DrRichard Posted September 11, 2023 Share Unlike many of our bike components and accessories, the bike helmet, apart from some aero advantage, should be a 'total waste of money'. Sitting on top of our head and doing nothing but sun protection until we get rid of it 3,5, 10 years later... then buy a new one and repeat. Well an altercation with a concrete pole and in need of a new helmet - I am very happy I spent some money... Thanks to the Freewheel Cycology team for dealing with my crash replacement - never knew that I would get a discounted replacement from Specialised - again not a perk of buying the helmet - until you need it! Not that I ever ride without a helmet and have done that mat several hundreds of times - a spatchcock helmet is cause for reflection... BuffsVintageBikes, Duane_Bosch, Zebra and 9 others 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted September 11, 2023 Share I hope that you aren't hurt and that the helmet took most of the impact. I went down that mat on Saturday morning and I can confirm that it is slippery with not much of a run-off at the bottom. My back tyre tried to take its own line 1/2 way down, but I managed to recover. That section from there to the gate provides a fair opportunity for injury (I haven't been there in about 2 years, so got a bit of a fright). DrRichard, DieselnDust and Mtree 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffsVintageBikes Posted September 11, 2023 Share Geepers, that could have ended very badly. Glad that helmet did its job 🤙 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bub Marley Posted September 11, 2023 Share Buying an expensive helmet doesn’t actually make you safer. You’re paying more money for performance benefit i.e weight and aerodynamics. From a safety perspective though, there isn’t any difference as all helmets have to pass certain safety tests. That crash replacement policy is great though. I made use of it with Oakley and got a nice discount on a new helmet. Skubarra 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dexter-morgan Posted September 11, 2023 Share When I hit the tar @ 70kph on Suikerbos rand, my helmet split in two pieces, afterwards, I spent even more on a MIPS helmet. Glad you are OK (ish) after the crash. eala 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkwA Posted September 11, 2023 Share 7 minutes ago, Bub Marley said: Buying an expensive helmet doesn’t actually make you safer. You’re paying more money for performance benefit i.e weight and aerodynamics. From a safety perspective though, there isn’t any difference as all helmets have to pass certain safety tests. That would depend how expensive you go, a R400 helmet simply isn't the same as one thats R1500, safety wise. I dont and never will ride a helmet without Mips, Turbine, or something similar, it is more than worth it. ChrisF, LBKloppers and Jako De Wet 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbiker Posted September 11, 2023 Share 1 hour ago, DrRichard said: Unlike many of our bike components and accessories, the bike helmet, apart from some aero advantage, should be a 'total waste of money'. Sitting on top of our head and doing nothing but sun protection until we get rid of it 3,5, 10 years later... then buy a new one and repeat. Well an altercation with a concrete pole and in need of a new helmet - I am very happy I spent some money... Thanks to the Freewheel Cycology team for dealing with my crash replacement - never knew that I would get a discounted replacement from Specialised - again not a perk of buying the helmet - until you need it! Not that I ever ride without a helmet and have done that mat several hundreds of times - a spatchcock helmet is cause for reflection... I know this spot. It’s on the lower Kirstenbosch trail. That rubber mat is extremely dangerous in the wet. My wife had a fall there recently and considering the location got off pretty lightly with just a few bruises. She landed on the rock and was thankfully going quite slowly when it happened. Glad you were saved by your helmet. I shudder to think what would have happened if you weren’t wearing one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynskey Posted September 11, 2023 Share Keep your helmet in your pants. Save you money and injuries. Dexter-morgan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bub Marley Posted September 11, 2023 Share 1 hour ago, AkwA said: That would depend how expensive you go, a R400 helmet simply isn't the same as one thats R1500, safety wise. I dont and never will ride a helmet without Mips, Turbine, or something similar, it is more than worth it. Any helmet has to pass certain safety standards. A R400 helmet is right at the bottom end, probably a makro helmet. Those helmets are obviously designed for different things but it’s still needs to meet certain safety standard. I was actually referring to R 1500 helmet vs R6000 helmet. You’re paying for aerodynamics and weight here. Zebra, ChrisF and DieselnDust 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted September 11, 2023 Share The Spez align 2 MIPS was rated one of the safest helmets in testing (still rated at the top end) and you can grab it brand new for under R1000 It just weighs 300g as opposed to 230ish Aero it is not bad either. I have 2. I choose safety and functional over being cool DieselnDust, Scary Rider, Zebra and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkwA Posted September 11, 2023 Share 1 minute ago, Bub Marley said:Those helmets are obviously designed for different things but it’s still needs to meet certain safety standard. I was actually referring to R 1500 helmet vs R6000 helmet. You’re paying for aerodynamics and weight here. Agreed, mostly. 2 minutes ago, Bub Marley said: Any helmet has to pass certain safety standards. A R400 helmet is right at the bottom end, probably a makro helmet. Those helmets are obviously designed for different things but it’s still needs to meet certain safety standard. They will meet some standard, but after searching around a bit, there are a few different standards. Also, why settle for the minimum, why not go for something more protective, I’ve seen some of the really light helmets get absolutely wrecked in smallish crashes, where a buddy of mine didn’t even crack his Leatt helmet with one of the biggest crashes I’ve seen, and he did hit his head. LBKloppers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkwA Posted September 11, 2023 Share 2 minutes ago, Jewbacca said: The Spez align 2 MIPS was rated one of the safest helmets in testing (still rated at the top end) and you can grab it brand new for under R1000 It just weighs 300g as opposed to 230ish Aero it is not bad either. I have 2. I choose safety and functional over being cool Very few of us are fit enough to warrant a 70g lighter helmet, and the aero is going to be negligible. Agreed, I’d much rather have an in tact head than a light helmet. ChrisF and JM Rides Bikes 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisF Posted September 11, 2023 Share 1 hour ago, AkwA said: That would depend how expensive you go, a R400 helmet simply isn't the same as one thats R1500, safety wise. I dont and never will ride a helmet without Mips, Turbine, or something similar, it is more than worth it. My crash in March TESTED the MIPS I am convinced that without MIPS my neck would have taken a VERY back knock !! I was dissapointed to see how few helmets actually has MIPS, when I searched for a replacement. One salesman did point out another helmet with a "similar system". AkwA and Robbie Stewart 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Stewart Posted September 11, 2023 Share I've had concussion. Three times. The first hit had me pass out while talking to the driver of the car that caused the crash. When I recovered consciousness he was gone. The second time, I was out again. I don't know how long. It could be 5 minutes. It could be 2 hours because I was alone at the time. my neurosurgeon told me I won't work again. The third time was earlier this year, and I knew immediately what was happening, except I was wearing a much better helmet this time around. All I can add to this discussion is that concussions are not a joke. MIPS / Turbo is the bare minimum any helmet should have. Anything less than that adds tremendous risk to a serious brain injury. last week had me suffering a bout of post concussion syndrome again, if anyone thinks that what I am saying isn't serious enough. You have ONE head. Protect it! LBKloppers, Adrian Fogg, justinafrika and 4 others 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkwA Posted September 11, 2023 Share Just now, ChrisF said: My crash in March TESTED the MIPS I am convinced that without MIPS my neck would have taken a VERY back knock !! I was dissapointed to see how few helmets actually has MIPS, when I searched for a replacement. One salesman did point out another helmet with a "similar system". Mips is really good Turbine by Leatt is similar, I think POC has Spin, which is similar and there are a few others, but just do research and I wouldnt take the salesmans word. Robbie Stewart, ChrisF and LBKloppers 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted September 11, 2023 Share These guys are the gold standard in unbiased helmet research and testing https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html DieselnDust, Mtree and Headshot 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now