When to Replace a Helmet?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 21
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
When to Replace a Helmet?
Back in October, I was turning onto a path via a curb cut, but I was going too fast and my front wheel slid out from under me. I scraped my hand and chin, and my knee was bruised and swollen. As I landed on my shoulder, my head flopped to the side and gently *tapped* the concrete.
If I hadn’t been wearing a helmet, my head would not have touched the ground. The force with which my head and helmet touched the ground felt equivalent to bumping your head on a desk as you bend down to pick up a pencil--you’re surprised, but not hurt. I didn’t lose consciousness or have neck pain, and my helmet has no visible scratches or scuffs.
I’ve heard and read helmets should be replaced after a crash--but what’s the degree of severity? Are there any rules-of-thumb e.g. if the helmet was scuffed from the impact, get a new helmet? The force with which my head touched the ground didn’t feel hard or severe, but is that because the helmet absorbed the impact? Do I need a new helmet?
If I hadn’t been wearing a helmet, my head would not have touched the ground. The force with which my head and helmet touched the ground felt equivalent to bumping your head on a desk as you bend down to pick up a pencil--you’re surprised, but not hurt. I didn’t lose consciousness or have neck pain, and my helmet has no visible scratches or scuffs.
I’ve heard and read helmets should be replaced after a crash--but what’s the degree of severity? Are there any rules-of-thumb e.g. if the helmet was scuffed from the impact, get a new helmet? The force with which my head touched the ground didn’t feel hard or severe, but is that because the helmet absorbed the impact? Do I need a new helmet?
#2
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,525
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4357 Post(s)
Liked 3,995 Times
in
2,666 Posts
It is your head, if you think a helmet you have crashed in is safe, then that is on you. I wouldn't wear a helmet that has been impacted. If I had an x-ray machine I might change my tune but I don't have that kind of money or need for radiation.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,725
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5792 Post(s)
Liked 2,582 Times
in
1,432 Posts
While there's no gaurranty, one should feel free to use some common sense and judgement. For example, I wonder how many people who drop their helmets, immediately replace them.
Obviously, if there's visible damage, like a crush zone in the foam, or a crack or deep scratch in the shell, one would err to the side of caution. However, absent some evidence of damage, one should be able to assume that whatever happened falls within the area of general wear and tear that helmets are built to withstand.
Obviously, if there's visible damage, like a crush zone in the foam, or a crack or deep scratch in the shell, one would err to the side of caution. However, absent some evidence of damage, one should be able to assume that whatever happened falls within the area of general wear and tear that helmets are built to withstand.
#4
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,810 Times
in
3,318 Posts
If you see damage, replace it. As for anything else, assess whether you think it worth risking. There are some good helmets out there for not a lot of money. Well worth it compared to the cost of a visit to the ER.
Likes For Iride01:
#5
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,366
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,220 Times
in
2,367 Posts
If your head is in the helmet when it hits the ground, replace it. It’s done its job. If you drop your helmet and your head isn’t in it, keep it. If your drop your helmet with your head in it…well you have a whole different set of problems.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Likes For cyccommute:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,584 Times
in
2,344 Posts
how's your shoulder?
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 21
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Better, thank you for asking. My knee took most of the impact and nearly eight months after the fall, my knee is still stiff and l have a pea-sized lump on my kneecap.
Excellent advice. I'm going to write this on the side of my helmet.
Excellent advice. I'm going to write this on the side of my helmet.
Likes For emdub:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,584 Times
in
2,344 Posts
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 313
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 421 Post(s)
Liked 379 Times
in
279 Posts
I know I'm opening a can of worms here, but does anyone have recommendations on this? Of course, it depends on what you consider "not a lot of money." And, I'm nowhere near helmet shopping soon, as far as I know, but the day will come again...
#10
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,810 Times
in
3,318 Posts
https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicyc...t-ratings.html
There are quite a few that are 5 star rated helmets at $80 or even less. And likely a lot of 4 star for less. As I said before and IMO, the difference between the high and low ratings isn't really much and the difference between a 4 star and a 5 star much less.
