Helmets for 1997

Our award for Smart Helmet Idea of the Year goes to the new and little-known Taiwanese helmet manufacturers who have introduced helmets made of PU (expanded polyurethane) foam at retail prices generally below $20, mostly certified to the tougher Snell B-95 standard. PU foam has fine and very uniform cells in well-foamed helmets, with a "skin" formed in the mold. The manufacturers include such names as Aerogo, Hoyama (Hoya), Jago, THH/Sunbeam Trading, VOC Vogue (NOTE: Vogue has been accused by SEI of claiming SEI certification on uncertified helmets!!), United Royal Sports, Happy Way Enterprises and Great Group.

We had a tie for our award for Dumb, Dumb, Dumb Helmet Idea of the Year. One award goes to Bell, for their new "Evo Pro" throwback. It appears to us to be a poor design, and we recommend that consumers find something better. (See Bell below.) The second DDDHIY goes to a number of manufacturers of "super ventilated" helmets with oversize vents. Unless the rider has an unusual problem requiring more ventilation than a normal helmet provides, these huge vents can mean that there is less foam in contact with your head in a crash, and that means that all things being equal the foam that does contact your head has to be exerting more concentrated force on your skull in the smaller areas where it hits. Our U.S. standards do not test for that, and the magnesium headforms we use are never fractured by point loading. (For years we have been pushing at ASTM meetings for point loading tests similar to the Australian standard tests as a way to start getting at this problem.) So oversized vents may mean less protection. You already suspected that. In the absence of lab data we can't recommend those helmets either.

Trends

Retail prices still vary from $8 to $350, and performance is not always indicated by price. The premium construction method for EPS helmets is still the more expensive "molded-in-the-shell" process, with the plastic shell actually in the bottom of the mold where the foam is expanded into it, rather than glued on later. The molding process heat forces the manufacturer to use a better grade of material for the shell, and there are no air spaces between shell and foam.

Consumer Reports has announced a helmet article coming soon. Meantime, look for a Snell B-95 certified helmet first, than a Snell B-90 or ASTM helmet certified by SEI second. (Without SEI you have only the manufacturer's word.) Ignore ANSI stickers. Above all, find a helmet that fits well to get all the protection you paid for.

Highlights

Bell has about 70 per cent of the world bicycle helmet market. Consumer Reports tests in 1993 showed that Bell can produce some of the best helmets on the market, but we have been disappointed since then by their top-of-the-line models. Their design features seemed to us to be inspired by the marketing department and provided no advance in safety that we can document, since Bell has settled for ASTM certification on all their models while companies like Giro have been certifying their best helmets to the Snell B-95 standard. We are thankful that last year's "hard core technology" models are biting the dust, and can only hope that the new "Evo Pro" model does the same. Its exterior has plastic strips alternated with strips of bare EPS foam, a partial throwback to the days when many helmets had no shell. We have often noted the importance of a smooth, hard, unbroken, rounded shell to minimize a helmet's sliding resistance, a feature shown in lab tests to reduce peak impacts and strap forces on the neck in a crash. But product differentiation requires that a helmet not look like all the others. We hope this one dies soon! Bell's Image Pro, which ranked one rung below their best model in the 1993 Consumer Reports tests, is still in production, joined by several other molded-in-the-shell models that could be good choices based on this premium construction method. Bell's toddler models have a new buckle with a shield to prevent pinching the neck. Bell is producing a new helmet design in XXL size (see article on page 4) to be available in September. We had asked a lot of manufacturers to do that, but only Bell stepped up to this profitless task. We applaud them for that decision and don't like having to pour cold water on the top helmets from a company that retains a long-standing commitment to community service.

Briko has several aero-style models with deep vents in the lower rear section, and some really bright colors. They have an extreme aero model which is not certified to any standard and therefore can't be sold here.

Cratoni has wild, highly visible color schemes available in every model. Their rear stabilizer has a dial adjuster, and one model has vent screens to keep bees out. Their Evolution and kid's Fox models bring back an old idea from the popular Bailen helmet of the 70's: an adjustable inner ring to fit the helmet so that "one size fits all."

Louis Garneau bonds a lower piece onto their helmets made of polypropylene to permit venting, and on upscale models they add a coating of ABS plastic. All have reflective logos, and some use trendy kevlar, titanium and carbon fiber reinforcing. Three Garneau models are Australian-certified, including tests for visors and point loading. Several are Canadian CSA-certified, but the child helmet is not, so we have still not seen any helmets meeting the new, stricter, CSA child helmet standard.

Giro is now owned by Bell, but you wouldn't know it from their independent line. They have two models with extreme ventilation. Three have Snell B-95 certification (Express, Fat Hat and Ricochet). All have extended rear coverage. A few have bright colors. Giro will not be producing their XXL helmets for super big heads this year, but only because they destroyed the molds. Giro President Bill Hannemann thought enough of the idea to check for us on that, for which we thank him.

Head Gear of Australia has three smooth, well rounded designs that meet Australian standards, including visor and point loading tests.

Headstrong has an extensive line including a Blue Goulding design in a very visible red, white and blue. Their multi-sport helmet (also by Goulding) is certified to Snell's tough N-94 standard, and some of their other models are Snell B-95 certified. Something called "Thin Skin" technology is described in their literature as a new inner foam making the helmet significantly thinner, but it still is not available.

J&B's Alpha and Flashtec brands, all certified to Snell B-95, retail for $25, with some models sold in plain plastic bags to hospitals and non-profits for as little as $6.

Mango has helmets fitted by a band inside similar to the old Bailen. The size is adjusted with a dial in the back where the band drops down to become a stabilizer.

Specialized offers some snazzy helmets with sometimes whimsical touches like shark's teeth around a vent. They have an impressive ad photo of an Air Cobra smashed by a Tour de France rider who fell on a rainy Dutch stage and hit a concrete bollard at 45 mph (kph?) head first, then to the amazement of the crowd got up to finish the stage! Many of their models including their Sub 6 Pro are certified by Snell to Snell B-90, B-90S or B-95 (Air Foil and Force Field). Specialized is another company with a well-developed sense of community service.

Trek showed five helmets, all with the Trek Cinch Retention System for stability.

Vigor Sports showed a number of Snell B-95 models and a Snell N-94 multi purpose standard helmet called the Duo, with good rear protection, a bright yellow option, a rear stabilizer, 3M reflective tape and a lifetime crash replacement policy.

Accessories this year include tiny mirrors to fit inside your eyewear, pieces to lock a bike helmet through its vents, and many decoration, mostly for kids. There are also products that go under the helmet, including bandannas and caps.

BHSI Files FOIA Request for CPSC Data

Harborview Publishes in JAMA

CPSC Standard Further Delayed

ASTM F8.53 Subcommittee Makes Progress

Bell Will Produce Oversized Helmets

BHSI's Toolkit Enhanced

BHSI News