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...But I did it all the same just to show 'em!

stienman said:

...But I did it all the same just to show 'em!

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It's straight out of Snow Crash.

Just don't try and deliver pizzas.

--Patrick

For $520 each time it inflates I'd be even more careful than I usually am.

So I guess it would work pretty well.

Just don't try to go off any jumps or do any sudden movements with it on...

If the purpose of this device is to have something more stylish than a helment I am not sure they suceeded. It is neat idea though.

Yeah, if you're already wearing bulky clothing then it blends in, otherwise it appears as though you're wearing a colorful neck brace.

Ergg.. it's expensive... but for that one time you get door'd and your head is in a pillow...

This seems to appeal to those people who don't want to wear a helmet because it doesn't look cool though.

Well sure, if you knew in advance that you're going to get a brain injury then sure, you'd pay $520 to eliminate it altogether.

But in terms of risk management, a regular helmet will do very well and costs about 1/20th the price of this fancy helmet.

Further, you have to be proactive and recharge this helmet when it gets low, and I suspect the batteries aren't replaceable, so the unit has a shelf life of a year or two.

So even if you ride every day you're looking at about $1 per day to avoid having your hair messed up, or to look fashionable while riding your bike.

Obviously there's a market for that. It just isn't me.

BananaHands said:

Ergg.. it's expensive... but for that one time you get door'd and your head is in a pillow...

This seems to appeal to those people who don't want to wear a helmet because it doesn't look cool though.

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There's also the argument that helmets impede hearing and make it harder to be aware of your surroundings, but I don't know if anyone has actually studied that, or if it's just how some riders feel about the issue.

Having had to lay a bike down unexpectedly, I can unequivically state that I would gladly sacrifice a bit of hearing/peripheral for always-on face protection.

--Patrick

There are helmets which cover the ears, but the majority of bike helmets are above the ears, and don't impede the hearing at all, though I suppose you could say they alter the hearing by as much as a wide brim hat would.

But consider motocylcists - they wear a helmet that has to cover the ears, usually having holes, and they alter the hearing significantly more. But worse, the bike they're riding makes a ton of noise: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC539364/ "we did confirm hearing loss in motorcyclists"

Further, deafness does not preclude riding a bike, driving a car, or riding a motorcycle, so there's no legal reason for one to conclude that hearing effects of helmet wear are a concern.

For my part, I found that helmets don't affect my hearing.

stienman said:

Well sure, if you knew in advance that you're going to get a brain injury then sure, you'd pay $520 to eliminate it altogether.

But in terms of risk management, a regular helmet will do very well and costs about 1/20th the price of this fancy helmet.

Further, you have to be proactive and recharge this helmet when it gets low, and I suspect the batteries aren't replaceable, so the unit has a shelf life of a year or two.

So even if you ride every day you're looking at about $1 per day to avoid having your hair messed up, or to look fashionable while riding your bike.

Obviously there's a market for that. It just isn't me.

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Yeah, but see, I have great hair. Who am I to deny the world the sight of my rakish good looks?

stienman said:

But consider motocylcists - they wear a helmet that has to cover the ears, usually having holes, and they alter the hearing significantly more. But worse, the bike they're riding makes a ton of noise: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC539364/ "we did confirm hearing loss in motorcyclists"

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That's what I was referring to in my anecdote above. I would wear complete gear (full-face helmet, long pants, gloves, etc) no matter the weather even though my bike was only a 72cc with a top speed of about 45MPH. It paid off when I didn't have to lose face.

FWIW, if I ever get another bike, my purchase decisions will be based far more on TCO and capability rather than whether or not it has a throaty/blappy exhaust note.

--Patrick

I've primarily ridden motorcycles since I was in 10th grade as my main means of transportation. I always wear a helmet, and it's pretty quiet in there. I don't do the glassed out Harley thing though, either. The reason for those loud exhausts is safety. Every time you roll your eyes at some douche rolling his throttle at the stop light, remember you just noticed that douche, and now you know where he is.

As for bikes, I've never noticed any effect on my hearing from a bike helmet. As for price on those, I may ride a $1500 bike (basically the only expensive thing I've ever bought for myself), but I refuse to buy anything but a $20 Bell helmet. It feels as comfortable as the $200 helmets, and it's just as safe.

Chad Sexington said:

Yeah, but see, I have great hair. Who am I to deny the world the sight of my rakish good looks?

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The sad thing is, I have a friend who refuses to wear a helmet because he feels he'll look like an idiot.

Seriously, everyone looks like an idiot in a helmet.

fade said:

I refuse to buy anything but a $20 Bell helmet. It feels as comfortable as the $200 helmets, and it's just as safe.

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Hey, my Bieffe helmet cost $60...cuz it was the cheapest full-face I could find that was fiberglass at the time.

--Patrick

PatrThom said:

Hey, my Bieffe helmet cost $60...cuz it was the cheapest full-face I could find that was fiberglass at the time.

--Patrick

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Motorcycle helmets will always cost more than bicycle helmets. Notably, this helmet is not rated for motorcycle use, only bicycle use.[DOUBLEPOST=1368544537][/DOUBLEPOST]

PatrThom said:

That's what I was referring to in my anecdote above. I would wear complete gear (full-face helmet, long pants, gloves, etc) no matter the weather even though my bike was only a 72cc with a top speed of about 45MPH. It paid off when I didn't have to lose face.

FWIW, if I ever get another bike, my purchase decisions will be based far more on TCO and capability rather than whether or not it has a throaty/blappy exhaust note.

--Patrick

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You should totally spend a lot of money on the bikes my company builds then: http://currentmotor.com and rest easy knowing that your purchase pays my salary. Also that you're riding a device running my software.

Ooo! Your company has celebrity endorsements! (sort of)

--Patrick

BananaHands said:

Seriously, everyone looks like an idiot in a helmet.

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These guys disagree...