How do You Keep Your Helmet Chin Strap from Loosening?
10-10-21, 08:46 PM
#1
Grupetto Bob
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How do You Keep Your Helmet Chin Strap from Loosening?
Have a new Specialized helmet and the nylon chin strap keeps loosening, so I have to snug it up after each ride. Any tips or tricks other than a safety pin - which is too dangerous for obvious reasons.
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10-10-21, 08:59 PM
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Wow, that's a tough one.
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10-10-21, 09:21 PM
#3
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You could try something like an o-ring where the straps exit the buckle. My helmet had that but now that I look it is gone and it does loosen up.
10-10-21, 09:24 PM
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Could be that the strap is too thin. You can lace it with a thicker strap or lace a piece of ribbon material along with the current strap material. Had this problem long ago with US Army T10 chutes. Brand new upgraded straps were stronger, lighter, but thin and slick.
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10-10-21, 10:22 PM
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keep the o-ring tight against the buckle, put a rubber band further up to keep strap remainder snug...
still gets loose, but takes longer...
no o-ring ? use 2 rubber bands
still gets loose, but takes longer...
no o-ring ? use 2 rubber bands
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10-10-21, 10:26 PM
#6
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Ditto, rubber O-rings. If they're snug enough without pinching/folding the straps, they'll usually help prevent the Y-splitter and buckles from sliding around on the straps.
Or use an awl or ice pick to punch a hole through the straps. After you're certain the Y-splitter and buckles are set to your preference, jab a hole under each, then insert a small zip-tie through the holes, snip off the excess, see if it helps keep the straps set. If you can feel the zip ties against your face, maybe some thread or dental floss through the hole will do.
Incidentally, most POC helmets have minimally adjustable Y-splitters. They just barely sit below the ear lobes. Some folks find this uncomfortable, but usually we can swing the Y-splitter forward or backward just enough to reduce discomfort. I suspect POC does this to prevent users from wearing the straps below their chins, which I've seen some local cyclists do. That probably compromises safety so POC's design seems intended to prevent that.
Or use an awl or ice pick to punch a hole through the straps. After you're certain the Y-splitter and buckles are set to your preference, jab a hole under each, then insert a small zip-tie through the holes, snip off the excess, see if it helps keep the straps set. If you can feel the zip ties against your face, maybe some thread or dental floss through the hole will do.
Incidentally, most POC helmets have minimally adjustable Y-splitters. They just barely sit below the ear lobes. Some folks find this uncomfortable, but usually we can swing the Y-splitter forward or backward just enough to reduce discomfort. I suspect POC does this to prevent users from wearing the straps below their chins, which I've seen some local cyclists do. That probably compromises safety so POC's design seems intended to prevent that.
10-10-21, 10:56 PM
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I haven’t had a problem with my bike helmet, but in a similar situation where a strap loosens in a plastic buckle, I have used a plastic Tri-Glide.
Basically you remove the loose strap from the helmet side release buckle. Then put the strap through the tri-glide, back through the buckle as you normally would and then weave it again through the tri-glide on the outside back over the strap. It isn’t going anywhere and you can still make adjustments.
John
Basically you remove the loose strap from the helmet side release buckle. Then put the strap through the tri-glide, back through the buckle as you normally would and then weave it again through the tri-glide on the outside back over the strap. It isn’t going anywhere and you can still make adjustments.
John
10-10-21, 11:33 PM
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I haven’t had a problem with my bike helmet, but in a similar situation where a strap loosens in a plastic buckle, I have used a plastic Tri-Glide.
Basically you remove the loose strap from the helmet side release buckle. Then put the strap through the tri-glide, back through the buckle as you normally would and then weave it again through the tri-glide on the outside back over the strap. It isn’t going anywhere and you can still make adjustments.
John
Basically you remove the loose strap from the helmet side release buckle. Then put the strap through the tri-glide, back through the buckle as you normally would and then weave it again through the tri-glide on the outside back over the strap. It isn’t going anywhere and you can still make adjustments.
John
I had a bunch of different size Tri-lock buckles, mostly used in backpacking gear, and none are open enough to allow both straps thru...
