Cycle helmet advice needed please

[louise]

Right the bikes on order and I have dug my helmet out however I relise that it is about 9 years old, its a raleigh missile x2 and I wonder if I should buy a new one as technology had improved and to be honest I wonder if it would give me much protection anyway as I put on and nutted the wall an it felt that it didn't give me a great deal of protection my poor brain still felt pretty shook up

 

[byegad]

You've started one here louise! The great helmet debate will enter its nth round soon on these pages.
Before it starts I'd say first a helmet is designed to protect you if you fall off your bike. That is you stop at the traffic lights and fall toward the curb and hit your head on the kerb edge.
It is not meant or able to protect your head if you are hit by a car with a collision speed over about 12mph. For that you nee a Motorcycle helmet and if you try one on and then remember that motorcyclists sit still and shiver and cyclist don't and sweat you'll see that is not a practical way to ride.
Your 9 year old helmet is probably OK if it has been stored for most of the time in the dark, UV light amages the outer shell. Nutting the wall may have weakened it too, it depends how hard you nutted it!
I wear a helmet very ocassionally and more for warmth than protection, there again I now ride mostly on country roads and when I was commuting, into town, I wore one every trip.
If I were you I'd buy a new one.

 

[marinyork]

Technology hasn't moved on. Helmets don't really protect you at all other than very idealised low speed linear collisions. They might help you not scratch your head and if a yob throws a bottle at your head at high speed. Other than that by all means get a new one but I wouldn't spend a great deal on it.

 

[monnet]

Technology hasn't moved on. Helmets don't really protect you at all other than very idealised low speed linear collisions. They might help you not scratch your head and if a yob throws a bottle at your head at high speed. Other than that by all means get a new one but I wouldn't spend a great deal on it.

And so the debate starts.

Actually, I'm pro choice on helmets. I wear one, I'm not going to get on a high horse about other wearing one though. But I do take issue with the 'idealised low speed linear collisions' point.

I was recently the victim of an assault (long story but I was pushed off my bike by someone on a scooter). It certainly wasn't idealised and at around 18mph, I wouldn't say it was low speed either. After being shoved off, I inspected my various grazes (including to the face) then I checked the helmet. It was smashed right through at the temple. Maybe it saved my life, maybe not but I'm glad the helmet took the brunt rather than my temple.

That all said, I accept that a helmet will be as much use as a chocolate teapot in collision with a vehicle (esp a bus or artic.).

 

[marinyork]

And so the debate starts.

Actually, I'm pro choice on helmets. I wear one, I'm not going to get on a high horse about other wearing one though. But I do take issue with the 'idealised low speed linear collisions' point.

I was recently the victim of an assault (long story but I was pushed off my bike by someone on a scooter). It certainly wasn't idealised and at around 18mph, I wouldn't say it was low speed either. After being shoved off, I inspected my various grazes (including to the face) then I checked the helmet. It was smashed right through at the temple. Maybe it saved my life, maybe not but I'm glad the helmet took the brunt rather than my temple.

That all said, I accept that a helmet will be as much use as a chocolate teapot in collision with a vehicle (esp a bus or artic.).

Don't jump to conclusions. I'm pro-choice too. I was also the victim of an assault not so long ago, a youth throwing a glass bottle at high speed at my head. It dented the helmet and bounced off.

 

[wyno70]

I used to occasionally wear a helmet, on and off really. This time last year, I came off my road bike at somewhere between 20 and 25 mph, sufficient impact with the tarmac to break 2 ribs (although I didn't know it at the time). Anyway, I carried on with my ride, got home (not realising I had cracked my head on the road too), and took my helmet off.

I was shocked to find the side of the helmet, seriously scuffed and one of the 'ribs' across the top of the helmet cracked. What it would have done to my head had I not been wearing it, I don't know but I do know it would have hurt a lot more than it did!! The only reason I had it on was that it was damn cold.

Needless to say, I ALWAYS wear a helmet now. I don't preach to anyone, it's individual choice but, if I was you, I'd probably get a new one and I'd make sure I wear it!!

