Choosing the right road cycling helmet

To stay safe when cycling on the road, here's everything you need to know about road bike helmets.

Are you a keen road cyclist, always out on the roads? This intense, demanding sport comes with risks, so the right gear is crucial. A road cycling helmet is one of the essentials, as it protects you if you fall.

Road cycling: a booming activity

Road cycling has been an Olympic sport since the Athens games in 1896 and it's now extremely popular. All the action happens on tarmacked roads (to point out the obvious). Whether you do it on your own or take part in official races, road cycling is a particularly intense activity that comes with its fair share of risks, particularly when groups of cyclists cluster together on parts of the road. The risk of falling is very real, and to guard against the dangers of this, you need specialised safety equipment.

One of the things you can't do without, for safety's sake, is a road cycling helmet, primarily designed to protect your head if you fall. A serious impact to the head can have drastic consequences on your health, so it's vital to protect yourself. However, to make sure your road cycling helmet fulfils all its safety functions in any circumstance, there are a range of criteria to consider when choosing one.

Choosing the size of your road cycling helmet

As you've no doubt grasped by now, your cycling helmet is a vital safety feature, whether you're out road cycling or just going for a spin with your family. In both cases, it's important to have exactly the right helmet for you, particularly in terms of size. This means the helmet must fit you in such a way that it doesn't move at all, and doesn't squeeze your head too much either.

To make sure you find the perfect size of road cycling helmet, it's advisable to start by accurately measuring your head circumference. Using a soft tape measure like the ones used for sewing, you'll be able to obtain a measurement that's accurate to millimetre scale. In general, there are three sizes to choose from for teenagers and adults, categorized as:

- Size S: 52 to 55 cm
- Size M: 56 to 58 cm
- Size L: 59 to 62 cm

Helmets have removable foam pads of varying sizes so you can adjust them to your head shape. When you try on a road cycling helmet, what's important is that it should press down around your entire skull, as well as on your temples and forehead, without actually squeezing. Properly distributed foam pads also help absorb perspiration, preventing moisture from dripping into your eyes as you ride.

It's essential to choose the right size of road cycling helmet, so before making a purchase, make sure the helmet fits the contours of your head perfectly and will therefore stay firmly in place all through your ride.

A helmet that fits your particular situation

We all have different needs and desires, which can be vastly different from one person to the next, so ask yourself the right questions before making a purchase: How often will I be wearing the helmet? Where am I going to be riding? What kind of races will I be doing (against the clock, traditional road racing, etc.)? All these questions should be considered in order to pinpoint your needs and thus decide which road cycling helmet is best suited to your particular situation. Since head injuries are the number one cause of death for cyclists, your choice of helmet should not be taken lightly.

If you're racing against the clock, it's advisable to go for a more aerodynamic model, as it will save you a few precious seconds when you're riding at top speed. Conversely, cyclists who mainly do long distance riding are better off going for a light model that's properly ventilated so that it stays comfortable for hours at a stretch. Note that your riding speed plays a part in the level of protection provided by your helmet, and some helmet models are safer than others, for instance those doted with a specialized shell.

Select the technical characteristics of your road cycling helmet

Now that we've dealt with the importance of size for road cycling helmets, let's take a look at the benefits of the various technical characteristics of helmets currently on the market. These features are designed to improve your riding conditions, protecting you in a safe and comfortable way.

So, when you're deciding which helmet to buy, make sure the chosen model fulfils the criteria listed below.

Protection against external aggressions

When you're cycling on the road, no matter what road, you're exposed to a whole range of minor aggressions from the outside world, such as bad weather, insects or even dust. While these might seem insignificant, they can turn out to be very annoying, and even dangerous: for instance, if you get an insect in your eye or mouth, you might lose concentration, leading to a fall.

So, whatever your cycling level, it's advisable to go for a helmet with features that protect you against these nuisances, such as removable ear flaps or visors. These kinds of features are very convenient and they'll protect you against a range of aggressions you might encounter while out riding or racing.

Comfort

Your road cycling helmet will accompany you on all your rides. Comfort of wear is therefore paramount, both for short and long journeys. Indeed, comfort has to be among the most important criteria when it comes to choosing a road cycling helmet.

To make sure your helmet is as comfortable as possible, it's generally advisable to try it on before you buy it, adjusting the foam pads to fit your head shape. That'll provide tailor-made protection, to guard against all circumstances. If your helmet's too tight or too loose, it may be less comfortable to wear, not to mention less protective. Note that when you try on your road cycling helmet, it's a good idea to shake your head around a bit, to make sure it stays in place whatever happens.

The weight of the helmet may also affect how comfortable it is. Different helmet models feature different compositions that impact the end weight, typically ranging from 170 to 300 grams. Lighter materials are more expensive but they generally deliver a much higher level of comfort. The greater the weight of the helmet, the greater the burden on your head, particularly on longer rides.

Shock protection

The main purpose of your road cycling helmet is to provide excellent shock protection. Obviously, road cycling is done on tarmac, and contact with such surfaces can be extremely violent during a fall, so it's a good idea to opt for one of the more robust models.

In fact, all helmets on the market fulfil requirements of durability, as that is mandatory. Indeed, they're manufactured for this very purpose, complying with the EN 1078 standard for your cycling safety.

Ventilation

The last property to check when deciding which road cycling helmet to opt for is proper ventilation. Indeed, cycling for long periods, for instance when on long-distance rides, may cause your head to get hotter. That's why it's important for the helmet to have enough vents to keep your head properly ventilated.

Since the number of vents may negatively affect the road cycling helmet's aerodynamic properties, you should try and find one that strikes the perfect balance for your practice, allowing you to perform your best.

Road cycling helmets: How to take care of it and when to change it

Your road cycling helmet is an essential piece of safety equipment in road cycling. Regardless of how often you go cycling, it's crucially important to take good care of it. Nothing could be easier: All you have to do is rinse it with fresh water and leave it to dry in the open air. This goes for both the outer shell and the removable foam pads on the inside. Chemical products are not recommended, as they may cause deterioration in your bike helmet's protective qualities.

Frequent washing will also enable you to take note of the slightest defects or signs of impact that could affect the effectiveness of your cycling helmet. Note that as soon as your helmet shows any sign of impact, it should be replaced with a new one, that also fulfils all the criteria mentioned above.

A road cycling helmet is paramount to your safety and comfort. This guide gives you all the tools to find the model that best protects you without having to make any compromises!

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Choosing the right road cycling helmet

Summary