When do you change your helmet

[Little yellow Brompton]

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.

It's no different because polystyrene is polystyrene, cycle helmets were an off shoot of motorcycle helmet inners.
It doesn't because polystyrene is polystyrene, think about a tea cup, it doesn't get affected by the heat( within reason), you can stick salty water in it with no problem, and it 's not sucestible to photolysis . So why think that a helmet is any different?

 

[Boyfrom64]

Thanks to everyone for all your comments and thoughts. Interesting link yello and to read the recommendations of MET.
My own conclusion is that right now I will not be replacing my helmet as its only 2 years old and still in top condition. However, for what it will cost me to replace and for my own piece of mind, I will replace it within the next 18 months.

 

[yello]

So why think that a helmet is any different?

Because of things like this, from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership* ....

A crash helmet will have a life span of some 3 to 5 years, depending upon how regularly it is used. The intrusion of sweat into the lining and shock absorbing material will gradually degrade those materials, thereby reducing the protection performance of the helmet.

*

We are funded by Sussex Police and the three local highway authorities, East and West Sussex County Councils and Brighton and Hove City Council. Other partners include the Fire and Rescue Services from West and East Sussex, the Highways Agency and HM Courts’ Service

My point is not to dispute what you are saying (as I said, I don't know) but to highlight the commonality (and apparent authority) of the message to the contrary. Who does one believe?

 

[snorri]

IIt doesn't because polystyrene is polystyrene, think about a tea cup, it doesn't get affected by the heat( within reason), you can stick salty water in it with no problem, and it 's not sucestible to photolysis . So why think that a helmet is any different?

If you are occasionally sweating whisky out of your system as you cycle there could well be degradation of the polystyrene. Have you ever had to drink whisky from a polystyrene cup?

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

Because of things like this, from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership* ....


*

My point is not to dispute what you are saying (as I said, I don't know) but to highlight the commonality (and apparent authority) of the message to the contrary. Who does one believe?

Me!

 

[yello]

Me!

Ok. I'll pm you my paypal address

 

[Cycling Dan]

I change it when i stop liking it, either i think its now ugly or there is a better looking helmet on the market that i want.

 

[derrick]

When I see a jazzier one that takes my fancy.

Yep same here.