Purchasing a Helmet

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a helmet. I've had my old one for a while, and
about a year ago it got caught in the spokes of my bike. And not, my
head wasn't in it at the same time. Anyway, I think it is about time to
purchase a new one. So I'm wondering where I can find something cheap -
that also works. I like to be able to leave it hanging on my bike
without worrying about it getting stolen. I don't know too much about
sizes and stuff, but I figure that if I need to buy it off the internet
to get a good deal, I can drop by the bike store in advance and look
for a good size.
If you have any suggestions or websites, they would me much
appreciated.
- cjkogan111

How about going into the bike shop to find the right size and 'reward'
the people that help you by buying one there. You won't save a ton with
MO, considering shipping $ and if ya kill it, you can use th shop for
crash replacement warranty. If ya buy it MO, you are on your own. Look
for the least expensive one that fits yer head well..so you will
actually use it. Tough to do with MO. Besides, it's cheap and cheezy to
try something one at a store then order it MO.

SMS said:

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a helmet. I've had my old one for a while, and
about a year ago it got caught in the spokes of my bike. And not, my
head wasn't in it at the same time. Anyway, I think it is about time to
purchase a new one. So I'm wondering where I can find something cheap -
that also works. I like to be able to leave it hanging on my bike
without worrying about it getting stolen. I don't know too much about
sizes and stuff, but I figure that if I need to buy it off the internet
to get a good deal, I can drop by the bike store in advance and look
for a good size.
If you have any suggestions or websites, they would me much
appreciated.
- cjkogan111

Look for a Snell approved helmet, Specialized makes them. Not sold mail
order, except direct from Specialized.

well, any helmet sold in the US is 'approved'...not just Specialized.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a helmet. I've had my old one for a while, and
about a year ago it got caught in the spokes of my bike. And not, my
head wasn't in it at the same time. Anyway, I think it is about time to
purchase a new one. So I'm wondering where I can find something cheap -
that also works.

If I recall correctly, my Bell Adrenaline[tm] bucket cost
somewhere in the $30+ range. One of the main selling points
for me was its "Quick Fit" feature, which is basically a
built-in adjustable headband, much like that in a hard hat.
No fussin' around with adjustment pads.

If you just want an ostensible helmet in order to be legal,
they can be obtained quite cheaply at 2nd-hand stores.
No guarantee the previous owner didn't have cooties, though.

Quoted message said:

I like to be able to leave it hanging on my bike
without worrying about it getting stolen.

I just run the U of my U-lock through the helmet straps
while I lock my bike to the rack or parking meter.
That is, when I'm not to lazy to simply take the
darn thing off.

cheers,
Tom
--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Quoted message said:

I'm looking to purchase a helmet. I've had my old one for a while, and
about a year ago it got caught in the spokes of my bike. And not, my
head wasn't in it at the same time. Anyway, I think it is about time to
purchase a new one. So I'm wondering where I can find something cheap -
that also works. I like to be able to leave it hanging on my bike
without worrying about it getting stolen. I don't know too much about
sizes and stuff, but I figure that if I need to buy it off the internet
to get a good deal, I can drop by the bike store in advance and look
for a good size.
If you have any suggestions or websites, they would me much
appreciated.

How about going into the bike shop to find the right size and 'reward'
the people that help you by buying one there. You won't save a ton with
MO, considering shipping $ and if ya kill it, you can use th shop for
crash replacement warranty. If ya buy it MO, you are on your own. Look
for the least expensive one that fits yer head well..so you will
actually use it. Tough to do with MO. Besides, it's cheap and cheezy to
try something one at a store then order it MO.

I addition to which, most of the helmets in the LBSs near me are less
expensive than most of the ones available by mail/web order. Let's see,
you can make sure it fits, and it costs less -- this is one of those
times supporting an LBS is clearly your best choice.

Pat

qui si parla Campagnolo said:

SMS said:

Look for a Snell approved helmet, Specialized makes them. Not sold mail
order, except direct from Specialized.

well, any helmet sold in the US is 'approved'...not just Specialized.

