Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

Non-bike Helmet Helmets?

Started by kokamiguardz · · Last activity · 10 posts · 1,148 views

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01 / Original postNon-bike Helmet Helmets?kokamiguardz · 29 Jun 2015 02 / This pagePosts 1–10Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #10BikeBikeBikeBike · 30 Jun 2015

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Original section
Cycling Equipment
Published
29 June 2015
Last activity
30 June 2015
Original author
kokamiguardz
Posts
10
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Public discussion
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1,148
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Topics
Concussion and head injury

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  1. Original post
    kokamiguardz
    Archived post
    #1

    Okay, long story short.

    I prefer wearing other helmets other than bike helmets.

    Here is why.

    I use my military helmet because I feel a lot safer with it on. Foam pads, surrounded by bullet resistant kevlar. I'm sure people are going to think I'm crazy but it's similar feel inside to motorcycle helmets. Which are ussually basically just a big foam pad that encompass all of your head.

    Why are bike helmets made out of hard foam? I don't really see how that's going to protect your head better than a motorcycle helmet, or military helmet with foam pads inside. Oh yeah. Dirtbike helmets have similar system with foam pads inside. The motorcyle and dirt bike helmets are designed for higher speeds, and the military helmet pad system feels similar to those helmets so aside from the added weight and heat I don't see how using that over a regular bike helmet is bad? I don't mind the heat, I ussually ride at night because it's safer and I'm used to the weight, I barely notice, and it's great for winter.

    I'm asking on here because another cyclist I've encountered stopped me and said my helmet isn't going to save me in a crash. He went on to say I might as well be wearing nothing. I'm like I don't think so. I've had a couple crashes in this and during both I could barely tell I hit my head, only way I found out was because the paint was scuffed up. As a kid when I had a regular bike helmet I remember that thing, the hard foam inside cracked and I remember my head hurting some. He said something about my brain knocking around in my skull and I might have got concussions and didn't know or something. Idk how that's true, I mean same could be said about a regular bike helmet, or a motorcycle helmet. He also said if I got hit by a car the added weight could snap my neck even if the helmet protected my head. Idk, maybe, but this helmet isn't much heavier than some of those full faced motorcycle and dirtbike helmets. I don't really see how an extra pound would snap my neck. And I'm sure by not my neck muscle must be stronger than average since everyone who tries on my military helmet says it feels heavy but I barely notice.
    He said I should do some research about it. So that's what I'm doing.

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  2. thepieeatingjay
    Archived post
    #2

    The worst part about using that as a bicycle helmet is the lack of a hard shell, IMO. The kevlar wrap could have a tendency to grip the road a bit in many crash scenarios and could very well lead to neck injuries.

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  3. tarverten
    Archived post
    #3

    I'm not familiar with all helmets used by military these days but I was thinking of this type while posting. They just look a little grippy for my taste.

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  4. blastguardgear
    Archived post
    #4

    The EPS of a bicycle helmet is designed to absorb energy in a blunt-force impact. It's also vented.

    A military helmet is designed to stop shrapnel and bullets. It's not vented.

    If you don't care about venting and expect to get shot at and/or shelled, a military helmet is better. I doubt a military-type helmet is going to absorb as much energy as a bicycle helmet when your noggin hits the pavement.

    "But it's just FOAM!"

    And you're a materials engineer?

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  5. shadowsupernature
    Archived post
    #5

    There are two basic type of helmets.

    One is intended to protect a stationary head from moving objects. For these the primary goal is to prevent penetration by defecting said projectiles.

    The other is intended to protect a moving head form impact with a stationary object. Here the object is to provide a "crumple zone" to increase the length of time from initial contact to full stop, thereby reducing the G-force of the impact. These act like the crumple zones in cars, or the drums of water protecting bridge pillars along highways.

    Bike helmets are of the second type and their design and construction reflects that.

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  6. Totalarmordestine
    Archived post
    #6

    I was in the military when the first kevlar helmet came into widespread use. It's heavy. Haven't seen one of the more recent ones, I can't imagine they have gotten a whole light lighter given the need to stop bullets

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  7. ABNPFDR
    Archived post
    #7

    There is another issue with a heavy helmet, in the event of a crash it can actually aid in a spinal injury in the upper neck.

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  8. CAMPYBOB
    Archived post
    #8

    Let me get this straight.

    You're riding around in a PASGT or an ACH? Is that correct?

    IIRC a PSSGT is around 4 pounds in weight. With zero ventilation. And a mediocre retention system. Sure, it will stop a 7.62x39 round, but for cycling?

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  9. PennyS
    Archived post
    #9

    i think you are overlooking that helmets are designed for specific tasks. The military helmet probably is designed primarily to protect your occipital cortex (right in the back of the head) and frontal cortes (right at the front) from an injury where you fall onto a hard surface at a speed higher than would happen from just a standing position.

    As for the foam thing.... This is like when people say they like a big truck over a Japaenese car which just because it seems heavy and solid, and when you see a Japanese car all crumped after an accident they feel reinforced in this attitude. The thing is, a hard object channels shock to the tissue, a soft one absorbs the shock and prevents it from hitting the tissue. The "softer" car gives you a far better chance of surviving the accident because it sacrifices its own structural integrity in order to protect you.

    The best bike helmet is in fact a bike helmet for the very reason that is is foam, and it is strapped and shaped to protect both the rear and front of your head from a high speed impact with a hard surface. No use at all against shrapnel, of course. But that is because these are not the main threat from a road accident.

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  10. BikeBikeBikeBike
    Archived post
    #10

    Yea bike lids are designed for bike accidents, you can actually get military looking bike helmet.
    But I actually think riding around in an infantry lid would look so BADASS.
    I might actually go to the army surplus and pick one up to get a laugh from my friends and intimidate females.

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