How long d'you keep your helmet for?

JonClean

Here's one I haven't heard before....

I asked the LBS the other day if they could get me replacement pads for my Pneumo helmet.

Their response was to ask me, given that the pads are knackered, how long I'd had the lid. Turns out I've had it since 2004.

He said that he doubted Giro would want to replace the pads becasue the industry advice is to only keep a helmet for 4 years, so really I need a new helmet.

Apparently, the advice stands even if you've been very careful with it, not dropped it etc, becasue the material simply deteriorates over time.

Anyone else ever heard that?

I couldn't find anything in the literature, or online. And I've since discovered that a replacement set of pads can be had very easily online for about a fiver.

It's not as if he was trying to scam me into buying something, becasue they don't stock the ranges I'd be choosing from anyway. So I'm left wondering if there might be some truth in it? If it is true, it certainly doesn't seem to be that well known a fact...

pneumatic

I've just replaced mine after 10 years, and, again, only because the pads were so manky and shredded and I couldn't find replacements.

I would have thought polystyrene foam would have a lifespan of at least 500 years, but I am not a materials chemist.

northernneil

I have a couple of Giro's one is 12 years old one is 18 months, I have replaced the pads twice in the old on and to be honest put on a table and you wouldnt be able to tell me which was the new one and which the old one.

I appreciate they want to sell you things but how can they even give an 'average' age for a helmet, it might be used 3 times a year or 3 times a day, and how long it has taken to be manufacutured and sat on a shelf before being sold ?

andrewjoseph

Most helmet makers give a lifespan of 3-5 years, after which they say the strength of the helmet reduces.

I've not had a helmet long enough to try this out, I tend to fall off and break them too often.

I'll need a new helmet once my arm is fixed.

JonClean

I appreciate they want to sell you things but how can they even give an 'average' age for a helmet, it might be used 3 times a year or 3 times a day, and how long it has taken to be manufacutured and sat on a shelf before being sold ?

I agree with you - I think I'll get some new pads and save the pennies for another year or so.

However, with reference to your specific point above, I did ask the chap whether or not usage made any difference and he pointed out that the advice is based simply on the age of the helmet, regardeless of if it's being used daily or just sitting on a shelf. Although I suspect that common sense would dictate that a heavily used helmet would need replacing sooner. There is a label on the inside stating the month and year of manufacture - November 2004 in my case - so I suspect the age is based on that.

Anyway, I'm not going to worry too much about it (unless I fancy using it as an excuse to buy another new Shiny Thing...) - I just thought it was interesting, as I'd never heard it said before.

d

Weejie54

HOW OFTEN SHOULD A HELMET BE REPLACED?
Bell has a general recommendation of replacing your helmet every three (3) years. If you are unsure of the condition of your helmet, or whether it should be replaced, call us at (800) 456-BELL(2355) or e-mail us at Answer_Desk@bellsports.com for information on a free inspection.

http://www.bellsports.com/faq

hotnajers

Just had a look at mine its a Giro Skyline about 8 years old now, just looked on CRC and they have they sell the insert pads due in 12th of Nov. Think ill order some then.

Pep

Funny enough I AM a material scientist. But never mind...

I do not believe that if the maker advice is to replace it after N years or NN miles or whatever, they don't put it on their website or brochure etc. Especially in today society of liabilities and greedy lawyers.

nax-ian

Interesting this, I heard about helmet deterioration last year.
So I sent a mail direct to Giro asking if they do some kinda trade -in scheme for old helmets, seeing as they advocate replacing your lid after 3-5 years.

Don't have to tell y'all what their answer was!!

Greedy f*ckers, is all I have to say!!

antfly

If we replaced everything as often as the manufacturers suggested they would be richer and we would be poorer.

Headhuunter

I should think that manufacturers only have these "use by dates" to cover themselves in the event of an accident 8 years into the life of the helmet in which the helmet didn't do its job having been treated fairly roughly, left in open sunlight etc.

Ands

Specialized advise replacement every 5 years due to deterioration of materials. It's on their website.

But what I do wonder, is, when you purchase a new helmet, how long ago was it manufactured? My Specialized helmet does has a date of manufacture stamped on the inside, but you could end up buying one that was made over 12 months ago, in which case you've lost a year of its shelf life before you've even worn it.

Ollieda

Sounds to me like its a thing they are saying to 1) cover themselves in case of old helmets failing and 2) drive sales.

I personally can't see how 4 years or so can deteriorate the materials that they would lose significant strength, obviously if they are knocked about a lot I would consider changing it.

Pep, as you say you are a materials scientist maybe you could shed a bit more light on the life time of typical helmet materials?

Headhuunter

Ollieda wrote:

Sounds to me like its a thing they are saying to 1) cover themselves in case of old helmets failing and 2) drive sales.

I personally can't see how 4 years or so can deteriorate the materials that they would lose significant strength, obviously if they are knocked about a lot I would consider changing it.

Pep, as you say you are a materials scientist maybe you could shed a bit more light on the life time of typical helmet materials?

I had a crash last Nov and although my head wasn't the primary point of contact in the accident, it hit the ground when I came to rest. The helmet was an absolutely ancient one but it did its job, a chunk of the side of it came off in the impact exposing the plastic understructure...

pottssteve

Ollieda wrote:

Sounds to me like its a thing they are saying to 1) cover themselves in case of old helmets failing and 2) drive sales.

