The Chainlink

Helmet After Wipeout

I hit a pothole on my commute today and wiped out going about 18 mph.  I hit my head on the pavement but luckily was protected by my Poc Trabec Race (it sure did its job).


Do I need to dispose of my helmet after it hit the ground with force?  It does not have any visible cracks or wear to it and it is the first time anything like this has happened to it.  

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on April 2, 2012 at 10:42pm

Check with the helmet company on their website to see if they have a crash replacement deal, but even if you have to pay full price for a new one, REPLACE IT ASAP

Permalink Reply by Dave Grossman on April 2, 2012 at 10:48pm

Thanks for the suggestion I just emailed POC.  I just bought the helmet a few months ago so I hope they have some sort of deal for replacement as they are not cheap.  But yeah, my brain is more important than a few bucks.

Permalink Reply by Shelley Scott on April 2, 2012 at 10:48pm

I don't remember the source, but I remember learning that you should always replace bike helmets after an impact--even if there are no obvious cracks. I've found that old bike helmets make perfect outdoor hanging planters:

Permalink Reply by Shelley Scott on April 2, 2012 at 11:00pm

PS: Glad to hear you're okay! I've broken a few crashes helmet-first, and hearing the reverberating sound of helmet hitting pavement is mighty scary and shocking....(followed immediately by extreme gratitude that the helmet did its job.  I never leave home without my mighty "brain bucket" :o)

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on April 3, 2012 at 3:18am

POC has some helmets made of expanded polypropylene (EPP) which are designed like ski helmets, made for multiple impacts.  The Receptor+ and Receptor Backcountry MIPS claim to handle multiple impacts (but they cost $200-250!) as does the Cortex line.  Unfortunately, the POC Trabec Race is constructed of traditional expanded polystyrene (EPS=styrofoam), like most bike helmets, and probably can only take one impact before being ruined.  But check with POC, expecially if they have a half price replacement deal (I couldn't find a deal on their web site though).

http://www.pocsports.com/en/product/1230/trabec-race

http://www.pocsports.com/en/content/view/protective-concepts#Helmet...

And scroll way down here for the POC discussion: http://www.bhsi.org/helmet12.htm

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on April 3, 2012 at 3:43am

An interesting discussion on when to replace a helmet here: http://www.bhsi.org/replace.htm

Some of this information isn't obvious.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 3, 2012 at 7:16am

I wonder if folks who race cyclocross replace their helmets after a crash.  Do they bring extra ones to races so they can swap them in the pits?

Permalink Reply by Michael A on April 3, 2012 at 7:28am

 cross racers never let their heads hit the ground when they crash

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on April 3, 2012 at 7:34am

Joey is never going to make any babies.  He was wearing his helmet on the wrong head...

Permalink Reply by Dave Grossman on April 3, 2012 at 7:35am

POC already responded to my email.  The rep said that if the foam was damaged, it needs replacement.  However, if the crash wasn't significant enough to damage the foam, it is still good.  How I gauge that is unknown.  

I am waiting to hear back from the U.S. rep about a crash replacement.

Permalink Reply by Dave Grossman on April 3, 2012 at 11:29am

POC wrote me back.  If I send in my old helmet they will send me a new one at 50% off retail plus shipping.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on April 3, 2012 at 12:02pm

Great news, Dave!  As a stopgap, while you're waiting for the new helmet to arrive, you may want to pick up a cheap $20-40 helmet for use until the new one arrives.  Some impact lab studies indicate that cheap helmets that meet the CPSC standard (they have a label inside) have the same functional impact protection as expensive ones, though they may be more difficult to fit, may have less ventilation and probably don't have the same stylish graphics or design as expensive models.  But with a safety product that can only get smooshed once in its lifetime, there is some merit in being able to buy 10 disposable cheapies for the price of one expensive one if the protection is roughly the same.

http://www.bhsi.org/testbycost.htm

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