Phil (ascentale)@SRLevine asks:
Q4. How long do you keep a helmet that has neither been in an accident nor is expired? Assuming regular/daily use.
#BikeNiteQ #BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes cc @bikenite
Siegfried.
Ryan@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite A4. ...TIL that helmets expire...
Based on empirical evidence, I keep my helmets until they are in a bone breaking accident, even if it didn't get damaged.
Ask me again in a few years if I still have the same helmet...
@yantor3d @ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite I think that over time, and especially when exposed to sunlight (UV rays), the outer plastic shell can become brittle or lose its elasticity. That’s why it might be a good idea to replace the helmet after a few years of use.
nick@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite #bikenite A4: I bought quite a nice Fox helmet in fluoro yellow but I'm thinking I'll need to replace it because its faded to pale yellow: the sun here is particularly savage. It's in pretty nice condition otherwise though, padding and straps and so on all look good and the foam itself feels like new. So dunno, I guess when they're next on sale or something.
Mx. Eddie R@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
A4. I'll keep a helmet until it's in a fall, or until it expires, now that I know that's a thing.
#BikeNite
A4. I'll keep a helmet until it's in a fall, or until it expires, now that I know that's a thing.
#BikeNite
Wandering Hermit@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
A4) I usually keep helmets until the heat and UV degrades them enough that they start falling apart. Don't be like me.
Cainmark Does Not Comply 🚲@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
A4. Average is four years. Sometimes shorter. Never more than five years.
LovesTha🥧
gene x@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite A4: interesting answers here! I don't have any 'rule' and of course if I am in an accident or hit my head/helmet hard then I will probably replace it right away. I often drop it when I am unlocking my bike which I am sure isn't great for it but hopefully that's not too bad. I think my current one is like 4-5 years old? #BikeNite
JF 
ajft [SEC=continvoucly morged]@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite #BikeNite A4 i'd hazard a guess that around 3yrs. Straps and padding start to fall apart. only one I've had to replace after whacking it into the ground. I've never seen an "expiry date" on a helmet, although some mfgs seem to claim (rather self-servingly) "replace them every 18 months". Being plastic and out in the UV they're bound to degrade and become ornamental rather than functional .... although there's a guy I see occasionally who has a coverless 1990s polystyrene shell helmet with no cover on it and I swear he leaves a little trail of white beads behind him
Gemma ⭐️🔰🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🎐@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite #BikeNite A3. I own three helmets, two purchased 2022, one purchased 2024. Before those, I didn't use helmets. The Dakota's adhesives are deteriorated so it's mostly retired, the Silas only gets used for my fitness rides. The MMG is what I wear for daily transport, year-round. I'm not convinced that expanded polystyrene really needs to be replaced as often as helmet manufacturers want you to believe.
@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite For what it's worth, motorcycle helmet manufacturers say 7 years from date of manufacture, or 5 years from purchase, whichever comes first. They claim that expanded polystyrene loses its effectiveness over time, and UV exposure weakens the shell.
Drew Mayo
AI6YR Ben@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite #BikeNite A4. I seem to recall they "expire" in 10 years, but I may be wrong. My last helmet (gasp) I had for 25 years, ancient... would NOT recommend, helmets are cheap vs. any kind of heat injury or an emergency room visit. Not worth skimping on your brain.
rowmyboat
Gudroot
Twobiscuits🚴♂️ 
@gudroot @ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite Exactly like milk. If you sniff it and it's still ok, it's still ok😋
Mark
cognitively accessible math@MarkBrigham @SRLevine @bikenite @ascentale LOLOL
I sometimes forget that some people actually perspire :P :P
I sometimes forget that some people actually perspire :P :P
Solarbird 
@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite A4: I don't understand why you'd get rid of a helmet early, so I don't.
@geonz @ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite Yeah but that's what the expiry date is for. Therefore, this is specifically excluding that, and I am still without a reason.
@moira @ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite Okay, "early." I'm not sure my helmets have dates ;) I also think the foam techhas improved.
