how to tell when a helmets had it

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how to tell when a helmets had it

19 posts & 14 voices | Started 1 year ago by yesiamtom | Latest reply from becky_kirk43

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yesiamtom - Member

So i had a bit of a crash yesterday whilst doing teh chichester challenge and mangled the side of my face a bit. Initially when i came down my helmet took the blow though. I reckon i was doing under the magic 12 mph and the helmet isnt cracked or visibly damaged other than a few scuffs.

I was looking at replacing it under the giro replacement scheme but havent got proof of purchase. I know in an ideal world the helmet would just be r eplaced and binned after every crash but i dont want to go sloshing money down the drain. Especially on a student budget.

Is there anyway of telling if the helmet has actually done its job and is now unusable?

Posted 1 year ago #
RealMan - Member

If you can, buy specialized helmets. They offer a fantastic crash replacement system. I had a £25 helmet, that was several years old, so I figured it was time for a new one. Even though no real signs of damage, specialized sold me a 2d sworks (rrp: £130(?)) for £50. No questions, no proof of purchase, and real quick as well.

Posted 1 year ago #
BigJohn - Member

I don't think you need proof of purchase with Giro, just download a form off the Madison website. It tells you what your model will be replaced with, and the cost.

Flex your helmet and look inside the lid for tell-tale signs of cracks. If none visible, keep flexing till one appears.

Posted 1 year ago #
elliptic - Member

Top tip: if looks like this you probably need a new one.

Posted 1 year ago #
yesiamtom - Member

Posted 1 year ago #
grumm - Member

Giro did the crash replacement for me without proof or purchase as the helmet had been a present. They did send me the wrong size twice though.

Posted 1 year ago #
cynic-al - Member

If it's not cracked/dented I'd say it's OK.

That said mine has 5 cracks and I'm still riding it...

Posted 1 year ago #
thisisnotaspoon - Member

Giro don't ask for proof of purchase, or never have for me, I've been back twice with the same helmet, i.e. a crash replacement for the crash replacement.

As a rule, if you think you might need a new one, you definately do because you wont know untill it doesn't work next time!

Posted 1 year ago #
yesiamtom - Member

yeah i just went and looked at it. Theres no cracks or dents, just a few little nicks (by that i mean 1-3mm nicks) and some chalky marks on the plastic part.

Think its okay.

Hopefuly not last words there.

Posted 1 year ago #
Mostly Balanced - Member

I change mine when it gets too smelly

Posted 1 year ago #
thisisnotaspoon - Member

The plastic part is just a shell, its the polystyreen that does the impact absorbtion, the two arent actualy glued stuck together, just formed in the same mould for a close fit.

The plastic bit rebounds back to its original shape potentialy leaving a big void behind it. Even if its not compressed, it might be ridled with cracks.

Bin it, its not worth the risk. Giro/Madison will replace it cheeply, probably for less than a good night out.

By wearing it now its little more than a token jesture to the "you shouldn't be riding without helmet" school of thought, because in a crash it may well just be useless.

Posted 1 year ago #
TPTcruiser - Member

I got my Met crash replaced even though it was a Xmas present and had no receipt.
But there isn't a really good way of telling if the polystyrene foam is damaged, maybe if there was some blue or UV dye that showed up when it's time was up or above a critical crack size? Acoustic resonance might be one way but probably too expensive.

Posted 1 year ago #
becky_kirk43 - Member

Someone dropped my helmet onto a hard floor (i.e. concrete), but decided it looked reasonable on the outside and felt the inside to see if the polystyrene felt different on the point of impact. But it didnt so I'll use it until it gets another whack and then replacement time (also on a student budget so I feel your pain!)

Posted 1 year ago #
Practical Matt - Member

Is it invalidated if I have put stickers on my helmet- I've got hi vis tape on mine.

Posted 1 year ago #
molgrips - Member

I thought the general advice was if in doubt, bin it. Like climbing gear. It can have all sorts of damage you won't see until it doens't protect you next time.

Any head impact - new lid.

Posted 1 year ago #
grumm - Member

Someone dropped my helmet onto a hard floor (i.e. concrete)

Could be wrong here but I would have thought if it was going to crack when dropped on the floor it wouldn't be much use in an accident.

The force applied to it if it hits the ground with your weight behind it at speed must be massively higher than just dropping it on the floor.

Posted 1 year ago #
toab - Member

What about the old tale that they perish with age and should be replaced every two years regardless of impact?

I think it sounds unlikley but end up buying a new one cos I'd rather waste £30 than waste my head.

Also, does anyone know if they're recyclable at all?

Posted 1 year ago #
Underhill - Member

The two year thing is due to UV ageing, which weakens the polystyrene and also the polycarb shell used on some helmets.

Fibreglass or carbon fibre helmets shouldn't suffer just the same, but will still need replaced even if they have no damage due to the effects of weathering.

Posted 1 year ago #
becky_kirk43 - Member

Someone dropped my helmet onto a hard floor (i.e. concrete)
Could be wrong here but I would have thought if it was going to crack when dropped on the floor it wouldn't be much use in an accident.

not necessarily expecting a crack but there's barely a mark on the shell where it landed! And I would have thought the shell cracking is irrelevant in a crack as its the polystyrene that absorbs most of the impact?

Posted 1 year ago #

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