjustment, I could just sew it in place!

[Crankin]

OK, I'm glad I am not the only one.
Now, if I could just figure out how to tighten the strap by myself... don't laugh, I might as well be looking at a calculus problem.

[HoosierGiant]

My helmet, a Bell also, has a little, round, black rubber ring on the chin strap -- adjust everything once, then slide it right up to the buckle, and nothing moves. Of course, after almost four years of use, it finally broke a couple of weeks ago. But, I've not had any issues with straps loosening since then, so perhaps I'm just lucky. In any event, I use small silicon ponytail holders to achieve the same effect when helping kids with helmet adjustments/fittings.

[ridenread]

You are definitely not alone in the strap loosening problem. I wouldn't mind it so much except I too have the hardest time figuring out which way tightens the straps. My husband just cannot understand how an intelligent person can't master a simple strap. My heart rate monitor strap became loose after a few rides as well. My husband had to fix that one for me too.

[Becky]

My helmet, a Bell also, has a little, round, black rubber ring on the chin strap -- adjust everything once, then slide it right up to the buckle, and nothing moves. Of course, after almost four years of use, it finally broke a couple of weeks ago. But, I've not had any issues with straps loosening since then, so perhaps I'm just lucky. In any event, I use small silicon ponytail holders to achieve the same effect when helping kids with helmet adjustments/fittings.

I've always used that little o-ring to keep the strap ends from flapping. But I really like your idea to keep the buckle from moving- I'm definitely going to try it!

On a related note, you can also buy small rubber o-rings in the plumbing section at the hardware store.

[Crankin]

Well, I am doubly glad to hear that someone else has their DH tighten the strap; since I am working on my second graduate degree, I also get the same question; "Why can't you do this?"
My poor spatial relations cause a never ending series of problems that I could ignore if I was a couch potato!