Helmet straps

[Chris71]

Apologies to anyone expecting something more kinky, but I refer, of course, to cylcing helmets... How tight should the strap be? I seem to remember being told to set up the strap really lose, but my current helmet can pretty much be slid off my head before the strap actually reaches my chin and stops it. I have visions of it doing unpleasant things to my neck if I have an off. What's the official thinking?

[itsnotarace]

It should be tight, not so tight that you can't breathe but tight enough to stop the lid moving on your head

[ewenm]

Tight enough to hold the helmet in place should you fall off (assuming the helmet is in the correct place and the right size to start with). It's "cool" to leave it undone or loose, but stupid too.

[Chris71]

Sounds like I need to adjust it! Wasn't an attempt at cool, I just dimly remember my bike shop telling me to set it loose when I first got it ages ago.

[itsnotarace]

With the helmet on and done up, grab it with both hands and rock it back and forwards and side to side. You shouldn't have more than about 1cm movement in any direction and you certainly shouldn't be able to pull it off altogether.

More than 1cm and you run the risk of it slipping out the way when you do come to use it, meaning you may as well not bother wearing one in the first place

[Chris71]

So, as a rough guide, I probably want it tight against my chin if my mouth is wide open. Which being hugely unfit, and gasping for air, it frequently is.

[HundredthIdiot]

More importantly, glasses go over not under the helmet straps.

[Gooby]

HundredthIdiot said:

More importantly, glasses go over not under the helmet straps.

Why?

[itsnotarace]

Rule 37, no exceptions

http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/

[ewenm]

Gooby said:

HundredthIdiot said:

More importantly, glasses go over not under the helmet straps.

Why?

The arms of Oakley glasses are designed to go outside the helmet straps. Don't know why, but it confirms rule 37.

[Old man Jimbo]

itsnotarace said:

Rule 37, no exceptions

http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/

This is good it made me giggle....

[Garlick]

itsnotarace said:

With the helmet on and done up, grab it with both hands and rock it back and forwards and side to side. You shouldn't have more than about 1cm movement in any direction and you certainly shouldn't be able to pull it off altogether.

More than 1cm and you run the risk of it slipping out the way when you do come to use it, meaning you may as well not bother wearing one in the first place

As a result of this post I have tightened my lid accordingly. Odd as a correctly fitting helmet is essential when I ride my motorbike, but I was more blasé about the bicycle. Not any more.

Tonight I shall wear my glasses appropriately too.

[okgo]

Almost as bad as those utter plebs that wear is titlted back on their heads so if they do crash their whole face/forhead and ront of head area is getting caved in.

[itsnotarace]

Beware of strap creep as well - over time the straps do get looser. It really takes something like Weylandt's death to bring home the importance of a correctly adjusted and fitting helmet.

[okgo]

Why?

The helmet made no difference in his case did it? Face first, nothing outside a motorbike helmets going to cut it.

[itsnotarace]

Obviously depends on the angle he hit the wall with his head

[HundredthIdiot]

itsnotarace said:

Rule 37, no exceptions

http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/

Also Euro Rule #12.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2258201150

Euro Rules are somewhat more stringent/ridiculous (delete as appropriate).