We used to have a good notions shop in town which had a great array of stuff - now gone. The gearAid stuff REI carries is for 1 inch wide or larger straps...
Do you know of a source for ones that might fit?
Thx
Yuri
10-11-21, 12:42 AM
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small zipties work great for this
10-11-21, 12:57 AM
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As for the tri-glides, years ago I got some wider ones online that would allow a double strap thickness to feed through.
The other problem, on some straps, are the hemmed strap ends to prevent them from pulling through. I know when a strap is too long I’ll cut it and melt the end to keep it from fraying.
John
The other problem, on some straps, are the hemmed strap ends to prevent them from pulling through. I know when a strap is too long I’ll cut it and melt the end to keep it from fraying.
John
10-11-21, 05:43 AM
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The O-ring is what the manufacturer expects to solve this problem. I've had helmets where the O-ring does not reliably stop the strap from loosening. In that case, once I've determined the proper adjustment, I stitch the strap in place so it can't loosen.
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10-11-21, 06:29 AM
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Dab of hot glue.
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10-11-21, 06:40 AM
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A problem I never knew existed.
Tim
Tim
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10-11-21, 06:54 AM
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I used to use duck tape
Then, I just bought helmets without lousy designed straps
Then, I just bought helmets without lousy designed straps
10-11-21, 08:03 AM
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Yup, an easily loosened strap is super annoying on an expensive helmet when cheaper helmets dont have the issue.
One of my helmets, a Met Rivale MIPS, has a chin strap that is actually intended to tighten each time you put the helmet on. Its goofy compared to how Ive always had helmets, but I actually do like it now that ive done it for a season.
It used to loosen then during rides, but once I moved the rubber ring up to the end of the strap, it stopped loosening during rides. Now its perfect- easy to tighten and doesnt loosen.
If you never want to adjust it, just place a stitch thru the straps. That will hold it in place and you dont have to mess around with zip ties or whatever else.
One of my helmets, a Met Rivale MIPS, has a chin strap that is actually intended to tighten each time you put the helmet on. Its goofy compared to how Ive always had helmets, but I actually do like it now that ive done it for a season.
It used to loosen then during rides, but once I moved the rubber ring up to the end of the strap, it stopped loosening during rides. Now its perfect- easy to tighten and doesnt loosen.
If you never want to adjust it, just place a stitch thru the straps. That will hold it in place and you dont have to mess around with zip ties or whatever else.
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10-11-21, 08:37 AM
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My helmet is 15 years old and never had such a problem and it only cost $ 40 dollars.
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10-11-21, 09:18 AM
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one of mine is like this. I must have lost the o-ring that came with it. the rest of our helmets don't have this problem. I hesitate to suggest anything permanent because the adjustment changes depending on hair cut or what you might be wearing under the helmet. but for mine, I use a small piece of tape. lately the tape fell off so I've just been snugging it up after buckling it. not much of a nuisance
10-11-21, 09:35 AM
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10-11-21, 10:09 AM
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^^^Thanks for clarifying. I've never had a high end helmet so it seemed an odd thing to be concerned about. Figured it was another of "those" threads. 
Anyway, seems OP has received some good suggestions.
Anyway, seems OP has received some good suggestions.
10-11-21, 10:30 AM
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I have a POC helmet that loosened from day one; even with brand new O-ring. I simply flipped the buckles through the ear triangle twice to shorten them a little then put a speedy stitcher stitch in to absolutely prevent loosening. (Flipping the buckles through the ear triangles means I can loosen the straps to accommodate a cap or in winter a hat.) Put that stitch in 6 years ago and haven't touched it since.
Edit: I see mstateglfr beat me to it. And yes, that cost issue. My $60 Bells never slipped. The POC cost me $200.
Edit: I see mstateglfr beat me to it. And yes, that cost issue. My $60 Bells never slipped. The POC cost me $200.
Last edited by 79pmooney; 10-11-21 at 10:34 AM.
10-11-21, 11:05 AM
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10-11-21, 03:00 PM
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10-11-21, 10:12 PM
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10-12-21, 08:00 AM
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10-12-21, 02:00 PM
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No one mentioned a dab of hot glue?