How often do you replace your helmet?

Helmets last for decades: https://helmets.org/up1505a.htm

I normally bin them when the pads and several replacement sets and the velcro attachment tabs have all failed...

5 years or so but depends on impacts. I've had an OTB that cracked a helmet. I'd not use one that had already had that impact. I do find that pads start to disintegrate after a while and replacements aren't always available.

doesnt the BPW waiver say you should only ride with a helmet 3yr old or less?

anyway helmets last ages but i always get to the point of thinkign its been a bit battered, dropped a good few times, treated badly etc etc and i'd best replace it after a while. I think my white one i'm just replacing is about 5yrs old.

Any decent head impact and i`ll defo replace it right away.

also helmet teh moves on a bit (mips and similar) so its worth a new one just to get the benefits.

doesnt the BPW waiver say you should only ride with a helmet 3yr old or less?

Funnily enough that’s what got me thinking about it last weekend. I read that it said 3 years then went off to see how old mine is.

The new Leatt helmets look to be using the same “Turbine 360” as mine has.

Whenever i buy a new bike... along with my gloves and jerseys 🙂

About the time it smells like I've died in it.

The parachute I'm looking to replace on the other thread I've started to rot the d rings - by virtue of being a sweaty beast - so needs to be replaced at some point in the future.

I've replaced one I cracked on half too but I guess that's a given since it couldn't be worn any longer.

I've landed on a couple and they've looked fine but I've gotten rid. How much for good health as it were

After a "insert number of years" that I think it's had too many knocks. For me that's anywhere from 3-5 years depending on whether the helmet's comfy and whether I can bothered to go shopping for a new style becasue either 1. the new/ available colour of the helmet I want is hideous, or 2 weirdly not available in my size, 3, unknown to me just replaced in the line up, been sold at a silly knockdown price by everyone and replaced with one 30% more expensive, and I've missed my chance (see no.2)

😒🙄

After a big crash.

Touch wood it's been a while. If not then when they look tatty as either the shell has faded or it's picked up too many scuffs and scrapes. I think my road helmet was ~5 years old when I replaced it, the plastic rear adjuster had worn out, I've a big head so it lives on the last couple of clicks depending on haircut and after a while it wears out and starts popping off the end of the ratchet.

If it lasts that long, between 3 to 5 years, same as the Motorbike helmets

When it’s either dented or cracked, or when it’s wearing out. Not because of age alone.

BPW waiver I suspect is so that they can call out people who are taking the piss.

Helmets degrade with time, UV exposure and sweat.  How quickly is debatable / debated

Mine lives in a dark dry cupboard most of the time - its well old now but I wont replace it yet.  Never been crashed in

One that a sweaty beast uses most days - I guess 5 years is well old

Any crash with an impact to it.  replace

Has tj been hacked? I didn't think you did helmets.

After a big crash. I've never had a helmet make it to 3 years, never mind 5! I tend to pick up a spare when the right helmet comes up at the right price.

I suffered a concussion a couple of months ago and the helmet looks undamaged, so you can't always go by the number of dents.

Whenever i buy a new bike…

So weekly for Weeksy.

My met parabellum helmet was made in April 1999. It seems in pretty good condition and gets regular use. A woolly hat covers my head during the commute though.

I've worn one for years when appropriate IE trail centres, night riding, some group rides.

Risk assessment its called

After a big crash, or about every four years.

I know they probably don’t wear out but equally I don’t think it’s worth taking a chance on. And tech moves on (eg. MIPS)

When fashion dictates

Biggest thing you can do to ensure your helmet shell will do its job, long after the pads, straps etc have failed is to keep it in a bag, cupboard, drawer or anywhere out of direct sunlight. UV is what accelerates degradation and chances of it failing in an impact.

I do find that pads start to disintegrate after a while and replacements aren’t always available.

This was the end for my last couple, which I think did 3 or 4 years each. This time I got a spare set of pads at the same time!
Pads aside it's whenever I get it into my head that it's starting to seem a bit tired and maybe it's been dropped or banged about a couple of times too many. I don't think I've ever had one more than about 5 years.

Pads aside it’s whenever I get it into my head that it’s starting to seem a bit tired and maybe it’s been dropped or banged about a couple of times too many.

This for me too. On reflection this means that one of a hemets core functions for me is 'reassuring presence' which I know is certainly far from rational.

I generally replace once they've performed their prime function. So an average of 5 years for me.

Every year so it matches the current outfit colour range of course 😉
Didn't get one this year though. Its my wife and youngest kids turn for a refresh of their 3yo helmets

Should you replace an 18 year old lid? Asking for a friend 🤷🏼‍♂️ 😂 In all honesty it's still my go-to lid for commuting cos it's easy to fit a rear light to, is lightweight and, for 18 years, has been the most comfortable lid I've ever owned. I do have newer ones for the 'good' stuff 😁

Looks like I’m not unusual in how long I’ve had it for then, maybe I’ll treat myself at the end of the summer after I’ve sweated in it a bit more.

Pretty much when it’s so uggghh due to not being able to get the sweat pads or a nice one comes up and in a sale, which seems to be around the 5 year mark.

I think there’s an element of a ‘time for a shiny new one as I’ve had it so long’ element and of course the who doesn’t like to colour coordinate.

5 years max for me. But by that point it starts to look worn and I'm in the mood for something new

The one I wore yesterday must be nearly 15 years old. I kept it as it was kitted out for night riding, but now I'm doing gravel riding it's back in fashion - my road helmet is too roady, my MTB helmet is too bright for gravel. Mind you my other helmets aren't much younger.

None of them have ever been crashed in, but I'll probably replace two of them this year because the straps are going a bit manky, I think from sun tan cream of all things.

Every 3/4 year max, or sooner depending on damage, from my multiple inevitable off's. I don't tend to have big offs but I have lot of small ones, and damage adds up.
I can afford a new helmet, I can't afford a head injury

I’ll be replacing my Proframe after today’s off at BPW…

Just needs a sticker.

Hope you're not too bashed up!

One about 15yrs old the other 5 ish.

I get that polystyrene might be impacted by light but both mine are covered in a nice hard plastic

About 3yrs unless Ive crashed in it. You can feel the polystyrene go hard over time

I get that polystyrene might be impacted by light but both mine are covered in a nice hard plastic

That nice hard plastic is degraded by UV radiation too.  It will have  inhibitors in it to slow it down, but eventually sunlight will weaken that tough outer shell and you won't be able to tell by feel or appearance.

I’ll be replacing my Proframe after today’s off at BPW…

It did its job though! Hope the rest of you (and your bike - natch) isn't too battered and bruised!

Thanks. The bike is fine, didn't even scratch my bling-tacular new decals. I've got a fair amount of bruising and I may have fractured some ribs.

Ouch!  Hope the ribs recover as speedily as possible.

Today, after 1 ride.

Bought, fitted lovely.

Fell over eyes mid trail, big crash.

Never again 😭

What is was it?

I don't, I just get more of them.

Some do go in the bin when damaged though.

Some do go in the bin when damaged though.

I'd have thought it sensible if all of them went in the bin when damaged?

(I too am a serial collector of helmets... Anyone got a bell super dh at all? Any good for long days in the saddle?)

I replace when broken or falling to bits. Lost three to crashes !