Other than buying something that can be adjusted to fit comfortably, just make sure you buy a helmet designed for the type of riding you'll be doing. Don't buy a wee aero road helmet for downhill...
Other than buying something that can be adjusted to fit comfortably, just make sure you buy a helmet designed for the type of riding you'll be doing. Don't buy a wee aero road helmet for downhill racing and don't buy a heavy, full-face downhill helmet to ride a cruiser down the boardwalk. I mean, you can, but eventually you're gonna have a bad time.
If you think you look ridiculous, don't worry about it, everyone thinks they look ridiculous wearing a bike helmet while simultaneously not caring what anyone else looks like. Just wear the damn thing.
MIPS is something you'll see on certain helmets. It's a system that lets the helmet shell move around your head ever so slightly in the event of a crash. The idea is that the helmet will absorb some of the rotational energy of your head skipping along the road. I'm not sure if you'll find a MIPS equipped helmet in the $50 price range, but best to go in prepared anyway.
One more thing that I didn't see already mentioned, since we're being responsible:
Should you ever take a good hit to the noggin' due to a crash, or you toss your helmet casually off a cliff in a moment of personal glory and there is visible damage, ditch that helmet. Of course they can take some casual abuse, but none are meant to save your gourd more than once when it matters, so plan on replacing it immediately if it ever has to do its job. I guess the takeaway is, don't buy a helmet you can't afford to replace.
Oh, and if you're bald or you shave your head, mind the sun. Bike helmet sunburn looks very silly. Ask me how I know. If you're a gal and have long hair, some women's helmets are even shaped to allow for a ponytail.
It’s not really that hard. If you’re mountain biking it depends a bit on what kind of riding you’re going to do. If you’re going to ride downhill or really technical trails then you might want a...
It’s not really that hard. If you’re mountain biking it depends a bit on what kind of riding you’re going to do. If you’re going to ride downhill or really technical trails then you might want a full face helmet, but if you’re mostly going to use it on roads an ordinary helmet will do.
Get one that fits you well, the more you pay, the lighter it will be which won’t really matter for someone just beginning. Many helmets have MIPS, which is a system that lessens the risk of brain injuries when crashing according to some studies. I own a MIPS helmet, and I’m happy with it.
Some brands that are good are: Lazer, Giro and Kask, but there are others as well.
For both motorcycle and bicycle helmets, you should look for something Snell-certified. Snell is a non-profit whose entire mission is reducing head injuries and improving helmets. They buy helmets...
For both motorcycle and bicycle helmets, you should look for something Snell-certified.
Snell is a non-profit whose entire mission is reducing head injuries and improving helmets. They buy helmets from retail stores at random and conduct independent tests on them. I don't know how stringent the other testing for bicycle helmets is, but for motorcycle helmets the US DOT standard is a bit of a joke - it hasn't been updated since the 1970s, and it relies exclusively on self-reporting. The manufacturer tests their own helmets according to DOT requirements, then reports "yep, they passed".
A lot of good info here already, but I found this article very helpful when looking for a helmet myself: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-bike-helmet-for-commuters/ They've been testing...
They've been testing helmets for the casual biker for years and the article is good for the average person looking for a decent helmet (with options for cheaper or higher end as well usually). It might be worth a check if some of the cycling-centric sites are a bit overwhelming.
*the site does get money for affiliate links for the purchase but they're upfront about it and generally I really like the site for product recommendations of all sorts and have not been disappointed by things I've gotten based on their recommendations.
I ride a lot, both on and off-road. I would highly recommend getting a helmet that covers the back of your head and does not trade safety for aerodynamics. If you are not professionally racing,...
I ride a lot, both on and off-road. I would highly recommend getting a helmet that covers the back of your head and does not trade safety for aerodynamics. If you are not professionally racing, there is no rational reason to make that trade off.
I have an older model of the Bell Stoker. I use it on roads and trails. I have been hit by a car, slipped while turning, ran into posts, all kinds of dumb crashes. More than half the time I ended up on my back. That is why I recommend the back of your head being covered.
Disclaimer: i don't use an helmet (which is irresponsible, as i go like 40km/h downroad[does downroad even exist?] almost everyday, one day i almost hit a car, anyway, i'm dumb :D) Usually helmets...
