What to look for in a helmet?

Elvis_Presley

I'm looking for a helmet for road use. Been checking around, there's massive disparity in terms of price. On chainreaction cycles I can spend between £18 to £200+. All I want is something to stop me bashing my head if I fall. My bike isn't exactly world class, so I'm not looking for something really light. Are all helmets made to some common safety standard? Are the only differences in weight/aerodynamics or is there something else I should be looking out for?

Thanks!

Skerries

*titter*

Cookie_Monster

looks is the only difference. Since they all meet the supposed standards in place they'll offer the same protection level in theory

ashleey

Bear in mind that the uk prices are vat free. You'll be pleased to know that in Ireland you pay vat on helmets as a valuable contribution to politician pensions....,,,,I meant local services. Add 23%.

codie

http://sportandspeed.co.uk/categories/Rudy-Project-Helmets/Rudy-Project-Sterling/ .

Elvis_Presley

Those helmets cost more than my bike!

07Lapierre

It must match your socks or the fashion police will be after you!

codie

Go to Aldi then .They have cycling gear this week

Darkglasses

More expensive lids will have more vents and typically more comfortable, but obviously that depends on the shape of your head. They'll also be a bit lighter.

manwithaplan

07Lapierre wrote: »

It must match your socks or the fashion police will be after you!

He's already in custody over the whole rhinestoned bellbottomed jumpsuit thing.

Bikerbhoy

A head. ! !

sled driver

For you my friend there's only one helmet...............

petethedrummer

Try a few on and buy the one that makes you look least ridiculous.

dastardly00

Obviously the first and most important thing is that the helmet conforms to safety standards. I presume all helmets sold in Ireland have to reach the EU safety standard (CE EN1078). However there can be some difference between various safety standards (link).

For the casual cyclist the only thing that matters now, is how it looks. You don't want to look like you have a giant mushroom on your head!

Lumen

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

looks is the only difference. Since they all meet the supposed standards in place they'll offer the same protection level in theory

Not quite true. Yes, there are minimum standards for each regulated market, but the standards are not all the same.

AFAIK the US rating are more strict and there are several helmets which are available in Europe but not the US. I think Limar did one a couple of years back.

reilig

You really need to try one on. I tried several helmets over the years, specialized, abus, giant, fox etc but found that bell was the best fitting for my head (64cm). It was the biggest that I could find and therefore the most comfortable fitting. However, a few weeks ago, Lidl had an offer on helmets and I just tried one on as I passed and found it really good. It could be opened further - unline omy bell one which was open to its bigest size and it had a led light on the back - handy for dark nights. So I picked it up, €17 (IRRC). Very happy with it!!

kenmc

Elvis_Presley wrote: »

something else I should be looking out for?

Holes. The more money you pay, the more holes (and by extension less helmet) you tend to get.

manwithaplan

My helmet was so expensive it's hardly there at all. I knew it was good because it doesn't meet the safety standards in the US.

doozerie

When I last looked at the detail of the tests applied, the US rating required a helmet to withstand greater impact (tested by dropping the helmet onto solid surfaces) than that required by the european standard. A few years back I tried to find a helmet from european online retailers which conformed to the US rating and of the various ones that I was able to find such information for I think there may have been a single one (Giro Ionos, I think, though I can't remember for sure) that met the US standard - I was left with the impression that most of the helmets sold in europe, conforming to the european standard, fell short of the US standard. Perhaps things have changed in the meantime, but I'm not sure that manufacturers would bother working towards a stronger standard when they can simply continue to sell their existing helmets legally in europe without having to invest more money into further development/design.

In recent years I've read stuff that suggests that the Australian standard is even more stringent than the US standard though I've not looked into that.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the various standards define only minimum requirements for helmets. They don't rate helmets by how much or how little they exceed the minimum requirements, they are all simply labelled as "passed". So it may or may not be accurate to say that all helmets that pass a particular standard offer the same level of protection. And that is assuming that you have much faith in the standards in the first place - the fact that the standards differ in various parts of the world certainly makes me wonder why since I would assume the requirements to protect my european head should surely be the same as those required to protect an american head or an australian head yet obviously those who set the standards disagree.

