Helmets

In "]news:[email hidden],
Micheal Artindale <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

My current helmet is over 4 yrs old.

I am planning to replace it and was wondering a few
things.

First, i dont plan to spend more than $100 CDN, i know you
cant put a price on your safety, but....

Are there specific brands that i should avoid? any that no
matter the price, are a good helmet?

Why do some helmets ave a piece that goes across the chin?
Should i invest in one????

I do go down many hills, some are reeeeely steep. i do
alot of on road/on paved path riding, and i even love
playing in the mud.

Any suggestions?

Micheal

Sitting here with 17 stitches in my chin from a crash
yesterday I've been considering the merits of a Giro
Switchblade for XC use. The big rock I hit face first
would've certaintly smashed the chin guard but I might be
less damaged right now. I currently have a Bell XRay for XC
riding. It's important to find a helmet that fits well to
your shape head. You'll need to go to your LBS to try some
on. I like a helmet to fit on my head so that it won't move
if I shake my head back and forth without the chin straps
done. The chin straps should only keep it on your head when
you crash not make it fit.

Mike

Mike

"Micheal Artindale" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My current helmet is over 4 yrs old.

I am planning to replace it and was wondering a few
things.

First, i dont plan to spend more than $100 CDN, i know you
cant put a

price

Quoted message said:

on your safety, but....

Are there specific brands that i should avoid? any that no
matter the

price,

Quoted message said:

are a good helmet?

Why do some helmets ave a piece that goes across the chin?
Should i invest in one????

I do go down many hills, some are reeeeely steep. i do
alot of on road/on paved path riding, and i even love
playing in the mud.

Any suggestions?

Micheal

Check out Giro helmets. I have the Havoc. A good helmet will
be light with plenty of ventilation and provide you with
excellent protection. Prices for good helmets start around
69$. Go to your lbs(local bike shop) and get fitted
properly. Good luck and cover your melon.

Quoted message said:

Sitting here with 17 stitches in my chin from a crash
yesterday I've been considering the merits of a Giro
Switchblade for XC use. The big rock I hit face first
would've certaintly smashed the chin guard but I might be
less damaged right now.

Mike

Mike

What the heck, I thought I told you to stay away from those
darn XC bikes; They're just too dangerous!

17 stitches, eh... damn, what exactly did you do?

Broken jaw, teeth, concussion... etc???

--
Slacker

Slacker

"Michael Dart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In "]news:[email hidden],
Micheal Artindale <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

My current helmet is over 4 yrs old.

I am planning to replace it and was wondering a few
things.

First, i dont plan to spend more than $100 CDN, i know
you cant put a price on your safety, but....

Are there specific brands that i should avoid? any that
no matter the price, are a good helmet?

Why do some helmets ave a piece that goes across the
chin? Should i invest in one????

I do go down many hills, some are reeeeely steep. i do
alot of on road/on paved path riding, and i even love
playing in the mud.

Any suggestions?

Micheal

Sitting here with 17 stitches in my chin from a crash
yesterday I've been considering the merits of a Giro
Switchblade for XC use. The big rock I

hit

Quoted message said:

face first would've certaintly smashed the chin guard but
I might be less damaged right now. I currently have a Bell
XRay for XC riding. It's important to find a helmet that
fits well to your shape head. You'll need to go to your
LBS to try some on. I like a helmet to fit on my head so

that

Quoted message said:

it won't move if I shake my head back and forth without
the chin straps done. The chin straps should only keep it
on your head when you crash not make it fit.

Mike

Ow! I was thinking of getting a switchblade as well, because
my Xray didn't protect my brow from that rock I hit either.
I still probably would have gotten a concussion, but at
least my eyebrow wouldn't have a funny break in it now....

Jon Bond

Michael Dart said:

In "]news:[email hidden],
Micheal Artindale <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

My current helmet is over 4 yrs old.

I am planning to replace it and was wondering a few
things.

First, i dont plan to spend more than $100 CDN, i know you
cant put a price on your safety, but....

Are there specific brands that i should avoid? any that no
matter the price, are a good helmet?

Why do some helmets ave a piece that goes across the chin?
Should i invest in one????

I do go down many hills, some are reeeeely steep. i do
alot of on road/on paved path riding, and i even love
playing in the mud.

Any suggestions?

