Submitted by Nickodyn t3_120uqm4 in BuyItForLife
Does anyone have a recommendation for a BIFL bicycle helmet? I know they are probably a consumable good and are not meant to last a lifetime but does anyone have any quality brands they could recommend? Thanks!
You already know that you have to replace after a crash, but you are also supposed to replace them every 5 years too.
Go to a reputable bike shop and find one that fits your head. There are plenty of good brands, but you want something that fits and is comfortable to wear.
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Go to a real bike shop, not Wallyworld.
Buy one that fits.
Helmets are a consumable, not BIFL.
It's really about proper fitting and I'd say get one with MIPS.
I like Bern, as the accessories are really well designed and easy to clean (Flippy visor and winter/summer liners), but it's going to depend on your climate and how you ride.
In general, a helmet won't be bifl. The materials that protect your skull are only rated for a finite amount of time and then they start to lose effectiveness. In most countries, helmets that can be sold must pass "some" safety standard, and then you have larger companies investing more into the R&D. I've got Giro helmets on the wall from the early 90's and race helmets from then to now that all "look" basically new... although most are retired at this point.
What kind of riding would help suggestions... and there are many competent vendors for every discipline. Giro, specialized, Rudy, Kask, Fox, Poc, and many many more.
Triple 8 is solid
Adding to this: Look for something with Mips technology, it shouldn't be (much) more expensive for a bike helmet and it reduces the risk of brain injury (horseback riding helmets, incidentally, are wayyyyy more expensive for helmets with Mips because horseback riding is very traditional and slow to adopt new tech, but I'd still recommend it).
As noted, helmets are not BIFL as they need to be replaced every 3-4 years. Plus safety improvements happen.
There are two authoritative sources that test helmets: Consumers Reports magazine rates them every year or two. And Virginia Tech university tests them regularly. MIPS is a key feature.
Thanks for the advice, everyone!
Thousand Helmets might come close to fitting the bill. They have a free replacement program for helmets that have been involved in an accident.
A ”airbag” like helmet that aren’t that uncommon on street in Stockholm.. don’t fuck with your hair and seems to be 8 times better according to their website then traditional helmets.
But helmet like most safety equipment have a lifespan of a few years.
I love my Catlike helmet. Literally buy it for (saving) life.
lumcsl2022 t1_jdj41zs wrote
I ride a mountain bike so I ride with a full face helmet but a lot of us mainly use, Troy lee, 100percent and fox.
I haven’t looked but I’m sure they will all make road design helmets.