Wear the Best Bicycle Helmet
Avoid Cheap Helmets
Avoid wearing cheap helmets: Use the best bicycle helmet! The wearing of a bicycle helmet is a controversial subject in many places. Some folks believe that helmets are expensive, un-stylish, and unnecessary.
I used to be one of the people asking these questions, but personal experience has changed my mind forever.
The Structure of a Bicycle Helmet
A typical bicycle helmet is a thin plastic shell, holding a EPS foam (there are several types of foams, but this is the most popular). In most cases these two are made separately and then assembled. On some of the best bicycle helmets the foam is molded in the shell.
The EPS foam is there to absorb the hit and to protect your head. The shell is there to hold the foam, and to supply additional protection, especially on rough surfaces.
There are also the straps, the buckle and the pads. These are not for protection, but to make the helmet more comfortable, and to keep it on your head at all times.
Bicycle Helmets - How Do They Work?
As you ride your bicycle you are exposed to many risks. The helmet is there to protect your head while riding. The outer layer of the helmet can protect you from objects such as stones, trees on a mountainside, and from hitting the ground or any other solid object.
The stiff foam is there in case you are involved in a severe accident, and is meant to absorb the energy of a major impact.
The straps are there to keep the helmet on your head at all times. It is most important during an accident, and especially even when you hit other object several times.
While a helmet may not always save you, the technology that goes into them is well researched to lessen the impact when you hit your head. A good helmet contains a layer of crushable foam that will soften the impact.
It's actually your brain that gets the most damage from impact because it gets shaken and nerves and vessels get strained or damaged from this. By cushioning the impact, the helmet acts like shocks.
How to Wear Your Helmet
- Helmets should be worn so that while riding they are level to the ground.
- Many people tip the helmet back. Don't do that, and don't let your kid do that. Make sure that your forehead is also covered!
- Make sure that the helmet straps are fastened. Fasten straps will keep the helmet on your head if you fall.
- Adjust the straps. Make sure that the helmet is hold properly on your head (but not too tight), and that it can't be easily twisted.
Biking Helmets Myth
- Helmets are unstylish - Wrong! It is true that the best bicycle helmets don't have to be stylish, but recently there is a focus on the helmet's style. They are colorful, unique and there are even retro-styled helmets.
- Helmets are expensive - Wrong! Not all helmets are as expensive as you might think. There is a large selection of helmets that are inexpensive, in a range of styles and colors, and meet national safety standards.
- Helmets can last forever - Wrong! There are two occasions when you will have to wave goodbye to your loved helmet and to buy a new one: The first is after an accident, when the helmet might be damaged (note that damage may not be visible). The second reason to replace your helmet is the aging of the foam. I would recommend following the manufacturer recommendations (usually after five to ten years).
- I don't need a helmet - Wrong! You are riding safely, but the statistics is against you. In the US a rider may crash about once every 4,500 miles, and there are about 700 annual bicycle deaths, most of them caused by head injuries. Bicycle helmets can prevent most of them!
- Helmets with excessive vents are better - Wrong! It is true that ventilation is very important, but be aware that as you have more holes in your helmet there is less outer skin and inner foam to protect your head.
Buying the Best Bicycle Helmet
So what is the best bicycle helmet? What should you look for in a helmet? Really, as long as it meets the standards set by the national safety and transportation body in your country, the next most important thing to consider is fit!
When you are at the shop trying out helmets, make sure to have an experienced salesperson help you to adjust the straps so that you can tell if it fits before you buy it.
There are many different styles and fits of helmets. There are virtually weightless helmets ideal for racing, like the Advantage 2 helmet by Giro, or full face helmets ideal for down hill biking like Bell Drop BMX/Downhill Helmet
If you're into BMX mountain biking and you are looking for BMX mountain bike helmets, or you just want something a little more stylish check out Bell's Faction Bike Helmet
4 Things to Look for
- CPSC sticker - In the US the best bicycle helmets must have the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) inside the helmet.. Other countries might have their own regulatory quality mark.
- The right fit - Your bike helmet should have the right size and to fit you properly. Not only will you not want to wear a helmet that is not comfortable, but it also won't protect your head during a fall! Still at the shop, put the helmet on and adjust straps and then try to tear it off your head. It should stay in place.
- Ventilation holes - Anyone who has cycled on a roaring hot summer day can appreciate good ventilation on a helmet! Ventilation and sweat control are critical. There are several solutions for making a well ventilated helmet with good air flow without making too many holes (for example, making larger front vents). For the best sweat control I can strongly recommend wearing a good helmet Liner) under your helmet, but never a hat or anything thick.
- Rounded shape, bright colors - They might be unstylish, but I would strongly recommend buying helmets with well-rounded outer shell. In most cases, aerodynamics is not the issue, but safety surly is! Make sure your helmet have a bright color.
4 Things to Avoid
- Style over safety - Many "Aerodynamic" helmets have sharp edges, such as a tail or rigid visors. If you are not participating in the Tour de France you don't need the noticeably extra speed, and if you crash the "tail" might rotate the helmet (and your head) aside. Don't give up on safety - for style.
- Dark helmets - When you are on the road or on the trail, it is best to have bright helmet, so that others can see you.
- Narrow straps - Wider and softer straps are more comfortable. Make sure that the straps are wide enough.
- Tan lines - If you are bald, avoid helmets with too many ventilation holes, or wear a helmet Liner.
Best Bicycle Helmet for the Road Enthusiast
While some purists in the road bike cycling community opt for retro caps in the summer or knitted toques in the winter, the stylish nature of helmets made for road cycling has made them an easier sell, then in the world of the urban hipster.
) are incredibly light, and fit so perfectly that one hardly even notice that they are there. For the most part, one pays more money as the number of vents on the helmet increases, but one can still find a number of eye-catching head pieces:
The Best Bicycle Helmet for the Rugged Trail
Mountain bike helmets really are an absolute necessity, and I can't remember ever seeing a rider on the trail who eschewed a helmet for the sake of fashion. Anything can happen on the trail, and I have bounced my head of tree trunks and low hanging branches while still in the saddle!
However, even a XC best bicycle helmet is not enough when it comes to extreme biking. Downhill riders usually choose to wear helmets with full face protection, as a downhill bicycle crash come with the potential for more serious injury. Hey, I never said all fun was free!
Bikers who like biking cross country have it easier in that they can use road cycling helmets with lots of vents.
These helmets are not as well ventilated as the helmets used for cross country riding, and can be quite hot in the summer. Nonetheless, choosing the right cycling equipment can make the difference between a great day on the trails and a terrible day in the hospital. You can choose what kind of day you're going to have.
For cross country and down hill biking that are light, comfortable, and well-priced. I am currently using the Uvex Xenova helmet
Where to Buy the Best Bicycle Helmet?
As bicycle helmets are so crucial, my best advice is first to select the best bicycle helmet in a bicycle store. Then you can buy it there, or buy it online.
When it comes to buying bicycle helmets online, Amazon and eBay (almost as usual) are my recommended shopping web sites:
Bell BMX and Mountain Bike Helmets on Amazon
Giro Bicycle Helmets on Amazon
Schwinn Bicycle Helmets on Amazon
Disney Kids and Infant Bike Helmets on Amazon
Other Bicycle Helmets on Amazon
Full Face Helmets at eBay
Kids and Infant Bike Helmet at eBay
many years of enjoyable & safe bike riding."
Unknown author
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