And the impact absorption standards are not very different for Snell
vs. CPSC.

If you want more impact protection, you'll do better to just buy a
cheap, heavy helmet, instead of scouring around for the rare
Snell-approved hats.

Cheap helmets tend to offer more protection than expensive (light,
full-of-holes) helmets.

- Frank Krygowski

<original post here>

The best bet is to go to shopping. As with anything worn, it's always
better to try it on and be assured of a proper fit. All helmets must
pass test standards (and the salesman can explain these as well), so the
determining factor IS fit.

Plus, when you add shipping the cost isn't that much different

- -
Compliments of:
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

If you want to E-mail me use:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

My website:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

Group: rec.bicycles.misc Date: Tue, Oct 10, 2006, 9:46am (EDT-3) From:
[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

And the impact absorption standards are
not very different for Snell vs. CPSC.

Quoted message said:

- Frank Krygowski

If I remember correctly, CPSC tests are condected with a drop of three
feet, whereas Snell uses a six foot drop (feel free to correct me on
this if I'm wrong).

Since acceleration is geometric, this would result in a signifigant
difference I would think.

- -
Compliments of:
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

If you want to E-mail me use:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

My website:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

Chris Y.F.N.W. said:

<original post here>

The best bet is to go to shopping. As with anything worn, it's always
better to try it on and be assured of a proper fit. All helmets must
pass test standards (and the salesman can explain these as well),

Chris, when was the last time a salesperson at a bike shop offered you
an explanation for anything that wasn't at least 55% marketing hype and
pure BS? The good shops are far and few between.

Quoted message said:

so the
determining factor IS fit.

Agreed.

Quoted message said:

Plus, when you add shipping the cost isn't that much different

In many cases, the shipping is equal to or less than the various sales
taxes. And the MO/internet prices can be much lower.

Don't get me wrong, a good LBS will *earn* your business by giving you
good advice. I just can't see rewarding a bu**sh**ing bozo by giving
then your business. In that case, you should do whatever works to your
best advantage.

Chris Y.F.N.W. said:

Group: rec.bicycles.misc Date: Tue, Oct 10, 2006, 9:46am (EDT-3) From:
[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

And the impact absorption standards are
not very different for Snell vs. CPSC.

Quoted message said:

- Frank Krygowski

If I remember correctly, CPSC tests are condected with a drop of three
feet, whereas Snell uses a six foot drop (feel free to correct me on
this if I'm wrong).

Sure, no problem. You _are_ wrong. The drop heights are quite
similar.

Both tests use a disembodied headform (no body attached) with the test
helmet strapped to it. The headform is fitted with accelerometers to
measure the impact.

CPSC drops the headform from 2.0 meters (just over 6 feet). The Snell
B90 test also drops the headform from 2 meters. The Snell B95 test
drops it from 2.2 meters.

The impact velocity for the CPSC or Snell B90 test is 6.26 m/s (= 20.6
ft/s, or 14.0 mph). For the Snell B95 test, it's 6.56 m/s ( = 21.6
ft/s, 14.7 mph).

- Frank Krygowski

Chris Y.F.N.W. said:

Group: rec.bicycles.misc Date: Tue, Oct 10, 2006, 9:46am (EDT-3) From:
[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

And the impact absorption standards are
not very different for Snell vs. CPSC.

Quoted message said:

- Frank Krygowski

If I remember correctly, CPSC tests are condected with a drop of three
feet, whereas Snell uses a six foot drop (feel free to correct me on
this if I'm wrong).

Since acceleration is geometric, this would result in a signifigant
difference I would think.

CPSC uses a 2 meter drop, Snell an impact of 100 J which is about 2.2
meters according to their site.

Another difference is that CPSC lets manufacturers self-certify.

