LastGenera
Anybody know what the best type of helmet is, for city biking? A doctor cyclist who bikes everywhere uses a BMX/downhill full face helmet. However, a bike shop owner says chin guards can cause a neck to snap if the chin guard is pulled upwards; he claims that full face bike helmets are dangerous.
I've also met several downhill cyclists who say that the BMX downhill full face helmets broke on impact and their jaws broke. Then, I read a story where a cyclist had an open helmet, crashed into a wall, and the jaw pushed into the skull, fracturing the skull, and thereby needing holes drilled into the brain due to swelling.
Furthermore, a bike shop owner claims that full face helmets have restricted (dangerous?) vision.
I have a 12-year old "Snell approved" bicycle helmet with a hard plastic top and foam that has turned into a hard mass due to age. However, I've glued lots of rubbery materials, in and out of it. I'm told that my helmet is "too old" and "should be replaced." What say you?
Answer
Get a brand new standard road or MTB helmet from any bike shop.
The reality is the full face bicycle helmet was designed for downhillers and freestylers/bmx guys to keep their bike from coming up and knocking out a tooth or something. Or to protect your face/jaw if you are flying downhill at 40mph and go over the bars...or even catch a treelimb in the face at high speed. This is a very unlikely scenario when riding in the city unless you are jumping something.
The primary reason for wearing a helmet is to protect your brain from injury, not your face. It is very easy for your head to "whip" into the ground as your body impacts when you fall, even from a slow speed.
Just make sure you get the right size helmet and properly adjust it. This is why I suggest the bike shop variety. One of the sales professionals will show you how to fit it and wear it.
It should be worn so the front protects our forehead and the rear protects your "dome" portion of your skull. If you live in a hot area, get a well ventilated one.
Good brands to look for: Specialized, Gyro, Louis Garneau, Trek, etc.
Get a brand new standard road or MTB helmet from any bike shop.
The reality is the full face bicycle helmet was designed for downhillers and freestylers/bmx guys to keep their bike from coming up and knocking out a tooth or something. Or to protect your face/jaw if you are flying downhill at 40mph and go over the bars...or even catch a treelimb in the face at high speed. This is a very unlikely scenario when riding in the city unless you are jumping something.
The primary reason for wearing a helmet is to protect your brain from injury, not your face. It is very easy for your head to "whip" into the ground as your body impacts when you fall, even from a slow speed.
Just make sure you get the right size helmet and properly adjust it. This is why I suggest the bike shop variety. One of the sales professionals will show you how to fit it and wear it.
It should be worn so the front protects our forehead and the rear protects your "dome" portion of your skull. If you live in a hot area, get a well ventilated one.
Good brands to look for: Specialized, Gyro, Louis Garneau, Trek, etc.
Are there any offroad helmets for bikes?
Mike S
I'm looking for an offroad/motocross-style bike helmet that I plan to use for BMX. Are there any companies that make cheap motorcycle helmets (under $50?) or replicas for bicycles that look like an offroad helmet? Thanks!
Answer
I think you're wanting to get a full-face style helmet, right? If that's what you mean by offroad and moto. I don't think I've ever seen any for $50 or under, not even on super closeout sales. There are some good ones that won't break the bank, though.
Pryme makes a decent one that usually sells for $65-$80 and I think Pro-Tec has one in that range, too. Bell, Azonic, and Giro all have some cheaper models if you shop around. Full-face helmets can get expensive quickly, but most of them are $140 or less, several of them in the $90-$120 range.
Look at http://www.pricepoint.com , http://www.nashbar.com , http://www.jensonusa.com , and http://www.blueskycycling.com for good helmet deals. Nashbar and Performance usually have good closeouts and often offer coupons for an even greater deal on a helmet.
Also, check out the Pro-Tec Ace Dig....not a full-face, but it's kinda retro. Sort of a skate lid with a visor and some nice shaping. You might like it, and it's different. :o)
Also, check out the Pro-Tec Ace
I think you're wanting to get a full-face style helmet, right? If that's what you mean by offroad and moto. I don't think I've ever seen any for $50 or under, not even on super closeout sales. There are some good ones that won't break the bank, though.
Pryme makes a decent one that usually sells for $65-$80 and I think Pro-Tec has one in that range, too. Bell, Azonic, and Giro all have some cheaper models if you shop around. Full-face helmets can get expensive quickly, but most of them are $140 or less, several of them in the $90-$120 range.
Look at http://www.pricepoint.com , http://www.nashbar.com , http://www.jensonusa.com , and http://www.blueskycycling.com for good helmet deals. Nashbar and Performance usually have good closeouts and often offer coupons for an even greater deal on a helmet.
Also, check out the Pro-Tec Ace Dig....not a full-face, but it's kinda retro. Sort of a skate lid with a visor and some nice shaping. You might like it, and it's different. :o)
Also, check out the Pro-Tec Ace
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