As regards cost, another factor that influences that is the nature and quality of the adjustment mechanism. A simple adjustment mechanism will be cheaper to manufacture than something more complicated and will presumably feed into the cost of the final helmet. So if you like a particular type of adjustment mechanism, such as the dial on Lazer helmets for example, you may find that you have to pay more for such a helmet than a comparable piece of polystyrene with a more basic type. And there are a bunch of other design choices that can influence price too, such as how/if the outer shell is moulded into the polystyrene (can play a part in the durability of the helmet), whether it comes with anti-bacterial straps, whether it comes with good pads or rubbish pads (another durability factor), whether it comes with spare pads, etc.

So, if you take two helmets that conform to the same standard, one costing 20euro and the other costing 200euro, you may or may not be getting the same level of protection and quality of helmet with both. And just as importantly, of course, one or both helmets may not suit your head shape so may not be suitable for you anyway. Tricksy things, helmets.

Elvis_Presley

doozerie wrote: »

When I last looked at the detail of the tests applied, the US rating required a helmet to withstand greater impact (tested by dropping the helmet onto solid surfaces) than that required by the european standard. A few years back I tried to find a helmet from european online retailers which conformed to the US rating and of the various ones that I was able to find such information for I think there may have been a single one (Giro Ionos, I think, though I can't remember for sure) that met the US standard - I was left with the impression that most of the helmets sold in europe, conforming to the european standard, fell short of the US standard. Perhaps things have changed in the meantime, but I'm not sure that manufacturers would bother working towards a stronger standard when they can simply continue to sell their existing helmets legally in europe without having to invest more money into further development/design.

In recent years I've read stuff that suggests that the Australian standard is even more stringent than the US standard though I've not looked into that.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the various standards define only minimum requirements for helmets. They don't rate helmets by how much or how little they exceed the minimum requirements, they are all simply labelled as "passed". So it may or may not be accurate to say that all helmets that pass a particular standard offer the same level of protection. And that is assuming that you have much faith in the standards in the first place - the fact that the standards differ in various parts of the world certainly makes me wonder why since I would assume the requirements to protect my european head should surely be the same as those required to protect an american head or an australian head yet obviously those who set the standards disagree.

As regards cost, another factor that influences that is the nature and quality of the adjustment mechanism. A simple adjustment mechanism will be cheaper to manufacture than something more complicated and will presumably feed into the cost of the final helmet. So if you like a particular type of adjustment mechanism, such as the dial on Lazer helmets for example, you may find that you have to pay more for such a helmet than a comparable piece of polystyrene with a more basic type. And there are a bunch of other design choices that can influence price too, such as how/if the outer shell is moulded into the polystyrene (can play a part in the durability of the helmet), whether it comes with anti-bacterial straps, whether it comes with good pads or rubbish pads (another durability factor), whether it comes with spare pads, etc.

So, if you take two helmets that conform to the same standard, one costing 20euro and the other costing 200euro, you may or may not be getting the same level of protection and quality of helmet with both. And just as importantly, of course, one or both helmets may not suit your head shape so may not be suitable for you anyway. Tricksy things, helmets.

Very helpful post. Think I'll take a spin out to Decathlon later, try a few on and pick up stuff like a pump etc too.

el tel

Interestingly, German helmets are much more prevalent in the USA than in Germany.

mediwheel

A head !

MediaMan

Elvis_Presley wrote: »

What to look for in a helmet?

Spiders!

Getting back on topic, if you have a very large or very small head, then it cuts down the choices drastically. I have a Met helmet that I find very comfy to wear, but thankfully I've never tested its shock absorbing performance.

Dexif

Have a look at what they say on the bicycle helmet safety institutr website:
http://www.bhsi.org/
Makes for scarey reading!

tomasrojo

Dexif wrote: »

Have a look at what they say on the bicycle helmet safety institutr website:
http://www.bhsi.org/
Makes for scarey reading!

