I've taken a few spills onto the asphalt (thankfully never because of cars) and my trusty cheapo helmet has saved me from certain cranial injury in every instance (and the one time I wrecked while helmetless, my messenger bag cradled my head, which was awesome).
Anyway, its cracked now. Or maybe it has been for a while and I missed it. In three places, each about 1/4-1/2" deep. You're supposed to replace a helmet after a crash, right? You're supposed to replace a cracked helmet, right? Well, I haven't felt inclined to, at all. Its clearly still doing its job, even as damaged goods, and it still fits well, isn't too heavy, and doesn't smell like a filthy wet animal/cyclist yet- well, at least not as bad as my gloves do.
Does anyone think they can motivate me into buying a new helmet?
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Normally, I'd say don't bother, because a bike helmet won't help if you get hit by a car, which is what usually does most people in. But, you seem to be prone to the kind of low speed fall overs that cycling helmets are designed for. (That sounds so much meaner, than I intended ) Given the damage that you've already done to your helmet, I'd say you need a new helmet.
The kind of foam that bike helmets are made from doesn't rebound, much if any, after it's been compressed. You've lost a great deal of the protection you're helmet used to offer. With each successive impact, your helmet is absorbing less and less of the force when your head hits the ground.
What you currently have is rapidly becoming a hat. Buy a new helmet.
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Whether you wear a helmet or not is totally up to you, what kind of helmet you wear and what condition it is in is up to you as well. Why in the world would you want anyone to make those decisions for you- or prompt you to make a decision you're incapable of making on your own?
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Whether you wear a helmet or not is totally up to you, what kind of helmet you wear and what condition it is in is up to you as well. Why in the world would you want anyone to make those decisions for you- or prompt you to make a decision you're incapable of making on your own?
I do appreciate your concern for my ability to think and act independently, but it's not I'm giving anyone here control over my brain (锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't know what insurance coverage you have, but mine paid $25 towards a new helmet. There are helmets out there that cost close to that, so if you have a program like that...it's almost free. If you're going to ride with a helmet, why not ride one in optimal condition?
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Insurance is still pending- I'm soon-to-be insured through some sort of MA state socialized system. It's all pretty foreign to me, still.
Regardless, how did you get your insurance company to pay you a few bucks? Did you get a wild hair and randomly call up their customer service asking for a handout? (锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy a new helmet, because you'll look ridiculous in an upturned colander?
-Kurt
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I've taken a few spills onto the asphalt (thankfully never because of cars) and my trusty cheapo helmet has saved me from certain cranial injury in every instance (and the one time I wrecked while helmetless, my messenger bag cradled my head, which was awesome).
Anyway, its cracked now...
Does anyone think they can motivate me into buying a new helmet?
Actually, you seem already to be motivated to wear a helmet. You are only asking about whether you should get a newer one (undamaged), rather than use the one you have. Well, take a look at it; if you can see cracks as you say, there are more micro-cracks inside, so there is some compromise to the integrity of the helmet's foam. It is in the crushing of the foam that the helmet works to slow the deceleration of the head/brain. As someone already pointed out, if you happen to land on this spot again (and studies show that there are several areas in the front and side of the helmet which are more likely to be impacted than others) the foam has already been somewhat crushed and won't give you the protection you would like. So take a look and look at the studies, then make a decision. Self-motivation is the best.
) Given the damage that you've already done to your helmet, I'd say you need a new helmet.
