splat Posted April 2, 2009 Share Clever People: (I hope this isnt a silly question)How often should one's helmet be replaced? Does it have a lifespan? I have had mine for about 6 years and its still in good condition, but I wonder if its still in good shape to do what its supposed to do when I need it to do it. (after all the sweat and sun and general use) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted April 2, 2009 Share 6 years??? You don't seem to fall on your head, so I wouldn't be bothered about it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreZA Posted April 2, 2009 Share I think it's 3 years. The replacement policy stops then. You update you bike every 6 months why not your helmet aswell. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted April 2, 2009 Share Yes, well. My new bike makes my helmet look old now. Just looking for excuses for a new one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genesis Posted April 2, 2009 Share Lifespan - hmm- the moment you fall on your head consider the lifespan as expired.Seriously - I think it will last as long as you want especially if looked after, but a consideration to an upgrade would be that obviously technology changes with time, so if you feeling your helmet has had a good life then go and check out new helmets and compare the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreZA Posted April 2, 2009 Share They, whoever they are, says that something happens to the polystyrene after a while and it become brittle and does not absorb impacts that good anymore. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostface Posted April 2, 2009 Share If you leave your helmet in the sun or in your car alot then it might not be a strong as it was. Might become brittle and "turn to dust" on a crash. If my helmetwas more than 3 years old, I consider getting a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted April 2, 2009 Share They' date=' whoever they are, says that something happens to the polystyrene after a while and it become brittle and does not absorb impacts that good anymore. [/quote'] Saw that somewhere ages ago - cant find it again.Not sure of that's marketing talk to make people buy helmets more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted April 2, 2009 Share THE LIFESPAN OF A BIKE HELMETCommon wisdom is that a styrofoam bicycle helmet should be replaced every three to five years, depending on how hard it is used, exposure to the elements ? especially sun ? and original manufacture date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted April 2, 2009 Share Helmets have a lifespan of around 4,500 miles (7242km), which translates into roughly 5 years (for average recreational cyclists, not professionals). Beyond that, the materials start to break down and the effectiveness of the helmet is compromised. Helmets should also be thrown away after an accident, because no matter how light the damage appears to be, cracks in the plastic and dents in the protective foam will reduce the helmet's protective ability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Bornman Posted April 2, 2009 Share They, whoever they are, talk through their stems. Soap, water, sweat, rain, dust, ambient heat/cold and time doesn't affect polystyrene at all. Solvents do, but not many of us sweat turpentine (just smells that way) and sun doesn't really get to the styrene, it is protected by some other plastic stuff that's impervious to UV.Like Mr Min says, it should last indefinitely, given the above base factors. Deterioration of plastic is visible. UV dulls and makes some plastic brittle. Inspect your helmet from time to time, whether it is new or not.I think a bigger danger is loose chin straps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted April 2, 2009 Share Helmets have a lifespan of around 4' date='500 miles (7242km), which translates into roughly 5 years (for average recreational cyclists, not professionals). [/quote'] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostface Posted April 2, 2009 Share Remember them old Styrafoam "surfboards" you used to get for swimming pools and what happened to them is left in the sun for too long? Things just got to brittle and turned to dust. They loose their "flex" and just snap. Same thing with a helmet. Never mind what the Sweat/Acid does to the things. 6 years? Get a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badenhj Posted April 2, 2009 Share At the rate I fall every 6 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Saint Posted April 2, 2009 Share I would think it should only be replaced if you fall, agree here with Johan and I am very guilty of the loose chin strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted April 2, 2009 Share Well, the pondering and agonising is over. I bought a new helmet this afternoon. Happy Birthday to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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