Strangulation by helmet

[automatic_jon]

I've been seeing a lot on here recently about helmets and how incredibly important it is to wear them. I have one of these, it was the best fit I found but it still doesn't fit as securely as my motorbike helmet used to. The main problem is that while I'm puffing and panting my way up Portsdown hill (which is essentially cliffs) the helmet strap is doing it's best to kill me, a better job I feel than the traffic is doing. I can feel it seeming to get tighter, cutting off my air supply at a time when I find myself needing more of it rather than less!

If I loosen the strap the helmet is in danger of coming off as I move my head but it's unwearable as it is, what am I doing wrong. I've adjusted the sides as the instruction leaflet told me to but still the helmet seems to be made for people with jaws of a different configuration to my human mouth.
Either that or it's deliberately trying to kill me... I don't trust it.

 

[Garz]

The triangular point where the strap meets should be just under your ear-lobe. Once I was happy with that the rest adjusts much more comfortably. I do agree though people have different shaped heads which is why some wont always fit proper.

 

[purplepolly]

I have one of these, it was the best fit I found

Did you try one with a geared harness inside to adjust the fit?

 

[Dave5N]

Two fingers.

You should be able to get two fingers under the strap.

 

[HJ]

I've been seeing a lot on here recently about helmets and how incredibly important it is to wear them. I have one of these, it was the best fit I found but it still doesn't fit as securely as my motorbike helmet used to. The main problem is that while I'm puffing and panting my way up Portsdown hill (which is essentially cliffs) the helmet strap is doing it's best to kill me, a better job I feel than the traffic is doing. I can feel it seeming to get tighter, cutting off my air supply at a time when I find myself needing more of it rather than less!

If I loosen the strap the helmet is in danger of coming off as I move my head but it's unwearable as it is, what am I doing wrong. I've adjusted the sides as the instruction leaflet told me to but still the helmet seems to be made for people with jaws of a different configuration to my human mouth.
Either that or it's deliberately trying to kill me... I don't trust it.

No, it is a total waste of money, please check the facts first, try cyclehelmets.org, or do you have a financial interest in selling helmets??

 

[purplepolly]

No, it is a total waste of money, please check the facts first, try cyclehelmets.org, or do you have a financial interest in selling helmets??

The topic of conversation is fitting a cycle helmet, not how to start another 27 page discussion on cycle helmet effectiveness

 

[HJ]

Just cut the straps, throw it away, stop being frightened and enjoy living...

Cycling is supposed to be fun!!

 

[purplepolly]

NOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo











LALALALlalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala can't hear you

 

[rich p]

The chances of you coming of at 5 MPH on a hill that steep are slim, so you could safely loosen it at the bottom anyway and re-attach it at the summit.

 

[ufkacbln]

There is evidence that poorly fitted helmets will come off in an accident and hence not work. There is also a suggestion that modern helmets are of a poor design that also encourages them to come off without carrying out their prime purpose.

Having made the decision to wear a helmet, you need to get the fit right, usually the LBS would do this at point of sale, but internet shopping makes this more difficult.

Wear the helmet and get someone else to tighten/ loosen / move the straps for you as thisis far more accurate than the trial and error method of doing it yourself.

 

[snorri]

The topic of conversation is fitting a cycle helmet, not how to start another 27 page discussion on cycle helmet effectiveness

I think the op was inviting a bit of teasing in his first sentence, it would have been rude to let it pass.

 

[MacB]

You need to get a proper helmet fitting and insist on a carbon/titanium blend, lesser materials just won't do it. It's expensive, fitting and helmet approx £3k, but you know it makes sense. They don't actually offer any guarantees but, those of us in the know recognise that, nothing that expensive could be ineffectual.

But you don't want to look like a numpty so, once helmet is ready, you need to visit a quality hairdressers. They can cut and style your hair so that it fits smoothly into the vents on the helmet. Thus you can don, and remove, your new helmet, and your hairstyle remains unaltered.....simples

 

[Scoosh]

I've been seeing a lot on here recently about helmets and how incredibly important it is to wear them. I have one of these, it was the best fit I found but it still doesn't fit as securely as my motorbike helmet used to. The main problem is that while I'm puffing and panting my way up Portsdown hill (which is essentially cliffs) the helmet strap is doing it's best to kill me, a better job I feel than the traffic is doing. I can feel it seeming to get tighter, cutting off my air supply at a time when I find myself needing more of it rather than less!

If I loosen the strap the helmet is in danger of coming off as I move my head but it's unwearable as it is, what am I doing wrong. I've adjusted the sides as the instruction leaflet told me to but still the helmet seems to be made for people with jaws of a different configuration to my human mouth.
Either that or it's deliberately trying to kill me... I don't trust it.

Bicycle helmets generally don't fit as 'securely' as motorcycle helmets, which are much more 'all-encompassing'. However, they should fit so that when you shake your head side-to-side, the helmet moves with you, not stays in place while your head wobbles away under it .

Most cycle helmets these days have a plastic 'spider web' with an adjustment at the back - turn it one way and it tightens up, t'other way and it loosens. This should be adjusted to be comfortable - not too tight nor too loose - then try the 'head shake' bit already mentioned. As has so correctly been mentioned (Dave5N), a bit of space under the chin strap is important - and more comfortable ... and getting someone else to assist (Cunobelin) is easier too. Your LBS should do/have done this for you.


You may have gathered that the topic of wearing/not wearing a helmet is one which produces responses which are pretty firmly held .

HOWEVER, as your request was for some useful information on how to wear your helmet more comfortably, I submit this response in the hope that it will help to answer your question, not confuse your issue !

 

[Stephenite]

Nip into the local bike shop and ask (with a loud voice) if they wouldnt mind taking a look at your helmet.

Failing that: do you know anyone else with a helmet? Ask to see theirs. And, maybe, try it for size.

Then you could go on to explain how you've been choking on helmets while riding uphill.

Sorry, mate, i'm bored as i've done my back in and cant ride the bike. Helmets these days usually have a tightening mechanism incorporated into the (sparse) netting inside the helmet. Usually a wheel at the back.

 

[BentMikey]

I seem to recall comments on how some of the more aggressively styled helmets had to be gaffer taped onto the headform for helmet tests, else the helmet would come off. Their own strap system wasn't good enough to hold it on, LOL!