Helmet Suggestions

[helga]

Well, my head is still okay. My Specialized helmet is, however, broken on the right side in about three places. My question is whether or not there is a better/safer brand of helmet than my Specialized. I am more interested in the safety factor than the vent/appearance factors. I only ride on the street. Any suggestions?
Helga

[SadieKate]

It sounds like your helmet did it's job and we are all grateful!

Here might be a good place to start.

http://www.helmets.org/

[Adventure Girl]

Does Specialized still have a trade-in program for cracked helmets? Several years ago I crashed in a Specialized helmet. It was only a couple of months old. I went back to the LBS to pick a new one, and they told me that Specialized would cover the replacement on warranty. I got a new one for free! I don't know if they still do that, but it's worth asking!

[Nanci]

I've had good luck with Giro. Like saddles, they are kind of personal preference. I am wearing a Lonestar Atmos now- best-ever BD present from BF!
But have in the past been satisfied with a lesser model, who, after crashes too numerous to mention, takes a licking and keeps on ticking. (with no structural damage, of course!)

I think all helmets meet the same safety standards- what you pay for, after that, is lightness and number of vents.

Nanci

[tulip]

All helmets have to meet the same safety standards. I've hit my head hard and had to be airlifted out several years ago. When I went to replace my helmet, I tried on a bunch and got the most comfortable one. It's a Bell Ghisallo, but I didn't go in looking for a particular brand or model. Everyone's head is shaped differently. I like the dial-in feature on the back. It accommodates my hat in the winter.

[Dianyla]

Yeah, what they said. ^^ Just remember that an ill-fitting helmet can be unsafe, so as long as you get an ANSI rated helmet that fits you properly you'll be fine.

[Fuji Girl]

Helmets are definitely a personal thing. I like Giros better than Bells - they fit my head better. I have a Giro Skyla (has a little visor) for city riding and a Giro Eclipse for road riding. Giro has a helmet replacement policy where they'll replace your helmet for you if you get in a crash. Be sure to save your receipt though, because you'll need it for the warranty.

[helga]

It sounds like your helmet did it's job and we are all grateful!

Here might be a good place to start.

http://www.helmets.org/

Lots to read and consider. Thanks!
Helga

[Susan Otcenas]

But have in the past been satisfied with a lesser model, who, after crashes too numerous to mention, takes a licking and keeps on ticking. (with no structural damage, of course!)
Nanci

If you have a helmet that has been worn in a crash, I would encourage you to stop wearing it and replace it! Damage to helmets is NOT always visible. A helmet that's been worn in a crash is compromised, and may not adequately protect you if you take a hard fall like Helga's.

Helmets are costly, but cheap compared to the alternative.

Susan

[Duck on Wheels]

If you have a helmet that has been worn in a crash, I would encourage you to stop wearing it and replace it! Damage to helmets is NOT always visible. A helmet that's been worn in a crash is compromised, and may not adequately protect you if you take a hard fall like Helga's.

Helmets are costly, but cheap compared to the alternative.

Susan

Ditto to that. Your helmet did its job by falling apart. Like the crumple zones in cars that keep the energy of a crash out of the cab where you're sitting. Even if it hadn't broken, you now need a new one. Get one that fits right and feels right, so it's where it needs to be next time you (G-dess forbid) need it -- not slipped out of position, and not left back at home.

[mellic]

I am a mountain biker and in the last 3 years I have owned 5 different helmets - what can I say I fall on my head a lot. Unfortunately no matter what helmet you buy they all fracture on heavy impact to absorb the forces from the fall.

I personally prefer a helmet with hard casing covering most of the helmet as these have been a little bit more durable for me. These helmets cost a bit more but better to have the best possible protection for your head.

Most helmet manufacturers have a crash replacement warranty.

[fixedgeargirl]

I learned when shopping for a ski helmet that they come in different relative shapes, that is oval as compared to round. I may have this backward, but I believe that European heads, and thus most Euro brand ski helmets, are more oval and North American heads/helmets are more circular. I wonder if this is true of bike helmets?

[Grog]

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]

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]

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