Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

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il padrone
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Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby il padrone » Sat Dec 29, 2012 9:41 am

New design for bicycle helmets from Abus, that has some significant advantages - but will it make it in the market?

http://youtu.be/rHUB1fDHE8Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mandatory helmet law?
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."

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Comedian
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby Comedian » Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:16 am

I reckon there is a chance this could be an improvement over the current helmets. Unlike the grade of brittle EPS used in our helmets there is a chance the cardboard would compress in an accident, not just shatter. I suppose people won't be able to say "it saved my life" if they don't break into pieces. :roll:
The structure of Kranium has been developed to absorb the impact energy. The ribs of the structure have been designed to accommodate movement in some places where as it remains perfectly rigid in some areas. Thus during a crash the force peak of the impact is absorbed by the ribs tending to flex and de-flex. The remaining amount of energy is then absorbed by the crumpling nature of the corrugated ribs. When tested against the British Standards (EN 1078) at the Imperial College, Kranium absorbs more than 3 times the amount of impact energy when compared to regular cycling helmets. This means that during a crash, lesser amounts of energy go into your head thus making it safer than regular cycling helmets.

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Matt_Matt
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby Matt_Matt » Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:35 am

I hope so ...

There didn't seem to be a great deal of venting in the models show, could be an issue with over heating.


Matt
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Mulger bill
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby Mulger bill » Sat Dec 29, 2012 11:55 am

Comedian wrote:I reckon there is a chance this could be an improvement over the current helmets. Unlike the grade of brittle EPS used in our helmets there is a chance the cardboard would compress in an accident, not just shatter. I suppose people won't be able to say "it saved my life" if they don't break into pieces. :roll:
Ahhh, cynicism. Likey :D

A Good Thing-if they can actually convince the self anointed experts that it is an improvement on existing tech. Agreed with Mattsquared that venting will need to improve for local conditions.
If they can get it right, I'd be onto this like a blowfly at a barbie.
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby scirocco » Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:09 pm

Impressive design concept - but how did he ever get the idea that a helmet without vents would be comfortable to use when it's not cold? Strange mix of clever innovative thought and total disregard for usability.

Maybe that outer plastic shell can be fabricated with holes in it to match the gaps between the cardboard ribs.

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il padrone
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby il padrone » Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:49 pm

scirocco wrote:but how did he ever get the idea that a helmet without vents would be comfortable to use when it's not cold?
He lives in London ??

They have a heatwave when it hits 28C.
Mandatory helmet law?
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby LM324 » Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:55 pm

random cycling myths website I found wrote:
Subject: 9.13 Cycling Myths

Following are various myths about cycling and why they are/aren't true.


Myth: Wearing a helmet makes your head hotter than if you didn't wear one.

Actual measurements under hard riding conditions with ANSI standard
helmets show no consistent temperature difference from helmetless
riders. Part of the reason is that helmets provide insulated
protection from the sun as well as some airflow around the head.
(Les Earnest
Cardboard helmet definitely need vents before people will consider buying it

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ft_critical
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby ft_critical » Sat Dec 29, 2012 1:29 pm

That is nothing. Check out this baby:

Image

http://inspirationgreen.com/airbag-helmet.html

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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby timbo » Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:58 pm

And I can rebuild it with my discarded beer cartons, which, after using the contents, were probably the reason for needing the crash protection in the first place.

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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby Xplora » Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:12 pm

I'm assuming they've addressed the wet weather issue, but they definitely need a better aero option if they expect widespread penetration of the market. You have a hope of convincing an enthusiast to try something new - the casual cyclist needs to be shown the helmet in use, and nothing is less inspiring to a possible cyclist than showing helmets being destroyed by impacts.

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il padrone
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby il padrone » Sat Dec 29, 2012 5:07 pm

Xplora wrote:I'm assuming they've addressed the wet weather issue....
.....nothing is less inspiring to a possible cyclist than showing helmets being destroyed by impacts.
You didn't look at their video then ???

http://youtu.be/rHUB1fDHE8Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

5:10 for their testing routines. 5:40 for the waterproofing. Passes the European helmet test even after being submerged for 7 days. Absorbs 3 times the amount of energy compared to regular styrofoam helmets.
Mandatory helmet law?
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby jacks1071 » Sat Dec 29, 2012 9:00 pm

il padrone wrote:New design for bicycle helmets from Abus, that has some significant advantages - but will it make it in the market?

http://youtu.be/rHUB1fDHE8Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hope it does, the designer seems like a top lad and I wish him every sucess.
Our Website is: http://www.kotavelo.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Find us on Facebook by searching for "Kotavelo"

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KenGS
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby KenGS » Sat Dec 29, 2012 10:38 pm

They also protect your feet
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Helmets! Bells! Rego!

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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby boss » Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:21 am

Philipthelam wrote:
random cycling myths website I found wrote:
Subject: 9.13 Cycling Myths

Following are various myths about cycling and why they are/aren't true.


Myth: Wearing a helmet makes your head hotter than if you didn't wear one.

Actual measurements under hard riding conditions with ANSI standard
helmets show no consistent temperature difference from helmetless
riders. Part of the reason is that helmets provide insulated
protection from the sun as well as some airflow around the head.
(Les Earnest
Cardboard helmet definitely need vents before people will consider buying it
I spent a few weeks riding in a minimally vented skate helmet (all I had), and I tell you what, it was horrible.

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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby petie » Sun Dec 30, 2012 1:56 pm

I already wear a skate style helmet, venting is only an issue at full pelt and I sweat alot. For commuting and transport type riding I reckon this is a good step forward. Ok a bit lazy, are there any Australian distributors yet?

Sent from my MB526

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Howzat
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby Howzat » Sun Dec 30, 2012 7:03 pm

Comedian wrote:I reckon there is a chance this could be an improvement over the current helmets. Unlike the grade of brittle EPS used in our helmets there is a chance the cardboard would compress in an accident, not just shatter.
Cardboard has in large part replaced polystyrene in packaging for transport for some of the advantages mentioned, so it sounds like a plausible innovation.

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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby Nobody » Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:13 pm

Cardboard has carbon in it, so it must be good. :wink:

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Howzat
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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby Howzat » Sun Dec 30, 2012 9:02 pm

That's not a bike helmet - this is a bike helmet;

Image

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Re: Lightest, safest, strongest helmet??

Postby Comedian » Mon Dec 31, 2012 3:07 pm

Howzat wrote:That's not a bike helmet - this is a bike helmet;

Image
If they were mandatory we'd have an even more effective reduction in the number of cycling injuries. My guess would be to zero for law abiding citizens, as no one would ride.

Plus, those that chose to ride without a helmet would be the only ones getting injured which would further validate the excellent decision of introducing the law. Car makers, motoring organisations, and bogans across the country would applaud rapturously. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

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