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a helmet. I've had my old one for a while, and
about a year ago it got caught in the spokes of my bike. And not, my
head wasn't in it at the same time. Anyway, I think it is about time to
purchase a new one. So I'm wondering where I can find something cheap -
that also works. I like to be able to leave it hanging on my bike
without worrying about it getting stolen. I don't know too much about
sizes and stuff, but I figure that if I need to buy it off the internet
to get a good deal, I can drop by the bike store in advance and look
for a good size.
If you have any suggestions or websites, they would me much
appreciated.
- cjkogan111

Look for a Snell approved helmet, Specialized makes them. Not sold mail
order, except direct from Specialized.

qui si parla Campagnolo said:

SMS said:

Quoted message said:

Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a helmet. I've had my old one for a while, and
about a year ago it got caught in the spokes of my bike. And not, my
head wasn't in it at the same time. Anyway, I think it is about time to
purchase a new one. So I'm wondering where I can find something cheap -
that also works. I like to be able to leave it hanging on my bike
without worrying about it getting stolen. I don't know too much about
sizes and stuff, but I figure that if I need to buy it off the internet
to get a good deal, I can drop by the bike store in advance and look
for a good size.
If you have any suggestions or websites, they would me much
appreciated.
- cjkogan111

Look for a Snell approved helmet, Specialized makes them. Not sold mail
order, except direct from Specialized.

well, any helmet sold in the US is 'approved'...not just Specialized.

Very few helmets sold in the U.S. are Snell approved. Most are claimed
to comply with the lesser CPSC requirements, but there is no independent
testing.

You can find a list at
"http://www.smf.org/certlist/std_B-90A_B-95A_B-90C_B-95C.html"

qui si parla Campagnolo said:

C'mon, I am not a helmet nazi, don't like mandatory anything buta
helmet 'will never hurt, may help'...

Always. No matter what you're doing. Right? ;-)

- Frank Krygowski

Quoted message said:

Then, we can all have a good laugh and get back to something more
important. ;-)

Like planning a long-delayed trip to New York?

Or like hoping someone... anyone! ... will phone asking for discount
bike service? ;-)

- Frank Krygowski

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Then, we can all have a good laugh and get back to something more
important. ;-)

Like planning a long-delayed trip to New York?

Or like hoping someone... anyone! ... will phone asking for discount
bike service? ;-)

Ah, so if you put a winkie at the end, it's not condescending and insulting?

You're a pompous gasbag, Frank. ;-)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://tinyurl.com/zmarz
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
(Restoring what the gasbag snipped)

Funny thing, mention "anti-helmet psycho and look who appears!

Quoted message said:

Like planning a long-delayed trip to New York?

Or like hoping someone... anyone! ... will phone asking for discount
bike service? ;-)

- Frank Krygowski

Quoted message said:

I'm just waiting for one of the anti-helmet psychos to come out of the
woodwork to tell us how helmets will:

a) make it more likely you will hit your head

b) make it more likely you will receive a brain injury

c) make it more likely you will be hit by a car

d) discourage cycling

e) make cycling more dangerous

Then, we can all have a good laugh and get back to something more
important. ;-)

Those may have been funny one time, but now they're just annoying. A
good kill-file works wonders.

SMS said:

Quoted message said:

I'm just waiting for one of the anti-helmet psychos to come out of the
woodwork to tell us how helmets will:

a) make it more likely you will hit your head

b) make it more likely you will receive a brain injury

c) make it more likely you will be hit by a car

d) discourage cycling

e) make cycling more dangerous

Then, we can all have a good laugh and get back to something more
important. ;-)

Those may have been funny one time, but now they're just annoying. A
good kill-file works wonders.

Personally, I enjoy watching anti-helmet psychos such as Krygowski and
jtaylor making complete asses of themselves. YMMV.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Then, we can all have a good laugh and get back to something more
important. ;-)

Like planning a long-delayed trip to New York?

Or like hoping someone... anyone! ... will phone asking for discount
bike service? ;-)

Such anger and hostility, my little Gasbag! :-(

I think we all know what your problem is, this stuff will help:

http://tinyurl.com/36pzf

;-)