Disclaimer: i don't use an helmet (which is irresponsible, as i go like 40km/h downroad[does downroad even exist?] almost everyday, one day i almost hit a car, anyway, i'm dumb :D)
Usually helmets are similar in construction, their comfort is the only difference.
Don't buy used helmets (this is a little bit obvious)
Wear a helmet, damnit! Don't risk giving an innocent bystander PTSD when they see you get hit on your bike and splatter your skull all over the pavement. Your brain is your most important asset....
Wear a helmet, damnit! Don't risk giving an innocent bystander PTSD when they see you get hit on your bike and splatter your skull all over the pavement. Your brain is your most important asset. Remember that.
You're obviously aware, but I had a good friend almost die because they weren't wearing a helmet. Please wear one; If only because someone on the internet asked you to.
You're obviously aware, but I had a good friend almost die because they weren't wearing a helmet. Please wear one; If only because someone on the internet asked you to.
I'm going to blatantly jump on the proverbial bandwagon. I lost my one of my closest childhood friends because he wasn't wearing a bike helmet. He was missing the entire night until they found him...
I'm going to blatantly jump on the proverbial bandwagon. I lost my one of my closest childhood friends because he wasn't wearing a bike helmet. He was missing the entire night until they found him laying on the ground the next morning with a fractured skull. After a stay in the hospital that lasted for months he was finally released to live out the next several years unable to speak or feed himself or remember what happened yesterday.
Don't mistake my little tale for artificial concern, spewed out to look one way or another on some online forum. I watched my friend's entire family suffer for years for my friend's mistake, and I'd be right as rain if that didn't need to happen again to anyone. If you're being honest, get a lid, wear it, please.
When I'm not riding I like to hang it off the front of my handlebars, clasping it around the stem, so it hangs in front sort of like a basket. Once it's there I use it to throw my gloves and the...
When I'm not riding I like to hang it off the front of my handlebars, clasping it around the stem, so it hangs in front sort of like a basket. Once it's there I use it to throw my gloves and the little bag I keep my spare tube and tools in. If I'm out and just wandering into a shop or something it comes with me, either strapped to my backpack if I have it or just carried in my hands.
https://www.beam.vt.edu/helmet/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html I think this might be really helpful for you. All helmets aren't the same and surprisingly there really hasn't been much of a push to...
I think this might be really helpful for you. All helmets aren't the same and surprisingly there really hasn't been much of a push to standardize ratings until recently. A lot of the trendy urban style helmets are not great.
I used to ride pro - if you go off road for anything more than a flat single track, get a full face lid. TLD are great, 661 are great, POC are great, I use Fox. Giro, Bell, good named brands, but...
I used to ride pro - if you go off road for anything more than a flat single track, get a full face lid. TLD are great, 661 are great, POC are great, I use Fox.
Giro, Bell, good named brands, but not even as good, in my opinion as those I named.
TLD, POC and Fox are costly, 661 less so, but 100% buy last year's colours.
Other than buying something that can be adjusted to fit comfortably, just make sure you buy a helmet designed for the type of riding you'll be doing. Don't buy a wee aero road helmet for downhill racing and don't buy a heavy, full-face downhill helmet to ride a cruiser down the boardwalk. I mean, you can, but eventually you're gonna have a bad time.
If you think you look ridiculous, don't worry about it, everyone thinks they look ridiculous wearing a bike helmet while simultaneously not caring what anyone else looks like. Just wear the damn thing.
MIPS is something you'll see on certain helmets. It's a system that lets the helmet shell move around your head ever so slightly in the event of a crash. The idea is that the helmet will absorb some of the rotational energy of your head skipping along the road. I'm not sure if you'll find a MIPS equipped helmet in the $50 price range, but best to go in prepared anyway.
One more thing that I didn't see already mentioned, since we're being responsible:
Should you ever take a good hit to the noggin' due to a crash, or you toss your helmet casually off a cliff in a moment of personal glory and there is visible damage, ditch that helmet. Of course they can take some casual abuse, but none are meant to save your gourd more than once when it matters, so plan on replacing it immediately if it ever has to do its job. I guess the takeaway is, don't buy a helmet you can't afford to replace.
Oh, and if you're bald or you shave your head, mind the sun. Bike helmet sunburn looks very silly. Ask me how I know. If you're a gal and have long hair, some women's helmets are even shaped to allow for a ponytail.
