Safety First When Fitting Bicycle Helmets

Safety should be the number one priority when it comes to fitting bicycle helmets for your riding pleasure. The primary goal of these helmets is that you want them to fit snugly, stay level and stable on your head to avoid obscuring your view while biking. Bicycle helmets should touch your head all the way around as this is the only way stability and a level plane can be achieved.

When your helmet is stable, level and snug, it should be able to withstand a fierce shake of your head or even a hard hit from an accident or bounce off the pavement. You want the bicycle helmet to fit low to get as much protection as possible on the sides as well as level using a chinstrap.

Adjustments To Bicycle Helmets

Helmets are not a one size fits all and will require some trial and error to find the right style and fit for your head. In addition, if you are blessed (or cursed) with an unusually shaped head, you may not be able to pick for good looks as well as a comfortable fit. It may have to be functionality all the way with your helmet which should be fine as long as it is safe and will protect your head.

Most bicycle helmets come with pads adhered to the inside of them and also have extra sets of varying thicknesses. These pads that you can add or take away serve to customize the shape of the inside of your helmet so that it conforms as closely as possible to your head. Moving pads around are acceptable and you should take into account air flow when you position these foam pads.

Fitting rings for bicycle helmets are another way to adjust to your head rather than the foam pads inside the helmet. These fitting rings are great for the one size fits all helmets. You adjust the ring to your head circumference but keep in mind that these models may not always work for you. Some people feel that bicycle helmets with these fitting rings to feel snug enough for stability but the binding is too tight. However, if you loosen it, it slides around creating a safety hazard.

The Strap Test For Bicycle Helmets

Once your helmet is on, buckle up your chin strap to secure it onto your head. When you look up make sure that the front of the rim is barely discernible to the eye. Your helmet straps typically are shaped like a “Y” on the sides, so make sure they go just below your ears. The chinstrap on bicycle helmets should be just tight enough that when you make a huge yawn, you will feel a bit of a tug downward.

Once you feel that your helmet is secure, do a head shaking test to see if the helmet will slip and slide. You may have to make a few minor adjustments with the fitting ring or foam pads until there is no movement. Voila – now you have the rudimentary steps for great fitting bicycle helmets.