When do you change your helmet

[Boyfrom64]

Assuming you have not damaged your helmet in any way or non of its parts have broken, how often do you swap it for a new one?
The reason I ask is that when I rode motorbikes, I would change my helmet every two years and next year it will be two years since I started riding road bikes - the purchase of my helmet.

 

[Winnershsaint]

Depends on how much you use it and how you treat it. Changed mine recently. Previous one was in an accident but I wasn't aware of any contact with the ground and helmet, but changed it to be on the safe side. That said it was nearly three years old and showing its age a bit so accident or no I would have changed it anyway.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

mtb - every couple of years or after a big stack whichever is sooner
road - every five years.

 

[Rob3rt]

When I see a jazzier one that takes my fancy.

 

[yello]

This seems to be another of those matters of opinion and opinion is more clear cut with motorcycle helmets. The foam stuff of motorcycle and cycle helmets is different, and the motorcycle stuff does degrade through time due to sweat, heat, light, whatever, etc.

Cycle helmet manufacturers say something like every 3 to 5 years but I've read some reports to say it's not necessary at all! Apparently the foam stuff does not degrade, being the same/similar to polystyrene cups.

I've not replaced my helmet (it's maybe 7 years old) and don't plan to. That said, it doesn't get worn that often.

My advice? If you'd feel more confident with a new helmet then buy yourself one. It's not a huge expense and I feel it's better not to have doubts.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

When I see a jazzier one that takes my fancy.

 

[yello]

When Should I Replace My Helmet?

from http://www.helmets.org/replace.htm

Newer helmets from the late 1980's and the 90's may or may not need replacement.

Occasionally somebody spreads rumors that sweat and ultraviolet (UV) exposure will cause your helmet to degrade. Sweat will not do that. The standards do not permit manufacturers to make a helmet that degrades from sweat, and the EPS, EPP or EPU foam is remarkably unaffected by salt water.

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.

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

. The foam stuff of motorcycle and cycle helmets is different, and the motorcycle stuff does degrade through time due to sweat, heat, light, whatever, etc.


.

No it's not and no it doesn't.

 

[yello]

Yes it is and yes it does

 

[DRHysted]

Yes it is and yes it does

+1

 

[yello]

To be fair to lyb, I don't know. I'm only repeating what I've been told by various motorcycle instructors (including coppers) over the years and what is the generally accepted amongst bikers. It's also still out there on the web as accepted truth but, for all I know, it's urban myth. I'm always prepared to question my own knowledge... should lyb want to be a little more forthcoming.

 

[Easytigers]

Unfortunately, I tend to sweat quite a bit when cycling so tend change mine when I can find my helmet by smell alone or when it just gets up and walks out on its own cos it can't deal with the smell!!!

 

[mickle]

I havent replaced my helmet since 1998. But I havent worn it since 2006 so thats ok.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Unfortunately, I tend to sweat quite a bit when cycling so tend change mine when I can find my helmet by smell alone or when it just gets up and walks out on its own cos it can't deal with the smell!!!

Wear a skull cap underneath it. The skull cap will absorb the sweat, then all you need to do is wash it now and again. Cheaper than replacing helmets.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Depends either how much credence you put by the perishability and how many minor bumps and knocks it takes OR what you wear it for. Mine is a place to put some high level lights, it gets replaced when something on it breaks. If I wore it to save my head it would probably be a more frequent turnover.