probably been done before but....... helmets? yes or no?

[IDB1]

If I were hoofing it around at stupid mph, fast downhill, treacherous terrain I would probably spend a fair whack on the best I could get..

Everything I do is gentle and, when I go off-road, it'll be singletrack.. a little less hazardous perhaps??

That said, I am, aware that some of the nastiest spills happen at slower speeds (having come off a motorbike at 30mph and the A&E staff preparing the Wife for the worst since they felt I wasn't going to live) so will probably buy a hemlet in due course..
My son is insisting I get one like his WWE one (which means it's probably going to be a Bell Faction or similar)....

 

[BerthaPog]

Ignoring the efficacy debate which my earlier post had links to...

When it comes to choosing one over another:
- a higher price generally gets more ventilation
- generally they are tested to the same set of standards
- Fit wise, as others have said go to the shop and try them on, even with adjustable straps etc, they do vary on fit and comfort.

As to wearing it - me personally: always off-road, sometimes on-road - depends on where I'm riding/purpose of ride.

 

[lewis1641]

i dont really know where i fit in.

i used to wear one all the time but recently i rarely do. when this was discussed a while ago i was an adamant supporter of the helmet. i think it was chris667 who shocked me though as i never considered the added strain on the neck in an impact.

i would rather smash my head on the ground with a helmet than without but you can recover from a smacked head. broken necks can easily paralyse and kill.

i also tend to get very hot in my helmet and i must have a funny head because they always look kooky on me - like they are perched on top of my head.

the off road trails i rider are generally not technical either. when i did a retro ride in dalby though i took and wore my lid. gil_m insisted and i can totally understand why having ridden the place.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

... first hand, properly thought out explanations.

 

[Neil G]

I've knocked myself out with a helmet on before and a friend of mine had a bleed on the brain, again, wearing a helmet. Stephen Murray said himself he wouldn't be alive if he hadn't been wearing a helmet although he'll never ride a bike again

 

[tintin40]

I choose not to wear one but am a little concerned that the courts deem them necessary when dealing with accidents despite them not being a legal requirement.

A forum member advised a few of us that they are worth 30% more in any compensation claim.

If I was racing, I would wear one but having survived the last 25 years without one I'll carry on as normal.

Agree. Alas no club will let you race with out a hat.
I'll carry on with out one too. And use a mates hat for the few races i do

 

[legrandefromage]

Funny thing is, I had a bad crash when I was a kid on a too big racer and had my head superglued in A&E. I learnt how to fall off better.

 

[xerxes]

I usually wear one if I'm going for a proper ride with others wearing them, but not when I'm using the bike for transport. I've yet to find one that doesn't look a bit odd when wearing it and feel a little self concious when I'm out on my own.

I've never actually hit my head in a spill, I always seem to get a hand down first, which is why I always wear gloves or mits, they've saved me quite a few shredded palms over the years. My elbows, forearms and jacket sleeves have been less fortunate.

 

[fingers]

I always wear one when out on the bike. I have had a nastily fractured skull in the past so think a bit of cover is always a good idea.

I remain to be convinced about the neck issue.

 

[perry]

I'm not going to say , I will say though that I've never had a head injury .

Did a helmet stop me putting my back out , breaking an elbow , breaking a wrist , breaking a hand or breaking 3 fingers . Did it stop the scars on my shins , hands or arms , hmm let me think .