|   How long do you keep a helmet? | Sprocketeer
Aug 15, 2003 6:20 AM | | I used to ride in traffic in both New York and Boston, so I'm pretty used to keeping my head from bashing into anything in a crash. So it is that, despite many crashes and even a concussion, though I have scars up and down the rest of my body, my helmet still doesn't have a scratch on it. You could put it on a store shelf and convincingly sell it as new.
How long do you keep a helmet before buying a new one even if it's just fine? Maybe my helmet is lucky and I should keep using it for that reason. I'd really like one that fits better and has those CoolMax pads, but short of purposely cracking it, there's a rare chance that it will actually crack, so I can't justify springing for a new one. |
| re: How long do you keep a helmet? | Spain
Aug 15, 2003 7:29 AM | | I've always understood that a helmet should be replaced after taking a major hit even if there is no visible damage. Mountaineering helmets, for instance, should be replaced after taking a substantial (say rock) hit. The reason? Supposedly structural damage can occur that is not visible simply by looking at the helmet. Don't know how true that really is, but in the name of safety, I'd probably follow the advice. Who knows? Could be something helmet manufacturers concocted in order to spur sales, but again, I'd play it safe. If your helmet is pretty old and has taken some major hits in the past, you may want to replace it. Hey, at least you've got a good excuse to get a cool new bucket. Good luck. |
| re: How long do you keep a helmet? | Duff
Aug 15, 2003 7:33 AM | | Giro says after a hard crash whether or not you can actually see damage or after three years. |
| of course they do | Yeti_Rider
Aug 15, 2003 7:44 AM | | they want to sell more helmets |
| If you have proof of purchase or registered the helmet... | Bonee
Aug 15, 2003 7:53 AM | | I believe either Bell or Giro will replace a damaged helmet either free of charge or for a nominal fee. A buddy of mine crashed hard a few years back (broken collar bone, concussion) and the helmet cracked. I believe he said it was replaced for free, but not positive. The drawback was it took about 4 weeks to get the replacement, but then again, with a broken collar bone he wasn't doing too much riding. |
| I cracked a Bell | Yeti_Rider
Aug 15, 2003 7:58 AM | | a few years ago and it was cheaper just to get a new one from Supergo than to pay the crash replacement fee.
Most of the crash replacement policies I've seen are just a percentage off of a new helmet price (usually they're selling it to the consumer at wholesale prices so the makers still earn the same amount per helmet) and with closeout sales it's still cheaper to buy a new one.
But, I haven't seen all of the policies so I'm only speaking about Bell for sure.
Michael |
| I usually keep mine for 2 maybe 3 years.... | Squash
Aug 15, 2003 7:42 AM | | or until I get tired of it. Unless I really like the helmet I rarely keep them more than 3. Usually by that time they are beat up enough, scratched and/or dented enough to warrant replacement. That being said, I just finally retired a 1999 Giro Hammer Head. It was one of the best fitting helmets I've ever owned. So I hung onto it until I found another that fit as well. Settled on 03 Giro Havoc. I know that people seem to recommend that you replace a helmet every 2 years because the foam wears out or what ever, and the helmet won't protect your head properly. In my experience that isn't so. The reason I had to go with the 99 Hammer Head was a crash that resulted in the cracking (as it did it's job of protecting my mellon) of a 96 Bell Image Pro. That was the first year they did the in-molded shell. Anyway, I'd say if you want to, replace the old helmet. If you're tired of it that's a good enough excuse. Otherwise run with it. I wouldn't keep one much past 3 years personally. My get pretty rough looking by that time.
Good Dirt |
| I just replaced my Hammerhead | Yeti_Rider
Aug 15, 2003 7:45 AM | | but I think it was a '00 model.
Good helmets
Michael |
| the skinny | Yeti_Rider
Aug 15, 2003 7:56 AM | | on replacing a helmet is that it chould be done if the helmet takes a direct hit OR after 2-3 years of normal use.
Replacing it after a direct hit even though there may not be any visible damage is important not because there may be unseen structural damage (although this can be the case) but becasue the cushioning of hte polystyrene is compromised. Polystyrene (styrofoam) doesn't bounce back. Once it's compressed, it's done it's job and cannot do it again. So, if you take a hit the polystyrene absorbs the impact just like it's supposed to do. Problem is that you cannot take another hit because that area on the helmet is essentially a dead spot.
True, even minor hits will cuase the same problem but to a lesser degree so you're still getting some protection from the foam.
The reason you should replace it every 2 to 3 years is because of all the minor hits your helmet took in that time that you didn't replace it for. Include all the banging takes just in every day life (smacking it on the ground when you take it off, tossing it onto the floor of hte garage after the ride, etc.) and all the minor crashes where your head touched the ground as reasons why the foam may be compromised even if the helmet still looks good.
Finally, ozone, smog, and ultra-violet radiation (sunlight) all degrade Polystyrene. So, even if the only sunlight your helmet sees is on the rides, if you keep it in your garage it's getting a whole lot of CO (primary ingredient of smog) exposure and if you live in the greater Los Angeles area the air is thick enough to cut with a spoon on many days.
So, that's why it's important to replace the helmet but you certainly don't need to replace it as often or after every crash like the manufactures say. They are in the helmet selling business so they want you to buy one more often. It's sort of like shampoo. the directions say to rinse, lather, repeat. Does anybody follow these instructions?
The biggest reasons I just replaced mine were that it was getting well into it's third year of service and as a result it wasn't really smelling too well. even with regular rinses in a bucket of soapy water, the odor was just getting a bit too much!
