Full Face Helmets - Yes or No

[Enduro_Jakes]

Hi fellow Mountain Bikers!

 

I would like a few opinions on helmet choice.

Currently I have 2 helmets. A normal MTB helmet and a full face helmet.

 

I received the full face helmet as a gift since I have a tendency to fall....a lot... (My Physio and Doctors make their money out of me!)

After 2 mild concussions with my current helmet and almost taking most of my face off on a few occasions I would like to know the following:

 

I ride a Hard tail Giant Revel (entryish level and soon to be upgraded) and have moderately decent skill on the bike.... but with our trails and so on would it be "overkill" to ride trails with a full face helmet??

 

Looking forward to some responses...

and be gentle....its my first forum post...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

It's never overkill. I routinely ride with mine to make up for my lack of skill.

[Capricorn]

All a full face helmet does, is protect more of your face. However, NO HELMET will prevent further concussions. Please don't take the concussions lightly, mild or not. But that's not to say to stop cycling.

 

Have you determined why you fall a lot? You might need some skills/bike setup assistance more than anything else. Skill development massively decreases the risk of falling when it comes to MTB. 

 

But if you have sufficient skill base, then choose the lid that gives you the best confidence against injury.

[Enduro_Jakes]

It's never overkill. I routinely ride with mine to make up for my lack of skill.

 

Even on an entry level hard tail?

[Enduro_Jakes]

All a full face helmet does, is protect more of your face. However, NO HELMET will prevent further concussions. Please don't take the concussions lightly, mild or not. But that's not to say to stop cycling.

 

Have you determined why you fall a lot? You might need some skills/bike setup assistance more than anything else. Skill development massively decreases the risk of falling when it comes to MTB. 

 

But if you have sufficient skill base, then choose the lid that gives you the best confidence against injury.

 

I take them very very seriously. I have had massive head injury in the past and I know its not fun... That is why I wear a helmet every time I get on the bike, even for quick little test rides.

 

The falling is mostly due to my need to exceed my skills level. Just had the bike set up properly and that has already made a massive difference in my control levels... but a couple skills clinics are on the cards for January 2015.

[milky4130]

I see you have downhill listed as your interest, so a full face helmet is a no brainer. Even it is overkill, what is more important, looking like a noob or literally defacing yourself every weekend?

At least use it until you have gain the necessary confidence, with that said it still won't stop some people from rushing here to post about spotting a noob on his entry level HT riding a Full Face helmet.

[Enduro_Jakes]

I see you have downhill listed as your interest, so a full face helmet is a no brainer. Even it is overkill, what is more important, looking like a noob or literally defacing yourself every weekend?

At least use it until you have gain the necessary confidence, with that said it still won't stop some people from rushing here to post about spotting a noob on his entry level HT riding a Full Face helmet.

 

Yip.... I am a big fan of DH and will hopefully someday attempt it.

 

From experience (the posters you referred to), there are a select group/type of people around PTA and JHB trails and races who have a way of insulting people who are more safety conscious and ridiculing you when you have more protection than them. Not only myself, but other beginners and first timers.

(I wonder if they realize that they ruin MTB for people with their comments? hmmm...)

 

I regularly ride with G-Form crash pads on my knees and, depending on the course, elbows too. I have valid medical history for this too, but they don't know that. They don't know that I had to give up MTB for 10 yrs coz of past injuries and I will do everything in my power to prevent ever stopping again!

So generally I don't care, I normally tell them sweetly to F-Off to a different sport coz we don't need their negative condescending attitudes in our sport.

 

Mountain bikers are the best people I know (Most of em) and are always willing to help out and give advice....just like you guys all have so far (MASSIVELY APPRECIATED).

 

I am mostly curious what the take on Full helmets are since in the last year I have only ever seen 2 guys with them and that was at the JUMA race.

[Amberdrake]

My one friend rides with his full face as his only helmet. After riding a few times in full heat he has now admitted that he will have to ride with a normal helmet in some instances. Honestly some situations i really wished i had packed mine.

