Helmet question

[withm]

Ok, here's a test to see if you need a helmet.

Stand in your driveway next to your bike. You can hold it or not. Doesn't matter.

Fall over.

Maybe you hit your head on something, maybe you don't.

Clearly it doesn't matter if you are going 5mph, 10mph, 20mph or simply standing still. Hitting your head can be just as debilitating from standing still, or at 20mph. Why take that risk?

[zoom-zoom]

When you suffer a serious head injury you'll wish you'd put safety above fashion. I mean, if the head injury doesn't render ya' dead, of course.

Seriously, I don't really give a rat's behind what I look like on my bike, as long as I'm reasonably safe. I'm not riding to impress anyone or act as a fashion plate. I rock the comfy spandex and dorky helmet with a degree of pride. I gave up caring what others think about what I wear once I left the ridiculousness of HS.

[Blueberry]

Wear a helmet. I'm looking at a pile of 3 cracked helmets from my DH in the last year. 2 were ER trips with concussions. He walked away from all 3. There is no doubt in my mind he wouldn't be here without them. Yes, he's a good rider. It's proof that accidents can and do happen.

Ride your bike, and don't care what anyone things about how you look. Helmets/helmet hair might not be great - but the last time I spent an hour on the elliptical and looked in the mirror it wasn't pretty either. Seriously.

[Catrin]

I got a light concussion from tipping over at about 5mph. That was WITH a helmet on, the way my head hit that rock might have cracked it without it. Get a helmet. Wear it. Brain damage isn't fun.

[indysteel]

I got a light concussion from tipping over at about 5mph. That was WITH a helmet on, the way my head hit that rock might have cracked it without it. Get a helmet. Wear it. Brain damage isn't fun.

Yikes! When was this???

@Tulip. OMG, how horrible. I had no idea you'd gone through that. Was this before you joined TE or did I somehow miss such a bad crash?

[tulip]

2003. Not sure I was posting on TE at that point...I can't remember!!

[indysteel]

2003. Not sure I was posting on TE at that point...I can't remember!!

That was before my time. Not that it really matters, but I'd feel horrible if I somehow missed the news that you were injured so badly.

How traumatic of an experience for you. Of course, your crash dramatically proves the point that head injuries can happen under circumstances one wouldn't necessarily expect to be so dangerous.

[marni]

as an alternative test as to whether or not you need to wear a helmet, stand outside beside your bike with a a raw egg in your hand while holding onto the handle bar. Drop the egg. Look at the results and pretend the egg and its contents were your head and brain.

Be aware that different brands of helmets are different shapes. Some are more oval while others are more circular. Pick one that fits the shape of your head.

As for looking dorky- I would much rather look dorky in my helmet and be fully functional than have to spend the rest of my life looking cool but with the brain skills of a slug or a vegetable.

just sayin.....

[trickycoolj]

Are you interested in the skater style at all? I know many who are off-put by the serious road helmet looks but will go for skate/ski style helmets. I saw some awesome looking NutCase helmets last weekend at my LBS, they even had a watermelon painted one! http://www.nutcasehelmets.com Might not provide as much ventilation though.

Another thing to consider with fit is don't look at the pre-designated Men's/Women's/Youth/Child sizes on the box, especially if you go box store. In college I had to get a new helmet on short notice at WalMart and wound up with a Youth sized helmet to get a snug enough fit. The newer adjustable ratchet straps around the back of the head help a ton.

Whatever you do, make sure it's snug. The straps of my snowboard helmet were loose this spring since I wasn't wearing my usual Buff and scarf under it. I just finished a very steep part and was catching up to the boys in my group celebrating my first run that steep, and face planted on the flat part! Helmet flopped upwards and I hit the side of my head where the helmet was supposed to be (also slammed my goggles onto my eye socket). Had a headache for a week, and probably had a minor concussion.

A fall/crash can sneak up on you at the least obvious time. We are most cautious when things are dangerous and much too lax when things seem safe. Anything can happen.

[Bethany1]

Helmet fashion sucks, but once i got over how they look on me, it's all good. My head matters, especially when I fell over from a standing position. I still had a mild concussion but it saved my head from cracking open on the pavement.

Check out some stores and get one that fits. I'm with you on pink, but I've seen some fabulous women's helmets that are feminine w/o being girly. I thought I saw one similar to your bike colors the last time I was in a bike shop but don't remember what brand. It might have been a Giro.

I have a Giro that I like. It was last year's model so the guy sold it to me for a steal.

Good luck finding your helmet.

[redrhodie]

I never notice what someone's helmet looks like. I'm too busy looking at their butt.

[OakLeaf]

I never notice what someone's helmet looks like. I'm too busy looking at their butt.

Oh THAT will make the OP less self-conscious.

[roo4]

The emergency room folks don't care if you have helmet hair when they are treating you!

[Bike Writer]

Hoping this doesn't pose too much thread hijack but has anyone worn one of these helmets? I am wondering if you have is it hot to wear because it has less vents? Is it heavy? And lastly is it true to size? Any feedback appreciated.

I am one of those persons who does not like the style of the racing helmet, my own personal opinion is that they make me look like a raptor or some kind of reptile. However there are many who probably think that the helmet pictured below is very dorky but I think it's cute and am looking to get one.

[marni]

I never notice what someone's helmet looks like. I'm too busy looking at their butt.

Or their bike! and shapely calf muscles.