When is it time for a new helmet?

Discussion in 'Helmets' started by HBkites, Oct 21, 2015.


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get anew helmet?

  1. Yes - New hemet after every hard impact

    15 vote(s)
    100.0%
  2. No - If You cant see a crack, it is as good as new.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. HBkites

    HBkites Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Huntington Beach
    Name:
    Sharone
    Current Bike:
    Why S7, Revel Rascal, Spark RC
    Ive been riding with Smith Forefront for about a year now , and it saved my head a few times.
    On Sunday I hit my head on the dirt hard, but the helmet is showing no sign of impact. Should I replace it?
     
    Cyclotourist and Mikie like this.
  2. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    yup.....replace. Just because you cannot see a crack, does not mean there is not one there.

    My wife crashed a while back and hit her head, her helmet looked ok...but i replaced it anyway. I removed the hard plastic covering....low and behold, it was cracked in a few places.

    Sorry, but my head is worth a few extra $$.
     
    Faust29, Mikie, HBkites and 4 others like this.
  3. GregMiester

    GregMiester Member

    Location:
    La Verne
    Name:
    Greg
    Current Bike:
    2014 Giant XTC Advanced 2
    Once the foam compresses, it's ability to absorb impact is limited or gone depending on the hit.

    Do these things expire BTW? As in, does the foam become brittle or ineffective at some point due to age?
     
  4. doublewide

    doublewide iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    Mark
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Tallcan
  5. Varaxis

    Varaxis Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Perris
    Name:
    Dan Vu
    Current Bike:
    Yeti SB5c ('16 Yellow v1)
    Those straws are like crumple zones, engineered to absorb impact, which breaks it. Better it, than your brain. Once broken, they don't crumple anymore and they're just going to transmit all the force through. EPS foam works the same way, but doesn't let air flow through it like the straws do. There's some compounds that can react to the materials, but most likely solvents and not something like sweat, sun, and dirt. Can go 5+ years on a well made helmet and still absorb impacts, assuming it hasn't taken an impact that compacted the material already.

    Look and try to feel for indented spots. A helmet shouldn't crumple from squeezing with your fingers, so really try to feel for those spots under the shell in spots you can't see. Feel free to get rough with it, if your intuition is telling you to replace it. That particular model isn't made for multiple impacts, despite its "higher tech" material.
     
  6. moto knight

    moto knight Member

    Location:
    Riverside
    Name:
    kyle
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Bronson
    You should replace your helmet after every impact. I have work for two large motorcycle helmet manufacturers and you'd be surprised what the Eps or foam looks like under an impact even if the helmet is not cracked.
    The helmet is designed just to take the one impact and be replaced.
    Yes helmets have a shelf life. In testing you will see a deterioration in about 3 years. That's why in auto or motocycle racing the helmets have what is called a snall rating that expires every 5 years.
     
  7. Varaxis

    Varaxis Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Perris
    Name:
    Dan Vu
    Current Bike:
    Yeti SB5c ('16 Yellow v1)
    Good source, which states, ''The results indicate that, if used properly accordingly to [MET's] owner manual, our helmets will still do their job up to eight years after they have been made."
     
    Mikie and doublewide like this.
  8. HBkites

    HBkites Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Huntington Beach
    Name:
    Sharone
    Current Bike:
    Why S7, Revel Rascal, Spark RC
    I guess it is time to go shopping......
     
    Mikie likes this.
  9. doublewide

    doublewide iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    Mark
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Tallcan
    From Smith Optics FAQ:

    What is the warranty on Smith Helmets?

    Smith has a lifetime warranty and a crash replacement program on their helmets. We know what makes a great product and are proud to back it up. If you experience a problem that is a defect in materials or workmanship Smith Optics warrants your helmet for the lifetime of the product. We will repair or replace your helmet at no charge. Smith Optics has the sole discretion to determine manufacturer's defects. Consumers who damage their helmets in an accident within 3 years of purchase are eligible for a crash replacement at 30% Off MSRP of a new Smith helmet. See your local retailer or sales representative for details.
     
  10. RS VR6

    RS VR6 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Valencia/Simi
    Name:
    Lee
    Current Bike:
    Banshee Shartfire/Chiner 29r
    Here's the kicker. Every helmet manufacturer will tell you every three years.

    http://www.helmets.org/up1505a.htm

    "There are other reasons to replace a helmet--crash damage, strap deterioration, improving fit--but simple aging of the foam liner is not one of them."
     
