How long does a helmet last?

[pll]

On a tangentially related note... out here, Chicagoland, I've seen several people (commuters) riding a bike with a full face motorcycle helmet in the winter. Makes sense to me given the terrible cold winds we face.

[OakLeaf]

Heh. One thing I totally cannot understand is people who ride motorcycles with no helmets in the dead of winter. Whatever their feeling about helmets in general, you'd think they'd want the warmth!

[smittykitty]

Guess we need another trip to REI or LBS. Thinking mine is 7-8 yrs old and DH's is probably 5+.

Any recommendations on brands, etc. I assume fit and ANSI cert. are the biggys?

[pll]

I found the following article:
http://www.bicycling.com/beginners/b...sh-your-bonnet

This recommendation makes me wonder:

Never dry your helmet in the clothes dryer with your skivvies or in the microwave with your lunch-it'll severely weaken the shell and bonding materials.

*Who* would think of putting a helmet in the clothes drier, to spin and get knocked around!? And *who* would put one in the microwave!?

I don't even use any soap on it... a moist towel is enough to clean any dirt.

[limewave]

Oh man, I am way overdo for a new a helmet and so is DH! I think our helmets are over 10 years old each.

Looks like my list of needed cycling gear is growing . . .

[Bethany1]

If you you take a really good spill with your helmet, I heard it crack, should you replace it?

I can see keeping one for as long as a few years or so, but I'm wondering if mine is a goner.

[pll]

If you you take a really good spill with your helmet, I heard it crack, should you replace it?

I can see keeping one for as long as a few years or so, but I'm wondering if mine is a goner.

Yes! Please get a new one. The old one has done its job, to protect your head. Only one crash allowed.

[ny biker]

Oh man, I am way overdo for a new a helmet and so is DH! I think our helmets are over 10 years old each.

Looks like my list of needed cycling gear is growing . . .

Always growing. Never shrinking. This is the real reason they always greet me with a smile at the LBS.

I think my helmets are in good shape but they're at least 6 years old so I just added "helmet" to my shopping list for May.

[Owlie]

If you you take a really good spill with your helmet, I heard it crack, should you replace it?

I can see keeping one for as long as a few years or so, but I'm wondering if mine is a goner.

I think the rule is that if you crash it, you should replace it, even if you didn't hear it crack. The fact that you heard it crack means that it's a goner. Please get a new one!

[nuliajuk]

I've always been told (in bike shops) to replace a helmet every five years. However, when I contacted Louis Garneau to ask about a seven year old L.G. helmet, they told me it should be fine. So, don't know what the answer is. Probably at least every 10 years.
I was riding with my sister through a park once, when she skidded out on some mud and cracked her helmet. By pure coincidence, there was a walkathon going on for a brain injury research charity in the same park on the same day. On the way back, she handed them her helmet to use for publicity purposes.

[kajero]

I crashed my bicycle two weeks ago. Wound up on the ground with 8 broken ribs, broken shoulder bone and collar bone. I was wearing a helmet and had a a small concussion. There was a small traumatic brain injury because I don't remember anything until I was in the hospital room. (And that was after the ambulance pickup) THANK GOD FOR HELMETS!!!!!!

Anyway, the helmet which was fours years old is being replaced. In fact, I hadn't picked up my new bike at the LBS yet and when I returned from therapy there was a new better quality helmet on my bed. I figure it was from the LBS as it it matches the new bike perfectly. I don't know if it was the LBS who actually bought the helmet, but you can be sure I will wear it! And I think I will replace it every other year.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT, WEAR A HELMET. YOU CAN ALWAYS REGRET WEARING IT.

[Owlie]

Mine's 3 years old, given the manufacturer's date sticker on the inside. I'm hoping to replace it this summer, partly because it's getting there, partly because I've lost the replacement pads (and it's getting funky) and partly because I've determined it to be the cause of my headaches--apparently I don't have a "Bell head."

[pll]

I crashed my bicycle two weeks ago. Wound up on the ground with 8 broken ribs, broken shoulder bone and collar bone. I was wearing a helmet and had a a small concussion. There was a small traumatic brain injury because I don't remember anything until I was in the hospital room. (And that was after the ambulance pickup) THANK GOD FOR HELMETS!!!!!!

Anyway, the helmet which was fours years old is being replaced. In fact, I hadn't picked up my new bike at the LBS yet and when I returned from therapy there was a new better quality helmet on my bed. I figure it was from the LBS as it it matches the new bike perfectly. I don't know if it was the LBS who actually bought the helmet, but you can be sure I will wear it! And I think I will replace it every other year.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT, WEAR A HELMET. YOU CAN ALWAYS REGRET WEARING IT.

Wow, kajero! I hope you recover fast. 8 broken ribs, shoulder and collarbone!! Ouch, ouch, ouch.

[Owlie]

I crashed my bicycle two weeks ago. Wound up on the ground with 8 broken ribs, broken shoulder bone and collar bone. I was wearing a helmet and had a a small concussion. There was a small traumatic brain injury because I don't remember anything until I was in the hospital room. (And that was after the ambulance pickup) THANK GOD FOR HELMETS!!!!!!

Anyway, the helmet which was fours years old is being replaced. In fact, I hadn't picked up my new bike at the LBS yet and when I returned from therapy there was a new better quality helmet on my bed. I figure it was from the LBS as it it matches the new bike perfectly. I don't know if it was the LBS who actually bought the helmet, but you can be sure I will wear it! And I think I will replace it every other year.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT, WEAR A HELMET. YOU CAN ALWAYS REGRET WEARING IT.

Wow. Ouchy. Heal up quick.