The BHSI is largely, possibly exclusively, the work of one man, Randy Swart. To get some idea of much of an alarmist he is, read this, and consider your own experience of cycling at night:

http://www.helmets.org/lights.htm

I found this bit especially funny:

I also like to "layer" my tail lights, with one at the level of the wheel axle, one under the saddle, and one on the helmet. The more I observe about urban light clutter the more I favor big, big lights and lights that have a signature. You will find this concept better developed on Ken Kifer's Web page discussion of the Flashing Neon Light Display, although I would not favor his use of a diesel generator to power the array.

Ken Kifer's Flashing Neon Light Display is a parody of obsessive hyper-illumination, but the joke seems to have passed Randy Swart by, despite the humorous suggestion of trailing a diesel generator on a bike purely to generate light.

dave2pvd

el tel wrote: »

Interestingly, German helmets are much more prevalent in the USA than in Germany.

What brands?

FYI - most of the brands sold in Europe also sell in the US. Several years ago, when the CPSC standard took over, there were some helmets that became no longer available. I also recall our team sponsor, Rudy Project started to make significantly heavier helmets - I assume to meet the revised standard.

Off the top of my head (like that?), I don't know of any of the popular helmets that don't sell to both sides of the Atlantic.

dave2pvd

To add: my answer to the OP's question would be that the number 1 thing to look for is fit.

This assumes you are only looking at helmets that meet the appropriate standards. It seems that Snell B95 is the most stringent you are likely to see.

Cookie_Monster

re the US, surely the higher standard is just to cope with the extra mass of an average american in an impact :pac:

dave2pvd

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

re the US, surely the higher standard is just to cope with the extra mass of an average american in an impact :pac:

I should remind you that obesity & overweight statistics show that you're not so far behind. Well, not you personally C_M.

rothai

also its recommended to change your helmet every couple of years. So if you had 40 to 50 quid to spend on a helmet what would anyone recommend?

Elvis_Presley

Just back from Decathlon - that shop is f*cking dangerous. Could easily have dropped a months wages and left with half the stuff I wanted. Got a good helmet - nice fit, loads of holes, nice and light for £15 on sale, and a load of other accessories.

Colonialboy

What to look for in a helmet ?

You look for what ever is going to save your life if you have a crash...this was today and the guy was hauled off in a helicopter after crashing, hitting the deck, going into convulsions. Scanner results gave him the all clear, and thats because he probably spent more than 15 euro on a helmet...

http://www.sportbreizh.com/Actualites-330-14048-0-1.html

doozerie

Colonialboy wrote: »

You look for what ever is going to save your life if you have a crash...

Hard as I've tried I've yet to find a helmet containing a skilled medical team fully kitted out with the contents of a well equipped surgery. Them I'd have some faith in in saving lives, for me polystyrene does not inspire such confidence.

Elvis_Presley

trôp tard pour moi essayer de traduire ça. So, can I ask, how much was your helmet?

uberalles

The most confortabke ones I've tried on were in a big bike shop near Liffey valley.End of an industrial estate. Anyone know the. And of the place ? I did t buy that day. It going.back v soon to get one. Circa 60 euro

monument

Dexif wrote: »

Have a look at what they say on the bicycle helmet safety institutr website:
http://www.bhsi.org/
Makes for scarey reading!

Have a look at a bit of balance on the Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation website: http://www.cyclehelmets.org/

Clear details of the people behind this site are outlined here: http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1121.html

Elvis_Presley wrote: »

All I want is something to stop me bashing my head if I fall.

You have arms and hands, right?

doozerie

monument wrote: »

Have a look at a bit of balance on the Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation website: http://www.cyclehelmets.org/

Thanks for the link, that's a very interesting site. I've just had a read of their "A helmet saved my life!" discussion and it definitely gives lots of (well reasoned) food for thought.

Another interesting article there is "Helmet standards and capabilities" which discusses the european versus US safety standards amongst other things. It dates from 2004 but much of the content remains interesting, and relevant I would think, today. For example:

Referring back to the Court case mentioned early, the very eminent QC under whose instruction I was privileged to work, tried repeatedly to persuade the equally eminent neurosurgeons acting for either side, and the technical expert, to state that one must be safer wearing a helmet than without. All three refused to so do, stating that they had seen severe brain damage and fatal injury both with and without cycle helmets being worn. In their view, the performance of cycle helmets is much too complex a subject for such a sweeping claim to be made.