Should I get a helmet?

[muddy_fox]

Hey peeps,

Just wondering if I can pick your brains again.

Basically I do low-level biking - don't do any jumping, off-road when following hounds across fields and on-road as a main mode of transport.

Should I bother getting a helmet or leave it until I manage to attain a higher level of biking? If the answer is yes any idea of what brand or things to look out for?

Cheers Claire

[sanjuro]

Hey peeps,

Just wondering if I can pick your brains again.

Basically I do low-level biking - don't do any jumping, off-road when following hounds across fields and on-road as a main mode of transport.

Should I bother getting a helmet or leave it until I manage to attain a higher level of biking? If the answer is yes any idea of what brand or things to look out for?

Cheers Claire
The answer has to be yes. You could be riding down the road, hit a bump and smack your head against a curb. Or you go headfirst through a car window.

The morbid scenarios are endless, and a helmet will save your life, or at least make the rest of your life less painful.

Considering the 3 reasons not to get a helmet:

1. Comfort
2. Cost
3. I look like a geek

Most helmets weight no more than 11 ozs, and are well ventilated. I would recommend a $30 Bell or Giro (they each make 2-3 models in that price range.

Looking like a geek is all relative. Other cyclists will notice you aren't wearing helmet. When I take my helmet off, I just smooth down my hair. And blood is never attractive.

[muddy_fox]

Many thanks am off to do some research now.

[douglas]

Hey peeps,

Just wondering if I can pick your brains again.

Basically I do low-level biking - don't do any jumping, off-road when following hounds across fields and on-road as a main mode of transport.

Should I bother getting a helmet or leave it until I manage to attain a higher level of biking? If the answer is yes any idea of what brand or things to look out for?

Cheers Claire


YES!


I agree w/Bell or Giro

[bluebug32]

it's probably better to get a helmet now, considering you're just starting out and more accidents happen when you're learning. Don't wait and ALWAYS wear it because if you don't and get hurt and come complaining to the monkeys, we will make fun of your stupid decision and not much sympathy will be had. I mean that in the nicest way and, I too, agree that a Giro or a Bell are great. Should be able to get a good deal (online for sure) because it's the end of the season.

[Changleen]

Yes. Get a helmet. Spend as much as you can afford. Make sure it is Aunty and Smell rated. (ANSI and SNELL - I think you have the same ratings in the US - Anyone?)

[rooftest]

Snell helmets are hard to find (Specialized I know has all theirs Snell certified) but represent a higher standard of protection. They also have the ANSI certification as well. Bell, Giro, etc. have only ANSI, but should do the job. (It's not called ANSI anymore - something else, but I'm assuming it's equivalent.)

[crazybikergirl]

yeah, def good choice to go get a helmet. I took my bf on a ride with a few friends and he wasn't going to wear a helmet. I brought it anyway, and when one of my friends saw he was not wearing it, they started in on him. Can't ride to much if you crack your head open.

[Angus]

Ya' gotta wear the lid man! Some of the worst injuries I have seen have come when they are just taking it easy. I agree with my komrades on the bell/Giro helmets I prefer the better Giro's because of the RocLoc feature. and if you think wearing a Helmet makes you look like a dork, just imagine how you would look in a wheelchair....

[Tenchiro]

The responsible answer is of course, yes.

But it's your head so do whatever you think is right. Just don't expect much in the way of sympathy if you bust it open because you didn't have a lid on. :monkey:

[ridetoofast]

i couldnt agree more with the above responses :thumb:

i cant count the number of times a lid has saved my mellon.

it doesnt take much above 10mph collision with the asphalt/concrete to do irrevocable damage and that speed is easily attainable...

[kaptain]

yes!! really anything is WAY better than nothing.

[Duzitall]

you only get 1 brain. please wear a helmet :thumb: and ask others to do the same

[Meat Foot]

The answer has to be yes. You could be riding down the road, hit a bump and smack your head against a curb. Or you go headfirst through a car window.Or, as my friends mom did, just came to a stop and tipped over and hit here head (granted, it may not sound like that takes talent, but you never know what the circumstances are). She lost her life to head trauma (no helmet). I know you said the morbid possibilites are endless, I am just echoing that fact.