Demian@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite A4. Usually until the non-replaceable padding starts to wear out which I think is around 8-9 years for my last couple. IIRC, helmet companies recommend replacing after 5 years or if crashed, but I figure there's some safety margin in there (cross fingers).
#bikenite
#bikenite
kimu
Kim@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite Until it falls to bits or gets misplaced. I'm unconvinced that the safety benefits are worth the inconvenience for normal road riding, so only usually wear helmets if I think there's a high probability of the sort of low-speed impact they're designed to mitigate, and for events that require me to wear a helmet. For the latter, it just needs to look the part.
(I don't want to ignite the helmet debate. If you want to wear one because you think it will stop you being killed utterly to DETH by motorists, or because it's good for keeping your head warm, mounting cameras or fending off drop-bears, that's great - whatever gets you out on a bike is good. If you have to wear one because you're compelled to by your local laws/parents/children/employer/cycling group, I sympathise.)
(I don't want to ignite the helmet debate. If you want to wear one because you think it will stop you being killed utterly to DETH by motorists, or because it's good for keeping your head warm, mounting cameras or fending off drop-bears, that's great - whatever gets you out on a bike is good. If you have to wear one because you're compelled to by your local laws/parents/children/employer/cycling group, I sympathise.)
@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite A4
Until this helmet, a coupla years. I ride a lot, they get a lot of sun, sun is powerful adn degrades things.
But this Nutcase has built in lights and fits really well and I've got the whole decoration thing down. At least 3 times a week somebody calls out to me about liking my hat or my helmet or "I love everything you have going on there!"
I think it's still holding up enough so if I get bpped, it will make a big difference and the twice I"ve bopped on the helmet it was low speed.
Until this helmet, a coupla years. I ride a lot, they get a lot of sun, sun is powerful adn degrades things.
But this Nutcase has built in lights and fits really well and I've got the whole decoration thing down. At least 3 times a week somebody calls out to me about liking my hat or my helmet or "I love everything you have going on there!"
I think it's still holding up enough so if I get bpped, it will make a big difference and the twice I"ve bopped on the helmet it was low speed.
Bicycling Monterey 💚🌎🌍🌏@geonz We don’t see Nutcase on Sea Otter Classic expo map (here next month), but you’re reminding us to look there for cool new helmets that teens we serve (e.g., https://bikemonterey.org/youth-bike-and-sometimes-receive-citations.html) would love. @ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
Marty Cormack@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
#BikeNite A4
I get a new helmet every other year, unless it gets damaged in a crash.
#BikeNite A4
I get a new helmet every other year, unless it gets damaged in a crash.
edd
Sam LevineWell this was a surprisingly (maybe?) popular question!
To answer it myself: typically when I break it, I'm kind of rough on them and I've had the plastic adjusters break on the inside after a few years on two of them, and one where the MIPS liner cracked in two places! It apparently easily got caught on something with the way I was storing my helmet looped over my handlebars. My current one is about to turn two and I really regret not trying it on in person and just buying it online because the fit isn't as good with this brand for me. It also reeks, so I was sort of hoping to justify replacing it early (I typically get 3-4 years before I manage to damage some essential component). I mentioned the smell situation to my mechanic though and she had a suggestion I'll try (please do not contribute your own).
@SRLevine @ascentale @bikenite
I will definitely not contribute my own smells.
oheso@SRLevine @ascentale @bikenite I bought my last helmet online and was lucky with the fit. Today I went to the shop to make sure, and I wasn't disappointed by that choice.
After every ride, the helmet comes with me into the shower and gets rinsed off inside and out, and then hung to dry in the Workshop in the Sky.
Brownian_motion@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite Everything I’ve researched indicates any safety helmet should be replaced between 3-5 years. Environmentals such as UV and temperatures have the biggest effects and degrade the protection, the more they’re exposed, the faster they degrade. https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html
Bob Jonkman#BikeNite A4: I got a nice new helmet last year. The one I was using wasn't damaged but it was smelly and gross. Double bad, because that was my wife's helmet, which I borrowed because my previous helmet was even smellier and grosser.
Moz@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite A4: by coincidence I just threw out a ~5 year old ALDI helmet and was looking at my similar age good helmet skeptically today. It's probably about time.
