Helmet Suggestions

**Grog** · 02-22-2006, 08:44 PM

I have both a Giro Atmos and Bell Sweep (don't ask me how I ended up with TWO such expensive helmets... it dizzies me just to think about their price). The Giro is about half the weight of the Bell, but at first I prefered the feel of the Bell, and its adjustment mechanism is a bit superior (although the list price for the Bell Sweep is much less than what they ask for the Giro Atmos... but heavier, too). After getting the Atmos, I think it fits pretty well too, after all, it just took me more time to adjust it.

And they're stylish! And they make BF jealous. They feel much, much more comfy and above all less hot than the previous helmet I had (a commuter's Bell helmet). The fit is quite impressive. On the other hand, I have a cheaper helmet that fits wonderfully. It's just much heavier. Go figure. I use it for commuting and leaving attached on my bike.

This being said, you can get your helmet inspected by a bike shop that does inspections for triathlons. Often you fall but aren't sure whether your head touched the ground or not (or you're convinced it didn't and... it did).

**Nanci** · 02-23-2006, 02:13 AM

I'd have to be a millionaire to replace my helmet every time I crashed my mountain bike. It's never had a hard wallop directly to it, like tree contact, or anything. It's ok, don't worry!

Nanci

**DeniseGoldberg** · 02-23-2006, 04:07 AM

Helga -
Happy helmet shopping! If you're ready to replace your helmet, you must be continuing to make great healing progress.

One word of warning though... if you're anything like me, I'd advise not buying your helmet until your body is ready to ride again. I found that once I replaced my helmet I absolutely had to get back on my bike (I had an ok from the orthopedic surgeon at that point, but not from the neurosurgeon... I figured I knew my body well enough to judge that is was safe. That turned out to be true, but you never know...)

--- Denise

**Jen** · 02-23-2006, 04:33 AM

Performance had a nice looking helmet for 1/2 price, the Bell alchera. After reading one of the links on helmets, it says that helmet in europe don't have the same rigid standards. the Alchera has limited us availablity, Europe???

**Jen** · 02-23-2006, 04:37 AM

Denise,
Enjoyed your website. What a fall you too girl.. Wow. And, how about that bike "Friday". Looks like a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. You must have a lot of fun.

**DeniseGoldberg** · 02-23-2006, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jen

Denise,
Enjoyed your website. What a fall you too girl.. Wow. And, how about that bike "Friday". Looks like a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. You must have a lot of fun.

Thanks Jen!

I actually have 2 Bike Fridays - a Pocket Rocket, which is set up as a road bike, and an Air Glide, set up as a touring bike (the difference? the touring bike has a mix of road & mt. gearing (Ultegra + XT), has brakes that allow fatter tires for bad road conditions).

And you're right - I do have a lot of fun traveling with my bike.

--- Denise

**Brandi** · 02-23-2006, 08:10 AM

yeaaa! Helga is helmit shopping! I am so glad to see she is moving forward! Helga do you have a pic of your cracked helmit? Or did you toss it? Denise had a pic of her helmit and let me tell you it was good reminder of how safe we need to try and be with ourselves.

**Aint Doody** · 02-23-2006, 09:29 AM

Absolutely replace your helmet after a crash. My helmet looked fine after my crash that resulted in a concussion--7 places in my brain bled. I spent 2 days in ICU. I certainly replaced my helmet and have saved it. It is the reason I'm not a vegetable today.

**bikerchick68** · 02-23-2006, 09:41 AM

aintdoody... YIKES!

my friend, Purepink, (who's registered but rarely posts) crashed at the Tour de Palm Springs... about 58 miles in... she remembers hitting her head on the pavement and the strap that keep the helmet fitted against her head snapped... I have to say I was nervous about completing the ride knowing the integrity of that helmet was compromised...

we finished the ride and she has replaced the helmet... hasn't been able to wear it yet tho... still in physical therapy for the shoulder injury she sustained.

she'll be back tho!

**Aint Doody** · 02-23-2006, 09:48 AM

Fortunately I don't remember hitting the pavement. I just remember a swerve that was a result of my front tire hitting my friend's rear one. The next thing I remember was seeing my husband at the emergency room--where I sat bleeding from where my glasses had cut my forehead for 45 minutes! My husband finally got agitated enough to demand that somebody come look at me. I was in la-la land.

**helga** · 03-05-2006, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Brandi

yeaaa! Helga is helmit shopping! I am so glad to see she is moving forward! Helga do you have a pic of your cracked helmit? Or did you toss it? Denise had a pic of her helmit and let me tell you it was good reminder of how safe we need to try and be with ourselves.

Yes, I got a new helmet. My new one is a Bell Vela which I bought two days ago at REI. Sad to say, I am going to have to return it because the straps are laced through the helmet incorrectly. It would take me about 2 hours to get things fixed...not worth the time so back it goes for a trade in. Still, with this year's dividend and the 20% discount the price is worth it.
This week I plan on getting my bike on a cycle ops fluid trainer to see how that feels. One step at a time!
Oh, I haven't taken a pic of my old helmet with its three cracks, but I have saved the "old head saver". I keep it in the living room to remind myself and others to always WEAR A HELMET!

**DeniseGoldberg** · 03-06-2006, 04:17 AM

Originally Posted by helga

Oh, I haven't taken a pic of my old helmet with its three cracks, but I have saved the "old head saver". I keep it in the living room to remind myself and others to always WEAR A HELMET!

Helga -
I'd love to see your "old head saver". Just curiosity, I guess. I found it interesting to look at mine after my crash and see the result of the impact. (photos showing helmet after crash).

Getting on the trainer is definitely making progress. Remember to be patient with your body as you move back to riding; it does take a while to completely recover from your type of injury.

--- Denise

**Jen** · 02-23-2006, 10:07 AM

After reading all these posts about crashes, I think I will be more particular about the helmet I buy. My dog chewed the last one, not badly but perhaps i should look into a new one. I am not going to let you guys scare me though. I am going to get out there and have fun. I will probably crash alot while learning though. Been down there 2 1/2 times already. The 1/2 is the time that could have been a biggy but I compensated and stayed up..

**velogirl** · 03-05-2006, 09:29 PM

One interesting tidbit I read when the national helmet safety board (or whoever they are) released their annual study is that helmets with more vents and pointy extensions (such technical terms -- it's late) are more likely to cause cervical spine injuries. The reason for this is they get caught up on the pavement when you crash. Apparently the cheaper helmets, with more smooth surface area, allow you to slide when you crash, reducing the risk spinal cord injury. Makes sense to me, although I wouldn't volunteer to field test it. I guess if your body is sliding and your head gets stuck to the ground (due to a pointy helmet), it can pull on your neck.

I think the link was already posted. Lots of interesting statistics.

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