Cycling has been changed forever - safer helmet thread

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by benb

Also helmets need to protect you from hits to other things than flat pavement. Curbs, rocks, etc.

That's probably already covered. All helmets sold in the US have to meet the CPSC standard, and that includes tests of the helmet striking curved and angled surfaces (to simulate curbs and rocks and such).

Originally Posted by benb

It would be perfectly possible for a helmet to be better and not test better on a particular test protocol if it's benefits were for impacts that were not tested.

That's likely true, but how would you compare different helmets if there were no standard for comparison?

[azrider]

Originally Posted by berserk87

Here is an article noting some pushback about the new helmet system:

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/p...ys-mips-411226

..........from their biggest competitor.............

[R3awak3n]

and maybe MIPS is right that their claims are rather high, however, even if this new helmet improves say 10% over a MIPS, that is worth it in my book.

[MagicHour]

Should give Trek/Bontrager goods a sales boost and will be good for REI based on my anecdotal sample size of 1. Haven't had much interest in their products up until now (apart from my '89 Trek 660 R.I.P.) but just like that, now I'm turning over visiting a local lbs to upgrade my helmet.

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by benb

The VT tests are pretty light on the data.

So the Bontrager Ballista that I have right now get 5 stars and so do the new Wavecel helmets...

A rating system of 1-5 isn't enough to know what's going on at all.

It'd be way nicer if they showed the actual test data, like how many Gs each helmet transferred in each test.

This. Plus, Does the POC Octal tested have the "SPIN" modification? POC makes both...

[wallymann]

that new padding seriously impedes air-flow at anything above walking speed. it completely blocks every vent-aperture and the alignment of the internal channels in the padding does not align with airflow at all.

the padding feels surprisingly stiff, but i have no doubt the stuff works. color me intrigued. i'll wait until they refine the mfg process in v2 so that ventilation is not so compromised.

[mcteague]

Originally Posted by wallymann

that new padding seriously impedes air-flow at anything above walking speed. it completely blocks every vent-aperture and the alignment of the internal channels in the padding does not align with airflow at all.

the padding feels surprisingly stiff, but i have no doubt the stuff works. color me intrigued. i'll wait until they refine the mfg process in v2 so that ventilation is not so compromised.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v9FMoL45i2I

Shane Miller has a video on it. He worries that, along with blocking air flow, the WaveCel material is stiff enough to actually cut into your scalp upon impact if you are bald. Something to consider for we follically challenged cyclists.

Tim

[azrider]

Wow....these helmets are super comfy. I didn’t know they come in two different models. The XXX is $299?? Ouch ...

Also surprised that the lower end model was “smaller”.....hmmm

Both helmets in pic are size M

[ColnagoC59]

48 times safer!!
i'll wait for the independent testing before jumping for joy

[MagicHour]

Stopped in a Trek shop today to have a look and maybe give the Specter a shot. Sadly sizing just didn't work for my 56cm dome: the M fit but looked a little too "mushroom head" on me, at least insofar as I think a $150 helmet should look; S fit with the BOA cranked all the way open but left no margin for error or room for a cap.

My personal sizing issues aside, both the XXX and Specter looked nice, didn't seem too heavy in hand. They also had a swatch of the wavecel material you could play around with - its pretty stiff and has edges, and the salesguy gave a good elevator pitch explaining the technology.

Originally Posted by azrider

Wow....these helmets are super comfy. I didn’t know they come in two different models. The XXX is $299?? Ouch ...

Also surprised that the lower end model was “smaller”.....hmmm

Both helmets in pic are size M

[alancw3]

Originally Posted by MagicHour

Should give Trek/Bontrager goods a sales boost and will be good for REI based on my anecdotal sample size of 1. Haven't had much interest in their products up until now (apart from my '89 Trek 660 R.I.P.) but just like that, now I'm turning over visiting a local lbs to upgrade my helmet.

I just went on the rei website for my local store and they did not show the any trek helmets. perhaps that will happen down the line as i am definitely interested.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by ColnagoC59

48 times safer!!
i'll wait for the independent testing before jumping for joy

AND I'll wait until 'real world, summer time', testing for airflow. I changed from a 'better' Catlike to a 'less better' mavic because the Catlike was too warm..
This thing 'looks' warm...

[nooneline]

Originally Posted by ColnagoC59

48 times safer!!
i'll wait for the independent testing before jumping for joy

Virginia Tech's helmet safety lab uses similar methods as those described in the paper in Accident Injury and Prevention, but VT a different calculation/aggregation of results... However, from their tests, 2 Wavecel helmets are in the top 3 of the 30 or so helmets they tested this year (lowest scoring, best ranking). So that's pretty good.

[sitzmark]

Originally Posted by nooneline

Virginia Tech's helmet safety lab uses similar methods as those described in the paper in Accident Injury and Prevention, but VT a different calculation/aggregation of results... However, from their tests, 2 Wavecel helmets are in the top 3 of the 30 or so helmets they tested this year (lowest scoring, best ranking). So that's pretty good.

All well and good, but is there real world data that correlates to test lab results on a dummy head as measured against concussion mitigation for real people ... CPSC or revised oblique testing? I’ve not seen data for bike or ski helmets that shows a dramatic shift in general death rates or head injury - specifically none that proves a better test score returns a better outcome.

[zmalwo]

Hmmmm.... Looking at the helmets makes me think that wrinkles on our brain are actually an evolutionary counter measure to concussion. Instead of a huge block of smooth jelly, having some wrinkles can absorb most of the impact when hit... Just my thoughts