bike helmet replacement

Good little PSA from the team at RoadBikeRider -

Helmet Replacement

What's the matter? Your helmet is several seasons old but appears to be in good condition. However, even though you haven't damaged it in a crash or with rough treatment, you've heard that helmets lose some of their protective ability as they age. You're wondering if you should junk this skid lid and buy a new one.

Here's help: It's often recommended that a helmet worn frequently should be replaced every 3 years or so. The reason is that the foam degrades due to sun, heat, salty sweat and other environmental factors, added to the usual knocks of regular cycling activity. These things make the foam unable to provide full protection in the event of a head impact.

A helmet should certainly be replaced after it's smacked in a crash or even dented by a hard drop.

However, some experts (presumably those not working for helmet companies) maintain that a helmet will do the job no matter what its age as long as it's undamaged. In their view, there is no age limit.

There's no arguing, though, that buying a new helmet every 3 years will keep you current with comfort and safety features as well as style.

It's remarkable the improvements we've seen in helmet lightness, ventilation and fit. Almost every new model has a "cradle" for the lower rear of the head. This makes a helmet more stable on bumps and rough roads, and it'll stay in place better when the reason for wearing a helmet is happening.

You can find big savings on some of this year's helmets when next year's models are introduced. Check bike shops and catalogs, find the price and style you like, then wear that nice new helmet on every ride you take.