Road Cycle Helmet?

Question

I have recently started mountain biking (blue routes due to my novice level). I have a road cycle helmet, but would like to know if that is a suitable level of protection for off road. I realise that there are ones out there that are full head, but since i'm not going to be doing full on black routes will a road helmet do.

Answer 1

i suppose it depends on the helmet. i have a met estro which is meant for roads but have taken it down the woods for a bit of fun. if it is designed for really low weight it probably wouldn't be suitable.

the fact is though, coming off your bike at high speed on a road, or coming off at a slower speed on a bike trail isn't going to make much difference to the helmet. it'll do what its meant to and break, rather than scrape yout head along the floor.

its up to you, if you feel confident enough not to keep coming off

Answer 2

The best safety equipment is the stuff that is used.  All cycle helmets will conform to BS ratings.

A mountain bike helmet will not differ from a road helmet that much, since they are both designed to do the same job.  The only one I would think twice about would be downhill, where a full face might be desirable.

Luck

Answer 3

Put it this way I ride with a road helmet off road and i can't wear the full face masks especially over summer.

Whatever you come off wearing won't make the difference it's your collarbone you need to be careful of

I'd keep to the road helmet

Answer 4

to be honest is it worth taking that chance?

regards x kitti x

Answer 5

I agree with Alex.

Helmets are made to comply with safety standards. They at least have to cover a minimum in quality- The force the head receives form a crash has to do with speed, and weight meeting the ground (or whatever you hit). Some roadies know they can accelerate pretty fast, and the road is quite hard. Road helmets are design with those forces in the head (never better said) of the designers. I do not believe you will reach that amount of speed and the obstacles you will face will hardly be (never better said, again), harder than the road tarmac.

So, worry not, and use your present helmet:

Enjoy!

Answer 6

I doubt there's any difference in the level of protection offered by road / offroad helmets of similar quality. The only reason I stopped using my road lid offroad is because the vents were too small at the lower speeds achieved offroad and my head was sweating all the time. For the record I've gone down hard on my head twice offroad in £20/£30 helmets, cracking & denting them each time in the process without injuring myself. One was a road helmet, one was an offroad helmet. I'm not saying you should have a cheap helmet, just relating my personal experiences