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Helmets - mean time betweef failures



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 3rd 06, 09:20 AM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures

Big chunk of styrofoam fell out of the Limar helmet on the way home from
work tonight, right where the strap attaches at the back.

5 years constant use, a few minor scrapes (there was that low tree branch
once as I recall) so I guess I can't complain - but I really think it was
the rash threat to wash it because it was getting a bit pongy in the heat
that caused it to give up the ghost.

Recommendations for one with significantly longer life span?

I had just got fond of it too, sort of like an old sweater with holes in it
that you don't want to give up.

best, Andrew (remove the .x1 to reply)


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  #2  
Old January 3rd 06, 09:53 AM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures

"Andrew Price" writes:

Big chunk of styrofoam fell out of the Limar helmet on the way home from
work tonight, right where the strap attaches at the back.

5 years constant use, a few minor scrapes (there was that low tree branch
once as I recall) so I guess I can't complain - but I really think it was
the rash threat to wash it because it was getting a bit pongy in the heat
that caused it to give up the ghost.

Recommendations for one with significantly longer life span?


As I understand it five years is about all you can expect from a
helmet. UV degradation takes its toll, think yourself lucky that you
found out it was cactus without actually having to use it.

I had just got fond of it too, sort of like an old sweater with holes in it
that you don't want to give up.


Indifferent to mine. Couple of times this week I'd rather not have worn
it but the law is the law.
--
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Euan | ~~ _-\,
Melbourne, Australia | ~ (*)/ (*)
  #3  
Old January 3rd 06, 11:21 AM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures


Met Stradivarius here. like it. suits my head shape (which the LIMAR
didnt. personal thing like saddles).

Altoh in hindsight i woulda gone the ippogriffo with the meshy bits
over the vents at front.
When choosing a replacement months back i saw these and thought it
rathe ra gimmick as i couldnt recall ever needing such a thing but of
course now summer has come and i almost had a nasty panic attack on
BR80b yesterday when i got a bee in the helmet. luckily i worked hime
loose before he could get me


--
flyingdutch

  #4  
Old January 3rd 06, 12:51 PM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures


flyingdutch wrote:
Met Stradivarius here. like it. suits my head shape (which the LIMAR
didnt. personal thing like saddles).

Altoh in hindsight i woulda gone the ippogriffo with the meshy bits
over the vents at front.


I think the new strads have it too, but am not sure?

  #5  
Old January 3rd 06, 01:05 PM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures

Andrew Price wrote:

5 years constant use, a few minor scrapes (there was that low tree branch
once as I recall) so I guess I can't complain

Recommendations for one with significantly longer life span?



$150-200 overall cost / 5 years use

equals $30 - 40 /yr in safety for your head

pretty good deal to me!
Bell and/or Giro suggest 5yrs max, may be less with UV exposure and
hair oil or hair product.

Frankly I would change helmets probably at least every two years, just
to ensure that the helmet is more than up to the job of absorbing as
much force as possible, if ever needed.

Bell ran an ad a couple of years ago in the US, something like $100
feet - $5 head
Crazy to think that we are quite happy to spend $1000+ for a bike,
$200+ on shoes, tyres all the time, constant servicing and on it goes
but not on a helmet! - madness.

then again maybe Bell had a point!

r

  #6  
Old January 3rd 06, 08:45 PM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures


Rayc Wrote:

Bell ran an ad a couple of years ago in the US, something like $100
feet - $5 head
Crazy to think that we are quite happy to spend $1000+ for a bike,
$200+ on shoes, tyres all the time, constant servicing and on it goes
but not on a helmet! - madness.

That all depends on whether you believe helmets do the job they claim.

Consider: the chances of having an accident on a bicycle are about the
same as those of having an accident as a pedestrian. Out of all those
accidents approximately one percent involve a head injury. That's a
pretty low risk and for many people hardly worth taking measures
against.

Add in that helmets have had no credible research to back their claims
and many people treat helmet wearing as an inconvenience which must be
complied with to statisfy the law of the land.


then again maybe Bell had a point!

For those who buy in to the exaggerated dangers of cycling without a
helmet maybe?