It’s not really that hard. If you’re mountain biking it depends a bit on what kind of riding you’re going to do. If you’re going to ride downhill or really technical trails then you might want a full face helmet, but if you’re mostly going to use it on roads an ordinary helmet will do.
Get one that fits you well, the more you pay, the lighter it will be which won’t really matter for someone just beginning. Many helmets have MIPS, which is a system that lessens the risk of brain injuries when crashing according to some studies. I own a MIPS helmet, and I’m happy with it.
Some brands that are good are: Lazer, Giro and Kask, but there are others as well.
For both motorcycle and bicycle helmets, you should look for something Snell-certified.
Snell is a non-profit whose entire mission is reducing head injuries and improving helmets. They buy helmets from retail stores at random and conduct independent tests on them. I don't know how stringent the other testing for bicycle helmets is, but for motorcycle helmets the US DOT standard is a bit of a joke - it hasn't been updated since the 1970s, and it relies exclusively on self-reporting. The manufacturer tests their own helmets according to DOT requirements, then reports "yep, they passed".
A lot of good info here already, but I found this article very helpful when looking for a helmet myself: https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-bike-helmet-for-commuters/
They've been testing helmets for the casual biker for years and the article is good for the average person looking for a decent helmet (with options for cheaper or higher end as well usually). It might be worth a check if some of the cycling-centric sites are a bit overwhelming.
*the site does get money for affiliate links for the purchase but they're upfront about it and generally I really like the site for product recommendations of all sorts and have not been disappointed by things I've gotten based on their recommendations.
I ride a lot, both on and off-road. I would highly recommend getting a helmet that covers the back of your head and does not trade safety for aerodynamics. If you are not professionally racing, there is no rational reason to make that trade off.
I have an older model of the Bell Stoker. I use it on roads and trails. I have been hit by a car, slipped while turning, ran into posts, all kinds of dumb crashes. More than half the time I ended up on my back. That is why I recommend the back of your head being covered.
Disclaimer: i don't use an helmet (which is irresponsible, as i go like 40km/h downroad[does downroad even exist?] almost everyday, one day i almost hit a car, anyway, i'm dumb :D)
Usually helmets are similar in construction, their comfort is the only difference.
Don't buy used helmets (this is a little bit obvious)
Wear a helmet, damnit! Don't risk giving an innocent bystander PTSD when they see you get hit on your bike and splatter your skull all over the pavement. Your brain is your most important asset. Remember that.
You're obviously aware, but I had a good friend almost die because they weren't wearing a helmet. Please wear one; If only because someone on the internet asked you to.
I'm going to blatantly jump on the proverbial bandwagon. I lost my one of my closest childhood friends because he wasn't wearing a bike helmet. He was missing the entire night until they found him laying on the ground the next morning with a fractured skull. After a stay in the hospital that lasted for months he was finally released to live out the next several years unable to speak or feed himself or remember what happened yesterday.
Don't mistake my little tale for artificial concern, spewed out to look one way or another on some online forum. I watched my friend's entire family suffer for years for my friend's mistake, and I'd be right as rain if that didn't need to happen again to anyone. If you're being honest, get a lid, wear it, please.
yea, i know, it's a huge responsibility not using helmet, my major reason for not using is having nowhere to safely store it :(
When I'm not riding I like to hang it off the front of my handlebars, clasping it around the stem, so it hangs in front sort of like a basket. Once it's there I use it to throw my gloves and the little bag I keep my spare tube and tools in. If I'm out and just wandering into a shop or something it comes with me, either strapped to my backpack if I have it or just carried in my hands.
https://www.beam.vt.edu/helmet/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html
I think this might be really helpful for you. All helmets aren't the same and surprisingly there really hasn't been much of a push to standardize ratings until recently. A lot of the trendy urban style helmets are not great.
I used to ride pro - if you go off road for anything more than a flat single track, get a full face lid. TLD are great, 661 are great, POC are great, I use Fox.
Giro, Bell, good named brands, but not even as good, in my opinion as those I named.
TLD, POC and Fox are costly, 661 less so, but 100% buy last year's colours.
This is really nice: https://www.evanscycles.com/troy-lee-designs-d3-mirage-carbon-mips-full-face-helmet-EV326148
This will save you every bit as much, be just as cool and is light and good: https://www.evanscycles.com/661-reset-full-face-helmet-EV332255
MAKE SURE IT FITS and ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS DO UP THE CHINSTRAP.