Bicycle Helmets – Perfect Protection for Women, Men and Children on Mountain, Road or City Bikes

It probably comes as no surprise that your helmet should be replaced after a fall, and this also applies if no significant cracks, signs of damage or defects are visible to the naked eye. The structural integrity of the protective elements can no longer be guaranteed after that. And you should also replace your helmet after approx. 5 years at the latest, as the foam inside can harden and lose its absorption capacity and the hard outer material can also become brittle. 

Depending on the purpose and use, it may also make sense to consider buying a new helmet earlier. Especially if it is exposed to many environmental influences such as strong UV radiation, heat and/or cold, moisture (through rain or sweat) or large vibrations (e.g. on the trail). Since helmets are getting lighter, more aerodynamic and safer every year, the decision shouldn't be too much of a headache anyway! 

The right size is decisive for the safety of your helmet and thus also for that of your precious intellectual headquarters. For adults and children, helmet sizes are usually given in centimetre ranges (there are sometimes exceptions for particularly inexpensive helmets), which should correlate with your head circumference. For an accurate measurement, you can place a tape measure or piece of string above your eyebrows on your forehead and run it as straight as possible around your head at the widest point. 

If you are between two areas, it is usually recommended to choose the smaller one, as it will definitely protect you more in an emergency. And with children, too, it's better to buy the right size than to wait for the little ones to grow into the larger helmet. This is the only way to guarantee maximum protection. Especially since you can still improve the fit a lot with the adjustment options on the helmet. 

Most cycling helmets have versatile options for optimising the fit. Dials on the back of the helmet allow fine adjustment so that the bike helmet has a firm grip and does not slip or wobble. The height is also relevant for the perfect fit, as you have to fasten the helmet together via a strap below the chin, which ensures that the bike helmet stays in place even in the worst case scenario and absorbs the impact exactly where it would be most dangerous. The strap should fit tightly but not cut into your neck or restrict the movement of your head. A slim finger's width of space is a good guide if you are unsure how tight the strap should be.

City or trekking helmets combine almost all the features you could wish for in a helmet. They come in many different colours, styles and designs, are lightweight yet robust and provide your head with enough ventilation and cooling so that you don't overheat on the way to work or on longer rides. Sophisticated features such as built-in fly screens, LEDs or clever reflective details further increase safety in the confusing urban jungle and increase the chance that you will be able to enjoy many more beautiful bike rides. 

Road bike helmets have a clear focus: lightness and aerodynamics! On the road, it's all about speed and keeping your body as cool as possible, but at the same time being as protected as possible at high speeds. A large number of vents ensure a cool head and little weight. If every second really matters to you, then a streamlined time trial helmet could also be an option for you. 

MTB helmets come in many different styles, so the choice is very much dependent on the area of use. Are you more into downhill racing, tricky BMX riding or do you prefer long tours in the mountains? If you prefer shredding downhills, then a full-face helmet is recommended, which offers maximum all-round protection. They look similar to motorbike helmets and protect not only your head but also your chin, neck and, with a suitable visor or goggles, your eyes. 

For cross-country rides or sweaty tours in rough terrain, a half-shell MTB helmet is suitable, which is a bit airier and lighter. On the BMX track, tough protection is required, as hard contact with the ground is inevitable. Accordingly, there are BMX helmets for these scenarios that consist of a round hard shell with only a few ventilation slits. If jumping is part of your sporting programme, then the protective surface should also be correspondingly large and at least cover the neck, as is the case with dirt helmets. 

E-bike helmets: The number of e-bikes in the city and in the forest is increasing all the time. Due to the fast acceleration and higher weight, it is important to protect the head particularly well. Special helmets with advanced foam crumple zones or the well-known MIPS system (stands for "Multi-Directional Impact Protection System" and is designed to reduce non-linear rotational forces that occur when you fall on your head at an angle), smart lights and adjustable visors ensure maximum visibility and safety.