The skydiving world i come from has no place for "good enuf". The trickle over of that thinking leaves me with buying and wearing the best gear i can afford.
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Helmet life
- Thread starter xfactor
- Start date
TK4
Well-known member
My brother is a skydiving instructor. The helmet he uses I wouldn't wear riding a bicycle.
I've been stewing on this thread. I have repeated the degrading liner thing myself, but it was embedded wisdom that I hadn't really questioned the origin of.
I look at the retired X-11 on my shelf, then I remember at least part of the reason I retired it was that it wasn't a snug fit anymore (and the visor gasket had become somewhat leaky)
I look at the retired X-11 on my shelf, then I remember at least part of the reason I retired it was that it wasn't a snug fit anymore (and the visor gasket had become somewhat leaky)
Mikedezo44
Well-known member
If anyone is into dirt riding Troy Lee designs has a great sale on right now. Picked up a couple, Their top of the line carbon fiber dirt helmet - regular $899 on for $359. Free shipping.
troyleedesigns.ca
Moto Helmets
Since 1981, TLD has been developing Moto and MTB helmets protective gear and apparel For the World's Fastest Racers. Shop now at Troy Lee Designs.
troyleedesigns.ca
If anyone is into dirt riding Troy Lee designs has a great sale on right now. Picked up a couple, Their top of the line carbon fiber dirt helmet - regular $899 on for $359. Free shipping.
Moto Helmets
Since 1981, TLD has been developing Moto and MTB helmets protective gear and apparel For the World's Fastest Racers. Shop now at Troy Lee Designs.
Boo! I don't have a 2XL head!
Mikedezo44
Well-known member
You checked all 3 pages? Any one I clicked on had plenty of sizes and not the usual XS and XXL left in stock. Their SE5 composite is on for a good deal too. Regular 6 something for $259. Slightly heavier than carbon model obviously, but same helmet otherwise.Boo! I don't have a 2XL head!
No, just the last page with the sales.
Regular priced items are mostly in stock. But I'm no baller and was looking for cheap lids.
Mikedezo44
Well-known member
There are sales on page 2 as well. Also good deals on their mountain bike helmets.
Here ya go: Factory Effex Goggle Quick Strap
Double D is the only way for me. Until I see F1 drivers and MotoGP riders using plastic ratchet straps, it'll stay that way.
I have to draw a comparison to the racing world again. All their lids are carbon fiber, carbon composites. No old fashioned fiberglass, no plastic. What aren't you sure about?
TK4
Well-known member
The vast majority of them are sponsored and paid to wear a particular brand/model which is invariably top-of-the-line.
I used one of these for years
No you didn't. That's a Bell Star Classic, a contemporary helmet based on the original Bell Star, and intended specifically for vintage auto racing.
You may have had something like this:
And any sensible person would not wear such a lid fifty years later.
TK4
Well-known member
Back in the day Shoei and Arai were very generous providing free product (and contingency for some) of us Canadian racers. Now, not so much.
That the carbon fibre shell is superior to polycarbonate or fibreglas other than in lower weight.
Why ?....the EPS would not be degraded or are you still not accepting that reality?
I found the small FoV a bit annoying...and getting it over the ears a struggle. Still no fan of FF
It certainly was a protective step up from the 500.
I used to hate trying to get the snaps on and off to change visors...especially when it was cold.
The D-ring straps sometimes get very stiff and hard to tighten once they are in the heat in the tropics for a while. I figure Schuberth has tested their ratchet system on the C3/C4.
I enjoyed my 3/4 Bell - very quiet helmet. Guess they kept the 500 series going. It is multi-density EPS now.
The AFX-155 convertible I still have and might take back to Australia with me. Innovation design tho chin piece was marginal.
The FoV and visor are excellent. When I lost one of connectors on the side of the visor the company flew a set to Nanimo. Looked a bit better than my duct tape kludge,
The Shark Evoline 3 convertible which I alternate with the C3 has gotten full certification for the flip over chin piece.
I tended to ride with visor up on the C3 to facilitate photography where appropriate. The flip over on the Shark is a cleaner solution allowing both FF and 3/4 and both certified.
I'll replace the one mildly damaged in the accident in July.
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Early Carbon Fibre helmets should avoided.They were built too stiff.Racers and riders sustained brain injuries when their heads bounced around inside on severe impacts.
Crashed helmets should also be shelved even if there is no visible damage to the shell.The eps can be permanently compressed (it doesn't have memory} making the helmet useless.
Crashed helmets should also be shelved even if there is no visible damage to the shell.The eps can be permanently compressed (it doesn't have memory} making the helmet useless.
TK4
Well-known member
I've been using the Stellar in rotation for about 3 months now - one of the least expensive full face helmets in SMK's lineup. I'm continually shocked at what amazing value it is. DOT and ECE 22.05 approved, good fit and finish, well vented and pretty quiet. I'm not a huge fan of the ratcheting chin strap (it's hard to fasten to a helmet lock), but that's about the only real beef I have.
Plus, for those of you with a political bent, they're made in India and not in China like so many of the competition in this price range.
Plus, for those of you with a political bent, they're made in India and not in China like so many of the competition in this price range.
You didn't answer the question. What makes you question the safety of carbon fiber?
*sigh* Why? Because it's from the stone age, maybe? A helmet is much more than the EPS. Your precious Bell Star has a nonremovable , nonreplaceable head liner and cheek pads. It weighs ten tons, poor fit, no ventilation, etc. Time to move into the 21st century, I think.
Never any trouble with D rings; simple and effective. No doubt Schuberth and other manufacturers have tested the ratchets, but until they're widely adopted by professionals, I'm staying away.
TK4
Well-known member
The shell isn't there to absorb shock, it's purpose is to protect against abrasion and penetration. The EPS interior does the shock absorption.
You could make the shell out of cement if it did the job.
Fibreglass was used originally because it was easy to work with, inexpensive, reasonably light and possessed the necessary properties.
Carbon fibre is indeed lighter, more expensive and harder to work with but I've seen no evidence presented that it is in any way safer.
Many of the current helmets use a combination of materials, including plastic. It's called complex laminate construction.
Helmets are designed to meet the necessary safety standards to meet governmental and other requirements (style and marketing), but to what degree they exceed those standards can be tough to determine.
It's kinda like Apple, is the latest I-phone really all that better in 99% of cases than something can costs 1/3 ? Your opinion may differ...
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