There are bicycle helmets for all practices, for all tastes and in all colors. How to find your way around and make the right choice? Here is our buying guide!
There are almost as many helmets as there are types of bikes. Each helmet has its own particularities. As a general rule, the higher the end of the range, the more ventilated, comfortable and lightweight it will be. Regardless of the helmet, it is important to wear one that is the right size and with the proper fit. Choosing the right helmet for you is a matter of both comfort and safety.
As for the size, a label inside the helmet indicates the circumference of the skull for which it is suitable. The final fit can be adjusted using the straps on either side of the head and sometimes even a knob on the back of the helmet. When placed on the head, the helmet should not move or tilt too far forward or backward. Each brand has different fits, so be sure to check each brand's sizing guide to make sure you choose the best fit for your head size for the most comfortable ride.
A road bike helmet is specifically designed for cyclists who ride on high speed roads. It is designed to be lightweight, aerodynamic and offers adequate ventilation on ventilated models to keep the rider cool. Unlike other types of helmets such as mountain bike helmets, it does not offer a visor or integrated chin protection. As it is used at high speeds, the road bike helmet is a real concentrate of protection technologies such as MIPS (acronym for Multi-directional Impact Protection System), and despite its higher than average price it can be used in urban areas.
Mountain bike helmets are designed to meet the needs of cyclists who ride in the mountains and on rough terrain. They are designed to provide extra protection in case of shocks, falls or impacts, which are more common than on the roads or in the city, and are also generally more robust. They also often include visors, designed to protect the cyclist's eyes from the sun, rain and debris that can be encountered on the trails. Mountain bike helmets designed for enduro or downhill riding even have a chin strap to provide additional protection for the face and chin.
It's the ideal choice for cyclists who use their bikes as transportation in the city. Urban bike helmets focus on comfort and protection for everyday riding. They generally offer a slightly more lifestyle look than road bike helmets, for example. Some brands like Thousand for example, have been inspired by the style of motorcycle helmets from the 50s/60s to offer a very original range of helmets in several colors!
Junior bike helmets are made in sizes and shapes that are adapted to the morphology of young children and often offer colors and patterns designed to appeal to them. As with adults, children's bike helmets must be adapted to the size of their head, which must be large enough for the helmet to fit properly. The child's neck must also be strong enough to support the weight of the helmet. In this sense, the SAAQ indicates that bicycle helmets are not recommended before the age of 1 year, because it is the neck that is likely to absorb the shock in case of impact, and not the head.
Depending on maintenance and usage, it is recommended to change your bicycle helmet every 3 to 5 years, since polystyrene can harden and lose its absorption properties over time. However, in the event of a fall or crack, the helmet should be replaced immediately.
When the use of bicycles became popular at the end of the 19th century, the pavement of the roads was as bumpy as it was dangerous for cyclists. Bruised skulls were common. Therefore, a relatively rudimentary form of protection began to be worn: colonial helmets, or salacots, made of cork or plant fibers.
At the time, automobiles were not common and cyclists were only concerned with the hardness of the tarmac. The salacots did their job to a certain extent: it was better than nothing. But that was when you were wearing something, which was not always the case. Even in the 1930's, when some professional cyclists started wearing something on their heads, the sight of this headgear was surprising because it was not widely used.
Then helmets made of leather straps riveted together around the skull appeared. Jean Robic, the French rider who won the Tour de France in 1947, was probably the standard bearer par excellence: following an accident that fractured his skull during the Paris-Roubaix race in 1944, he never rode without his boudin helmet, unlike most of his fellow riders, which earned him the nickname "Leather Head". How effective were these flanges? One suspects that they could have been better, as leather's ability to absorb shocks is limited. But in terms of ventilation, it was difficult to do better.
Today, heads look great when they are protected by their light and comfortable polystyrene shells. But all in all, morals took their time to evolve: in the Tour de France, for example, helmets were only made mandatory in... 2005!
Now you have all the keys in hand to shop for your next bicycle helmet at Bicycles Quilicot! Browse through our selection of the best brands for all types of cycling ;)
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