What to do with old helmets?
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 1,436
Bikes: 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520, 2006 Gary Fisher Montare
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 434 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
191 Posts
I tossed 2 Giro Aspects into the recycling bin. On both the adjustable head retention mechanism broke. They were 5 years old.
#27
Some Weirdo
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Rexburg, ID
Posts: 442
Bikes: '86 Maruishi Excellence, '86 Schwinn Prelude, '88 Cannondale SR2000, '74 C. Itoh "Racer"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 115 Times
in
72 Posts
I go caving about once or twice a year. Depending on the helmet shape, I use them without modification to protect my head from bangings. Newer road helmets (with the protrusion at the back) get cut/sawed/filed down to a round shape.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,375
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 Stumpjumper, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, and looking for a Brompton M6R
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 245 Post(s)
Liked 1,269 Times
in
372 Posts
I had some parts get crappy (the rubber got gooey) on the inner restraint system and found replacement parts on the internet. Im still using it. I got a couple of new helmets one oversized one for the winter so I can wear a wool hat under it. Some others I gave to charity. a couple I have tossed. It just depends on the condition.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 6,949
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 402 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 36 Times
in
26 Posts
I have two helmets that have been replaced with new models. There is technically nothing wrong with the helmets. They have never been in a crash. I just replaced them because the helmets were five plus years old and I wanted current technology.
Any recommendations on what to do with them? Or just throw them in the garbage as they've lived a good life.
What are you doing with your old helmets?
Any recommendations on what to do with them? Or just throw them in the garbage as they've lived a good life.
What are you doing with your old helmets?
Our Community Bikes | PEDAL Society ? Promoting bicycles as a healthy, affordable and environmentally sound form of transportation.
PEDAL Society | Our Community Bikes
2429 Main StreetVancouver, British Columbia
V5T 3E1
(604) 879-2453
info@pedalpower.org
#31
Junior Member
I leave one in the trunk for anyone that might forget his/hers for a group ride. Someone needed it about a month ago.
I started doing this after I showed up without mine once and ended up missing the ride.
I started doing this after I showed up without mine once and ended up missing the ride.
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,435
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 620 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
138 Posts
Thanks @Garfield Cat. I'll look in to that. Great suggestion.
#37
Senior Member
I don't get the "logic" that 5 year old helmets no longer work for the original owner but magically work if they are donated.
Given it's commonly understood that "old helmets are unsafe", it's also surprising that old helmets would be accepted as donations.
It's quite possible they are just thrown away.
Given it's commonly understood that "old helmets are unsafe", it's also surprising that old helmets would be accepted as donations.
It's quite possible they are just thrown away.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,628
Bikes: Road bike, Hybrid, Gravel, Drop bar SS, hard tail MTB
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1127 Post(s)
Liked 190 Times
in
140 Posts

#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,275
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1160 Post(s)
Liked 724 Times
in
507 Posts
Whenever I have a helmet I no longer trust I smash it up and put it in the garbage. I don't want anyone to use it thinking it's safe. I do the same with old worn out tires except I cut them in half.
Cheers
Cheers
Likes For Miele Man:
#40
jaywbee3
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southern New Hampshire
Posts: 63
Bikes: Surly LTH, Burley Duet, Trek 7300
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I work at a local bike collective and we get used helmets all the time. It is our practice not to give them out for 2 reasons, 1) we can not know if they have been in a crash unless there is visible damage, and 2) how do you clean a used helmet? There is the "ick" factor and also things like head lice. - any thoughts? I am curious what other bike collectives and community bike shops do with used helmets. FWIW - We have found a source of new helmets for under $10 that meet all of the crash and safety requirements.
#41
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,435
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 620 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
138 Posts
I don't get the "logic" that 5 year old helmets no longer work for the original owner but magically work if they are donated.
Given it's commonly understood that "old helmets are unsafe", it's also surprising that old helmets would be accepted as donations.
It's quite possible they are just thrown away.
Given it's commonly understood that "old helmets are unsafe", it's also surprising that old helmets would be accepted as donations.
It's quite possible they are just thrown away.
#42
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Rochdale UK
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
New to this forum, but I did see a rather splendid full face motorcycle helmet used as a hanging basket for flowers... trailing Fuschias I think.