    Mikie and Varaxis like this.
  11. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Hey Sharone, thanks for that link. I've been looking for a new helmet, and liked the rounder style of the Forefront.

    Ordered!!!
     
    Mikie likes this.
  12. HBkites

    HBkites Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Huntington Beach
    Name:
    Sharone
    Current Bike:
    Why S7, Revel Rascal, Spark RC
    Enjoy it ;-) a dem good helmet.
     
    Mikie likes this.
  13. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Will know shortly!!! :)
     
    Mikie likes this.
  14. Danmtchl

    Danmtchl iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Bakersfield
    Name:
    Dan
    Current Bike:
    2020 Trek Fuel EX 9.7
    I replace my helmet every two years, or a serious crash, whichever comes first.
     
    Mikie and ridinrox like this.
  15. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    Thanks for posting this @HBkites,
    This forced me to pull the trigger on a new helmet. It's a good time to buy as the close outs for 2015 are starting to happen. I got a pretty sweet deal at Bike Bling on a 2015 Bell Super 2R MIPS for $150 bucks.
    image.jpeg
     
    herzalot, HBkites, abuck55 and 3 others like this.
  16. moto knight

    moto knight Member

    Location:
    Riverside
    Name:
    kyle
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Bronson
    That's a pretty good price on the bell 2r
     
    Mikie likes this.
  17. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Came in today's mail! Medium is a perfect fit!
    22257592808_b7ec8820d8_z.jpg
    New lid!
    by David, on Flickr
     
    Mikie and Danimal like this.
  18. Danimal

    Danimal iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Mission Viejo
    Name:
    Dan
    Current Bike:
    Epic Evo
    My time for a new helmet is now. after the spill the other day started thinking " did I hit my head"? I didn't think so, but there is a nice dent in the TLD A1 where I landed, so helmet shopping this week! Apparently it did its job as I never knew it had an impact.

    Another TLD most likely, like the helmet.
     
    herzalot, doublewide and Cougar like this.
  19. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    I recently bought a new Specialized Ambush helmet. 3 rides later, I cracked it hitting a tree! Just got the replacement last week. Hope it lasts longer!
     
  20. abuck55

    abuck55 Member

    Name:
    Mark
    Mikie, I have the same helmet. I love it!
     
    Mikie likes this.
  21. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    Supah (2r) Score!
    I just got an email from Bike Bling stating they had sold out of all their 2015 Bell Super 2r MIPS Helmets... fo-evah! And, could I go choose a 2016 of the color of my choice for the same price, so I picked this!
    bell.super.2r.blue.jpg
     
  22. Danimal

    Danimal iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Mission Viejo
    Name:
    Dan
    Current Bike:
    Epic Evo
    Nice job mikie!

    I Bought a new TLD A1 yesterday, in white with black trim.
    :)
    My noggin will be happy I did.
     
  23. knucklebuster

    knucklebuster Well-Known Member

    Location:
    34.2295° N, 117.2257° W
    Name:
    Dave
    Current Bike:
    Guerrilla Gravity Megatrail
    Endurblew! Do you know what changed for the 2016? Just curious, I have the '15 2 mips (without the chinbar)
     
    herzalot, ridinrox and Mikie like this.
  24. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    Most likely the color options...ha hah! I couldn't find any changes...
     
    knucklebuster likes this.
  25. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Bold new graphics!!!
     
    Mikie and knucklebuster like this.
  26. Cornholio

    Cornholio iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    B
    Current Bike:
    Huffy
    I love my Bell Super 2R! I bring the chin bar along on rides where I know I will see some extended downs and it is easy to carry (example - I put it on at Old Camp for the DH portion of the STT/Old Camp/Luge ride). It was also nice to have in Mammoth when I was there this summer.
     
    herzalot and Mikie like this.
  27. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    The Helmet showed today. What a class act Bell is. Glad to be back in a Bell Helmet where I belong...
    image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
     
  28. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    Oops! Never mind. ...

    Wear your helmet, whichever one you got.
     
  29. RS VR6

    RS VR6 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Valencia/Simi
    Name:
    Lee
    Current Bike:
    Banshee Shartfire/Chiner 29r
    Nice, and its in "Enduro Blue". :D

    Hoping my GF gets me the Boba Fett colored one for Xmas. :whistling:
     
    Mikie likes this.
  30. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    I've had my helmet for 6 years..... Mind you for 3 of those years out was only used over an 8 week period when I was home from China....

    But I think it's time for a replacement.

    Tried on a few Smith helmets the other day, me likey.
     
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As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


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