[Enduro_Jakes]

My one friend rides with his full face as his only helmet. After riding a few times in full heat he has now admitted that he will have to ride with a normal helmet in some instances. Honestly some situations i really wished i had packed mine.

 

I will most definitely pack both whenever possible.... but I'm guessing those early morning winter trail rides are going to be a lot more pleasant with a full face!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yip.... I am a big fan of DH and will hopefully someday attempt it.

 

From experience (the posters you referred to), there are a select group/type of people around PTA and JHB trails and races who have a way of insulting people who are more safety conscious and ridiculing you when you have more protection than them. Not only myself, but other beginners and first timers.

(I wonder if they realize that they ruin MTB for people with their comments? hmmm...)

 

I regularly ride with G-Form crash pads on my knees and, depending on the course, elbows too. I have valid medical history for this too, but they don't know that. They don't know that I had to give up MTB for 10 yrs coz of past injuries and I will do everything in my power to prevent ever stopping again!

So generally I don't care, I normally tell them sweetly to F-Off to a different sport coz we don't need their negative condescending attitudes in our sport.

 

Mountain bikers are the best people I know (Most of em) and are always willing to help out and give advice....just like you guys all have so far (MASSIVELY APPRECIATED).

 

I am mostly curious what the take on Full helmets are since in the last year I have only ever seen 2 guys with them and that was at the JUMA race.

honestly, who cares if you are a bit more protected than a select bunch of image conscious twats? When it comes to your safety - if you feel more safe in a full face helmet then that;s just the way it is. 

 

The only time I wouldn't wear my full face is in a longer distance ride / race, where heat would become an issue (I ride up to the top with the full face strapped to the back)

 

For this reason, my next protection purchase will most likely be either the NEW MET parachute (old one was kaaaak) or the Bell Super 2R. Both helmets which are usable as full face helmets, but in the case of the MET have sufficient aeration to render it as free-flowing as a normal lid (almost) and with the Bell having hte removable chin-piece (Bell passes the DH certification for impact, but fails overall DH cert due to having too large an opening in the chin=piece, reportedly allowing material / sticks through where ordinary full faces may not)

 

And no - it's not overkill on an entry level hardtail. Not at all. Especially if you're constantly pushing your boundaries on it. 

 

As for the g-forms - I've heard bad things about them. I'd recommend investigating an alternative soft shelled option such as the TLD 5450 (I think?) and other offerings from the likes of Leatt, 661 and various others. 

 

 

Oh - I DO have a normal helmet (piss-pot) but I mainly ride with my FF as I rather like my face to be intact... 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I will most definitely pack both whenever possible.... but I'm guessing those early morning winter trail rides are going to be a lot more pleasant with a full face!

Don't underestimate how hot it ca get with a full face... If you want the best of both worlds, the Bell really does fit the bill. EIther that, or pack both. Empty head for the way up, FF for the way down. 

[Pulse]

Short answer: Yes

 

And even if someone posts some negative comments, no one really cares or matters except you.

 

I would love to get one, but the finances just won't allow it (for now)

[EmptyB]

No extra head protection is ever overkill in my opinion, if it makes you feel more secure and maybe more confident that can only be good (within reason). Anybody who ridicules that is simply a chop.

 

On any forum there will be a select few "heros" who know better.....Not!!

[Spidermonkey]

Typical Hub logic: Full-face helmet = "overkill bro, what a noob!". No helmet = "omg wtf where is your helmet!"

[nickelass]

I think with more people riding trail / enduro  we will see more riders with more protection, and full face helmets.

I have a normal xc helmet for the way up. and have become used to carrying a kabuto full face for the way down and will not risk jumping unless I am wearing it.

I did buy the kabuto, as it is fairly light, and I carry it on my back for the way up.

Once you get used to doing this it feels the normal thing to do.

I have noticed that on the enduro scene very few people wear full face, more likely they do not own them.

[Brett]

Ride with the full face attached to your back pack on the way up and then switch it with your normal lid when you want to attach the downhills. Packs like Osprey have helmet straps to strap your helmet to the bag.

 

The giant revel may be the reason for your crashes though ;-)