I personally can't see how 4 years or so can deteriorate the materials that they would lose significant strength, obviously if they are knocked about a lot I would consider changing it.

Pep, as you say you are a materials scientist maybe you could shed a bit more light on the life time of typical helmet materials?

Agreed entirely. It would be interesting to know what factors affect the "safe life" of a helmet. I would guess exposure to sunlight, heat/cold, chemicals, (sweat?), cleaning products, humidity etc. All of these vary greatly depending on use, care and location of the rider, amongst other things. It makes sense for manufacturers to cover themselves from libelous idiots - just read all the "advice" you get in the booklet when you buy a new bike - but 3 years seems to be on the short side for the life of a helmet.

BTW - the pads in my Giro were knackered after a year in the heat and humidity of Hong Kong - I find that those pads for putting under chair legs to protect the wooden floor worked quite well!

Steve

Ollieda

Headhuunter wrote:

Ollieda wrote:

Sounds to me like its a thing they are saying to 1) cover themselves in case of old helmets failing and 2) drive sales.

I personally can't see how 4 years or so can deteriorate the materials that they would lose significant strength, obviously if they are knocked about a lot I would consider changing it.

Pep, as you say you are a materials scientist maybe you could shed a bit more light on the life time of typical helmet materials?

I had a crash last Nov and although my head wasn't the primary point of contact in the accident, it hit the ground when I came to rest. The helmet was an absolutely ancient one but it did its job, a chunk of the side of it came off in the impact exposing the plastic understructure...

I'm just interested in the science behind it......whats to prove that the helmet wouldn't have done that if it was brand new?

Also there is the issue of helmet advancements, a helmet nowdays is probably more advanced and stronger than one made 10 years ago but that doesn't mean that the 10 year old one shouldn't work differently now to when it was made.

I could understand manufactures saying that you should change every 3/4 years to keep up with better technology but I don't see how a helmet (assuming it hasn't been knocked about and damaged) should be less effective 3/4 years after it was made

freehub

I replace mine when it cracks.

bompington

I've never one that's lasted more than 2 years before it's been split in two :shock:

guinea

bompington wrote:

I've never one that's lasted more than 2 years before it's been split in two :shock:

This.

My last Giro lasted 60 miles.

£130 gone.

pottssteve

freehub wrote:

I replace mine when it cracks.

There are several "contact points" on a bike.

Your head isn't meant to be one of them!

Pross

I don't know about bike helmets but I know my hard hat in work has to be replaced regularly due to deterioration of the plastic over time. Presumably the same applies to the materials in a cycling helmet although I'm still sceptical that it's just a way to get more sales or to avoid liability in the event of a failure.

robert-sb

Without starting the whole helmet/no helmet debate, one of the reasons I wear a helmet is, so that in the event of me being killed or badly injured by bad driving, the insurance company could not reduce my wife's claim due to the contributory negligence of not wearing a helmet. If the manufacturers advice is to change them every 3 or 4 years presumably wearing an old helmet could be construed as contributory negligence ???

Pross

As far as I'm aware there's no use by date on my cycling helmet though so it would be very hard to prove. My hard hat for work has an expiry date contained in it.

chunkytfg

I'm really not surpised by this info in the slightest.

With motorcycle helmets they recommend yearly assuming 12k miles a year which can soon get very expensive when you consider some of the top helmets are upwards of £500-600!!

If you race motorcycles the oldest a hgelemt can be is 2 years oficially.

To me 3-5 years for a cycle helmet seems perfectly reasonable.

andrewjoseph

I believe it's to do with temperature, if the internal foam is exposed to high enough temperatures it can cause it to weaken (they recommend not leeaving them in a car in direct sunlight). also the bonding between the outer shell and inner foam can be compromised, as can the anchor points for straps/webbing.

I replace my helmet after hard falls (these usually cause visible cracks).

I'm of the opinion that it's not worth risking a broken brain for the £100 spent on a good helmet.

louthepoo

My helmet is over 4 years old, I fell off a couple of years ago and took a chunk of polystyrene out of the side, I've not even considered getting a new one! should I?

Pross

If you wear a helmet in the belief that it will provide protection then yes as it will have lost some of its protective capability.

louthepoo

My helmet is over 4 years old, I fell off a couple of years ago and took a chunk of polystyrene out of the side, I've not even considered getting a new one! should I?

andrewjoseph

louthepoo wrote:

My helmet is over 4 years old, I fell off a couple of years ago and took a chunk of polystyrene out of the side, I've not even considered getting a new one! should I?

I would strongly advise it.

howie3472

I have to wear a helmet for work and we have to have our helmets replaced after 5 years, or if there is any sighn of damage. so a chunk of polstyrene missing sounds like visable damage to me so it should be replaced.

52Teeth

guinea wrote:

bompington wrote:

I've never one that's lasted more than 2 years before it's been split in two :shock:

This.

My last Giro lasted 60 miles.

£130 gone.

If you send a crashed Giro to Madison they will replace it for a reduced fee. I cracked a Monza and they replaced it for £32.