 

[byegad]

I fell off my bike on ice some years ago. I was not wearing a helmet and I didn't bang my head. I repeated the accident two years ago on the same corner. Now I know no two accidents are the same but a front wheel slide on ice as you pull out of a junction is as good a comparison as I am willing to risk!
The second time I was wearing my helmet and it was damaged, not badly but enough.
My other injuries were a skinned elbow and bruising to my hip IN BOTH ACCIDENTS. I suspect but cannot prove that the greater diameter of the helmet meant it hit the road where my head didn't some years before.
I can't prove this but I'm sick of reading accounts similar to my second accident claiming the helmet 'saved' some sort of injury. The bottom line is a helmet MIGHT save you form harm. There is some research that indicates a twisting moment (possibly causing severe brain damage) MAY be made much worse if you wear a helmet.
What is proved is that compulsory helmet laws reduce cycle use and so make the roads more dangerous for the remaining cyclists. Add to this the risks of taking no exercise in those who no longer cycle and compulsion is not a good move.

 

[Randochap]

Buy a new helmet. The old one is past its due date and has been "used." New helmets also have superior adjusment/stabilization systems.

 

[colly]

I wear a helmet some of the time. Not always because on warm, sunny, clear mornings it is just an encumbrance.

However I am always being urged to wear one by my nearest and dearest, which I suppose is reasonable because they would be the ones carrying the burden, at least in part, if I were to end up seriously disabled through head injury.

I, like so many here, was in an accident where my helmet certainly took the brunt of the fall. (landed on the back of my head after somersaulting over the bonnet and roof of a car) The helmet broke, I didn't.

If you intend to use a helmet I would get a new one . 25 or 30 quid should be enough.

 

[yello]

Yep, if you want to wear a helmet then do as randochap says. It's straight forward and wise advice.

There are strongly held and differing opinions as to whether a helmet is any good so you'll really have to make your own mind up on that one. But it is fair to say that your current helmet would be little, if any, use. A modern helmet will also offer better ventilation and, probably, comfort.

 

[Steve Austin]

Buy a new one. The more you spend, the better ventilated and better fitting it will be.

lots of companies do a decent warranty replacement too. I know Giro do, they replace my helmet every year or so for £30, so i would look for a warranty replacement policy.
And buy a nice bright colour

 

[ufkacbln]

Sadly the standards have been dumbed down!

Most helmets the age of yours offered more protection than todays.

EN1078 which is required for sale in the UK is one of the weakest tests and does not require a high standard to pass.

If you wish to wear a helmet try and find one that fits, feels comfortable and if possible is "Snell" certified.

Even sadder is that many lower priced helmets offer more protection than the "top of the range".

A Snell certified helmet can be picked up for about £25 - 30, whilst some f the £100 plus do not reach this standard. The increased ventilation meand less absorbent material thus compromising the protection.

 

[louise]

Thanks so much for your advice

I have had a chat with my sister tonight and they are buying me a new one for Christmas, I have sent them a link to Evans Cycles and told them to get one which is Snell approved.

I don't intend to test my new one by nutting the wall!

 

[Danny]

Right the bikes on order and I have dug my helmet out however I relise that it is about 9 years old, its a raleigh missile x2 and I wonder if I should buy a new one as technology had improved and to be honest I wonder if it would give me much protection anyway as I put on and nutted the wall an it felt that it didn't give me a great deal of protection my poor brain still felt pretty shook up

If you still have doubts about whether a helmet offers some protection, I would suggest you repeat your experiment without wearing one. I look forward to reading your report on the outcome

Your old helmet should be fine if it hasn't been used much and/or hasn't taken any serious knocks. If in doubt, I would replace it.

Agree that you should go for a Snell certified helmet. As far as I know Specialized make the only ones that are readily available in the UK, but you may be able to find others on the Snell website.

 

[yello]

Your old helmet should be fine if it hasn't been used much.

I'd disagree with that. It's my understanding that the foam has a limited lifespan, regardless of usage. Some manufacturers say 3 years.