What's a good helmet these days? I have a three+ year old Giro E2 which should be replaced. Another E2? I quite like the look of the extended back of head coverage of the Hex but I'm worried abut it being too hot for general riding around.
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why you should wear a bike helmet
- Thread starter wmmk
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Hope all is OK - I happen to see more and more children around 4th grade and up taking liberties and not wearing the helmet...peer pressure I guess. A helmet is always good - I heard of one biker I know going around a hill and a dog came out and WHAM! - the bike hit and he went flying - claimed the helmet save his life that day...
So I agree - wear the head gear.
So I agree - wear the head gear.
I wear a helmet on my bike all the time. Cycling around London has its many hazards as you can well imagine! Glad to hear you're on the mend though!
Sesshi said:
Giro's are nice, I personally use a Specialized helmet, just 'cause it was on sale. It's nice, but it could be lighter. I recommend looking at nashbar.com if you're in the market for a new helmet. They've got great prices for bike gear. Just don't get a Bell helmet, I've heard things. Things!
I wear a helmet when I ride my motorcycle, not when I ride my bicycle. I really don't ride my bicycle much, though, so I don't even own a cycling helmet. 
I personally have a Giro Encinal, light, nice looking and fits by unusually square skull comfortably. But i like the Bell Xens as they look better. Dont fit my head though.
Wear a helmet when cycling in London, it saved my life once. But more importantly, be a better cyclist (meaning dont jump red lights)
Wear a helmet when cycling in London, it saved my life once. But more importantly, be a better cyclist (meaning dont jump red lights)
wmmk said:
100% with you mate. Always wear a helmet, always. Although I still think there's a market for a slim, effective helmet - you can get some funky ones - Giro make good, good looking helmets. Most bike clubs won't let you ride with them unless you have a helmet too.
A guy I went to school with died by coming off his pedal bike at less than 30mph. He hit gravel, slid into the kerb, then went over the front handlebars head first into a concrete lamppost. If he'd been wearing a helmet he might have survived.
Wear a helmet, people. Your head isn't like a kidney. You don't have a spare.
And now I've done my impression of a public service announcement, I'm off to Starbucks.
Please wear a helmet. Even if you're the safest rider on the road, you can still be victim to the mistakes of others.
Wear a helmet, people. Your head isn't like a kidney. You don't have a spare.
And now I've done my impression of a public service announcement, I'm off to Starbucks.
Please wear a helmet. Even if you're the safest rider on the road, you can still be victim to the mistakes of others.
Glad you're okay, wmmk! Those types of accidents can be scary, and deadly, so you're very lucky.
Back in high school, before helmets were widely used (this was over 20 years ago), I was out riding on the outskirts of town. I was on a fairly busy road and had moved over to the shoulder to make way for some cars. When I went to get back onto the road, my tire got caught in a rut, twisted sideways, and I flipped over the front of my bike while going about 15 or 20 miles per hour (speedometers in those days were also less accurate). I was lucky that I didn't break anything because I was several miles from home.
It was a joy riding back home with blood running down my arm from several cuts on my shoulder, back, and arm, though.
Back in high school, before helmets were widely used (this was over 20 years ago), I was out riding on the outskirts of town. I was on a fairly busy road and had moved over to the shoulder to make way for some cars. When I went to get back onto the road, my tire got caught in a rut, twisted sideways, and I flipped over the front of my bike while going about 15 or 20 miles per hour (speedometers in those days were also less accurate). I was lucky that I didn't break anything because I was several miles from home.
It was a joy riding back home with blood running down my arm from several cuts on my shoulder, back, and arm, though.
geese said:
I'm with you on that one - probably a major reason why car drivers hate cyclists; and I hate getting the same treatment.
I wear a full face helmet, but it does get hot in summer so I switch to my Bell standard helmet.
I know its meant for downhill racing, but it saves your face as well as just your skull
Osarkon said:Also tests showed that motorists drive a lot nearer to cyclists who don't have helmets on to compare with those that do.
A helmet every day keeps the cars away
I think it was the other way round - car drivers felt safer driving closer to someone with a helmet (cos it wouldn't matter so much if they hit them??)
harveypooka said:
I've never heard of that. Do you have more info on it? If it's anything to keep car exhaust outta my lungs, I'd be interested!
bgd said:
Quite right! If you really want to stir up the hornets amongst cyclists in the UK then mention helmets. The pro/anti camps are equally vehement and can both quote endless statistics for and against.