I have seen the dents I put in helmets over the years, and always say, "wow that could have been my head".

[Jayridesacove]

Get a helmet, you never know when you will randomly crash.

[wood-dog]

Yes you should, even though your riding is low-key. And kudos to for taking our advise and doing your research!

[downhill66]

of course unless u want to die!

[hooples3]

yes get a helmet.. if you fall and hit your head and have serious problems you wont have to wonder if the helmet would have saved you

[spincrazy]

NO WAY! What fun is landing on your head if you are wearing a helmet?!?!

[SXtrailrider]

of corse when ever you ride a bike you wear a helmet because it is always that time when you think im going ot be fine that you fall, and you always fall when u don't expect it so yes get a helmet

[Pat...]

You are riding a bike, so you are going to fall/crash sooner or later. Besides the point that you could get messed up, falling on your head w/o a helmet hurts.

If you don't like the ones road bikers and cross country riders wear, get a skate style helmet like the bell faction. Most dirt jumpers, urban riders wear these helmets. Wearing a helmet doesn't make you look like a geek, it makes you look like like a biker.

If people think you look like a geek w/ a helmet, f*c* them. Also, you shouldn't care what people think about something like a helmet or whatever- they are dumba**es.

[bigwheel]

Deciding whether or not to wear a helmet depends a lot on what types of material your head is made from.

:)

[Capt. Jack Sparrow]

Omigod, yes, get a helmet. The fit is the most important thing. Buy one from a bike store and have the staff their help you "fit" it.

[bluebug32]

how did the helmet shopping go? What did you end up getting?

[Zaskar Rider]

I cut my head open down to the skull about 7" across. Last time I didn't wear a helmet on a bike.

[freerideATL]

yeah my brother was just riding....
(no speed riding, weaving in and out of traffic)
just riding and some car turned left in front
of him and wam! his head was on the ground..
he had a helmet and is now okay to talk about
that idiot that turned infornt of him.

[TreeSaw]

YES!


I agree w/Bell or Giro
DEFINITELY!!!

[hilldown]

Only took one ride for me without a helmet. Now there is an entire thursday that I will never be able to remember.

[fnaqzna]

It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

[freeridermtb4]

the only time I dont wear a helmet is when im cruising to work, thats about it, everywhere else you should have one

[teamkranzelbike]

if you honestly are not sure about this, my answer would be NO. The world needs at least one more self induced broken skulled brain damaged person to try to convince the next person to not have to ask this question. Wear a helmet, I have no desire to support you in a vegetative state!!!

[clandestine]

if you honestly are not sure about this, my answer would be NO. The world needs at least one more self induced broken skulled brain damaged person to try to convince the next person to not have to ask this question. Wear a helmet, I have no desire to support you in a vegetative state!!!

lol its so true too

[Konabumm]

Hey peeps,

Just wondering if I can pick your brains again.

Basically I do low-level biking - don't do any jumping, off-road when following hounds across fields and on-road as a main mode of transport.

Should I bother getting a helmet or leave it until I manage to attain a higher level of biking? If the answer is yes any idea of what brand or things to look out for?

Cheers Claire


No way, wait until you regret not buying one sooner. Then get on :think:

[zmtber]

yes get a helmet, you have to remember to expect the unexpected


Quote:
Originally Posted by teamkranzelbike
if you honestly are not sure about this, my answer would be NO. The world needs at least one more self induced broken skulled brain damaged person to try to convince the next person to not have to ask this question. Wear a helmet, I have no desire to support you in a vegetative state!!!

[johnbryanpeters]

Get a helmet. Use it.

[MizN8]

And to think all this time I thought they were just a fashion accessory?

J/K

Helmets have saved my noggin more times than I can count...........

And they look kewl doing it!

[JRB]

I got a Limar 907 this weekend for $75. yay

[Rip]

I got a tire today so there!

[JRB]

I got a tire today so there!
Your head looks nothing like a wheel to me.

