In a previous post, we looked at how bicycle helmets protect the head. Now lets look at how they're produced. Surely any helmet design will look good on paper but effectively manufacturing it under cost and time constraints is entirely another thing. But I must admit I have something against the way that shell and foam are attached, as in taped (watch the video)! Of course, there are other ways to piece them together. Bell uses what they term 'co-molding'. That drop test also seems insufficient, keeping in mind the many scenarios in which a cyclist can crash. Video courtesy of user RameshKumar123.
Now one wonders how popular cycling helmets out there are so expensive. Does R&D and testing take up the costs or are there more factors involved? And what is so state-of-the-art about the latest research on bicycling helmets? Isn't the same knowledge used pretty much year after year or is it otherwise? Marketing trendiness of "pro-helmets" with a thousand vents must also be near the top of the list for the hefty price tags. Feel free to drop a comment.
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How Bicycle Helmets Are Made
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5 comments:
Often cheaper helmets do they same job, have the same standards and are sometimes even lighter than some top of the line models. In the end, a crash will render both useless whether it was 35 dollars or 200.
How old is that video??
Related to your question of cost-- how is it that the majority of helmets are now made in China yet they still cost the same. Bigger profits for Bell/Giro?
Interesting video thanks for sharing. But I won't be queuing up at the shop for the helmet they show here. Not quite my style :-)
I just got a new helemt, a Bell. It seems, like apparel and bikes, the less there is the more you pay!
Don : I'm not aware of any such rule, unless the helmet has taken a hard spill couple of times. Eitherways, most people do end up buying newer helmets over time as fads change, don't they?
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