Helmets advice

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networkn

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#230801 13-Mar-2018 21:44

We need to get a couple of new Bicycle Helmets for when we ride our bikes as ours are about 15 years old and the foam is pretty much gone etc.

There are a huge price variety around and some places even suggest buying from Aliexpress. I am less keen on that option because I worry about counterfeit brands and safety issues.

I don't want to compromise on safety, and I am not sure if there is a way to tell online which helmets are "safe" or not safe.

Any advice?

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#1974271 13-Mar-2018 22:09

Buy a helmet that meets AS/NZS 2063:2008 - that's the standard, and that's the best you'll easily find here. There might be outfits that do more stringent testing, however none that trace back to any of the NZ standards.

More details at https://www.standards.govt.nz/touchstone/consumer-safety/2013/apr/new-zealands-standards-for-bicycle-safety/

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

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#1974274 13-Mar-2018 22:14

Go to your local bike shop and try them on. Find one that fits your head properly, is comfortable, and is assured of being up to standards. Not the sort of thing I would be buying off a site like Aliexpress or similar. Some things are worth getting right for the sake of a few $$$.

Torpedo 7 and the like often have good sales.

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#1974289 13-Mar-2018 22:27

no, these are the definitive guidelines

1. buy one made of EPS foam. it is like a crumple zone material of cars.

2. even better buy one that has EPS + MIPS. MIPS is like more crumple zone.

3. fit. every head is different shaped, so is every helmet. unfortunately it's a bit of luck as to which helmets fit more precisely.

so EPS + FIT minimum, +/- MIPS.

4. Road helmets are more lightweight, Mountain bike specific helmets offer a bit more coverage/protection.

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#1974291 13-Mar-2018 22:30

I ride a MTB but usually just in suburban areas. Footpaths, up the odd hill slowly down the odd hill slightly faster, around parks and fields. Very occasionally through somewhere like redwoods, but never in a MTB terrain park, never doing stunts.

I want the best protection short of a motorcycle helmet and whilst cost is a factor, it's probably last.

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#1974294 13-Mar-2018 22:31

the lousy helmets (yes, some bike shops sell them! eg warehouse, bike barn!) are made of very dense polystyrene and you might as well wrap your head around a concrete block and then whack it on things. it hurts!

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#1974296 13-Mar-2018 22:34

networkn:

I ride a MTB but usually just in suburban areas. Footpaths, up the odd hill slowly down the odd hill slightly faster, around parks and fields. Very occasionally through somewhere like redwoods, but never in a MTB terrain park, never doing stunts.

I want the best protection short of a motorcycle helmet and whilst cost is a factor, it's probably last.

motorcycle helmets are made of much denser material for very high speed crashes, and are not as good at bicycle speed impacts.

look at something like a giro chronicle, you will see that it has very good wrap around, minus the chin bar. again, head shape vs helmet model is a very specific thing, almost by luck. try on lots.

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#1974297 13-Mar-2018 22:35

http://www.wiggle.co.nz/bell-traverse-helmet-mips/

What about this?

https://shop.evolutioncycles.co.nz/Product/221265/helmet-lazer--beam-mips-white

I assume everything MIPS will be ANSI Compliant? Not every helmet states it online even though most I checked on with the stores said they were.

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#1974301 13-Mar-2018 22:36

Our old helmets were polystyrene

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#1974302 13-Mar-2018 22:37

Batman:

networkn:

I ride a MTB but usually just in suburban areas. Footpaths, up the odd hill slowly down the odd hill slightly faster, around parks and fields. Very occasionally through somewhere like redwoods, but never in a MTB terrain park, never doing stunts.

I want the best protection short of a motorcycle helmet and whilst cost is a factor, it's probably last.

motorcycle helmets are made of much denser material for very high speed crashes, and are not as good at bicycle speed impacts.

look at something like a giro chronicle, you will see that it has very good wrap around, minus the chin bar. again, head shape vs helmet model is a very specific thing, almost by luck. try on lots.

$180 YIKES!

gzt

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#1974310 13-Mar-2018 22:55

Fit and feel is important. Visit. Buy a brand. Bell make motorcycle helmets. I always found that convincing. Huge number of styles and fits just in that one brand. Like shoes. $70-$90 seems reasonable to me. Easily a five year life if no hits.

Ps wash in soapy water occasionally they absorb a lot of sweat.

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#1974336 14-Mar-2018 06:59

https://www.hyperride.co.nz/product/helmets/1209/2018-fixture-mips-helmet-dark-red/1308709/detail

if you use the code dontgo (something along those lines) you get a 15% discount.

but i cannot guarantee fit by looking at your username

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#1974338 14-Mar-2018 07:08

more about the helmet shell construction

https://helmets.org/liners.htm

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#1976346 14-Mar-2018 09:05

networkn:

Batman:

networkn:

I ride a MTB but usually just in suburban areas. Footpaths, up the odd hill slowly down the odd hill slightly faster, around parks and fields. Very occasionally through somewhere like redwoods, but never in a MTB terrain park, never doing stunts.

I want the best protection short of a motorcycle helmet and whilst cost is a factor, it's probably last.

motorcycle helmets are made of much denser material for very high speed crashes, and are not as good at bicycle speed impacts.

look at something like a giro chronicle, you will see that it has very good wrap around, minus the chin bar. again, head shape vs helmet model is a very specific thing, almost by luck. try on lots.

$180 YIKES!