Regardless, any helmet is better than no helmet. I see people riding bikes with their helmets hanging on their bars. I'm not sure why, but I guess they intend to put them on just before they decide to have an accident. I've never known about when I'm going to have a accident until I'm already in the process of having one.
Last edited by Iride01; 06-17-23 at 08:30 AM.
Likes For Iride01:
#11
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,696
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1533 Post(s)
Liked 1,530 Times
in
917 Posts
What about when your helmet is dangling from the handlebar when the wind knocks the bike over? J/k, it was very visibly cracked on both sides; took it yesterday to the LBS I bought it from, and the owner kindly gave me a great deal on a new one. First time I ever actually destroyed a helmet, despite several (low speed minor) crashes, and my head wasn't even in it. I'm so lucky.
#12
Senior Member
The last few falls I don't think my head had actually touched the ground. A few times I was in the snow and the last time it was in a bike lane. I have review my video to see if it did.
You can see that video too.
I've had that helmet for over nine years. But on father's day, my family got me a new helmet. So I transferred my camera to it and now have to do several test runs to adjust its aim.
You can see that video too.
I've had that helmet for over nine years. But on father's day, my family got me a new helmet. So I transferred my camera to it and now have to do several test runs to adjust its aim.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,584 Times
in
2,344 Posts
#14
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,366
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,220 Times
in
2,367 Posts
What about when your helmet is dangling from the handlebar when the wind knocks the bike over? J/k, it was very visibly cracked on both sides; took it yesterday to the LBS I bought it from, and the owner kindly gave me a great deal on a new one. First time I ever actually destroyed a helmet, despite several (low speed minor) crashes, and my head wasn't even in it. I'm so lucky.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#15
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,696
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1533 Post(s)
Liked 1,530 Times
in
917 Posts
If the helmet is obviously damaged, replace it. If you suspect that the helmet is damaged, replace it. Simply dropping it on the ground likely won’t damage it but, if it does, replace the helmet. Honestly if you are still rocking a Bell Biker, please, please, please, replace it.
#16
Senior Member
#17
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,366
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,220 Times
in
2,367 Posts
Oh my giddy aunt! No Target Bell helmets in our house. Mine's a Bontrager Solstice in very hi-viz yellow (as much as I'd prefer purple, give 'em no excuses). I replaced the helmet before last precisely because I'd dropped it a few too many times over the years and I no longer trusted it. I also understand that the helmet is for when I fall over (which I've done a number of times, with no head impact, luckily) not for getting plastered by a RAM 1500. Now, if I can just remember to park properly in the wind...
That said, the Bell Biker I was referring to was the 1975 Bell Biker bicycle helmet, which was one of the first, if not the first, bicycle helmet. Some people are still riding either it or the Biker II. Those need to be replaced.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#18
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,696
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1533 Post(s)
Liked 1,530 Times
in
917 Posts
Bell makes several helmets that are just as good as your Bontrager and several that are more expensive. They aren’t “Target” helmets…not that there is a problem with a helmet from Target as they all have to meet the same safety standard as do the Bontrager.
That said, the Bell Biker I was referring to was the 1975 Bell Biker bicycle helmet, which was one of the first, if not the first, bicycle helmet. Some people are still riding either it or the Biker II. Those need to be replaced.
That said, the Bell Biker I was referring to was the 1975 Bell Biker bicycle helmet, which was one of the first, if not the first, bicycle helmet. Some people are still riding either it or the Biker II. Those need to be replaced.
#19
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4,046
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2241 Post(s)
Liked 3,443 Times
in
1,802 Posts
the Bell Biker I was referring to was the 1975 Bell Biker bicycle helmet, which was one of the first, if not the first, bicycle helmet. Some people are still riding either it or the Biker II. Those need to be replaced.
#20
Life Feeds On Life
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hondo,Texas
Posts: 2,143
Bikes: Too many Motobecanes
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4426 Post(s)
Liked 4,533 Times
in
3,032 Posts
About every five years or when the pads wear out.
