do I need a new helmet before riding again?

jaybo1973

Hi all.

I had one hell off a smash with another rider today. We ended up smashing helmets together at full speed. I am a bit tender but keen to get out riding again asap. Will I need to replace my helmet? It is a bit dinted from the incident...

Cheers

cooldad

It's your head.

cooldad

But seriously, if it's dented (not sure whether that's the same as a dint?) you can get a decent new one for less than £20.

As they say, a no brainer.

jaybo1973

Dinted, dented? My head isn't right at the mo lol. I have ordered a decent replacement from on one

ilovedirt

Definitely new helmet time.

Ferrals

I had a crash in the week (hit a tree at 30-40kmh) and was told categorically by the medics if I hadn't been wearing a helmet (which was split in two) I'd be dead. Don't know about you, but I'm going to buy the most expensive helmet I can find for next time!

jaybo1973

I have ordered an on-one endruro pro helmet. A huge improvement on by bell avanti; still I can't call it. It has saved me from a serious injury. Sounds like you had a near escape like me. My neck hurts this morning and my cheek is a little tender but thank God I was wearing one

cooldad

Ferrals wrote:

I had a crash in the week (hit a tree at 30-40kmh) and was told categorically by the medics if I hadn't been wearing a helmet (which was split in two) I'd be dead. Don't know about you, but I'm going to buy the most expensive helmet I can find for next time!

They all have to comply with the same standards, so cost is no indicator of safety.

Angus Young

cooldad wrote:

Ferrals wrote:

I had a crash in the week (hit a tree at 30-40kmh) and was told categorically by the medics if I hadn't been wearing a helmet (which was split in two) I'd be dead. Don't know about you, but I'm going to buy the most expensive helmet I can find for next time!

They all have to comply with the same standards, so cost is no indicator of safety.

'Bout time some mag did a test of which survives violent impact the best.

ride_whenever

Except the standards aren't worth the time it takes to run the tests. More expensive helmets will often vastly exceed the minimums or also pass far harder tests like snell.

Angus Young

ride_whenever wrote:

Except the standards aren't worth the time it takes to run the tests. More expensive helmets will often vastly exceed the minimums or also pass far harder tests like snell.

That's why we need helmet tests that say more than 'comfy, well ventilated, looks good'. Batter 'em and give us a ranking.

rockmonkeysc

How would you determine a good or bad result? A helmet which looks battered could have done a better job of absorbing the impact than one which looks perfect.
Have you ever heard of a helmet not doing it's job properly?

Angus Young

RockmonkeySC wrote:

How would you determine a good or bad result? A helmet which looks battered could have done a better job of absorbing the impact than one which looks perfect.

Don't know what the answer to that it, but I'd guess it's not beyond the realms of possibility to figure something out.

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Have you ever heard of a helmet not doing it's job properly?

So no-one who wore a helmet ever died of a head injury? Though I take your point, most don't.

Be nice to know, though, which stands up best to a hammering.

ride_whenever

And it's tough because we want low profile light airy helmets that offer loads of protection. The tougher the tests get the bulkier the helmets will become. It's that fine line of enough protection.

Angus Young

This is the only answer...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoOTIlWoTtk

Ferrals

ride_whenever wrote:

Except the standards aren't worth the time it takes to run the tests. More expensive helmets will often vastly exceed the minimums or also pass far harder tests like snell.

Which is why I will spend as much as I can afford.

stubs

No dont buy a new helmet. Very soon I will need some new body parts and a healthy young MTBer can be harvested for lots of good bits. As well as not bothering with the helmet no drinking or smoking either.

ride_whenever

Ferrals wrote:

ride_whenever wrote:

Except the standards aren't worth the time it takes to run the tests. More expensive helmets will often vastly exceed the minimums or also pass far harder tests like snell.

Which is why I will spend as much as I can afford.

Exactly, my last lid was a specialized tactic which was one of the most reasonable snell approved helmet I could find. Currently looking for a replacement thats a bit more enduro (said semi-ironically :? )

However currently off the list due to fit are: poc, ixs, fox, giro, tld I obviously have a funny head. I think however I might be spoilt by the fit of the kask mojito which fits like beanie! I want something that comfy that looks good, so I may just end up getting a poc as it's probably best.

Need to confirm MET and 661 before I'm compromise with poc

cooldad

ride_whenever wrote:

Except the standards aren't worth the time it takes to run the tests. More expensive helmets will often vastly exceed the minimums or also pass far harder tests like snell.

And sometimes they won't. Motorcycle helmets are tested reasonably well, so Sharp test:

Cheap - Ducchini D832, RRP £60 - 5 stars.
Rather more expensive - Schuberth S1 Pro - RRP £450 - 2 stars.
Rather more expensive and the best as Moto GP riders use them - Arai Quantum - RRP £469 - 3 stars.

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/compareview/496,272,344

rockmonkeysc

For ultimate safety you need a MET Parachute.

ride_whenever

Noone needs a met parachute...