CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Should I replace a helmet after a certain length of time?

(12 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by drnoble
  • Latest reply from Focus
  • This topic is resolved

  1. drnoble
    Member

    I don't really want to get into the almighty "should I wear a helmet debate" suffice to say I tend to when on roads, handy for strapping lights/cameras to if nothing else.

    Anyway, I've had my helmet for about 6 years now (I think) and was wondering if there is a recommendation on if/when to replace. I've not had any significant impacts to this one (bought after hitting a tree with my last helmet on a red run) - but it probably has had its share of knocks and bumps over the years.

    good to hear if people has thoughts or opinions on whether it would be wise to replace, or to keep wearing it assuming it will give me a similar level of protection as it did when new (ignoring the debate about how much that is if possible :)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. Snowy
    Member

    I'm in the same position - I need to go and get a new one too.

    I understand that 2 things mainly happen as a helmet ages.
    - the glue between the shell and the polystyrene gives up, and they become separated, reducing the strength of the whole,
    - the polystyrene hardens up, and it loses its effectiveness as a shock absorber.

    I would expect that sunlight, temperature variations, bumps / wear and tear, and just plain age, would all contribute to this process. I wouldn't want to put a specific 'replacement age' on it. You probably know when it's time!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. Cyclops
    Member

    Helmet manufacturers recommend 2-3 years but as they're the ones that profit I'd take that advice with an appropriately sized pinch of salt.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. Greenroofer
    Member

    Again, without wanting to get into the rights and wrongs of this (there's a thread for that), if you buy into the reasons for wearing a helmet as put forward by the helmet manufacturers, then you also need to buy into their recommended replacement schedule.

    It's a bit like Ronseal - "If you do what it says on the tin, it will do what it says on the tin". Like all PPE, you should replace it when it reaches its expiry date, even if it looks fine.

    Giro says 'three years'

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. drnoble
    Member

    Thanks, that was kind of what I had been thinking, but nice to get a few other opinions on it. Looks like another trip to the bike shop is required.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. ARobComp
    Member

    Check for any cracks etc. I replaced mine after showing it to a Giro rep at a cyclocross race and him saying "yeah this is basically just a hat now..."

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. neddie
    Member

    If it stills looks fashionable & newish, that's all you need. It's all about 'showing face'* isn't it?

    *Or showing hat

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. SimonS
    Member

    Every 'limit' that a manufacturer/retailer puts on an item assumes the worst case. Eg, a tomato from a well known supermarket might have a sell by date limit of seven days but with sensible storage will likely be fine after double that. Abuse it and the original date might be valid.

    A company that makes helmets might put a recommended limit of three years knowing that given plenty of abuse it will still be effective for that long. If you are someone who cares for your equipment you could probably double that. If however you have a life changing accident after 7 years you are unlikely to win a court case for compensation unless you have a very good (ie expensive) barrister.

    It's your choice. (I'll probably still be wearing the same helmet many years from now)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. wee folding bike
    Member

    Careful now. I've got an early '90s UK made Centurion in my dad's garage and a '93 Giro HammerHead in our garage.

    Do they now have retro chic? The Centurion looks a lot like those trendy Nutcase ones.

    Hmmm, <fx/googling> yes, Google finds that people are into this kind of thing. My Giro is half way down this page:

    http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=101405&start=40

    Couldn't find the Centurion anywhere.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. neddie
    Member

    @WFB

    OK, if it still looks cool*, you're good to go

    *I'm sure the cool kids don't say 'cool' anymore. Confused? I am...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. wee folding bike
    Member

    It's coolio or cool beans at the moment I think.

    I'd ask kids but they're upstairs fighting Romans or orks or something like that.

    I'm fairly content to leave it in the garage. I've got a much more trendy black Kangol Ventair waiting for the summer. It's what Samuel L Jackson wore in Jackie Brown. That must be cooler than a polar bears cold bits.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. Focus
    Member

    Got a wearable Bell Image c.1987 in the house. Pretty good condition but polystyrene probably firmer than it was.

    Giro Air Attack, Z team Limited Edition. Fairly bit dent in the top forced it into retirement but I would never throw it out. A classic.

    Giro Gila, manufactured 5/98 still my town/off-road choice.

    Specialized Air Cobra c.2000. Thought I'd keep using through the cold months but found my new helmet just fine, with a Castelli Thermo Skully making up for the bigger air vents.

    Specialized Prevail, 2013, my current road lid.

    Personally, I trust all three of the newest helmets, and even the Bell might be ok for minor knocks, But would I recommend wearing a helmet longer than the manufacturer says? Well, not in public!

    But I will echo what SimonS says, they will always err on the side of caution (as the Forth Bridge did in closing it to non-motorised traffic today), if only to protect themselves. Look after it well, keep it out of strong sunlight whenever possible (so not too hard in Scotland!) and you'll likely exceed the official life easily enough.

    Posted 10 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.


Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin