News
Types of bicycle helmets
Types of bicycle helmets
In Quebec, a large proportion of deaths and hospitalizations among cyclists are head injuries. Although there is no law on wearing a helmet when cycling (except for electric bikes), it is strongly recommended to have skull protection on your head at all times, because an accident can happen at any time. The helmet will, among other things, absorb the impact during a fall or collision to minimize the risk of concussions or any other head injuries. At Cycle LM you will find all the useful information to choose your next bicycle helmet from our following brands: Giro, Bell, Lazer, Lumos, Abus, IXS, Evo, Louis Garneau, 100 percent.
Protection Systems
MIPS
Have you ever noticed a yellow circular sticker on the back of your helmet? If yes, you have a Multi-directionnal Impact Protection System equipped on your helmet. In French, mips is defined by a multidirectional impact protection system. The rotational movement is the result of the brain continuing to move or stretch after the head has stopped quickly and suddenly following an oblique impact. Designed by specialists and a neurosurgeon, it is a layer that reduces the risk of concussions by 20% compared to a similar helmet without the system. For those who practice extreme sports like mountain biking or BMX and even those who ride electric bikes should consider MIPS when purchasing their next helmet since it allows users to recover from an accident with more fear than harm. Please note that comfort remains the same with a helmet equipped with this additional protection.
ROTEXX
Designed in Quebec, by Garneau, after a fall while cycling in the Portneuf region, the owner intended to create the safest helmet in the world. This is what he did with ROTEXX, by calling on the Montreal higher technology school. In short, it is a set of polymer cushions inside the helmet which will absorb 15 to 20% more energy during an impact compared to traditional cushions in helmets. Please note that this system is only available for the Garneau helmet range.
Helmet type
Full face
The full face type helmet is designed for more extreme cyclists. In fact, its full shell will protect you from your chin to the top of your forehead while keeping your face ventilated thanks to its multiple air vents. This is the safest type of helmet when an impact occurs, which is why downhill and BMX enthusiasts will make it available to them in order to eliminate the risk of cranial injuries.
Utilisation : Downhill & BMX Race
Enduro
Despite its many similarities with the full face helmet, the enduro helmet will have an advantageous difference for some. In fact, the helmet is 2 in 1, a full face and a classic mountain bike helmet. Its principle is simple, the chin guard detaches so that you can climb the mountain while wearing a helmet and once at the summit, you attach the chin guard to descend the mountain at full speed with maximum facial protection. This helmet is also an advantage for people who want to buy a classic mountain bike helmet and a full face because you have both with one helmet. But be careful, the FQSC does not allow you to use an enduro type helmet during a BMX race.
Utilisation : Trail, Enduro, Downhill
Mountain
For your lighter mountain outings, there is the mountain bike helmet where the chin guard will be absent to let your head ventilate throughout your day. It looks a lot like a mix of road helmet and urban helmet with its visor and large shell to protect you in the event of an impact. This helmet is going to have a lot of ventilation holes all around the head, because it was designed in anticipation that you will sweat every last drop while climbing a mountain. Basically it’s a larger helmet than normal, because in mountain biking the impacts are greater!
Utilisation : Trail, enduro, XC, Gravel
Urban
The urban helmet is the helmet that we see most often, there are a lot of models that differ in their shape, their ventilation, their internal protection system, etc. The price of the helmet will vary depending on the characteristics of the helmet. , the more expensive it is, the more “efficient” it will be, but the most expensive does not mean the best! The best helmet will be the one that fits your head best, so it's always better to try several models before making the right choice, according to your criteria.
List of important criteria for choosing the right helmet
- Have the right size (able to do at least 1 turn of the rear adjustment)
- Comfort (no headaches, no pressure on the top of the skull, etc.)
- Helmet color/style
The bowl
The bowl helmet will be the perfect choice for the person who does BMX Freestyle, scootering, skateboarding or dirt jumping, because this protection from warrior helmets will protect you as much as keep your hair dry thanks to its ventilation . Bowl helmets are available in two models, classic round helmets and those with earpieces, ski helmet style, which will protect the ears in the event of a fall.
Use: Scooter, BMX, Dirt Jumper, urban
Route
The road helmet is designed so that the athlete is as light and as aerodynamic as possible on his machine so we will find a lot of protection of very good quality condensed in order to allow the rider to break records, which will unfortunately affect the price because the technologies are more expensive to produce. There will be plenty of ventilation all around the helmet and a more performance-oriented shape moving forward.
By Ludovyck Morel