Helmet

[gazza285]

I have been a casual cyclist since my early teens. I have ridden many a bike, both high quality racers and knackered old ride to work hacks, I even used to compete at cyclotrials to British level many a moon ago.

I now find myself with a dilemma. At the age of 41 I have been pestered into purchasing a cyclocross bike by a friend's wife as she thinks it would be fun to join him in his hobby, and I have foolishly agreed.

My question is, is there such a thing as a cycle helmet that will not make me think I look like a dick?
It was bad enough buying the first new lycra products since 1990, let alone showing off to the wife, who has never seen me in such attire, let alone buying some expanded foam monstrosity to perch on my bonce.

Earlier mentioned friend has offered me his old helmet, which does not fit, but I declined. Any recommendations? I am from Yorkshire as a pricing guide.

Is it a case of cyclists look down because of the effort, or because of the embarrassment?

[whatleytom]

You sound like a teenager. Who really cares what you look like with a helmet on? If you don't want brain damage, or worse death should the worse happen then suck it up and get a decent helmet.

I have a kask mojito, very comfortable and very adjustable to find the right shape for your bonce.

[paranoid airbag]

whatleytom said:

You sound like a teenager. Who really cares what you look like with a helmet on?

Yeah, I'm sure 90% of Rapha owners would have spent the extra money if their jerseys looked awful

I'd say Lazer do the best-looking 'pro' style helmets, though it's obviously subjective - but in general less mushroom-like=more money. Trawling evans cycles website, bern, specialized, and giro all do more solid (i.e. round, less vented) helmets that don't look 'pro': that may be a good or a bad thing for you, you just look like an ordinary person with protective headgear rather than someone about to attempt Alpe d'Huez.

If you're really that self-concsious, bear in mind even cycling bare-headed brings advantages compared to not cycling at all...

[Rouleur]

With so many people riding bikes these days and perhaps the majority of them wearing helmets I doubt whether anyone with a brain thinks that we look like dicks. Met is a good make too IME, but you need to get yourself to a decent sized shop where you can try a few on to see which fits best.

[anonymous-user]

I wonder if the lack of replies are due to the fact that the OP suggested people wearing helmets look like dicks.

I'm sure what helmet/ bike gear threads usually do much better than this.

[Engineer1]

Get which ever helmet fits I loved the look of the Urge Helmets and was already to order one then tried one in a shop and ruled it out as it sat funny on my head.

[Bacon Is Proof]

The lycra will make you look like a dick, I wouldn't worry about the helmet.

[BadgerBenji]

Wouldn't be sat here now posting this if it wasn't for a couple of helmets, better to look like a live dick than be a dead one.

I've been impressed with my Cratoni, but best advice I can give you is go to your local cycle shop, try lots on, and buy the one that feels the most comfortable. Just don't stick furry ears on it as that just confirms the wearer is a dick (sorry for any offence caused as there is bound to be someone who has such a look)

[anonymous-user]

specilaised helmets fit my head quite well, not sure what the protocol for cx and visors is but the Echelon is worth a look and is £50. the dial system at the back means the fit is adjustable.
however, tried a mavic synchro recently and really liked the fit.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Echelon-Helmet...

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Mavic-Syncro-Road-Cycling-...

[paranoid airbag]

BadgerBenji said:

Wouldn't be sat here now posting this if it wasn't for a couple of helmets, better to look like a live dick than be a dead one.

Oh FFS.

The only way you could know a helmet saved your life is if you had the same crash without one and died. In which case, you wouldn't be here. It being cracked does not prove anything. The injuries you suffered even with the helmet do not prove anything. Nor does anything a doctor or nurse (who probably haven't read much of the relevant literature or conducted experiments of their own) says.

I have nothing against helmets - I'm sure they're at least occasionally useful. I have everything against people who hand out advice based on 'evidence' that leaves out important stuff like a control. Look at this next time. Without one your conclusions are nigh-on worthless.

[Justin S]

Sorry I dont agree. After a mate had a huge crash in Brecon and is now wheelchair bound. His helmet 'did' save his life. Full stop. Google Russ Pinder for the story.

paranoid airbag said:

Oh FFS.

The only way you could know a helmet saved your life is if you had the same crash without one and died. In which case, you wouldn't be here. It being cracked does not prove anything. The injuries you suffered even with the helmet do not prove anything. Nor does anything a doctor or nurse (who probably haven't read much of the relevant literature or conducted experiments of their own) says.

I have nothing against helmets - I'm sure they're at least occasionally useful. I have everything against people who hand out advice based on 'evidence' that leaves out important stuff like a control. Look at this next time. Without one your conclusions are nigh-on worthless.

