Hi,
GranvilleThomas wrote: ↑6 Aug 2021, 8:08am
This thread persuaded me out of curiosity to look on the sticker inside my Giro Xen helmet and the manufacturing date is August 2004, so it's 17yrs old.
Thing is this is the only helmet I have found even remotely comfortable (after changing the wafer thin pads for some thicker ones that came spare with my daughters Bell helmet that is) so I am reluctant to let it die.
I only wear a helmet in the cold weather or when it rains, so don't really see it as a means of impact protection just strictly for cold and rain, usually with a skull cap underneath. Most of the time it is in a bag hanging in the bedroom and I have no intention of replacing it.
When I worked as an advisor for the HSE I was frequently asked by construction workers 'How often should I change my hard hat?' and I had no real scientifically proved answer (if it was in good condition and had not been damaged or abused) other than to suggest they ask the manufacturer what the life expectancy of their product was (most stickers inside the hat were long gone!) and most hard hat manufacturers at the time recommend replacing hard hats every five years regardless of appearance.
I have never washed my helmet (if you pardon the expression!) or washed the pads inside and that goes for any that I have owned (first one I bought was made by Brancale in the 80's), but then I do not wash my handlebar tape either as some do apparently.
I personally think a few bacteria are good to strengthen my immune system and I have never noticed any bad smells coming from them so I don't intend changing my regime.
My bold above-
I also use a bell helmet, sorry you use a gyro the parts come from a bell, I struggle to find anything else to fit, the biggest problem I find is the foam parts tend to wear out, and they seem extortionate expensive to replace.
I think washing things come down to, how much do you use them and in what environment, if you're using a skullcap or not, I sweat even through my head in winter time when most people have to wrap up.
It's a bit like a coat or a pair of shoes/boots isn't it, If they never leave the box then you won't have to do anything to them take them out the box and They collect dust.
my cycling shoes that are used most often are grey and white, I use them all year round and you think they would get a bit dirty, but no I always wear shoe covers so that The uppers never see dirt they look like new.
Bacteria something else, most of it will never harm you and I think it's regarding nowadays that over washing yourself it's not gonna make you cleaner and more healthy, but of course comes from the inside.
If I'm using my helmet three times a week say 10 hours in total and the sweat drips then I'll probably need to wash my helmet.
But if you wear another protection and the helmet does not get much use then you're not likely to need to wash it are you.