I have noticed that several of the races I am doing this year, including a 70.3, have a rule that helmets can not be older than 3 years old. Is this rule generally inforced? If so, what are some of the better aero helmets to consider? I know the each helmet will fit one’s back differently; just looking for guidance on helmets to stay away from or to look to. Thanks
I’ve never heard of this rule, or maybe I’ve just never paid attention to anything along those lines yet. Generally I replace my helmets about every 3 years anyways. UV rays and general wear and tear take their toll of the foam.
interesting rule for tris. i haven’t heard of it before, I wouldnt be suprised if they did enforce it due to USATs love for helmet regulations. Quite honestly, if you have your helmet for more then 3 years you should probably switch it out anyways. The material breaks down from sweat and may be more prone to cracking.
I would look at the spuik and the UVEX but i think any is probably pretty decent at this point.
wouldn’t surprise me. Not sure how they’ll inforce it. Motorcycle racing - my other hobby - you need to go to a technical inspection with motorcycle and helmet and they check the mfg date inside the helmet. 5 yrs is the cutoff there (assuming no damage).
3 would seem short.
How would they know if it is 3 years old or not?
I go about 10 years per helmet, and just bought a new one a week ago through the Rudy Project special deal. My previous helmet was a Giro, purchased in 1998 or 1999. Never had a race check my helmet before. I’m guessing if it’s in good condition, and the strap is buckled, no one checks.
In the “old days”, they used to look for the ANSI or SNELL sticker.
If that is a NEW RULE, how are they going to enforce it?
I can see someone purchasing a “brand new” helmet, only to find out it’s been in the LBS inventory for 3 years. So this never used helmet isn’t legal?
My helmets have a sticker on the inside stating the year they were produced.
Never heard of that one. I just read through the rules, and all I could find was a reference to “undamaged and unaltered”, nothing about age. Out of curiousity, are all the races by one race director?
Not sure on how it will be enforced but this is a quote of Ironman Augusta 70.3 site
“Current (no more than 3-years in age) ANSI, CPSC or SNELL approved
helmets are required during the cycling portion of the event. You will
be prohibited from participating if you don’t have an approved helmet
(no refunds). Helmets must be buckled in place during all aspects of
the bike including transition.”
My “race” helmet stays in the garage (heated) in a closet in a bag made for it which is dark. I only use it on race day 5-8 times a year. How much UV and sweat could be detiorating the helmet? Even in IMH with a 7 hour bike. Not that I ever did that. Should be good 5-7 years easily if not more. I could see if I used it every day in training. I really do not see them enforcing that rule. Lets say you bought a 2-3 year old left over helmet, Is that helmet good ? Do I need to bring a reciept stating when I bought it ? All they should check if it has met all standards. But then again do you want to roll the dice and take a chance? Do you ? LG rocket for mostly flat courses , Limar chrono for hilly courses if you like to get out of saddle. Tail is not huge.
USAT Rule 5.9 doesn’t make any mention of an age of a helmet. I know that race directors can have slight amendments to the rules. I would contact the race director directly about the 3 year thing.
For an everyday helmet it’s not a bad idea but for a race helmet that comes out 5 to 10 times a year, there shouldn’t be any issue with it. I’m also not aware of any rules that states that a helmet has to have a manufacture sticker in it, just a CSPC sticker.
My LAS sat on a shelf for a year before I bought it so it has a 2007 manufacture sticker on it but it’s only been used for 1 season.
jaretj
I’d check with the race director. One guess is that there’s some old wording that keeps getting moved from year to year. I saw on the website references to the USAT rules (15 seconds in the draft zone), when it should be the IM rules (20 seconds in the draft zone).
As for the labelling, the CPSC standard requires a few different things on labels, other than the CPSC label itself. A couple of notables are the model name or number, and manufacture date.
Is this a USAT sanctioned race?
If so, contact the race director and ask them to show you the USAT authorization for a rule deviation.
If I recall from the recesses of my poor mind, USAT let’s race directors vary the rules for their races but it requires written authorization from USAT.
You can also contact USAT and see if they can lean on the race director.
I found info on the labeling:
http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/regsumbicyclehelmets.pdf
(1) Every bicycle helmet must have instructions telling
riders how to make sure the helmet fits properly
and how to wear it properly. The instructions must
include a picture showing the proper way to wear
the helmet.
(2) Every bicycle helmet must be marked with the
following information so that it is legible and
clearly visible:
(a) The model number or designation.
(b) A warning that no helmet can protect against
all possible impacts, and that death or serious
injury could happen.
(c) A warning that, for maximum protection, the
helmet must fit the rider’s head properly, and
that the rider must properly put the helmet on
and hook the straps together, following the
manufacturer’s instructions. This warning
must also be on the package of the helmet.
(d) A warning that a helmet that has received an
impact may be damaged so much that it no
longer protects the rider, and that such damage
may not be visible. This warning should tell
the user to return to the manufacturer any
helmet that has received such an impact, or to
destroy and replace it.
(e) A warning that common cleaners such as
ammonia, bleach, etc. may damage the helmet
and that such damage may not be visible. This
warning should list the most common cleaners
or other products that can damage the helmet,
and warn against using those cleaners. It
should also generally tell consumers how to
clean the helmet and what cleaners to use, and
should refer them to the instruction manual for
more detail.
All of the warnings above must start with the
word “Warning” in capital letters and bold type.
See §1203.6 for more specific information on the
labeling requirements.
(3) Each bicycle helmet must have a label certifying
that the helmet meets the requirements of this
standard. The label must include:
(a) a specific statement that the helmet complies
with the standard;
(b) the name, address, and telephone number of
the manufacturer or importer issuing the
certificate, or of the private labeler of the
helmet;
(c) the name and address of the foreign
manufacturer, if the helmet was manufactured
outside the U.S., and
(d) information, such as a serial number, that
allows you to identify the production lot of the
helmet, and the month and year the helmet was
manufactured.
Damn those lawyers!!!
JDB-Tri, Esq.
Hey…maybe is a way to stimulate the economy…because of the recesion people were just holding on to doing their helmet upgrades…
I’m guessing that it is legacy wording from years back when the CSPC standard started being used (and was tougher than the ANSI and Snell certifications of the day).
Can’t imagine turning away everyone with a 3.1 year old helmet…many pros (ex. Badman) race in helmets much older than that.
has a race director i would never enforce this rule, i don’t have spare helemets to pass out, or would force someone to buy a new helmet
.
I emailed the race director of Augusta 70.3. Here is what he said.
That is correct. Thats a new rule that USAT but in place to get everyone thinking about having the latest and safest head gear! Bill Burke
–
Bill Burke
Race Organizer
Premier Event Management LLC
- Show quoted text - On Mon, Feb 23, 2009 at 3:11 PM, Daniel Blandford daniel.blandford@gmail.com wrote:
I was reading over the information on the Augusta 70.3 website and there was a section that stated helmets can not be older than 3 years old. I was curious if this was an enforced rule as myself and several other people have bought helmets that have sat on store shelves for over a year. They are less than 3 years old to us but not since production. I was hoping to get a clarification on if I needed to purchase a new helmet before the race. I did not want to show up to the race and then have to scramble to find a replacement.
Thanks
Daniel Blandford
Hmmmmm…this is interesting, they make you have a nice new helmet but no rule against sticking your weiner our of your shorts while on the bike and pissing all over yourself and the poor shlep behind you.