Helmet Longevity
Moderators: Philip Whiteman, Andy Terry
- Philip Whiteman
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Helmet Longevity
Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom on the life expectancy of a helmet?
My current model is four years old and not suffered any collision and is visibly acceptable.
My current model is four years old and not suffered any collision and is visibly acceptable.
The Giro website recommends replacing a helmet after 3 years or after a fall or impact. Whether that is based on sound scientific evidence or is to sell more helmets, I couldn't possibly comment.
http://www.giro.com/eu_en/customer-serv ... elmet-faqs
Climbing helmets and plastic mountaineering boots usually have a 10 year lifespan unless of course they have been subject to impact or a fall. I have recently emailed Scarpa who say their boots become brittle with age and may fail during use.
http://www.giro.com/eu_en/customer-serv ... elmet-faqs
Climbing helmets and plastic mountaineering boots usually have a 10 year lifespan unless of course they have been subject to impact or a fall. I have recently emailed Scarpa who say their boots become brittle with age and may fail during use.
- Andy Terry
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- Philip Whiteman
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I don't really have an answer to this observation by can only moot:-Andy Terry wrote:I can see no good reason to replace a helmet that hasn't been bashed. Are they trying to say that they 'go off' over time?
1. The plastic outer shell becomes brittle with age.
2. The glues holding the various foam and shell sections deteriorate.
3. Perspiration deteriorates the materials of the helmet.
I suppose it is rather like my underpants. I don't change them until they are worn out.
- Neil Compton
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I hope you change your underpants to wash them though.Philip Whiteman wrote:I don't really have an answer to this observation by can only moot:-Andy Terry wrote:I can see no good reason to replace a helmet that hasn't been bashed. Are they trying to say that they 'go off' over time?
1. The plastic outer shell becomes brittle with age.
2. The glues holding the various foam and shell sections deteriorate.
3. Perspiration deteriorates the materials of the helmet.
I suppose it is rather like my underpants. I don't change them until they are worn out.
The advice seems very inconsistent and varies widely.
Polycarbonate, the material used to make the hard shell in most cases, degrades with exposure to UV light. Some manufactures use UV inhibitors, but over time will need replacing.
Mountaineering helmets, similar cost, design and materials all seem to have a recommended 10 year life. One wonders if the "3 years" is a marketing and sales tool??
The Snell Memorial Foundation has tested motorcycle helmets (same/similar materials, different design) held in storage for more than 20 years and found that they still meet the original standard. Presumably, these were not subject to UV degradation though?
http://www.bhsi.org/replace.htm
The outdoor retailer, Go outdoors recommends replacing every 2 years.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/expert-advi ... ng-helmets
Polycarbonate, the material used to make the hard shell in most cases, degrades with exposure to UV light. Some manufactures use UV inhibitors, but over time will need replacing.
Mountaineering helmets, similar cost, design and materials all seem to have a recommended 10 year life. One wonders if the "3 years" is a marketing and sales tool??
The Snell Memorial Foundation has tested motorcycle helmets (same/similar materials, different design) held in storage for more than 20 years and found that they still meet the original standard. Presumably, these were not subject to UV degradation though?
http://www.bhsi.org/replace.htm
The outdoor retailer, Go outdoors recommends replacing every 2 years.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/expert-advi ... ng-helmets
- Philip Whiteman
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- Philip Whiteman
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Just turn them around and you'll have another five years at least?Philip Whiteman wrote:It was my pants that I was talking about. It is about five years ago since I purchased the last pair.AlanW wrote:Thats all well and good, but what about your pants?Philip Whiteman wrote:Thanks for the advice. I think a new one will be on order.
"You only need two tools: WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape"
- John Sanderson
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When I took my CBT for motorbike use I was told that motorcycle helmets have different colour stickers on the rear to indicate their lifespan - and that it is sun exposure that degrades the material.Clive wrote:The advice seems very inconsistent and varies widely.
Polycarbonate, the material used to make the hard shell in most cases, degrades with exposure to UV light. Some manufactures use UV inhibitors, but over time will need replacing.
Mountaineering helmets, similar cost, design and materials all seem to have a recommended 10 year life. One wonders if the "3 years" is a marketing and sales tool??
The Snell Memorial Foundation has tested motorcycle helmets (same/similar materials, different design) held in storage for more than 20 years and found that they still meet the original standard. Presumably, these were not subject to UV degradation though?
http://www.bhsi.org/replace.htm
The outdoor retailer, Go outdoors recommends replacing every 2 years.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/expert-advi ... ng-helmets
We can only be cynical about the motivation around the timescales specified by manufacturers but it's evident that plastics deterioate eventually...
It's all about the bike.
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While discussing this at work today , I did inspect said head gear and noticed that mine did in fact have a crack right through the inner foam, so new helmet needed before Sundays audax .Last one was a Giro Monza.
I have noticed that some helmets don’t look as much like a mutant mushrooms as others . Is it the shape of the helmet or the head that gives this affect?
I have noticed that some helmets don’t look as much like a mutant mushrooms as others . Is it the shape of the helmet or the head that gives this affect?
Yes.keith wrote:While discussing this at work today , I did inspect said head gear and noticed that mine did in fact have a crack right through the inner foam, so new helmet needed before Sundays audax .Last one was a Giro Monza.
I have noticed that some helmets don’t look as much like a mutant mushrooms as others . Is it the shape of the helmet or the head that gives this affect?
- Philip Whiteman
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I have just purchased a new 'Beacon coloured' helmet manufactured by the cycle helmet maker, Salice vedi italiano.
The manufacturer's recommendation on replacement is as follows:
"Since the sun action weakens all plastic materials after some time, we recommend you to buy a helmet at least every three years. If you use it quite often, you might need to change it more frequently".
Plus a new pair of underpants:
The manufacturer's recommendation on replacement is as follows:
"Since the sun action weakens all plastic materials after some time, we recommend you to buy a helmet at least every three years. If you use it quite often, you might need to change it more frequently".
Plus a new pair of underpants:
- PatBoySlim
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