helmets

toslow

Hello hello hello.
This question has probably been asked a million times before but does anyone know how often you should replace your helmet?.
I ' ve been wearing the same lid , it's a giro , but don' t ask me what model for about six years ' i keep it clean ,have a spare few pairs of lining pads , so lining is as fresh as possible .
But i'm worried about the construction . In the six years i have been fortunate enough not to have wacked the lid even in a fall.
Does the construction weaken over time ?
My missus just thinks i'm trying to find an excuse to by another lid.

thanks for any advice you may have to give.

cheers!

supersonic

The construction can weaken, as the bonding and shell can degrade in UV light from the sun. Though I am unsure of time scales.

Prob best to contact the manufacturer.

CraigXXL

General rule with motorcycle helmets is to replace every 5 years damaged or not so a bicycle helmet would be the same.

Rich Hcp

Yep, 5 years

toslow

thanks very much , thought they may have a safe life span . Will check manufacturers website . Got feeling missus is not going to be happy .

Rich Hcp

I got a Bell Sola for £20 from my LBS, they don't have to be xpensive

CraigXXL

toslow wrote:

thanks very much , thought they may have a safe life span . Will check manufacturers website . Got feeling missus is not going to be happy .

I'm sure she prefers you as you are rather than a vegetable in a wheelchair.

supersonic

I like the Bell range too. Though as usual, try them on first!

Toslow, hit it with an hammer! The wife will sympathise, new helmet on the way ;-)

grantway

Beware the new helmets with the EPS construction will only take ONE bad wack
and then you have to replace them.
The manufacture do give a replacement warrantie that you buy a new helmet at
half price.
I replaced mine with a Giro Xen as this protects and fits all round my head.

When looking for a new helmet you should think of what type of riding you
do and speed.
And buy the best you can buy.

gk141054

grantway wrote:

Beware the new helmets with the EPS construction will only take ONE bad wack and then you have to replace them.

I thought all helmets were like this? :?:

NikB

I just replaced my helmet after 13 years :oops:
I knew I ought to replace it just never got round to it. Never had a fall where I've knocked my head and the helmet had spent a few years in a cupboard so no sun related degradation.
Now I have a Giro Hex which cost less than the helmet I bought in '95!

Atz

gk141054 wrote:

grantway wrote:

Beware the new helmets with the EPS construction will only take ONE bad wack and then you have to replace them.

I thought all helmets were like this? :?:

They SHOULD be. Other than stuff like American football where there's constant bashing, I've rarely heard of helmets that are supposed to take many big hits, and those that can are usually heavy, hard shelled jobs. Lightweight means one decent impact and off to the bin I'm afraid.

Rich Hcp

Any helmet should be replaced after a significant impact, whether it cost 19.99 or £119.99

wallisdene

To keep a helmet's integrity 100% it should be replaced every three years max from what I have learned.

grantway

No there are two types one is EPS the other I think is SPV which can take
many hits has it goes back to shape, this is not the outer shell.

One company I know of is Pro-Tec helmets.