BTW, I cycle everywhere + go touring & regular training & don't wear one. Nothing evangelistic about it, just my choice (at the moment). If it makes you feel safer, especially if you're new to cycling, then go for it.
I've always thought that bike helmets looked kind of stupid but I wear it anyway. I figure I'd look a lot more stupid having a serious brain injury, then having to wear a diaper and have someone spoon feed me for the rest of my life. Wear a helmet.
I tend to avoid riding in areas that don't have bike trails or bike lanes to lessen the chances of me getting hit by a car.
I tend to avoid riding in areas that don't have bike trails or bike lanes to lessen the chances of me getting hit by a car.
andrew050703 said:
I've also seen that data...can't remember where though. The same thing holds true for cyclists wearing biking clothes...you look like you know what you're doing, so cars don't give you as much space. So put your jersey and bike shorts away, and look as amateur as you can!
I've got an old Giro helmet, but recently got a new Rudy Project one...to match my bike of course.
Osarkon said:Also tests showed that motorists drive a lot nearer to cyclists who don't have helmets on to compare with those that do.
A helmet every day keeps the cars away
andrew050703 said:
You were right Andrew http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=24362
I always wear a helmet if I'm on my mountain bike or cyclo crosser, it's too easy to fall off riding off road. I occasionally ride on the road without one if it is very hot as I suffer with overheating, even though my helmet seems to have more vents than helmet.
Luckily I live in the UK and it's rarely very hot
glad to hear you are mostly ok from the crash, and I hope your few injurys heal quickly and dont give you too much trouble. It is very good that you were wearing a helmet!
About 10 years ago my mom was riding w/o a helmet (on a bike trail where she thought she was safe to not wear a helmet b/c there were no cars) well my mom was about to pass a roller blader and shouted 'on your left' The roller blader either didnt hear or wasn't paying attention and moved over right in front of my mom (the roller blader was avoiding dirt on the trail!) My mom slammed on the breaks to her bike to avoid the roller blader but she hit the breaks so hard she went right over the handle bars onto the concrete. Ended up with a concussion and lost 30% of her hearing, permanently!
I have always worn a helmet. Ive been mountain biking since I was about 12 and always 'pushing the limits' so I have crashed a number of times. In the past two years that I've been road biking I have been hit by a car once(got some bruises, scrapes and a tacoed wheel (I surprisingly landed on my feet (I think from all the crash practice I have had mountain biking!) , but fortunately have not fallen or had a crash yet! I am still waiting for a good crash on my road bike, but I ride somewhat timidly b/c I still think the tires are too skinny!!!! (lol!!)
so yeah, wear a helmet!
About 10 years ago my mom was riding w/o a helmet (on a bike trail where she thought she was safe to not wear a helmet b/c there were no cars) well my mom was about to pass a roller blader and shouted 'on your left' The roller blader either didnt hear or wasn't paying attention and moved over right in front of my mom (the roller blader was avoiding dirt on the trail!) My mom slammed on the breaks to her bike to avoid the roller blader but she hit the breaks so hard she went right over the handle bars onto the concrete. Ended up with a concussion and lost 30% of her hearing, permanently!
I have always worn a helmet. Ive been mountain biking since I was about 12 and always 'pushing the limits' so I have crashed a number of times. In the past two years that I've been road biking I have been hit by a car once(got some bruises, scrapes and a tacoed wheel (I surprisingly landed on my feet (I think from all the crash practice I have had mountain biking!) , but fortunately have not fallen or had a crash yet! I am still waiting for a good crash on my road bike, but I ride somewhat timidly b/c I still think the tires are too skinny!!!! (lol!!)
so yeah, wear a helmet!
wow! great to see that so many of you are helmet wearers!
also, thanks forthe sympathy about my own accident. today was my first day back at school, and I survived! life is pretty nice when gym is replaced by a 40 minute study hall (extra time to do homework at school+more energy to work fast at home!)
BTW, what are the laws about wearing bike helmets where you live? i'd be curious to know.
also, thanks forthe sympathy about my own accident. today was my first day back at school, and I survived! life is pretty nice when gym is replaced by a 40 minute study hall (extra time to do homework at school+more energy to work fast at home!)
BTW, what are the laws about wearing bike helmets where you live? i'd be curious to know.
wmmk said:
California Vehicle Code 21212(a) says that everyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while on bikes, scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades/skates on public streets, paths, or trails.