How to Pick a Good Bike Helmet

No matter where you live, bicycling is a dangerous activity. Anytime you hit the road with your bike it is imperative that you follow all the traffic laws and wear the necessary safety equipment. One of the most important pieces of gear that all bicyclists should have is a good bike helmet. Keep in mind the following things when you are picking your next bike helmet.

Types of Bike Helmets

There are three main types of bike helmets: recreational helmets, road bike helmets, and mountain bike helmets. Recreational helmets are the most common. Casual bikers and commuters often use recreational helmets, which can include visors to help shield your eyes from the sun.

Road bike helmets, built for more serious bicyclists who want to go fast, are lightweight, with a lot of ventilation and an aerodynamic design. Road bike helmets do not usually include a visor so that the bicyclist can still see while crouching low.

Mountain bike helmets cater to bicyclists who want to tackle rough terrain. Their designs fit snugly and often have more rear-head coverage than other helmets. Some mountain bike helmets protect the entire face, as well.

Additional Features

There is a variety of additional features that you can have on your helmet. Ventilation is a priority for many bicyclists. Proper ventilation on a helmet will keep your head cool and comfortable.

Helmets can also come with visors. Though they help block the sun, some bicyclists prefer helmets without visors because visors can add wind resistance and extra weight to a helmet.

Some mountain bike helmets have full-face protection, an ideal feature for people who want to do more extreme bicycling such as off-terrain riding or doing tricks.

All bike helmets have at least one strap that you buckle beneath your chin. It is important that you adjust the strap so that it is easy to buckle and unbuckle and the helmet fits your head snugly but comfortably.

Finding the Right Size

For your helmet to be effective, it must be the right size. Though the straps allow for a small amount of variation in head size, the helmet itself must also be the correct size. Most bike helmets are available in small, medium, large, or extended sizes.

To find your size, wrap a tape measure around your head. Place it about one inch above your eyebrows. If you do not have a flexible tape measure, you can also use a string and then measure the length of the string after wrapping it around your head.

If you fall between sizes, choose the smaller option so that the helmet will be snug. If you want the larger helmet, wear a cycling cap or small beanie beneath the helmet to improve the fit.

Adjusting the Bike Helmet

Once you have found the right size helmet, you need to properly adjust it. The helmet should sit level on your head, not tilted forward or back. If the helmet shifts more than one inch when you push it in any direction, it is not tight enough.

There are usually two main adjustable parts on a helmet: the sizing wheel and the chin strap. The sizing wheel is on the back of your helmet. Expand it before putting on the helmet and, once the helmet is positioned correctly, tighten the wheel so that it is snug. Tighten the chin strap enough so that when you open your mouth the helmet presses against the top of your head.

You should replace your helmet after it experiences any significant impact. Even if there is no visible damage, it may have been weakened in the bike accident.