Many points here involve personal taste when picking a bicycle helmet.
Many of us began riding bicycles long before bicycle helmets were a thing. It’s only been recently that the importance of wearing a helmet has become common knowledge. I was one of the former.
I picked riding back up in my 30’s. By this time everyone was touting the merits of a good bicycle helmet. Like many, I’d not worn a bicycle helmet until I began riding as an adult. I won’t bore you with the statistics here, but if you click on this link you can study it yourself if you so choose.
I wear a helmet. Why? The statistics are overwhelmingly in favor of it, for one. Also, I’ve experienced a fall, and, had I not had a helmet on, I would have cracked my noodle pretty hard on the blacktop.
BTW, gloves are not a bad idea either.
So what to consider when looking at helmets? Following is a list of things to consider:
- Bicycle Helmet Style and usage
The type of riding you do will determine, to a degree, what type of helmet you choose. Many of the helmets can be used for multiple styles of riding depending on personal taste.
My personal preference is a commuting helmet. I use it for commuting, recreation, and riding for exercise. It has a built-in light on the back of the helmet, so I always have a light no matter which bike I ride. The helmet is a little on the blocky side but it suits my needs very well.
Another style is the racing-style helmet. They have many air vents in them and are shaped much like a torpedo giving them an aerodynamic look. They are extremely lightweight and sleek-looking, and the ventilation is unsurpassed.
Mountain biking helmets are much like racing helmets at first glance but are heavier with fewer vents and longer with the front stretching out into, a very useful sunvisor.
The other option is a helmet that is more commonly worn by skateboarders and rollerbladers. This helmet has a more blocky profile with more padding on the inside. The air vents are more rounded and there are fewer of them. So if you are a multi-sport person you may already have a helmet that will work for you.
2. Bicycle Helmet buckles, straps, and tightening hardware
All of these helmets have a chin strap of some sort. The things to look for are things like ease of adjustment and type of adjustment. The number of adjustments is just as important as where the adjustments are. For example, if you have long hair you’ll probably need room for a ponytail. Some helmets do not consider this.
Some models come with extra padding that can be added or removed for better fitment.
3. Bicycle Helmet Peripheral Mounts
Some helmets have ways to mount a sun visor, but many do not. Some have built-in lighting, others have mounts for lights and others have nothing for lighting. Others have mounting for rear-view mirrors.
4. Bicycle Helmet Exterior finish
Nearly all helmets have a plastic cover over the protective shell of the helmet. Some of the finishes are a matte finish and some are very smooth and shiny. It’s all in what you prefer.
One thing to consider however is that some of the helmets with a matte finish show fingerprints which can be unsightly for some.
Helmets can be found in nearly every color of the rainbow and multiple colors too. You want flames? There is a helmet for you. Do you want chrome? Yup, somebody has you covered!
I’ve seen helmets that look like billboards! There truly is something for everyone.
5) Bicycle Helmet safety Ratings
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the new rating out there for bicycle helmets. It is referred to as MIPS.
The Swedes started all this and it has to do with sideways contact in a collision. By including two rotational layers within the structure of the helmet they could cut back on the number of rotational injuries during a head impact.
It is explained much better than I can in this article here.
I hope these points will help you on your journey to getting back on a bicycle. Getting outdoors is very important for our state of mind and bicycling is an enjoyable way to do it.
