SURVEY...WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED...

[SpyderGirl]

Very interesting concept.

 

[BajaRon]

I am really loosing all faith in helmet manufacturers ... I am ready to give up on the expensive trendy junk that is out there today.

Tom

I am afraid I have to disagree. And statistics seem to be on my side here.

While it is true today's helmets can be "Trendy", the fact remains that they are not necessarily "Junk".

Not sure how far back you want to go, but even going back just a few years riders today are traveling faster, hitting harder when they crash and coming away with lesser head injuries at the same time.

Every crash is different but helmet impact and head deceleration tend to fall into categories. Crashes and their results are closely and meticulously monitored in the Pro Racing industry. Some helmet manufacturers as well as different government agencies all over the world document every aspect of every accident including speed, impact force, helmet damage and any head injuries.

They produce data comparing similar crash aspects to resulting injuries suffered by helmet brand/model, and also to data from years past.

Now I am not talking about all helmets as there are many more brands available today then ever before (though most are made in Japan, Korea or China, regardless of the brand name.) But if we're talking about the expensive models then I would say the positive statistical trend would apply to the conversation.

Well made helmets are lighter, stronger (in the right way), more aerodynamic, fit better (as long as you go to the trouble to get the correct fit), and provide better comfort, ventilation and visibility.

Fit is huge and most riders are not aware of the critical nature of fit or how to go about getting a properly fitted helmet. You are generally much better off with a lesser helmet that fits properly than you are wearing the best helmet made with an improper fit.

Finally, when considering inflation and discount prices available, today's top quality helmets are really no more expensive than a good quality helmet of 20 years ago.

Today's helmets are not as ridged (more flexible) and will disintegrate more easily on impact than older, hard shell helmets. Some mistake these characterists as a sign of a poorly made helmet which will provide less protection.

But it has been well documented that the iron clad helmet of the past that took a licking and showed little damage could actually inflict a great deal of injury to the brain.

Today's helmets are a one use design. In other words. If you have an accident with head impact that helmet is done, even in the rare case where the helmet shows little sign of damage. Today's helmets are designed to take a licking and be destroyed. Today's helmet is designed to be sacrificed to protect the brain from rapid deceleration. This rapid deceleration is the killer that older helmets did not protect the rider from. Rapid deceleration crushes your brain inside your skull.

That is not to say that the old helmets did not save lives and protect heads, because they did. But today's helmets do a much better job.

For my money, I'd rather toss the helmet and keep my brain. I know it's not much but until someone is willing to donate theirs it's all I've got!