Micheal

Sitting here with 17 stitches in my chin from a crash
yesterday I've been considering the merits of a Giro
Switchblade for XC use. The big rock I hit face first
would've certaintly smashed the chin guard but I might be
less damaged right now. I currently have a Bell XRay for
XC riding. It's important to find a helmet that fits well
to your shape head. You'll need to go to your LBS to try
some on. I like a helmet to fit on my head so that it
won't move if I shake my head back and forth without the
chin straps done. The chin straps should only keep it on
your head when you crash not make it fit.

Nothing like a blow to the face to make a full-face helmet
sound attractive.

They don't protect against every impact. I had a head-on
collision with a guy who came around a blind curve head down
and crankin'. The front of his helmet went right between
visor and jaw guard. Dismantled my Oakleys, clobbered me
right on the cheekbone. Rang my chimes and gave me a black
eye, in addition to the other injuries caused by his bike
and mine. I went to my cousin's wedding looking like a
battered wife.

Still, my Switchblade definitely would have protected me
during the event that prompted its purchase - a face-first
digger at the BMX track.

As to the fit question, I've got the classic oval Giro
head shape.

Kathleen

In "]news:[email hidden],
Slacker <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Sitting here with 17 stitches in my chin from a crash
yesterday I've been considering the merits of a Giro
Switchblade for XC use. The big rock I hit face first
would've certaintly smashed the chin guard but I might be
less damaged right now.

Mike

Mike

What the heck, I thought I told you to stay away from
those darn XC bikes; They're just too dangerous!

Yeah, no [censored]!

Quoted message said:

17 stitches, eh... damn, what exactly did you do?

Pulled a Jon Bond. ;^) A series of stepped boulders on a XC
bike at speed. Front end washed and I sailed head first at a
big rock. I pulled my face up to avoid it and smacked my
chin hard. Had a 3x1cm gash in it almost to the bone. Looked
like I had a second mouth.

Quoted message said:

Broken jaw, teeth, concussion... etc???

No fortunately. Jammed the jaw joint and it's swollen a bit
and is difficult to chew. My molars don't quite meet on the
right side. They took xrays of my head and confirmed I had
no brains :^o but nothing broken. A lot of rock rash on my
leg and chest and very sore muscles.

Mike :^)x

In "]news:[email hidden],
Jon Bond <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

"Michael Dart" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In "]news:[email hidden],
Micheal Artindale <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

My current helmet is over 4 yrs old.

I am planning to replace it and was wondering a few
things.

First, i dont plan to spend more than $100 CDN, i know
you cant put a price on your safety, but....

Are there specific brands that i should avoid? any that
no matter the price, are a good helmet?

Why do some helmets ave a piece that goes across the
chin? Should i invest in one????

I do go down many hills, some are reeeeely steep. i do
alot of on road/on paved path riding, and i even love
playing in the mud.

Any suggestions?

Micheal

Sitting here with 17 stitches in my chin from a crash
yesterday I've been considering the merits of a Giro
Switchblade for XC use. The big rock I hit face first
would've certaintly smashed the chin guard but I might be
less damaged right now. I currently have a Bell XRay for
XC riding. It's important to find a helmet that fits well
to your shape head. You'll need to go to your LBS to try
some on. I like a helmet to fit on my head so that it
won't move if I shake my head back and forth without the
chin straps done. The chin straps should only keep it on
your head when you crash not make it fit.

Mike

Ow! I was thinking of getting a switchblade as well,
because my Xray didn't protect my brow from that rock I
hit either. I still probably would have gotten a
concussion, but at least my eyebrow wouldn't have a funny
break in it now....

Jon Bond

I did a face plant DHing with a full face on and still split
my left eyebrow open about 1cm. (Put a butterfly on it and
went back out) And no helmet protects you from getting your
brains sloshed around. (concussion on the next run! It was a
bad day.) At best it'll help keep them in your skull.

It would also appear the Switchblade is no longer available.
At least I couldn't find one anywhere online or Giro's
website. I'll use my 661 fullface which is very well
ventilated for agressive XC riding. I'll keep the moto
helmet for DHing.

Mike

Michael Dart said:

Pulled a Jon Bond. ;^) A series of stepped boulders on a
XC bike at speed. Front end washed and I sailed head first
at a big rock. I pulled my face up to avoid it and smacked
my chin hard. Had a 3x1cm gash in it almost to the bone.
Looked like I had a second mouth.

