What You Need to Know When Choosing a Bicycle Helmet
There are a lot of reasons why you need a bike helmet, no matter what type of cycling you're into. A good helmet will protect you from head impact in a crash and save you a trip to the hospital or worse. And if that wasn't reason enough to protect your noggin, many states have laws that require a helmet to be worn. So be sure to check into local laws to avoid that consequence.
If you've looked into any bicycle helmet information, you can see that there is a lot of information to consider before you make a purchase.
Before we go further, if you're thinking about using that old helmet stored in the garage, don't. Helmets have a life span like any other cycling equipment. The protective foam liner can deteriorate in just a few years, so it may not provide protection in an impact. We recommend replacing a bicycle helmet that's more than 5 years old. If there were any cycling accessories that you were going to keep in 100% working condition, a bike helmet is the way to go.
Let's start with the price. Bike helmets don’t have to be expensive. There are bicycle-specific helmets that start at $25 and increase based on the company producing them and the features they offer. And within the bike helmet category, there are sub-groupings for road bike helmets, mountain bike helmets, children's helmets, and more.
Bike Helmet Technology: MIPS and WaveCel
Bike helmets are designed and tested for their ability to protect against severe head injuries, such as a skull fracture. But there are a few different helmet technologies that aim to reduce rotational force, which correlates to how much the brain moves inside the skull in the event of an impact and is thought to be a factor in concussions. The two most common are the Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) and WaveCel.
MIPS is a thin, low-friction liner inside the helmet that allows the outer shell to slide a few millimeters across the skull on impact, reducing rotational force and the amount of energy transferred to the head. It was first released as a cycling helmet in 2010 and can now be found inside hundreds of different helmets.
Instead of a sliding component, helmets with WaveCel have an internal layer made of flexible plastic that forms a sort of three-dimensional mesh. It’s designed to crumple, flex, and glide sideways at the moment of impact, functioning like a suspension system to absorb the rotational force from the impact.
According to researchers at Virginia Tech’s Helmet Lab, instead, concussions are diagnosed based on symptoms and the results of a neurological exam. But there may be some added benefit, so even if it’s not definitive, a MIPS or WaveCel helmet may be worth the extra cost.
A bike helmet needs to be tried on, ideally before purchase, to ensure that it feels comfortable and fits properly. Because head shapes are unique, sizes from one manufacturer might fit better than the same size from another manufacturer. Here are some tips on what you should look for in a well-fitting helmet.
How to Check the Fit of a Helmet
1. The front edge should be no more than 1 inch above your eyebrows. With the straps fastened, push up firmly on the front edge of the helmet. If it moves back, the straps are too loose.
2. Push the helmet side to side and front to back. It should be snug enough that the motion wrinkles the skin at your temples.
3. A ponytail can alter your fit, so make sure to test a helmet wearing the same hairstyle you ride with.
4. To test that a buckled chinstrap is tight enough, open your mouth halfway; the helmet should press down on the top of your head as you do.
5. The front and back straps should make a V that meets just below and forward of the ear.
6. Grab the back tip and try to pull it up over the top of your head to the front. If the front of your helmet slips down, shorten the back straps.
Remember: A bike helmet should be replaced every five years, or sooner if it is damaged. If the helmet has been involved in an accident, replace it, even if it does not appear to be damaged. The expanded polystyrene foam that dissipates the energy from the impact may still look intact, but bike helmets are designed to do the job just once. An investment in a good bicycle helmet is an investment in yourself.
