Child's Bike Helmet
Discussion
Hi all
I recently bought a bike seat for my 16m old boy so he can come out for rides at the weekend. I now need to think about getting him a helmet.
Someone said in a passing comment to pick up a second hand one off ebay or FB. What are peoples opinions with that?
Any recommendations on what type or brand to get?
Thanks
Nick
I recently bought a bike seat for my 16m old boy so he can come out for rides at the weekend. I now need to think about getting him a helmet.
Someone said in a passing comment to pick up a second hand one off ebay or FB. What are peoples opinions with that?
Any recommendations on what type or brand to get?
Thanks
Nick
I had the same question a little while ago. Hopefully this helps.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've always put our twins in helmets even when they went in the Burley bike trailer. I would never buy 2nd hand as you don't know if they have been damaged (usual just by the little monkeys dropping them etc). They are only £20-30 new so not worth the hassle. Make sure you get ones with a flat back as it is better for them especially when they want to sleep. I never liked the el-cheapo Halfords helmets without a proper named brand. I normally stuck with Giro or Raleigh or Met.
Can't help with recommendations on a particular helmet brand/model, but on the subject of second hand I'd say it'd be OK at this age.
At 16 months, kids grow quick. Plus, they're in a child seat, not lobbing themselves down hills and "clearing doubles" on black runs. So I doubt there'd be a risk of hidden damage to the helmet, or that it'd be fit for the bin due to 'time served'.
Do some research as to recommended replacement time for helmets. They (should?) have a date of manufacture on the label when sold, so check that, and check for any obvious damage. It's often middle class/professional folk who carry kids on bikes, so look at things like "Freecycling" as a source of second hand kiddies helmets. They don't have a great deal of value used, so someone local might be giving one away if you're lucky.
Having said all that, I'd be reluctant to buy a used bike helmet for a little one when they reach the age/size where they're learning to ride solo without stabilisers etc, as that's the time they really start to fall off. And I'd be VERY circumspect about buying a used helmet from an adult as you've no idea of what it might have been put through. Certainly my MTB helmet looks fine, but it's had a pretty hard life if I'm honest. That, and I've no idea how old it is because I sweated the 'date of manufacture' label off!
At 16 months, kids grow quick. Plus, they're in a child seat, not lobbing themselves down hills and "clearing doubles" on black runs. So I doubt there'd be a risk of hidden damage to the helmet, or that it'd be fit for the bin due to 'time served'.
Do some research as to recommended replacement time for helmets. They (should?) have a date of manufacture on the label when sold, so check that, and check for any obvious damage. It's often middle class/professional folk who carry kids on bikes, so look at things like "Freecycling" as a source of second hand kiddies helmets. They don't have a great deal of value used, so someone local might be giving one away if you're lucky.
Having said all that, I'd be reluctant to buy a used bike helmet for a little one when they reach the age/size where they're learning to ride solo without stabilisers etc, as that's the time they really start to fall off. And I'd be VERY circumspect about buying a used helmet from an adult as you've no idea of what it might have been put through. Certainly my MTB helmet looks fine, but it's had a pretty hard life if I'm honest. That, and I've no idea how old it is because I sweated the 'date of manufacture' label off!
controversial post alert...
Childs bike helmets are often heavy and are proportionally larger than adult helmets in order to meet required standards. Children are rarely going faster on bikes than running pace and as such are a fairly minimal risk for impact head injuries, however, the larger mass and weight of the hemet increases the risk of rotational neck injuries significantly. Also, as above , kids helmets are often too big, too small, straps too loose and generally risk harm when children suffer low speed falls.
That said, kids love helmets and anything that gets them outside on bikes is a good thing.
Childs bike helmets are often heavy and are proportionally larger than adult helmets in order to meet required standards. Children are rarely going faster on bikes than running pace and as such are a fairly minimal risk for impact head injuries, however, the larger mass and weight of the hemet increases the risk of rotational neck injuries significantly. Also, as above , kids helmets are often too big, too small, straps too loose and generally risk harm when children suffer low speed falls.
That said, kids love helmets and anything that gets them outside on bikes is a good thing.
I've tend to get mine whatever is on offer / last year's model from Chainreaction Cycles, usually MET or GIRO.
To be honest a second hand one on eBay is probably not a bad deal, our youngest has a MET helmet that she's grown out of that pretty much looks new, seems a shame to throw it away.
To be honest a second hand one on eBay is probably not a bad deal, our youngest has a MET helmet that she's grown out of that pretty much looks new, seems a shame to throw it away.
If your child is going to wear a helmet, make sure it fits correctly.
I can't remember the exact figure but it's something like 90%+ of kids helmets aren't worn properly. A particular problem is the "oh, isn't he cute" approach of having it almost perched on the back of the head with the forehead all exposed.
And make sure they take it off when playing in kids' playgrounds.
I would avoid second-hand helmets. Even if they haven't been in an accident, they tend to get banged around a lot as kids aren't very careful with them.
I don't think it's worth worrying about brands - any cycle helmet from a reputable retailer like Halfords will be made to the same safety standards (probably BSEN1078, according to Cycling UK) and the extra cost is just branding. If you do see one with a "Snell Foundation B90" sticker on it, that is a stronger standard.
I can't remember the exact figure but it's something like 90%+ of kids helmets aren't worn properly. A particular problem is the "oh, isn't he cute" approach of having it almost perched on the back of the head with the forehead all exposed.
And make sure they take it off when playing in kids' playgrounds.
I would avoid second-hand helmets. Even if they haven't been in an accident, they tend to get banged around a lot as kids aren't very careful with them.
I don't think it's worth worrying about brands - any cycle helmet from a reputable retailer like Halfords will be made to the same safety standards (probably BSEN1078, according to Cycling UK) and the extra cost is just branding. If you do see one with a "Snell Foundation B90" sticker on it, that is a stronger standard.
As a Cratoni Akino can be purchased for £25 brand new, why would you even think about buying 2nd hand?
I'm not principally averse to buying car seats for kids or bike helmets off eBay because I am capable of assessing condition but for £25 I just couldn't be arsed.
If you can find a Cratoni C-Kid new (discontinued) you would probably pay very much less than the price for a new Akino (which is the current range). I got both my childrens' C-Kids for under a tenner each from Chain Reaction (sadly now all sold out).
I'm not principally averse to buying car seats for kids or bike helmets off eBay because I am capable of assessing condition but for £25 I just couldn't be arsed.
If you can find a Cratoni C-Kid new (discontinued) you would probably pay very much less than the price for a new Akino (which is the current range). I got both my childrens' C-Kids for under a tenner each from Chain Reaction (sadly now all sold out).
Go to a decent shop and get him to try on different helmets, kids have really weird shaped heads as their skull bones haven't finished fusing together. The helmet I wanted to buy for my little boy ended up not sitting on his head very well and I ended up with a different model. Not something you can really buy online IMO.
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