How to choose a bike helmet

A bike helmet should be an integral part of every cyclist's kit, whether you're a racer, a recreational rider or just a casual cyclist who occasionally rides for a bread.

The speed you reach on your bike is enough to cause serious and fatal injuries in the event of a crash. So don't underestimate your safety and get a bicycle helmet.

This text will help you to get a basic orientation in the issue of choosing a bicycle helmet, if you want to ask for further details or consult your choice, we will be happy to help you directly in our brick-and-mortar shop Ski and Bike Centrum Radotín.

You can find suitable helmet models in the bike helmets section.

Bicycle helmet is compulsory up to the age of 18

Under current legislation, every cyclist under the age of 18 must wear a bike helmet. Adults are not obliged to wear a bicycle helmet, but if you look at the statistics of the Czech Traffic Police Directorate, you might be able to argue for a change in legislation. According to these statistics, approximately 600 000 head injuries occur every year in the European Union.

How to choose a cycling helmet?

If you're choosing a new bike helmet, try to focus on these 6 points:

1.The right size in the first place
The helmet must be the right size and fit correctly, it must not pinch or be loose.

2. Suitable helmet category
Think about where and how you will be riding, choose the appropriate helmet category accordingly. For example, it's not ideal to go to a bike park on a downhill track with a lightweight road helmet.

3. Helmet ventilation
Good helmet ventilation is one of the things you'll really appreciate. A poorly ventilated helmet can lead to overheating when riding on summer days.

4. A safe helmet
Never buy a helmet that does not come with the appropriate safety certificates, even if the price of such a helmet is the most attractive.

5. Helmet design and equipment
Quality construction will help to increase the strength of the helmet while reducing the weight. The equipment of a quality helmet may include, for example, an adjustable visor, better padding or an integrated flasher.

6. Helmet weight
A lighter helmet is always better, but low weight must not be at the expense of safety. Good quality lightweight helmets therefore have a construction reinforced with Kevlar or carbon, for example.

Categories of bike helmets

Bike helmets can be divided into the following categories:

Road helmets:
helmets primarily designed for cycling on road or cross bikes. They can also be used on mountain bikes, and their design aims at the lowest possible weight and the best possible ventilation. You can view them in the road helmet section.

MTB helmets:
this category differs from road helmets practically only by the presence of a sun visor and sometimes by a more robust construction, or by a shape that covers the back of the head more. Also in these helmets, the aim is to provide the best possible ventilation and the best possible weight/durability ratio. MTB helmets are usable both in the field and on the road. You can find them in the MTB helmets section.

BMX helmets:
these helmets stand out for their specific design, pleasing fans of the skate subculture. Because of the design, ventilation is sometimes suppressed, these helmets are also applicable for skating or skateboarding in addition to cycling. We have them in our BMX helmets section.

Integral helmets for downhill and freeride:
which visually resemble motorcycle helmets, provide maximum protection for descents in difficult terrain. The design is tailored for maximum safety, the helmet is very sturdy, it also protects the rider's jaw and head from the side and back, it is usually not well ventilated and its weight is also higher compared to previous categories. Downhill integral helmets are practically only usable for downhill and freeride. Browse in the DH and freeride helmets section.

Other special helmets:
for example, aerodynamic helmets with an elongated rear section. They are used, for example, for time trials or triathlon.

Cycling helmets can also be divided into:

Children's cycling helmets - from the smallest sizes for the youngest cyclists.
Women's helmets - specific women's design, smaller sizes.
Men's / unisex helmets - for those who are not comfortable with the first two helmet categories.

Helmet construction - polystyrene, kevlar, carbon

Bicycle helmets are manufactured using the so-called in-mold technology, i.e. by injecting expanded polystyrene foam into a hard plastic shell. In order to reduce weight while maintaining the strength of the helmets, some manufacturers use a combination of two types of polystyrene foam with different densities (e.g. Dual Density System by Specialized).

Even better (in terms of strength and light weight) are helmets that are reinforced inside the polystyrene with a knitted fabric of different materials. These include the recently popular carbon, aluminium or Kevlar. It is the Kevlar hand-knitted reinforcement called Kevlar Inner Matrix that is used again by Specialized and for example in the S-Works Prevail. Giro uses Roll Cage nylon reinforcement, while Bell's competitors reinforce their high-end helmets with a carbon skeleton (Composite Fiber Intake).

Protecting the brain from rotational forces - MIPS technology

Scientists have shown that the greatest danger to the head during a fall while cycling is not the impact of the head on the ground itself, but the rotational forces on the brain. Therefore, some manufacturers have focused on developing solutions to eliminate these forces. So far, the MIPS system has established itself in this respect, which is used, for example, by POC Giro helmets, Bell, Giro and other brands.

The MIPS system uses a slip liner between two layers of the helmet shell to absorb the devastating rotational forces, which rotate relative to each other when a crash occurs. As a result, rotational forces are no longer transmitted further to the brain.

New material Koroyd

Koroyd is a special material consisting of a number of polymer tubes of hexagonal cross-section welded together. This material, used in some models of cycling helmets, has a unique ability to continuously absorb impact energy. Tests have shown that Koroyd can absorb up to 35% more impact energy than extruded polystyrene (EPS) of the same thickness commonly used in helmets.

Ski helmets with Koroyd technology significantly reduce the risk and potential severity of skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries as a result of a blow to the head in a bicycle crash. Koroyd technology is mainly used in Smith bike helmets.

Safety certification - safe bike helmet

All bicycle helmets sold in the Czech Republic must meet the ČSN EN 1078 standard. The information about the fulfilment of this fact should be marked directly on the helmet. You may also come across foreign or international approvals with CPSC, SNELL B90A, CE and AS/NZS markings. It's a good idea to check for certification, especially when buying unbranded cheap helmets.

Cycling helmet size

Cycling helmets are equipped with a wheel or other size adjustment mechanism. The only exceptions are some BMX and downhill helmets. In some helmets, especially children's helmets, the size is not adjusted by a wheel, but by elastic bands that stretch themselves to the required position (Bell's One Step Fit System). In the case of adult helmets, the helmet size is graduated as follows: S - 50-54 cm (size indicates head circumference), M - 54-58, L - 58-62. These numbers may vary slightly for some manufacturers. However, larger helmets with a circumference of 64 cm are also available.

When tested, the helmet should fit well on the head without pushing anywhere. If the helmet is pushing on the sides of your head, then try a different model or a different brand of helmet.

Correct position of the bicycle helmet

Correct position of the helmet on the head in order for the helmet to perform its protective function correctly, it must be placed on the head in the correct - i.e. approximately horizontal - position.

The front part of the helmet should reach approximately to the middle of the forehead. When worn, the chin strap must be fastened and no more than two fingers should be able to be tucked in.

The helmet must also be tightened so that it does not move on the head.

Accessories for bicycle helmets

For cooler spring and autumn days, it's a good idea to accessorise your helmet with a cycling scarf to protect your head from the cold wind. On warmer days, a headband comes in handy to prevent sweat from running down your face.

It is very useful - especially for children - to add a rear flasher to your helmet. The head is the highest point on the cyclist's head, so the flasher is most visible there. Some helmets have a mount in the back for the flasher, and several children's and adult helmet models are sold with the flasher built in.

If you are not sure about the right choice of bike helmet, we will be happy to welcome you in our shop Ski and Bike Centrum Radotín, where our trained sales staff will help and advise you.