How Long Does a Helmet Last?
Comments
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That's not entirely stupid. I can't see why sunscreen wouldn't work.weapons wrote:
Over the course of 3 years, it might cost more than a new helmet though.0 -
What strength would you use though? Factor 15 to let it still get a bit of a tan, or factor 60 for the highest protection? If you go for factor 60, how's it going to look on the beach?0
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Depends how much I'd spent on the helmet. I've got an Ionos at the moment, so its total sunblock zinc cream for me.whyamihere wrote:What strength would you use though? Factor 15 to let it still get a bit of a tan, or factor 60 for the highest protection? If you go for factor 60, how's it going to look on the beach?0 -
Headhuunter wrote:I take all the pads out of all my helmets and just use a sweatband round my head. I find the little pads get quite stinky after a while and are a pain to wash as they're so small. Far easier just to sling a sweatband in the wash with gloves, shorts and tops etc than fiddle with the pads
I put my pads in a clean sock and straight into the machine.
No losses or damage so far and that sock is really clean
None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.0 -
Mr Sworld wrote:Safety helmets have the manufacturing date stamped on them and you are only allowed three years use before you have to replace it according to the H&S Executive. UV will degrade plastic over time but you can't tell until it splits on you when you hit the deck!
Mike
Point taken but I think the H&SE are particularly and often needlessly risk averse. This is the government body that wanted to make certain Victorian cemeteries no go zones unless all the headstones were laid down as they believed that visitors would be crushed by tumbling masonary. I understand that UV light bio degrades materials, but it has been shown that plastic in landfill is expected to take thousands upon thousands of years to degrade unless specifically designed as biodegradable.
It probably is wise to replace your helmet now and then, particularly if you have been a bit rough with it over the years, but I should think 3 years is highly conservative if the HS&E has had anything to do with it.Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
Don't confuse biodegrade with degrade.Headhuunter wrote:Point taken but I think the H&SE are particularly and often needlessly risk averse. This is the government body that wanted to make certain Victorian cemeteries no go zones unless all the headstones were laid down as they believed that visitors would be crushed by tumbling masonary. I understand that UV light bio degrades materials, but it has been shown that plastic in landfill is expected to take thousands upon thousands of years to degrade unless specifically designed as biodegradable.
It probably is wise to replace your helmet now and then, particularly if you have been a bit rough with it over the years, but I should think 3 years is highly conservative if the HS&E has had anything to do with it.
In addition, a plastic bag in landfill isn't going to receive too much UV.
I agree with you about the conservative estimate - just trying to point out that from a manufactuer's point of view, its not straightforward where to draw the line and what to recommend, and its not necessarily as cynical as attempting to sell more helmets.0 -
Always Tyred wrote:
Don't confuse biodegrade with degrade.Headhuunter wrote:Point taken but I think the H&SE are particularly and often needlessly risk averse. This is the government body that wanted to make certain Victorian cemeteries no go zones unless all the headstones were laid down as they believed that visitors would be crushed by tumbling masonary. I understand that UV light bio degrades materials, but it has been shown that plastic in landfill is expected to take thousands upon thousands of years to degrade unless specifically designed as biodegradable.
It probably is wise to replace your helmet now and then, particularly if you have been a bit rough with it over the years, but I should think 3 years is highly conservative if the HS&E has had anything to do with it.
In addition, a plastic bag in landfill isn't going to receive too much UV.
I agree with you about the conservative estimate - just trying to point out that from a manufactuer's point of view, its not straightforward where to draw the line and what to recommend, and its not necessarily as cynical as attempting to sell more helmets.
I'm sure manufacturers didn't put up much of a struggle when the H&SE decided that helmets should be replaced every 3 years though! It's just like sell by dates on food, often they seem quite arbitrary and just like this 3 year limit, set largely so that there would be no grounds at all for litigation from individuals in the event of failure. I know people who simply throw away unopened packets of food if it's literally a day beyond it's sell by date! Such a waste....Do not write below this line. Office use only.0 -
The truth is somewhere in between, HH.
I don't know for sure, but since the main inherent problem with cycle helmets is cracking before crushing, my guess is that the limiting factor for a helmet's lifetime is the association between the polystyrene beads and is, as such, not visibile in any way.
If you are careful with a helmet, I can't see why the MET estimate of 8 years would be unreasonable.
As for the manufacturer's motivatios - the inherently limited lifetime of cycle helmets does place a glass ceiling of sorts on the price of even premium models. You could argue that an estimated lifetime of a decade would give rise to models of helmet in the £200 + range. This would suit helmet manufacturers just fine, because the sort of people who pay that much for bike kit are the sort of people who would want fairly new stuff all the time as well, so they'd actually be better off.
Personally, I wonder if the contrast between MET and Giro/Specialized is more to do with the magnitude of liabilities on each side of the Atlantic.0 -
Just before two years is up you smash it by some means other than having an accident and claim a new one off Giro - pretending that you did have an accident.0
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No you can't.david2 wrote:Just before two years is up you smash it by some means other than having an accident and claim a new one off Giro - pretending that you did have an accident.
You send it back to Giro, and if they agree that it's accident damage (a fall from a bike looks different to whacking it with a hammer) then you get a new lid at a discounted price (might be cost, can't remember). It's not free.0 -
whyamihere wrote:
No you can't.david2 wrote:Just before two years is up you smash it by some means other than having an accident and claim a new one off Giro - pretending that you did have an accident.
You send it back to Giro, and if they agree that it's accident damage (a fall from a bike looks different to whacking it with a hammer) then you get a new lid at a discounted price (might be cost, can't remember). It's not free.
It's something like £30 replacement fee. But I suppose it depends on which helmet you have.
Still a damn sight cheaper than the the full retail!0
