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Does anyone have any suggestions for replacement pads for my helmet? I have a Carrera Edge helmet which is otherwise fine but the pads have all disintegrated. I tried gluing them but it didn't work, and I can't seem to buy official replacement pads.
Options:
1) Some sort of 'universal' pad. These are available but they don't look very universal. I'm sure they won't fit well.
2) DIY. There are various guides for this with gluing / sewing various bit of cloth together. They all look terrible.
3) Chuck the helmet in landfill (even though there's nothing wrong with it really) and buy a new one.
WWSTWD?
How old is the helmet ?
When my last helmet needed new pads I trawled through all the replacement pad kits on CRC and picked a similar one and bought some sticky-back velcro and bodged them in.
Make sure you wash the inside of the lid first.
How old is the helmet ?
Maybe 4-5 years. I have several helmets in rotation for various duties. I know some people advocate changing helmets regularly but there's no evidence for that - see https://helmets.org/replace.htm
If I see a helmet in a shop that I like the look of and fits well I'll probably buy it and retire this one, but at the moment there's no need to throw it away.
Lost some padding on a fox flux and needed a temp fix.
Already had some previously bought sticky Velcro off eBay as I use it for chain stays/cable rub patches.
Stuck some small bits of the fluffy side onto the helmet.
Stuck a strip of fluffy and spikey together/back to back.
Cut it to approx size.
Stick it in place.
Could be removed and put in baggy shorts pocket when doing a wash.
I used it for about 18 mnths 😕
I replaced my last helmet as the pads were disgusting and it was impossible to get replacement sets, was about 13 years old mine. Just bought a £30 Carnac from Planet-x - ridiculously good value for money.
I think that’s also the problem, this helmet was only £20! Obviously I know helmets should cost a lot more than that, but I can’t stomach £70 for a direct replacement that is no better.
Will have a look at the Carnacs though. Thanks.
Could be removed and put in baggy shorts pocket when doing a wash.
This is what did for the current pads. It sounded like a great idea so I did two helmets’ pads in one wash and both sets fell apart. The other helmet was a 5 month old MET roam but at least I can buy a replacement set for that one (albeit @ £15).
My little ones pads blew away on a windy day, walking home from nursery. Replaced them with some single sided adhesive (closed cell, PU) foam. Works great. I might be able to send you some if you know how much (length) you need. It's about 5mm thick, 10mm wide IIRC.
Hmmm... I use my lid fairly regularly, doing about 7k miles a year, but I do not remember EVER having helmet pads "disintegrating".
Because of my odd head shape I'm keeping lids for years and years...
So what people do to "disintegrate" helmet pads?
Cheers!
I.
So what people do to “disintegrate” helmet pads?
Sweat in them....
Sweat in them….
Yeah. I sweat loads whenever I'm on the bike. Washing the pads seemed to do for them. I only did that because the thick brown sludge that you can squeeze out of the pad had taken on an interesting aroma...
My little ones pads blew away on a windy day, walking home from nursery. Replaced them with some single sided adhesive (closed cell, PU) foam. Works great. I might be able to send you some if you know how much (length) you need. It’s about 5mm thick, 10mm wide IIRC.
This seems like the right sort of idea. Do I need to choose special helmet-friendly adhesive though? It looks like I can get a sheet for a few quid from eBay.
I wouldn't say I sweat loads, but after pretty much every ride the forehead pad is wet, repeat that over 100s of rides and it wears out...
Helmet friendly adhesive - not sure but now you mention it some adhesives won't be good for expanded polystyrene. The stuff I've used seems to be fine - it's not come off and the polystyrene isn't disintegrating.
ahhh... Yes... That might be a thing...
I'm not sweating a lot, at least not on the head and always wearing buff or something like that.
Probably that's why my pads are lasting ages...
Cheers!
I.
I'm waiting for some 4mm spacer fabric to arrive, if it's what I think it is I'll be able to cut it to shape, no need to sew the edges, and should stick to the existing hook velcro in the helmet.
If it's the right stuff...
No-one else washes their helmet in the shower after a rough 'n' sweaty ride? Just me then.