One other misconception about helmets is that a more expensive one will offer better protection. This is a fallacy propogated by inexperienced shop personell. A cheap helmet has passed the same testing that a more expensive helmet. Each helmet is tested by ANSI and/or by SNELL and each helmet sold must meet minimum testing requirements. That means that a 20 dollar helmet has passed the same protection as a 150 dollar helmet. The benefit of the expensive helmets are
A) it probably is more comfortable
B) it offers better adjustments
C) it may offer better pad placement
D) offers more vents so better cooling
E) lighter
F) to a lesser degree, it may be more overdesigned to exceed the minimum standards but not necessarily.
Michael |
| the fatty | cw
Aug 15, 2003 8:23 AM | | That's excellent advice.
I too have retired helmets that didn't have any major damage, and always have a hard time justifying it, but I'll just add this-
- Each helmet I've owned has been more comfortable than the one it replaced. Definitely cooler, and probably lighter too.
- The one and only time in the last 10 years that I actually needed the helmet was a crash bad enough that I cracked a rib, my helmet was in many pieces, and my bike was in a small tree (branches in the main triangle were actually suspending it off the ground), but my noggin was fine.
- Not one, but two friends have tangled with cars and lost - one limped home, and the other took an ambulance ride, and ended up with a bunch of pins in his shoulder. Both wearing helmets, neither had head injuries.
It's kinda strange that people will drop 3k on a bike, then balk at the $30 helmet (that's not a dig - we all do it) |
| same Bell helmet since 1996 | KL
Aug 15, 2003 8:10 AM | | I just replace the padding as-needed. I'm not concerned with the latest and greatest, the helmet fits well and does its job. But, I've had 2 good crashes where I've struck the ground with my head and I'm thinking about getting a new one this fall despite no visual cracks.
KL |
| good idea | cw
Aug 15, 2003 8:29 AM | | If it's hit the ground, it's a good idea to replace it. I too really like the fit of the bells, and have owned many. |
| A lot of helmet baloney around...... | Chester
Aug 15, 2003 9:49 AM | | Loads of myths about helmets is floating around...
You can't count on the clerk at the LBS to know the facts...
Like UV damaging the protection.....mostly a myth...
Read this from the BHSI (Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute)
Somebody is spreading rumors that sweat and Ultraviolet exposure will cause your helmet to degrade. Sweat will not do that. The standards do not permit you to make a helmet that degrades from sweat, and the EPS, EPP or EPU foam is remarkably unaffected by salt water. Your helmet will get a terminal case of grunge before it dies of sweat. UV can affect the strength of the shell material, though. Manufacturers put UV inhibitors in the plastic for their shells that control UV degradation. If your helmet is fading, maybe the UV inhibitors are failing, so you might consider replacing it. Chances are it has seen an awful lot of sun to have that happen. Otherwise, try another brand next time and let us know what brand faded on you.
At least one shop told a customer that the EPS in his three year old helmet was now "dried out." That is highly unlikely, unless the EPS is placed in an oven for some period of time and baked. The interior of your car, for example, will not do that, based on helmets we have seen and at least one lab crash test of a helmet always kept in a car in Virginia over many summers. EPS is a long-lived material little affected by normal environmental factors. Unless you mistreat it we would not expect it to "dry out" enough to alter its performance for many years.
In sum, we don't find the case for replacing a helmet that meets the ASTM or Snell standards that compelling if the helmet is still in good shape and fits you well.
For loads of articles about helmets from the BHSI you can look here..
http://www.bhsi.org/replace.htm
http://www.bhsi.org/index.htm
Me, after reading everything, I'm still riding with my 6/94 Giro Hammerhead. I just replace the pads every year to keep the smell down. Then again I'm not taking many head shots with my type of riding. My only complaint is that my older helmet could use a bit more airflow like the new ones...
Unless you take hits....you don't need a new helmet every 2-3 years.
That is just silly advice passed on by people trying to sell new helmets.
Chester |
| Yeah, it's cheap if you can stand the taste. Kinda salty! (nm) | Spain
Aug 15, 2003 9:57 AM | | |
| When you cant stand the stink(smell)..hehehe nm | moab63
Aug 15, 2003 9:50 AM | | |
| Bell charges $35 to replace a damaged helmet. [nm] | RaveOn
Aug 15, 2003 11:13 AM | | 4 s/h |
| disposable | sweathog
Aug 15, 2003 12:30 PM | | Yeah, this year I exchanged an Influx and an X-ray, $30 or $35 plus shipping - soon after that Nashbar had both models for $40. Might as well just buy new. Really, if it gets stinky or you get tired of the color, just get a new one. The protection, as they say, is priceless. And each year's models get lighter and more comfortable. |
| My helmet is a 2000 Selev Alien, used about 5000 miles. | Sprocketeer
Aug 15, 2003 11:29 PM | | I live in Japan by the way folks (though I'm American). My helmet is a Selev Alien 2000 model, and I've worn it for about 5000 miles--since 2001 when I bought it on clearance for about $80. It's only been through one real hard crash, but it's taken on more than a few low hanging branches in it's day. I don't think you have Salev (Saliev?) in the States. It's a "professional" helmet, made in Italy, 22 or 24 vents (I forget), bonded candy shell, and all that. The pads are crap compared to those on a cheap Giro in terms of comfort, and the strap doesn't exactly provide a custom fit--but overall the helmet fits well and has served me well.
I ride year round, in all kinds of weather--typhoons and light snow included. The sun in August here is legendary. Herman Melville probably described it best in Moby Dick. It's nasty.
So it's fair to say that besides the one crash, it's taken quite a lot of abuse from nature.
I suppose foam doesn't hold up well to year round riding--though it looks fine. |
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