Helmets

[virago]

I do a mixture of road (e.g. psychopathic car racing on the way to the veg market) and trail (local deer park - grass, gravel and wooded paths) riding on my MTB. I currently have a helmet like this but I don't feel like it offers my head much protection. Because of the style it feels perched atop my skull, and seeing as one of these days the grumpy toffs I piss off by daring to ride on 'their' road will knock me off, I kinda want my skull to remain intact.

I'm considering a lid like this, as (in my mind) it offers more protection and if I do get smashed, it'll hold my brain in. I am however somewhat conscious of looking too 'down with the kids' if I wear one of these.

Any opinions on the relative merits/safety of each? Am I just being a bit mad?

[Herbsman]

Just wear what you want and stop being neurotic.

[virago]

Hey, thanks so much for your advice. Really. I appreciate it that you took all that time to come to my thread and piss on it.

[soniczip]

the first looks quite similar to mine. as long as it's well tightened, you shpuldn't have any problem. sure the other one looks more you're going to war or something.

[vCLaW]

I don't think there's much difference between them. The skate/BMX style helmets are designed to cope with minor scratches and bumps etc, without failing. But it will probably still break in a proper crash.
Plus it doesn't have much venting, so will be too hot for most cycling.

I don't think any helmet will help much if you're hit by a car anyway (which is really not very likely).

[SpugFab]

Aye I think if you are cycling hard the skater style would get quite uncomfortable. They do look cooler though.

I've got a massive heid (as we say in Scotland), I struggled to find a helmet to begin with. They all sat very high up on my head. In the end I tried on a cheaper one in Halfords which sat lower and felt better, so I went with that. Maybe you've just got one that happens to sit very high up on your head and another one would sit better.

[Herbsman]

Hey, thanks so much for your advice. Really. I appreciate it that you took all that time to come to my thread and piss on it.

No, I was being honest. If you want to wear a particular type of helmet why don't you just do it instead of worrying that you might look "too 'down with the kids'"?

However, I was still half asleep when I read your post, I didn't notice the bit where you asked for info on the benefits and drawbacks of each type of helmet. So apologies for that.

[virago]

Aye I think if you are cycling hard the skater style would get quite uncomfortable. They do look cooler though.

I've got a massive heid (as we say in Scotland), I struggled to find a helmet to begin with. They all sat very high up on my head. In the end I tried on a cheaper one in Halfords which sat lower and felt better, so I went with that. Maybe you've just got one that happens to sit very high up on your head and another one would sit better.

I think a trip to the bike shop is in order. I think mine is designed as a sort of 'atop the head' road helmet. I'd feel happier in something more snug, so I'll have a look.

No, I was being honest. If you want to wear a particular type of helmet why don't you just do it instead of worrying that you might look "too 'down with the kids'"?

However, I was still half asleep when I read your post, I didn't notice the bit where you asked for info on the benefits and drawbacks of each type of helmet. So apologies for that.

Accepted

[xrodolfox]

Yeah. Get the first bike helmet.
I have a low-end specialized road bike helmet. I *wanted* to like something hipper, but frankly, the helmet that fits best, and is most comfortable should win out. There's no point in buying a helmet that horrible to wear.

Unless, for some freak reason, the second bike helmet is significantly more comfortable (can't imagine that just based on the lack of vents), then go for the first bike helmet. It'll do well in all settings except for skate parks.

[Big Good Wolf]

It's definitely worth trying on a few different helmets in shops to find the one that fits best.
I've got a big oval head. Most helmets are too round and wedge front and back without touching the sides.
I wear a Trek helmet because, not only is it the right shape, but they go up to size 64 whereas most manufacturers stop at 62.
I've seen a few people racing in those skater style helmets, although they are outnumbered by the regular cycle helmets about 500 to 1.
They would probably stand up to repeated minor knocks better, but I reckon they would soon end up too hot if you're putting any effort in to your cycling.

[the crazyest vegan]

THe 2nd one will be far to hot in warm weather, remember they are all designed to meet the same specifications with regards to safety, so although they may look different they will both offer the same level of protection.

[Herbsman]

THe 2nd one will be far to hot in warm weather, remember they are all designed to meet the same specifications with regards to safety, so although they may look different they will both offer the same level of protection.

They are both guaranteed to surpass a specified minimum level of protection. Don't think that means they both offering the same level of protection - it's simply not true.

[the crazyest vegan]

You interpreted exzactly what i was trying to say!
Personally although i did not mention it in my previouse post, BMX helmets probably arent designed to help in a crash at 30mph wheras a road helmet is designed to handle crashes at high speeds.

[virago]

You interpreted exzactly what i was trying to say!
Personally although i did not mention it in my previouse post, BMX helmets probably arent designed to help in a crash at 30mph wheras a road helmet is designed to handle crashes at high speeds.

^Ah, I'd not thought about this. Good point. Plus I cycle pretty hard so I'll need vents. I think getting one that fits better is a good idea, partly for safety reasons but partly for my own feeling of protection. Thanks everyone

[Herbsman]

Apparently, helmets are tested at impact speeds of 12mph. They only have to provide adequate protection at 12mph or less.