Replace helmet every 3 years?

User avatar
stinhambo
Posts: 486
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:40 pm
Location: Northern Beaches, Cairns, QLD

Replace helmet every 3 years?

Postby stinhambo » Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:38 pm

Hi there,

I was advised that for insurance purposes, you should replace your crash helmet every 3 years.

Is this BS or something others can confirm? Just wondered as I'm not sure whether to drop a couple of hundred on a really nice Lazer 02.
Image

User avatar
il padrone
Posts: 22931
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
Location: Heading for home.

Re: Replace helmet every 3 years?

Postby il padrone » Mon Jan 30, 2012 7:52 pm

I believe there is a recommendation something like that as the polystyrene foam begins to deteriorate and get brittle due to sun exposure. Some of the more expensive new helmets with almost complete bonded microshell should last longer as they don't expose the foam to sun.

I have found that my helmets get pretty gungy and knocked about after 4-5 years and have replaced them regularly. But I don't throw more than about $100 on a helmet mostly.
Mandatory helmet law?
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."

User avatar
stinhambo
Posts: 486
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:40 pm
Location: Northern Beaches, Cairns, QLD

Re: Replace helmet every 3 years?

Postby stinhambo » Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:00 pm

il padrone wrote:I believe there is a recommendation something like that as the polystyrene foam begins to deteriorate and get brittle due to sun exposure. Some of the more expensive new helmets with almost complete bonded microshell should last longer as they don't expose the foam to sun.

I have found that my helmets get pretty gungy and knocked about after 4-5 years and have replaced them regularly. But I don't throw more than about $100 on a helmet mostly.
I've had mine about 5 years and it's almost as good as new but I was curious if there was a shelf life. Do you know who I might ask? Bicycle Queensland perhaps?
Image

User avatar
queequeg
Posts: 6483
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:09 am

Re: Replace helmet every 3 years?

Postby queequeg » Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:28 pm

stinhambo wrote:Hi there,

I was advised that for insurance purposes, you should replace your crash helmet every 3 years.

Is this BS or something others can confirm? Just wondered as I'm not sure whether to drop a couple of hundred on a really nice Lazer 02.
Ditched my commuter helment after 3 years. You could see the UV Damage on it, and the plastic shell had started to debond from the polystyrene. Binned it and started using my Limar 104 spare that I picked up for $75 on special.
'11 Lynskey Cooper CX, '00 Hillbrick Steel Racing (Total Rebuild '10), '16 Cervelo R5, '18 Mason BokekTi

User avatar
find_bruce
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10598
Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 8:42 pm
Location: Sydney

Re: Replace helmet every 3 years?

Postby find_bruce » Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:06 am

Thinking about replacing my helmet, but mainly becuase the inside is getting gungy
Anything you can do, I can do slower

User avatar
twizzle
Posts: 6402
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 11:45 am
Location: Highlands of Wales.

Re: Replace helmet every 3 years?

Postby twizzle » Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:29 pm

Linky.

As stated in the page, MET claims you can expect at least eight years life from their helmets.
I ride, therefore I am. But don't ride into harm's way.
...real cyclists don't have squeaky chains...

human909
Posts: 9810
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:48 am

Re: Replace helmet every 3 years?

Postby human909 » Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:09 am

stinhambo wrote:Hi there,

I was advised that for insurance purposes, you should replace your crash helmet every 3 years.

Is this BS or something others can confirm? Just wondered as I'm not sure whether to drop a couple of hundred on a really nice Lazer 02.
So what insurance is being referred to here?

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users