[Marty63]

I started cycling again about 4 months ago after a long long break,

never used to use a helmet but did not think twice about wearing one now,

bought a muddy fox one for about 20 squid, it will protect the bonce enough if need be,

do i look like a dick, couldn't give a monkey's,

don't know if it's an age thing where you are more concious of safety or possible damage that could be,

[paranoid airbag]

Justin S said:

Sorry I dont agree. After a mate had a huge crash in Brecon and is now wheelchair bound. His helmet 'did' save his life. Full stop. Google Russ Pinder for the story.

Googled. Saw no proof at all that he wouldn't have survived anyway: I know plenty of people who have crashed and been fine, so 'had a crash' is not proof. Ergo no proof the helmet saved his life.

How people fail to follow this logic utterly baffles me.

[james0]

Had a fairly big off a couple of months ago, cracked ribs etc. Another rider came to my assistance and after asking if I was ok he wanted to know where my lid was. Really he should have asked where my chest and shoulder protection was, it would be more relevant.
Chest injuries can kill too. I'm not against helmets and do wear them but I really dont understand the obsession some people have.

[Sods Law]

paranoid airbag said:

BadgerBenji said:

Wouldn't be sat here now posting this if it wasn't for a couple of helmets, better to look like a live dick than be a dead one.

Oh FFS.

The only way you could know a helmet saved your life is if you had the same crash without one and died. In which case, you wouldn't be here. It being cracked does not prove anything. The injuries you suffered even with the helmet do not prove anything. Nor does anything a doctor or nurse (who probably haven't read much of the relevant literature or conducted experiments of their own) says.

I have nothing against helmets - I'm sure they're at least occasionally useful. I have everything against people who hand out advice based on 'evidence' that leaves out important stuff like a control. Look at this next time. Without one your conclusions are nigh-on worthless.

I always wear a helmet now, in July 2004 I borrowed a bike from a friend and rode home, all I now know of that evening starts with me having a CAT can in hospital the next day! I had a slur on my speech for 2days and almost had to cancel my wedding. So excuse me when I say a helmet is a REQUIREMENT of cycling I'm my opinion. Had I worn a helmet I would have been fine as the helmet would have taken the impact from the curb edge rather than my temple.

A helmet might not save your life but I'm my experience will save you allot of pain, Looking like a dick for not wearing one whilst explaining to the mrs what you've done, and dribbling!

Obviously you can still be hurt but being able to protect yourself from some injuries is common sense.

I have a specialized helmet with the twist lock and it looks quite good to me, there are also a few cool Matt black units...

[BadgerBenji]

paranoid airbag said:

BadgerBenji said:

Wouldn't be sat here now posting this if it wasn't for a couple of helmets, better to look like a live dick than be a dead one.

Oh FFS.

The only way you could know a helmet saved your life is if you had the same crash without one and died. In which case, you wouldn't be here. It being cracked does not prove anything. The injuries you suffered even with the helmet do not prove anything. Nor does anything a doctor or nurse (who probably haven't read much of the relevant literature or conducted experiments of their own) says.

I have nothing against helmets - I'm sure they're at least occasionally useful. I have everything against people who hand out advice based on 'evidence' that leaves out important stuff like a control. Look at this next time. Without one your conclusions are nigh-on worthless.

If you think my conclusions are worthless you might want to check the two sets of xrays from the accidents, one left me with a pushed in skull/eye socket and the other one 3 cracked vertebrae. I personally wouldn't want to repeat either accident. I am fully aware of scientific control, but that is only valid to a point, accidents are extremely hard to recreate, let alone outside of a controlled environment, so in conclusion, you have tried to make a point badly and therefore it is worthless, obviously in my opinion same as yours is yours.

[paranoid airbag]

Sods Law said:

Had I worn a helmet I would have been fine as the helmet would have taken the impact from the curb edge rather than my temple.

Didn't Shane Sutton similar not dissimilar injuries to yours despite wearing a helmet? That seems a pretty good counter-example to me. And the great thing about counter-examples is, you only need one.

So that's bullst too. Once again, very simply: how do you prove that the helmet made a difference without comparing situations where the only variable is the helmet?

[BadgerBenji]

paranoid airbag said:

Didn't Shane Sutton similar not dissimilar injuries to yours despite wearing a helmet? That seems a pretty good counter-example to me. And the great thing about counter-examples is, you only need one.

So that's bullst too. Once again, very simply: how do you prove that the helmet made a difference without comparing situations where the only variable is the helmet?

Think you need to know Shane Sutton a little better, he hardly ever wears a helmet only when it's compulsory.

[paranoid airbag]

BadgerBenji said:

Think you need to know Shane Sutton a little better, he hardly ever wears a helmet only when it's compulsory.

Was reported in the beeb as wearing one at the time of the accident.

[james0]

BadgerBenji said:

If you think my conclusions are worthless you might want to check the two sets of xrays from the accidents, one left me with a pushed in skull/eye socket and the other one 3 cracked vertebrae.

Ouch! Out of interest do you wear a spine guard now?