HOW TO CHOOSE
THE RIGHT HELMET?
HOW TO CHOOSE
THE RIGHT HELMET?
We hear it all the time - safety always comes first. Ride a bike only with a helmet. But what is the reality?
Unfortunately, with the rise in popularity of cycling during Covid 2020-2021, the number of cycling injuries has also increased. Cyclists without a helmet are up to 20 times more likely to die than those who wear one.
When riding on roads, a cyclist is obliged to comply with traffic regulations, which state, among other things, that cyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding and it must be properly adjusted.
So how to choose a cycling helmet and how to fix it correctly so that it fulfills its function well? We will try to answer this in the following lines.
When choosing a helmet, we should first take into account the way it is used, i.e. your preferred cycling discipline.
All Specialized helmets provide certified head protection, but for special purposes it is advisable to choose the appropriate helmet. An example can be special models for so-called gravity disciplines - downhill, enduro, fourcross or BMX. Lovers of XC disciplines will appreciate more ventilated helmets, and racers on road bikes will surely reach for aero models. Of course, not everyone is a racer, which is why the offer also includes stylish helmets for urban jungle.
Helmets for children are a separate chapter. Get kids a helmet, even if they're "just" riding a kickbike. Not only will you protect them from injury, but you will also develop the habit of wearing a helmet for the future. For children, also choose a helmet based on its weight, as they will often wear it for several hours.
The key when choosing a helmet is that it fits correctly on the head and protects the wearer's forehead, sides and back of the head. This applies to all cyclists. It should not create any hotspots, nor be too loose. If the helmet does not fit, try a different size or model. You can test the correct fit by putting on the helmet and leaning forward without fastening it under the chin (only with the fastening over the circumference of the head). The helmet should not fall or move in any way.
RIGHT POSITION ON THE HEAD
During bike rides, we often encounter cases where many cyclists do not wear their helmets in the correct position or have them fastened incorrectly. We have already mentioned the right size, which is the most important thing when choosing a helmet. However, when placing the helmet on the head, also ensure that the helmet consistently covers the forehead. A basic aid can be a maximum gap above the eyebrows in the width of the thickness of the index finger.
We often see cyclists with helmets placed extremely far back, where they no longer protect the owner's forehead at all. In most cases, this is caused by an inappropriately chosen size. The helmet should be fastened with a strap under the chin, under which you can pass just two fingers if it is properly tightened. More space means the strap is too loose, which can cause head injury in the event of a fall.
Safety certification is one thing, but most Specialized helmets provide additional protection in the form of MIPS technology. It has the task of mitigating the consequences of rotational impacts by absorbing part of the energy. It is actually an additional sliding insert inside the helmet. Depending on the price category of the helmet, there are several types of MIPS, and the most powerful Specialized Prevail 3 or Evade 3 helmets use the extra ventilated Node Air variant, which is exclusive to Specialized.
Another safety feature that cyclists who like to ride alone will especially appreciate is the ANGi crash sensor. This can be purchased additionally and placed on the back of the helmet. The sensor can detect an impact and if the cyclist is motionless after a fall, the paired application sends an emergency signal to the stored emergency contact with the information of the cyclist's last GPS location. The RIDE application, available from the App Store or Google Play, then serves the user not only to connect with the ANGi sensor, but also as a driving diary or a way of community communication with other riders who use this application. For example, you can plan joint rides or other events here