Quoted message said:

Broken jaw, teeth, concussion... etc???

No fortunately. Jammed the jaw joint and it's swollen a
bit and is difficult to chew. My molars don't quite meet
on the right side. They took xrays of my head and
confirmed I had no brains :^o but nothing broken. A lot of
rock rash on my leg and chest and very sore muscles.

Mike :^)x

Mike,

Glad to hear it wasn't worse. I don't envy the stitches or
the sore noggin, but I'm sure you appreciate the exent of
what "could have been!" Nice to see you can laugh about it
at this stage. XC bike or not, this just proves you
downhillers just ain't like the rest of us normal folk.
Heal fast.

Tom

Michael Dart said:

In "]news:[email hidden],
Micheal Artindale <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

My current helmet is over 4 yrs old.

I am planning to replace it and was wondering a few
things.

First, i dont plan to spend more than $100 CDN, i know
you cant put a price on your safety, but....

Are there specific brands that i should avoid? any that
no matter the price, are a good helmet?

Why do some helmets ave a piece that goes across the
chin? Should i invest in one????

I do go down many hills, some are reeeeely steep. i do
alot of on road/on paved path riding, and i even love
playing in the mud.

Any suggestions?

Micheal

Sitting here with 17 stitches in my chin from a crash
yesterday I've been considering the merits of a Giro
Switchblade for XC use. The big rock I hit face first
would've certaintly smashed the chin guard but I might be
less damaged right now. I currently have a Bell XRay for
XC riding. It's important to find a helmet that fits well
to your shape head. You'll need to go to your LBS to try
some on. I like a helmet to fit on my head so that it
won't move if I shake my head back and forth without the
chin straps done. The chin straps should only keep it on
your head when you crash not make it fit.

Mike

Mike

I have both a full-face (Giro Switchblade) and a half-face
helmet (Trek). I use the half-face most of the time but if I
go an unfamiliar track I take the full-face. I got them
because they're the ones that fit me the best, not because
of model or name.

Safety, fit and ventilation are my top three criteria, in
that order.

--
- Zilla Cary, NC (Remove XSPAM)

Michael Dart said:

Pulled a Jon Bond. ;^)

Ohhh, not good!!!

A series of stepped boulders on a XC bike at speed.

Quoted message said:

Front end washed and I sailed head first at a big rock. I
pulled my face up to avoid it and smacked my chin hard.
Had a 3x1cm gash in it almost to the bone. Looked like I
had a second mouth.

Quoted message said:

Broken jaw, teeth, concussion... etc???

No fortunately. Jammed the jaw joint and it's swollen a
bit and is difficult to chew. My molars don't quite meet
on the right side. They took xrays of my head and
confirmed I had no brains :^o but nothing broken. A lot of
rock rash on my leg and chest and very sore muscles.

Mike :^)x

That's good news.

Did you ever get a DVD player? I can loan you my Earthed and
Red Rampage '03 while you recover.
--
Slacker

Michael Dart wrote: <snip>>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Broken jaw, teeth, concussion... etc???

No fortunately. Jammed the jaw joint and it's swollen a
bit and is difficult to chew. My molars don't quite meet
on the right side. They took xrays of my head and
confirmed I had no brains :^o but nothing broken. A lot of
rock rash on my leg and chest and very sore muscles.

Pics. We want pics! Sorry to hear that you've been hurt. But
glad to hear that it's an injury that you should recover
from without long term damage. Hope that you have a speedy
recovery. In the meantime, keep your chin up.
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)

"Slacker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Michael Dart said:

Pulled a Jon Bond. ;^)

Ohhh, not good!!!

not good no matter what it refers to 😉

Heal up fast man!

Jon "The man, the myth" Bond

Jon Bond said:

"Slacker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message -"]news:[email hidden]-
berlin.de...

Quoted message said:

Michael Dart said:

Pulled a Jon Bond. ;^)

Ohhh, not good!!!

not good no matter what it refers to 😉

Heal up fast man!

Jon "The man, the myth" Bond

hehehe... your a legend bro ;-)

Hey, it could've been worse. He could've done a Miles!
--
Slacker

In "]news:[email hidden],
Slacker <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

Michael Dart said:

Pulled a Jon Bond. ;^)

Ohhh, not good!!!

