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I’ve fallen a couple times, but no serious damage is visible on the helmet except for a couple divots here and there.

Should I consistently be replacing my helmet after a certain amount of time? After every relatively serious fall?

Goodbye Stack Exchange
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kamens
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  • Climbing... with a bicycle helmet? –  May 04 '12 at 11:41
  • See also http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/5836/do-i-really-need-to-replace-my-helmet-every-2-3-years-if-it-hasnt-been-in-a-cra – naught101 May 11 '12 at 08:59

8 Answers8

59

Helmets should be replaced roughly every 5 years and after any crash where your head makes contact with the ground.

Helmets will crumble, compress or otherwise deform in sometimes hard to see ways when you hit the deck. The structural integrity of the thing will be massively diminished after even a relatively tame fall. This is one area where you don't want to mess around much.

bikesandcode
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    +1 for "after any crash where your head makes contact with the ground". Modern helmets are not multi-use .. there lifetime is one impact. – tomjedrz Sep 02 '10 at 18:45
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    What about a crash where your head makes contact with, not the ground, but, say, a car or a telephone pole? – Goodbye Stack Exchange Sep 02 '10 at 23:06
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    @neilfein - check your helmet's warranty and manual to see exactly what kind of solid objects it recommends crashing into. ;-) – matt smillie Sep 02 '10 at 23:22
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    The safe thing to do is to replace it after any crash, regardless of whether you hit the ground, a telephone pole, or a car. – nhinkle Sep 02 '10 at 23:39
  • You don't even need your head in the helmet to compromise the structure. – Tom Hawtin - tackline Sep 03 '10 at 00:30
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    If it's saved your noggin at least once, it deserves its retirement! – darkcanuck Sep 03 '10 at 01:16
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    You also need to remember that every time you drop it, smack it into the door, toss it at the bed and miss, it gets 'dinged'. Over time all of these little collisions add up. – Gary.Ray Oct 11 '10 at 03:24
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    Some of the better helmet makers will replace a helmet that has been destroyed in a crash for free (or at least give you a discount on a new one). You send them the old helmet to analyse. – mgb Mar 04 '11 at 03:12
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    I remember reading that the Fraunhofer Institute were developing helmets that released bad smells when damaged. I don't know if it ever went anywhere. – Karl Sep 07 '11 at 00:20
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    What's the rationale for doing it after 5 years if you don't crash in that timeframe? – JonathanReez Jun 08 '21 at 18:30
27

When to replace a bicycle helmet:

  1. Any fall that impacted the helmet. There can easily be hard to see cracks, crumbling or compression of the foam; and all of those will make the helmet less effective.
  2. If you dropped it pretty hard and there's any likelihood of damage.
  3. If the outer shell is separating from the foam. The shell helps protect your neck. Also, if the shell is separating it may indicate the foam has compressed.
  4. If the outer shell has any significant scuffing. One of the ways that a helmet protects you is by helping your head to slide across rough surfaces instead of sticking, so if the helmet surface is now rough instead of smooth you lose that protection.
freiheit
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The general rule is every 3-4 years or after a crash. Some people say that excessive sweat or UV exposure can also degrade your helmet, but no one has proven that so far.

Chris Leon
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    On one hand we are always being told that plastics take thousands of years to degrade; on the other, apparently a plastic helmet is useless after 4 years. I can't believe both of these statements are true! – Jonny Cundall Sep 17 '10 at 08:35
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    "Degrade" does not mean the same thing as "Decompose". Most man made materials take decades to decompose (break down into their component elements), but only a few months or years to degrade (become significantly weaker or structurally deficient). – Gary.Ray Oct 11 '10 at 03:22
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Why are you using a helmet?

If you're using it because you're doing something which involves a decent probability of you falling and hitting your head, then you should probably replace it after every serious incident. Some companies (e.g. Giro) will give you a discount if you trade in a damaged lid, so that they can learn from its demise.

If you're commuting or doing something less dangerous, but which offers some scenarios where you think a lid will assist, then you might be less concerned about replacing after every ding. But the helmet is designed to work when pristene; as soon as there is damage, any damage, it won't act in the way that is was designed to, so is going to offer you a sub-optimal service.

But if you're just using a helmet because you think you should, although remain generally unconvinced (peer pressure, race rules, certain state/national legal obligations, enhanced air flow around the scalp), then don't worry about it ...

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7

Bicycle helmets are designed to absorb impact by cracking or crumbling. The insides of the helmet may crack with no damage visible on the outside. I'd replace the helmet as soon as you can.

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4

If there's visible damage to your helmet, like a crack, then you should definitely replace it. Dents, maybe, it depends how bad they are. Better safe than sorry right?

Jason Lawton
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It depends what you use it for. The primary advantage I have from my helmet is not hitting the branches with my head, when riding in forest. For that I don't need a new one each 2 years. I even heard that this is actually what bike helmets were made for in the first place.

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  • If you use it everyday in sunlight you might find that the plastic is beginning to crack after 2 years. And for me the straps and lining are getting pretty disgusting – mgb Mar 04 '11 at 03:14
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Inspect the helmet for damage inside and out. If you see any cracks, then it's time to replace it. If not, you're fine. You don't want to risk your cranium when you could just buy another helmet.

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