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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on March 21, 2012 at 1:00pm

You may be better off buying a cheap NEW bike helmet for $8-15, if your budget is that tight, rather than a used one.  A helmet can only take one crash; even if it doesn't appear damaged, it may not save your noggin if you crash in it.  And the styrofoam only stays soft and useable for a few years; after that, it hardens into a rock and doesn't protect you much.  A used one may be past its prime.  The good news: some research suggests a cheap helmet protects you just as well as an ex....  The price difference is due to the amount of ventilation, the graphics, the stylish shape, the overall weight and so on.  Just make sure any helmet you buy is CPSC certified for bicycling (there will be a sticker inside it).

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Permalink Reply by Eric B on March 21, 2012 at 1:20pm

You're in luck,  I have a good-as-new (never been in a crash) used extra bike helmet and I also live in Uptown.  It could be yours tonight if you want it.

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Permalink Reply by Ride it like you stole it on March 21, 2012 at 4:20pm

+1

Those are the exact reason why we stopped accepting offers and want ads in a local freecycle group. I want to pressure the retail stores in my area to stop selling used helmets, but others do not seem so enthusiastic about it.

Thunder Snow said:

You may be better off buying a cheap NEW bike helmet for $8-15, if your budget is that tight, rather than a used one.  A helmet can only take one crash; even if it doesn't appear damaged, it may not save your noggin if you crash in it.  And the styrofoam only stays soft and useable for a few years; after that, it hardens into a rock and doesn't protect you much.  A used one may be past its prime.  The good news: some research suggests a cheap helmet protects you just as well as an ex....  The price difference is due to the amount of ventilation, the graphics, the stylish shape, the overall weight and so on.  Just make sure any helmet you buy is CPSC certified for bicycling (there will be a sticker inside it).

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