A series of stepped boulders on a XC bike at speed.

Quoted message said:

Front end washed and I sailed head first at a big rock. I
pulled my face up to avoid it and smacked my chin hard.
Had a 3x1cm gash in it almost to the bone. Looked like I
had a second mouth.

Quoted message said:

Broken jaw, teeth, concussion... etc???

No fortunately. Jammed the jaw joint and it's swollen a
bit and is difficult to chew. My molars don't quite meet
on the right side. They took xrays of my head and
confirmed I had no brains :^o but nothing broken. A lot
of rock rash on my leg and chest and very sore muscles.

Mike :^)x

That's good news.

Did you ever get a DVD player? I can loan you my Earthed
and Red Rampage '03 while you recover.

I did. I'll probably be back on the bike before they arrive
however. Thanks for the offer!

Mike

"Michael Dart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In "]news:[email hidden],
Slacker <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Sitting here with 17 stitches in my chin from a crash
yesterday I've been considering the merits of a Giro
Switchblade for XC use. The big rock I hit face first
would've certaintly smashed the chin guard but I might
be less damaged right now.

Mike

Mike

What the heck, I thought I told you to stay away from
those darn XC bikes; They're just too dangerous!

Yeah, no [censored]!

Quoted message said:

17 stitches, eh... damn, what exactly did you do?

Pulled a Jon Bond. ;^) A series of stepped boulders on a
XC bike at

speed.

Quoted message said:

Front end washed and I sailed head first at a big rock. I
pulled my face

up

Quoted message said:

to avoid it and smacked my chin hard. Had a 3x1cm gash in
it almost to

the

Quoted message said:

bone. Looked like I had a second mouth.

Quoted message said:

Broken jaw, teeth, concussion... etc???

No fortunately. Jammed the jaw joint and it's swollen a
bit and is difficult to chew. My molars don't quite meet
on the right side. They

took

Quoted message said:

xrays of my head and confirmed I had no brains :^o but
nothing broken. A lot of rock rash on my leg and chest and
very sore muscles.

OUCH>>>>>!!!!!!!! It hurts just reading it.
Man, I'm glad you're still looking ahead, not fretting
about what's said and done. We could all have earned the
same penalty at one time or another, but fortunately we
often get off with only a scare. Hope you get back on
the bike soon enough, and when you do, things go
smoother for a long while. And take care of that noggin!
--
D N I E T S Off to R the M __, D H

Reply to group. (Detestible spammers!)

Slacker said:

Hey, it could've been worse. He could've done a Miles!
--
Slacker

Hey now, even I don't do that anymore. It's my New Year's
resolution.

miles

miles todd said:

Slacker wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hey, it could've been worse. He could've done a Miles!

Quoted message said:

Hey now, even I don't do that anymore. It's my New Year's
resolution.

See now, THAT's where you went wrong. You have to make NYR's
*before* midnight 12/31, not at 1:48 pm on 1/1.

Bill "preferably on level ground, too" S.

S o r n i said:

miles todd said:

Slacker wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hey, it could've been worse. He could've done a Miles!

Quoted message said:

Hey now, even I don't do that anymore. It's my New Year's
resolution.

See now, THAT's where you went wrong. You have to make
NYR's *before* midnight 12/31, not at 1:48 pm on 1/1.

Bill "preferably on level ground, too" S.

I've heard, if you make a NYR one second past midnight the
exact opposite will happen. ;-)
--
Slacker

In "]news:[email hidden],
Westie <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

Michael Dart wrote: <snip>>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Broken jaw, teeth, concussion... etc???

No fortunately. Jammed the jaw joint and it's swollen a
bit and is difficult to chew. My molars don't quite meet
on the right side. They took xrays of my head and
confirmed I had no brains :^o but nothing broken. A lot
of rock rash on my leg and chest and very sore muscles.

Pics. We want pics! Sorry to hear that you've been hurt.
But glad to hear that it's an injury that you should
recover from without long term damage. Hope that you have
a speedy recovery. In the meantime, keep your chin up.

I'm warning you it's not pretty!

pbase.com27375818Open ↗

Well it's a good looking scar anyway.

Mike