--
EuanB

  #7  
Old January 3rd 06, 11:57 PM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures

On Wed, 04 Jan 2006 06:45:38 +1100, EuanB wrote:


Rayc Wrote:

Bell ran an ad a couple of years ago in the US, something like $100
feet - $5 head
Crazy to think that we are quite happy to spend $1000+ for a bike,
$200+ on shoes, tyres all the time, constant servicing and on it goes
but not on a helmet! - madness.

That all depends on whether you believe helmets do the job they claim.

Consider: the chances of having an accident on a bicycle are about the
same as those of having an accident as a pedestrian. Out of all those
accidents approximately one percent involve a head injury. That's a
pretty low risk and for many people hardly worth taking measures
against.

Add in that helmets have had no credible research to back their claims
and many people treat helmet wearing as an inconvenience which must be
complied with to statisfy the law of the land.


then again maybe Bell had a point!

For those who buy in to the exaggerated dangers of cycling without a
helmet maybe?


I agree with all your points, that bicycling is very safe, and helmets
don't do much to improve safety.
However, this thread started with a legitimate question on how long a
helmet (or more specifically the polystyrofoam liner) should last.
I can't really see the connection between that and whether one should be
wearing a helmet at all!!

Peter.

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  #8  
Old January 4th 06, 12:07 AM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures

EuanB wrote:

That all depends on whether you believe helmets do the job they claim.

Well no one can really conduct real world testing in every situation,
but go ahead and wear some DH body armour and a motobike helmet the
next time you get some milk from the local milkbar. If you dont feel
that helmet work, prehaps you can get past the laws by carrying it on
you and not actually wearing it.

Consider: the chances of having an accident on a bicycle are about the
same as those of having an accident as a pedestrian. Out of all those
accidents approximately one percent involve a head injury. That's a
pretty low risk and for many people hardly worth taking measures
against.

I'd rather not risk picking the day in which that 1% or so falls on.
Hey its all in your hands as to whether or not you want to protect your
head. You are after all an adult and your can choose to do what ever
you please.

Add in that helmets have had no credible research to back their claims
and many people treat helmet wearing as an inconvenience which must be
complied with to statisfy the law of the land.


For those who buy in to the exaggerated dangers of cycling without a
helmet maybe?

Well. maybe...... but I for one am quite happy to wear a helmet, even
on 35degree days. The day the you go too far on your new ETSX, or too
close to that tree on the corner, you might want that helmet on your
noggin.

  #9  
Old January 4th 06, 12:35 AM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures


Andrew Price Wrote:
Big chunk of styrofoam fell out of the Limar helmet on the way home
from
work tonight, right where the strap attaches at the back.

5 years constant use, a few minor scrapes (there was that low tree
branch
once as I recall) so I guess I can't complain - but I really think it
was
the rash threat to wash it because it was getting a bit pongy in the
heat
that caused it to give up the ghost.

Recommendations for one with significantly longer life span?

I had just got fond of it too, sort of like an old sweater with holes
in it...


My MET Ippogriffo has been beaut for 3 yrs or so until last week when
the soft plastic 'chassis' inside the helmet broke at the back where it
fits into the adjustment bits. I'll be having a closer look at these
mechanisms when I look for the next one.

Any one got any ideas on this? I'd prefer to repair than replace,
thought the comments made about the investment one makes in head
protection will get another airing when I talk to the finance manager
tonight!

Without wanting to cause a ruckus, I haven't had an accident in which
my head didn't get a knock of some sort. Head + ground = hurt. A
pain, particularly in the heat, but I won't be without one.

Dee Dub


--
Dee Dub

  #10  
Old January 4th 06, 12:42 AM posted to aus.bicycle
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Default Helmets - mean time betweef failures

I hope that I did point out something important, that the life of a
helmet may be limited by other factors.
the OP did say that
"5 years constant use, a few minor scrapes (there was that low tree
branch
once as I recall) so I guess I can't complain"

so manufactuers have said 5 yr max and then you need to factor in wear
accelerants(sp?)
but then again do you want to stretch the ability of a helmet to
effectively absorb impact force?

 




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