highsided wearing a beanie helmet... on a bicycle

[NivlacYevips]

Without drafting, I've hit 56 mph going down MtDiablo right by the 2000ft elevation marker, maxed out in 53x12 tooth combination. I don't think it's probable that Professionals go 60+mph because the risk isn't worthwhile to them. I rode casually with Sammy Sanchez and left him on the descents. I asked him why he took it easy and he said, "descending is a young mans game, it doesn't win races." Although Sean Kelley might disagree, he won the 1992 Milan San Remo with a vicious descent.

 

[sixtytwo]

Heck, if anything, bicycling can be more dangerous than riding motorcycles. Bicycles have crappier tires, wheels, brakes, and visibility. The only thing "safe" about them is that typical speeds are lower.

Still, a 20-30mph impact into a solid object can mess a person up good.

 

[louemc]

I dunno, the homeless people throwing feces, the cars switching lanes everywhere, the car about to overtake me coming from behind, the drunk people that meander into the street, the complexity of the 8 way intersection just ahead of me.

A BMX helmet... on a commuter bicycle... in the city. I dunno mang, I think chin stitches every once in a while is better than giving up some of my vision and getting run over instead. Kinda like how parking on the sidewalk and getting an occasional ticket is better than parking on the street and getting the bike driven over.

RoadsterGal can handle it...But You're willing to take more unprotected face plants, instead using a bicycle helmet that works....interesting..

 

[sanjuro]

They make full face helmets for bicycles. Most people won't wear them for street riding because they are too heavy and hot. I only wear them downhilling.

The Met Parachute is not too hot, but not available in the US because they won't submit to American certifications/lawsuits.

 

[sanjuro]

Without drafting, I've hit 56 mph going down MtDiablo right by the 2000ft elevation marker, maxed out in 53x12 tooth combination. I don't think it's probable that Professionals go 60+mph because the risk isn't worthwhile to them. I rode casually with Sammy Sanchez and left him on the descents. I asked him why he took it easy and he said, "descending is a young mans game, it doesn't win races." Although Sean Kelley might disagree, he won the 1992 Milan San Remo with a vicious descent.

I used to be a vicious road descender. I've hit 55mph in races.

Ever since I started riding motorcycles, I don't have the nerve to descend hard on 1 inch tires, rim brakes, and lycra for protective gear.

But I still let it go on mountain bikes, even when I am just wearing baggy shorts and half helmet. At least I have wide tires, disc brakes, and suspension.

 

[Entoptic]

San Francisco passes new law - bicycle helmets - Sanctuary City!

Just curious, how fast were you going to do that damage? I did a similar thing when I was younger but I was running and that is how my chin got 7 stitches.

 

[Roadstergal]

I have the ProTec Auger in white.

http://pro-tec.net/auger-bike-helmet.php

I love good fast descents. KMR is fun.

 

[DannoXYZ]

Without drafting, I've hit 56 mph going down MtDiablo right by the 2000ft elevation marker, maxed out in 53x12 tooth combination. I don't think it's probable that Professionals go 60+mph because the risk isn't worthwhile to them. I rode casually with Sammy Sanchez and left him on the descents. I asked him why he took it easy and he said, "descending is a young mans game, it doesn't win races." Although Sean Kelley might disagree, he won the 1992 Milan San Remo with a vicious descent.

It's said that the fast downhillers can make up close to as much time as the climbers gain on the uphills. Take a look at the CBS live coverage of the 1989 World Championships. They were hitting +65mph on the downhills IN THE RAIN! Lemond did it with a back wheel that was bent and hitting both chainstays. Then again, the top pros are a league beyond the pack fodder. Kinda like the aliens in motorcycle racing.

 

[Gary856]

RoadsterGal can handle it...But You're willing to take more unprotected face plants, instead using a bicycle helmet that works....interesting..

I'm thinking about wearing full face helmet in the shower due to the high risk of slipping.

 

[rritterson]

I don't give up any peripheral vision with my fullface. It has a nice wide eyeport.

I saw the images another poster added after your post, and the eye port is a lot larger than moto helmets, so maybe it's not an issue, but:

Can you see the helmet while riding? Every moto helmet I've ever worn is visible in my field of vision when I have it on. Especially down and to the sides. Because of the height of the moto (and bicycle), and the riding position, when I do head checks cars fall into that down and side position, impairing vision where it matters most. If you can see it at all, you are giving up some vision.

Also, do you wear it around town? No one in this thread who uses a full-face on a bicycle says they do-- you guys all seem to be off-road downhillers.

On the moto, I have other assets that help me overcome that vision deficiency (and even with it, I can still see far better than a car). But on a bicycle, I have zero advantages over any of the traffic except my ability to see them at all times.

San Francisco passes new law - bicycle helmets - Sanctuary City!

Just curious, how fast were you going to do that damage? I did a similar thing when I was younger but I was running and that is how my chin got 7 stitches.

Not very fast. Road was a slight downslope and I was pedaling. I'd say 15mph, but I don't have a bicycle computer and my exact speed was not on my mind at the time.

 

[Roadstergal]

Nope. MX helmets are less intrusive on the very edges of my vision than road helmets, and my bike helmet even less so. I've never had a problem seeing or hearing other vehicles. (Even an economy four-banger automobile with a stock exhaust makes enough wind and tire noise for me to hear it before it's on me.) I never have music or other distractions going while I ride, though. My focus is entirely on the road, and every potential hazard.

 

[sanjuro]

It's said that the fast downhillers can make up close to as much time as the climbers gain on the uphills. Take a look at the CBS live coverage of the 1989 World Championships. They were hitting +65mph on the downhills IN THE RAIN! Lemond did it with a back wheel that was bent and hitting both chainstays. Then again, the top pros are a league beyond the pack fodder. Kinda like the aliens in motorcycle racing.

It only matters in the elite group of climbers. No way a porky sprinter (like a 165lb fatso) can make up 45-60 mins a top climber will put on him during a big climbing stage.

But a climbing specialist who is a bad descender is at a disadvantage compared to the other climbers and gc contenders. Some of the super light dudes, under 130lbs, have been rumored to put on a lead-weighted vest at the top of the climb.

 

[sanjuro]

I saw the images another poster added after your post, and the eye port is a lot larger than moto helmets, so maybe it's not an issue, but:

Can you see the helmet while riding? Every moto helmet I've ever worn is visible in my field of vision when I have it on. Especially down and to the sides. Because of the height of the moto (and bicycle), and the riding position, when I do head checks cars fall into that down and side position, impairing vision where it matters most. If you can see it at all, you are giving up some vision.

Also, do you wear it around town? No one in this thread who uses a full-face on a bicycle says they do-- you guys all seem to be off-road downhillers.

On the moto, I have other assets that help me overcome that vision deficiency (and even with it, I can still see far better than a car). But on a bicycle, I have zero advantages over any of the traffic except my ability to see them at all times.

I've climbed with a full face helmet, and it ain't fun.

I use a Specialized Deviant, and while the weight doesn't bother me, especially after using DOT-legal moto helmets, I feel like I am breathing into a plastic bag when I am really going.

I thought about the sports which uses full face helmets, like football, and they use crossbars, not full visors.

 

[Lovedoc]

Nope. MX helmets are less intrusive on the very edges of my vision than road helmets, and my bike helmet even less so.

Looks like the visor would block vision in a drop-bar full tuck. That and it doesn't seem to have enough airflow for a 15 mile climb with a double chain ring in 95deg heat. I don't think I've ever seen one on a road rider. Hard core guys are so concerned about wind resistance, doubt the visor would fly there. Just like motorcyclists, cyclists like the Ricky Racer look.