#21
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,366
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,220 Times
in
2,367 Posts
Just replace a helmet that I tried to use as a brake. I don’t recommend it.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Last edited by cyccommute; 06-23-23 at 08:53 AM.
Likes For cyccommute:
#22
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4,046
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2241 Post(s)
Liked 3,443 Times
in
1,802 Posts
Here is an "ethics" question:
I have the helmet (and bike) of my kid's 18yo friend in the garage. He crashed. I went over the bike fairly thoroughly and paid to have it inspected and the wheel re-trued. His helmet has a big crack in the (replaceable) jaw guard. He was out cold, and spend 6 or 8 hours in the ER, before being discharged. He is in total denial that he was out cold, and we are all fairly sure he will keep riding with the same helmet, rather than replacing it. The helmet itself (as opposed to the jaw guard) appears intact (Giro Switchblade MIPS).
Do we give it back to him as is, or lose it, or cut the straps, or what? He is 18, but his judgement perhaps is lagging in development. I don't want to be too heavy-handed, but I also don't want to see a repeat, or worse. I could go buy him a new one, but I think it goes for $250 to $300, and I would rather he gets a new one via crash replacement (if applicable) or something different (hopefully better).
I have the helmet (and bike) of my kid's 18yo friend in the garage. He crashed. I went over the bike fairly thoroughly and paid to have it inspected and the wheel re-trued. His helmet has a big crack in the (replaceable) jaw guard. He was out cold, and spend 6 or 8 hours in the ER, before being discharged. He is in total denial that he was out cold, and we are all fairly sure he will keep riding with the same helmet, rather than replacing it. The helmet itself (as opposed to the jaw guard) appears intact (Giro Switchblade MIPS).
Do we give it back to him as is, or lose it, or cut the straps, or what? He is 18, but his judgement perhaps is lagging in development. I don't want to be too heavy-handed, but I also don't want to see a repeat, or worse. I could go buy him a new one, but I think it goes for $250 to $300, and I would rather he gets a new one via crash replacement (if applicable) or something different (hopefully better).
#23
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,366
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,220 Times
in
2,367 Posts
Here is an "ethics" question:
I have the helmet (and bike) of my kid's 18yo friend in the garage. He crashed. I went over the bike fairly thoroughly and paid to have it inspected and the wheel re-trued. His helmet has a big crack in the (replaceable) jaw guard. He was out cold, and spend 6 or 8 hours in the ER, before being discharged. He is in total denial that he was out cold, and we are all fairly sure he will keep riding with the same helmet, rather than replacing it. The helmet itself (as opposed to the jaw guard) appears intact (Giro Switchblade MIPS).
Do we give it back to him as is, or lose it, or cut the straps, or what? He is 18, but his judgement perhaps is lagging in development. I don't want to be too heavy-handed, but I also don't want to see a repeat, or worse. I could go buy him a new one, but I think it goes for $250 to $300, and I would rather he gets a new one via crash replacement (if applicable) or something different (hopefully better).
I have the helmet (and bike) of my kid's 18yo friend in the garage. He crashed. I went over the bike fairly thoroughly and paid to have it inspected and the wheel re-trued. His helmet has a big crack in the (replaceable) jaw guard. He was out cold, and spend 6 or 8 hours in the ER, before being discharged. He is in total denial that he was out cold, and we are all fairly sure he will keep riding with the same helmet, rather than replacing it. The helmet itself (as opposed to the jaw guard) appears intact (Giro Switchblade MIPS).
Do we give it back to him as is, or lose it, or cut the straps, or what? He is 18, but his judgement perhaps is lagging in development. I don't want to be too heavy-handed, but I also don't want to see a repeat, or worse. I could go buy him a new one, but I think it goes for $250 to $300, and I would rather he gets a new one via crash replacement (if applicable) or something different (hopefully better).
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Likes For cyccommute:
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,481
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 967 Post(s)
Liked 1,631 Times
in
1,047 Posts
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
Likes For zandoval:
#25
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4,046
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2241 Post(s)
Liked 3,443 Times
in
1,802 Posts