i ask because after a particularly sweaty summer, i decided to overhaul my helmet for the first time in memory - washing pads, cleaning my 'cool head' visor (remember those), rinsing straps.

then i realised that the stickers left inside indicated that it was made in 1995 and passed the snell b90 test.

my son, my sister and my best mate have all had serious accidents which involved splitting (and binning) their helmets. has mine had its day ? is it really time to replace it ?

its taken no major impacts but has a couple of trail scars - just scuffing of the carbon fibre pattern (its a bell helmet).

i remember reading that helmets have a life of 3 years. is this really true or just a marketing ploy ?

all opinions welcome....

It's something to do with UV damaging the shell

Which means that in theory they have an unlimited 'shelf' life, if like mine the shelf in is a dark garage, but a limited lifetime on your noggin or out in the sun.

Seriously though I'd advise a new helmet anyway. Helmet tech moved on in huge leaps in the second half of the 90's and you will find todays ones lighter, more comfortable and better ventilated. They are also cheaper now too.

Oh aye, change it.
First thing tomorrow, lbs.

i tend to change mine every couple of years, as all the small knocks tend to add up and i don't want to risk it.

I tend to leave mine in the outhouse window, and yesterday it got dropped on the deck from a height of about 4 foot. Is it fritzed?

Why worry Pad? Its not like there is anything in your skull worth protecting.......

oooohhhhhhhhhh........