Replacing helmets

[944fan]

When I was in a LBS recently picking up some spare tubes the chap in there said that my helmet looked quite old and they should be replaced frequently as they lose their protection. Sounded like a dodgy sales pitch to me. Opinion on the Internet seems divided. My helmet is about 10-11 years old, it has never been in an accident.

Should I replace it? Its only £50 or so for a new one and am happy to pay that if required. But if not there are other things I could spend the money on. Also the foam pads inside smell from the sweat

[P-Jay]

AFAIK there's only two ways a helmet can be written-off, a crash (obvs) and being 'baked hard' if you lid spent 4-5 years being stored in your car on hot days it can degrade and become brittle, but really this is a problem for people in other climates. If you can still deform the inner material without it breaking, it'll be fine.

The other usual things you get banded about are UV rays and sweat / water, but for a helmet to be sold in the UK / EU it has to meet a lot of standards, two of those are being resistant to the effects of UV rays and sweat, it's simply not an issue.

[Simond S]

but if you do need to change it the Specialized trade in deal is superb.

[Rob_T]

Simond S said:

but if you do need to change it the Specialized trade in deal is superb.

correct. just go a rather fetching prevail helmet for half price. traded in my wifes lid for it. she never uses it but she was still angry with me for doing it...

[TKF]

The accepted logic is that if you can smell it from the room next door it'll need replacing.

If you do change it (and after 10yrs I would!) try and find one with replaceable/removable/washable padding.

[944fan]

Hadn't heard about the Spesh offer. Thanks for the heads up.

Wanders off to Evans clutching my smelly Giro and wallet.

[Simond S]

I traded in a Little Mermaid childrens helmet.

Allowed me to keep my old one "just in case"

[IroningMan]

I wish I hadn't thrown away my old one now.

Heigh ho. I have three kid's ones to trade.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Spesh offer looks good, but is only against 2 models, still a good way to get a £130 helmet @ £60

http://www.dalescycles.com/2013-specialized-helmet...

[aka_kerrly]

TKF said:

The accepted logic is that if you can smell it from the room next door it'll need replacing.

If you do change it (and after 10yrs I would!) try and find one with replaceable/removable/washable padding.

haha now that is sound logic.

My full face helmet has nice removable padding which can be washed so it's not such a problem.

What I tend to do is buy Specialized helmets for road/light track work and stick the receipt to the inside of the visor. That way if it gets manky/I crash in the first two years I can get a new one with 50% off. So far I've 'traded up' three times since my original investment but my current Specialized Air Banshee is around 4 years old and now. Apart from the velcro peak and the rear most padding plus one clip being worn it is holding up remarkably well.

[944fan]

The prevails all seem to be sold out so I went for an S3 instead.

£60 for a £110 helmet is not bad. Lighter and more aero than my old one as well.

[littleandy0410]

I went for a Prevail two weeks ago, they only had one L and one M left in stock at my LBS. They had loads of S3s. One thing I noticed is that although they claim the offer is on 2013 model helmets, the manufacture date inside varied greatly. Some were 2010. My Prevail was made in Aug 12, so I think it's probably the latest model. (Not that that bothers me, but it does seem like a cunning way of getting rid of old stock!)

I traded in my 12 year old Giro from the back of the garage, so I could keep my other Spesh Air Force for on the MTB.

I got this colour scheme:

[Fluffsri]

Can't seem to find a pic with one fitted but does the S3 come with a peak?

[littleandy0410]

Fluffsri said:

Can't seem to find a pic with one fitted but does the S3 come with a peak?

Yeah, S3 has a peak. There's a photo of one someone on here bought in the "things I've bought" thread from the past few days.

ETA: Mr Bishi posted it on 15th June

Edited by littleandy0410 on Sunday 23 June 21:12

[Fluffsri]

littleandy0410 said:

Yeah, S3 has a peak. There's a photo of one someone on here bought in the "things I've bought" thread from the past few days.

ETA: Mr Bishi posted it on 15th June

Edited by littleandy0410 on Sunday 23 June 21:12

Cheers for that!

[944fan]

I have found one slightly annoying thing with the S3. The straps are very thin and at speed or in the wind they vibrate a lot and its a little bit annoying.

[littleandy0410]

944fan said:

I have found one slightly annoying thing with the S3. The straps are very thin and at speed or in the wind they vibrate a lot and its a little bit annoying.

I was wondering the same about the Prevail the other day - there seems to be more wind noise than with my old helmet straps. Maybe that's why Wiggo has his sideburns!: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/cat-ear...