Both are past their use by dates, I normally keep them until there's visible damage or wear.
Sam H (he/him)@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
#bikeNite #bikeNiteA
A4
It used to be until the sweat started to rot away at the foam (I sweat a lot), but since discovering cycle caps, they're now kept indefinitely.
Biggest problem for me is remembering when I've bought a helmet, so I don't worry about expiration dates.
#bikeNite #bikeNiteA
A4
It used to be until the sweat started to rot away at the foam (I sweat a lot), but since discovering cycle caps, they're now kept indefinitely.
Biggest problem for me is remembering when I've bought a helmet, so I don't worry about expiration dates.
Pete@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite A4 #BikeNite Usually switch them out every few years or sooner if they’ve been ‘used’. Had a few exchanged as crash replacements within 12 months if the brand offers that, but otherwise just when they get tired.
Without wishing to turn this into a helmet debate, age alone is unlikely to have that much bearing on their effectiveness.
Without wishing to turn this into a helmet debate, age alone is unlikely to have that much bearing on their effectiveness.
Eat This Podcast@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
A4. Helmets expire? Who knew? Serious answer: until they have been in an accident or break in some way (which has never happened to me).
Jon Roach@ascentale @SRLevine @[email protected] A4. I expect manufacturers' helmet expiry dates are informed by scientific conservatism and what they can get away with. Current hat is from 2016 ish. #BikeNite
@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
A4. Just posted this in a reply to Q1.
I've read various injunctions to replace after X years. Mostly I've assumed they're from helmet manufacturers trying to drive demand. But the point that the various fittings will get brittle with age and UV exposure is one well taken. The helmet will not be as effective if it flies off in an accident.
This is replacing a seven-year-old helmet that has probably seen a few drops and whacks, but not an actual accident or fall.
Karen E. Lund 💙💛@oheso @ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite Does that mean that helmets used frequently (say, commuting to and from work five days a week, all year) in a sunny place such as Arizona would need to be replaced more frequently than a helmet used for occasional recreation in New England only when there isn't much snow on the ground?
And if so, which scenario does the manufacturer's recommendation apply to?
@Karen5Lund @ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite That would be the case, yes, as UV will dry out the plastic and make it brittle.
@Karen5Lund @oheso @ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite safety device labelling has to be conservative. Some chance the guidelines are written for helmet is left in full sun all year, and if you keep it inside 23 hours every day it'll last longer, even in arizona.
@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite A4 When it becomes irretrievably disgusting. Don't worry folks, your helmet will usually tell you when it's time.
Axel 🚴😷🐧🐪⌨ | #WeAreNatenom@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite #BikeNite A4: I planned to replace my bicycle helmet after 5 years. When my gut feeling said that the five years have passed and some of the upholstery started to no more stick that well to the inside of the helmet, I checked the manufacturing date and was surprised that the helmet was just like 3 years old. I replaced it nevertheless and stored the old one at my parents in case I forgot to bring my current one and want to go cycling there.
Matthew Newell@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
When I fall,
When the inside comfort foam starts to go manky,
When I see a nice one on special offer,
When, once, I dropped my helmet and it fell / bounced down two flights of concrete stairs
😀🚲#BikeNite A4 I quit wearing a helmet (for urban cycling) over a decade ago and have not needed to worry about it.
Amgine
daihard (he/him)@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite A4: I typically keep mine for 3-4 years. I could keep it longer, but I feel like getting a new design once in a while... #BikeNite
Asphalt and Earth@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite until about 6 months ago I was still wearing a helmet that was about 10 years old. I’d fallen a few times with it on as well.
Not that best example! I now have a new one which I’ve told myself I’ll replace in 3 years or after a serious bang! Hmm thinking about it it’s already had a slight bang when I came off on ice!
Weldon Bradstreet@ascentale @SRLevine @bikenite
A4. I'm going to replace helmets by their expiration dates in the future, after a gentile impact crash 2 years ago turned a VERY old helmet into multiple foam chunks and a broken plastic shell. I count myself lucky I didn't have a big crash wearing it.
#BikeTooter