Last weekend my girlfriend borrowed my Giro Ionos Cycling Helmet that I wear when I’m getting rad in spandex, so she could take a bike ride around town. Like a douche I said, “Don’t lose it! It’s worth more than your bike.”
What a stupid thing to say.
It made me wonder, “why on earth did that thing cost so much in the first place?” … And then, “why on earth did I just say that?”
Luckily HucknRoll.com bike specialist Dan Hall created a bike helmet 101 guide to help explain the first conundrum. Sadly, he can’t help with the second.
Regarding price, Hall says:
For both mountain and road helmets, what affects cost is construction and technology. You’re not sacrificing safety by using a less-expensive helmet, as long as it meets or exceeds industry safety standards such as CPSC or Snell. As helmets go up in price, the shell design goes from being taped to being molded into the EPS (expanded polystyrene) liner. As manufacturers offer more shell sizes, the price increases because of the need for more molds. A less-expensive helmet may only come in one size with an adjustable system to hold it in place—if you have a peanut-sized cranium, you’ll have a big, goofy-looking overhang. However if you purchase a helmet that offers varying shell sizes, a small would fit your head without looking like you’ve got a mushroom on your shoulders. High-performance helmets use exotic materials, such as composites, and manufacturing processes that also affect price.
Dan also lays out some creative tips for cleaning your bike lid:
One nice trick to wash a helmet is to wear it in the shower. Hopefully, you already clean up after a ride; just bring the helmet with you. Shampoo your hair and put the helmet on and let the shower rinse it. Not only will you be ultra safe from bathroom-related head injuries, your helmet will be fresh the next time you hop on your bike.
But I think the most helpful part of the entire piece, is where he explains proper bike helmet fitting. I’ve been wearing helmets for years and still struggle with getting the right fit. Follow his steps and you’ll have no worries.
Read the entire Bike Helmet 101 »
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Tags: bike helmets, cycling gear, gear maintenance, mountain biking, road cycling