I’m sure I’m not alone in this but I own a TT helmet that comes out on race day and is then put back into its cover to sit on the shelf. Sometimes it gets cleaned but often it doesn’t. But I got thinking and realised that I’ve owned it for coming on 7 1/2 years now and most helmet manufacturers seem to suggest replacing your helmet every 3 to 5 years. This includes MIPS who say:
Does this timespan apply regardless of use? I reckon I’ve used the helmet for maybe a dozen races (IM or 70.3) and probably 20-25 shorter events like a time trial. I don’t train with it on so it does sometimes go a few months in the case.
There’s no visible signs of damage although the visor magnets are slightly corroded now (only cosmetic & they still work fine).
Does the helmet need replacing? Or am I ok to carry on using it for another 7 1/2 years? Where’s the line?
Edit: should add that it’s a Giro Aerohead & has never been crashed or had a significant drop. It has travelled in my bike bag on flights though if that makes a difference to thinking?
I don’t have any “expert” opinion here, just a guy who rides a bike.
I’ve read the link you provided and it further says:
How long helmets last and how often you should change your bike helmet is largely a question of how and how often you use your helmet. But every 3–5 years is a good rule of thumb. If you ride your bike daily, it will obviously be more exposed to sun and general wear and tear than if you only use it a couple of times a month.
I question who these “experts” are and who funds this website. There doesn’t seem to be any actual testing of helmets to back up these claims.
Helmet manufacturers have a vested interest in selling more helmets.
Anyway, I have an aero helmet that’s over 10 years old and has had a relatively small amount of use - race day only.
When not being used,always stored inside in it’s bag.
I value my personal safety and don’t have any concerns about using my “old” aero helmet.
If a helmet’s being used every day, being dropped, thrown around, left hanging off the bars around other bikes, then yes, I would think about replacing it every few years. For a helmet with a small amount of use, personally I’m fine using an older helmet.
100% retail therapy session after reading your post…
Ran across this – from the manufacturers, but still. “When should you get a new helmet”: https://www.nashbar.com/nashbar-helmets/cp763
The helmet should be good for waaaay more than seven years if properly cared for. Manufacturers have a 3-5 year guideline, but I’ve never seen any test data to back that up. I’ve got a 20 year old Giro helmet (former training helmet, then commute helmet, now collecting dust) that I would bet good money will pass the CSPC impact test. There are lots of old/used helmets, so it would be easy to test older helmets (though not to control for condition…other than crashed/not crashed) and show high failure rates.
There are UV stabilizers in the modern foams and shells, so other than chemical exposure (ex. vapor solvents) or accumulated micro impacts (far beyond throwing it in the trunk or dropping it occasionally) the thing that is going to kill a helmet is a crash.
Note: I recently threw out an Aerohead with a small scuff on one side. If my head touches the ground during a crash, that helmet is done, no question. I’m not one to take chances in that area; but also not one to follow an arbitrary guideline unsupported by data.