Question for #BikeTooter: Do #bike helmets "go bad"?
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Question for #BikeTooter: Do #bike helmets "go bad"? I use a Giro helmet that I bought in 2007. It looks to be in fine shape, but would I be safer with a new #helmet? #BikeDC
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Sam Whitedreplied to Dangerously Liberal Amy last edited by [email protected]
@APBBlue yah, the foam in theory wears out every so often. I *think* they say to replace it every 5 years, but don't quote me on that. There's probably a sticker on the inside of the helmet that says when to replace it.
That being said, I've known people who had an accident after dozens of years and the helmet worked fine, it's mostly a "better safe than sorry" situation.
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Dangerously Liberal Amyreplied to Sam Whited last edited by
@sam There are stickers, but no expiration date, unfortunately.
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Sam Whitedreplied to Dangerously Liberal Amy last edited by
@APBBlue looks like the bicycle safety institute thinks that this is mostly a manufacturer thing and it will be fine: https://helmets.org/replace.htm
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Sam Whitedreplied to Space Hobo last edited by [email protected]
@spacehobo @APBBlue I couldn't say, I didn't see the helmet, this is just chatting with friends who have had bad crashes and the like. I would assume the plastic was cracked but the foam (and their head) was fine, that's normally how it goes at the ones folks bring into work.
*EDIT:* to be clear, when people bring one in I do tell them to buy a new one even if the foam looks fine and the plastic is just a cosmetic shell. If it's been in a crash, don't re-use it.