Tips On Knowing Before Buying A Cycling Helmet
Helmets can come in road models, commuter models and also leisure models. Each of these will have their own set of specific features. For example road models can either be very aerodynamically efficient, very lightweight or a mix of the two. Commuter helmets can be more robust and may also feature built in lights for extra visibility. Leisure models can often be more affordable and suit riders who just want to enjoy the outdoors and not spend a fortune.
The good news is that any helmet sold will meet a certain minimum safety standard however, some helmets will have additional safety features such as MIPS also known as Multi-Directional Impact System. This allows the helmet to rotate slightly towards the impact easing some of the forces on your head.
The good news is that any helmet sold will meet a certain minimum safety standard however, some helmets will have additional safety features such as MIPS also known as Multi-Directional Impact System. This allows the helmet to rotate slightly towards the impact easing some of the forces on your head.
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SportsTranscript
00:00 If you're thinking about buying a cycling helmet but you're not sure which one to go
00:03 for or what to look for, then this is the video for you.
00:06 I'm going to run you through my top tips and recommendations so that you're left feeling
00:10 safe, secure and protected.
00:17 There are many styles of helmet available, but generally they tend to boil down to road,
00:22 commuter and leisure models.
00:24 Now road helmets tend to be lighter and have a lot of ventilation and they're made for
00:28 people that want to go as fast as possible on the road while staying as cool as possible.
00:33 Aero road bike helmets on the other hand, they tend to be more covered up because they're
00:37 for people that really want to go as fast as possible at the cost of some ventilation.
00:42 The vents on road bike helmets tend to be designed so that you can slide sunglasses
00:45 into the top of them and it gives you another place to hold them if you don't need to wear
00:49 them on your face.
00:51 Commuter helmets will be heavier and more sturdy just so they can deal with that daily
00:55 bump and grind of commuting to work.
00:57 They may also have reflective strips and lights built into them for extra visibility, which
01:02 personally I think is a really nice touch if you can find one with them on.
01:06 Leisure models tend to be more affordable than their road counterparts and that's due
01:09 to a simpler design.
01:11 Now they make a great option for those who don't ride day in and day out and on of a
01:16 performance orientated mindset.
01:23 Nearly every helmet will have some sort of retention system and this is to help you dial
01:27 in the fit and the size.
01:29 Now in many cases this is going to be in the form of a cradle that sits on the inside and
01:33 is adjustable with this little wheel.
01:35 Now on higher end models you can actually move the cradle up and down depending on how
01:39 big your head is.
01:46 Finding the right size helmet can be tricky especially if you're shopping online as a
01:50 medium from one brand might be different to a medium from another.
01:54 Helmets also vary in their size and shape with some being more round and some being
01:57 more oval.
01:58 This all means you might have to go to a shop to experiment with a few different models
02:02 to see what fits you best.
02:04 In terms of how a helmet should fit, it shouldn't be rattling around but at the same time it
02:08 shouldn't be so tight that it's digging into your skin.
02:10 Now do remember you do have that retention system so that you can make those fine adjustments
02:15 to the sizing.
02:16 The strap needs to be snug but not too tight.
02:19 The general rule of thumb is making sure that you can fit two fingers in between the strap
02:23 and the bottom of your chin.
02:24 You should be able to open your mouth and move your chin around without it feeling too
02:28 restrictive.
02:29 Finally, look for two fingers width between the top of your eyebrow line and the bottom
02:33 of your helmet to ensure that the depth is correct.
02:35 Again, it's always worth testing a few brands to find out what's right for you because at
02:40 the end of the day all of our heads are different shapes and sizes.
02:49 If you're buying a helmet from a reputable shop then all of those helmets will be meeting
02:53 a minimum safety standard so you can be confident that whatever you're buying will protect you.
02:58 However, higher end models may include some extra safety features.
03:02 A prime example of this is MIPS, otherwise known as Multi-Directional Impact Protection
03:06 System.
03:07 This thin cradle on the inside of the helmet is designed to reduce rotational forces by
03:12 moving a little on impact.
03:14 As I've already mentioned, some road and commuter models may feature built-in reflective strips
03:18 and LED lighting which will increase your visibility to other road users.
03:29 When it comes to pricing, you can find a safe cycling helmet anywhere from the region of
03:33 £25 up all the way to £200 plus.
03:36 Now, while expensive cycling helmets may not be any safer, they will include more of those
03:40 premium features we've already discussed in this video.
03:43 For example, a top spec helmet might be lighter, have a more refined retention system, have
03:47 comfier straps, have MIPS or potentially built-in lights.
03:51 So hopefully you've got all the knowledge you need now to go out and buy your next cycling
03:55 helmet.
03:56 If you've got any questions, just drop them down in the comments.
03:59 If you enjoyed the video, drop it a like, subscribe to the channel for more content
04:02 and I'll see you again very soon.
04:03 Thanks for watching.
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