[Tharkun]

Helmets, helmets...blah. I own a full face helmet for hucks and jumps, but that's it. I feel very comfortable w/o a helmet in the city, backroads, grassy trails, etc. Certainly the responsible thing to do would be to get one and wear it constantly, but that's your choice. I will personally never wear a helmet unless doing some sort of stunt or bombing downhill hard.

I honestly think that good shoes and a camelbak are more important for riding without stunts. Helmets don't make you faster, shoes and water backpacks can. Hell, I would definately get gloves over an XC helmet.

I'm sure I'm going to catch hell for this but honestly no one around here wears a helmet for just riding around. Maybe I'm mistakenly thinking that my big bike will be able to handle anything but whatever, it's a calculated risk.

Riding with your dogs in a field? Why wear a helmet, part of the fun of bikes is that you don't need any protection really, its just you in a T-shirt and shorts, no protective gear, out enjoying pedaling a bike.

Thats just my take,
Cam

[JRB]

Helmets, helmets...blah. I own a full face helmet for hucks and jumps, but that's it. I feel very comfortable w/o a helmet in the city, backroads, grassy trails, etc. Certainly the responsible thing to do would be to get one and wear it constantly, but that's your choice. I will personally never wear a helmet unless doing some sort of stunt or bombing downhill hard.

I honestly think that good shoes and a camelbak are more important for riding without stunts. Helmets don't make you faster, shoes and water backpacks can. Hell, I would definately get gloves over an XC helmet.

I'm sure I'm going to catch hell for this but honestly no one around here wears a helmet for just riding around. Maybe I'm mistakenly thinking that my big bike will be able to handle anything but whatever, it's a calculated risk.

Riding with your dogs in a field? Why wear a helmet, part of the fun of bikes is that you don't need any protection really, its just you in a T-shirt and shorts, no protective gear, out enjoying pedaling a bike.

Thats just my take,
Cam


I had a very stupid crash after I changed after a road ride. I dropped my shorts and they went between the tire and fork. I went ass over tea kettle and bled profusely. I would not have, had I had my helmet on. I wear it every time I ride now.

[Rip]

Your head looks nothing like a wheel to me.

It doesn't but yours sure does look like the south end of a mule though. :D :D :D :D :D :D

[JonathanGennick]

I began wearing helmets because of my kids. I realized I couldn't very well tell them to wear a helmet while not wearing one myself. So I bought a good one and began to wear it. At first, I felt like a conspicuous, bloomin' idiot, but after a few months that feeling pretty much went away.

Bought a new helmet, a red one this time, just the other week. Came in handy yesterday too. I was coasting downhill, ducked my head to thread my way under a fallen tree that was leaning across the trail, and didn't duck far enough. I was glad enough for the helmet then, believe me.

[maxyedor]

interesting side note, Ihave had thousands of crashes on my mountain bike, who hasn't?, and only twice have I hit my head, but I have had a small handfull of crashes comuting to work and obliterated three helmets and severly smashed two more. so for comuting I would say a helmet is not a good idea but an absolute must!

[robdamanii]

A helmet is ALWAYS an absolute must, unless you are a clairvoyant type of person. ALWAYS expect that you will crash and hit your head, even if you're riding around your own driveway. NOBODY is too good to crash.

[downhilldemon]

yes, always need a helmet! you sound accident prone, maybe a full face sixsixone for riding don the road! :)

[hardtale]

having a helmet is necessary, i banged my head pretty bad once. get one!

[DownhillnDunkey]

skid lid, the older model pro-tecs(dont make them anymore, or look for the bucky lasek pro-tec, super comfortable. all soft padding no hard foamy ****

[bicycleman]

right now im using one of those new protect that actually have strofoam on them i have taken crashes at proboly 30 mph on rocky single track and didnt even have a headache afterward.
i aslo tooka crash on the street when in was riding next to my friend and him being an mtb newb he made a sharp left from the right side of me and cut me off i hit his bike and flipped forward and my helmet and head was fine and we were hauling

[amhso]

It's not worth not wearing a helmet....and you can get one at like walmart for 10 dollars if you really don't want to spend lots of money on something that "makes me look like a geek."

[bicycleman]

btw the rating for the helmetsid called DOT

[irishMonkey]

i would recomend the bell faction