To go full face or not that’s the question?

[highpeakrider]

So I’ve spent a number of hours looking at helmets and reading forums.
Makes me wonder just how many on here use a full face for every day riding?

I don’t, but I have a really good open face mips helmet which gets used every ride.

I’ve never questioned using a full face in the past thinking they are for the young that go downhill very fast.

Now at 60 , retired and riding alot I've started the question this.
The driver really was the move to my Whyte 160, and I keep thinking I’m riding a lot faster, not really rough stuff, just the standard Peak District stuff, no bike parks.

I don’t have a habit of putting myself in silly situations, having a bad back and missing disc I try and keep myself safe.

But as winter comes in and I blast down lanes and roads at 30mph plus I keep questioning doing it in an open face with no chin or cheek protection.

I fully understand it’s a personal thing, but do wonder what risk I’m taking, what would the benefit be, what is the downside, would I get extra protection from the howling wind and rain.

What does the EMBT collective think about using full face for aggressive cross country?
I wonder what percent of the people on here use one, especially us over 60 youngsters?

 

[Pdoz]

If it's under 34 c I have my lid in full face mode. Digging teeth out of lips is NOT fun.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I think as there are now so many that vent well, don't inhibit vision and are comfortable - it's not the heavy hot unpleasant feeling like putting your head up a cow's bottom anymore.

I had a winter one, which was just too hot for summer so mainly rode open face. A few months back I decided I really needed a summer full face just because you never know when that unfortunate miss hap will happen ..

On my second ride with it, in a situation when I normally wouldn't wear a full face - out with the horse - but was planning a proper ride afterwards. The horse was spooked by someone in a car doing double the speed limit and accelerating hard still, panicked, jumped up and round, knocked me flying and stood on my head. If I'd not had the full face I'd probably be dead.

You just never know ...

 

[KeithR]

But as winter comes in and I blast down lanes and roads at 30mph plus I keep questioning doing it in an open face with no chin or cheek protection.

You've answered your own question there.

 

[Ami]

65 and been riding over a year on my Levo. When I bought the bike, my LBS convinced me to convert to a full face as they knew how fast and hard I ride and and how often I crash! We looked at several but I ended up with the Bell Super Air R MIPS. Best decision I ever made as it's saved my face more times then I care to recall. It's super light, great air flow and very comfortable. Prior to buying the Bell, I was riding with the Specialized Ambush, those helmets haven't been used in over a year as I now even ride my other MTB's with the Bell's. I'm so used to the FF helmets that I'm not comfortable riding without them at this point, even in the heat of summer.

BTW, I pretty much ride every day and average roughly 70 miles a week. The darn battery keeps me from getting in more miles!

Hope that helps, AMI in Dallas, Texas

 

[highpeakrider]

I've gone with the Bell Super Air R MIPS direct from Bell, comes with a free return label if I need to send it back.
Very little stock locally so I'll give this a go as a start and hopefully the sizing is OK and I like it.
Seems to get good reviews for the type of riding I do.........

Thanks guys

 

[JoeBlow]

I have a Bell Super DH but don't wear it very often with the chin guard fitted. Part of the reason is self consciousness. I'm 73 and although I do the down hills, blues and reds, I'm not super fast on the gnarly reds and feel as if I would look a bit ridiculous. You know all the gear and no idea. Sometimes on man made trails with a hard core and a hard surface where it's possible to build some speed up I do put it on. The problem is it makes me feel invincible and I do things with it on that I would not do otherwise I'm afraid there is no real logic to my decision I tend to go on how I feel at the time.

Al

 

[Gary]

as winter comes in and I blast down lanes and roads at 30mph plus I keep questioning doing it in an open face with no chin or cheek protection.

for that sort of riding I don't wear a helmet at all. But I deem the risk of accident as minimal. (you may not)
I commute a hilly 80-100miles a week on a mix of busy roads and quiet lanes at an average of 15mph and max speed of 40mph+ and haven't ever worn a helmet to do so.
I'd actually consider the sight and sound reduction from wearing a full face on a bicycle in built up areas more of a risk.

in the Peak district I'd probably take a normal xc lid and put it on for the descents.

You sound quite a careful sensible rider. i think you'd be best to just make the call based on your own risk perception.

 

[Randy]

If you crash and land on your face without a full face lid you're going to wish you had one. If you don't crash and you're wearing a full face you're going to be more uncomfortable and look a bit more silly. You pays you're money...

 

[Konanige]

for that sort of riding I don't wear a helmet at all. But I deem the risk of accident as minimal. (you may not)
I commute a hilly 80-100miles a week on a mix of busy roads and quiet lanes at an average of 15mph and max speed of 40mph+ and haven't ever worn a helmet to do so.
I'd actually consider the sight and sound reduction from wearing a full face on a bicycle in built up areas more of a risk.

in the Peak district I'd probably take a normal xc lid and put it on for the descents.

You sound quite a careful sensible rider. i think you'd be best to just make the call based on your own risk perception.

I'm sorry to say that you sir sound like a complete idiot! Take some responsibility for your own safety !!

 

[Neverbeentomoab]

I currently wear a normal enduro style helmet but am considering a fox drop frame for a bit more coverage not quite a full face but more than I have now. Only problem is there £180 and because of COVID you can’t try helmets on at the moment. Don’t think I could wear a full face unless it was on an uplift day.

 

[Gary]

I'm sorry to say that you sir sound like a complete idiot! Take some responsibility for your own safety !!

I take FULL responsibility for my own safety.
You "sir" sound like you have difficulty understanding that it's of absolutely no concern of yours when I choose to wear a bike helmet and when I choose not to. If you run around calling everyone who makes different choices to yourself an "idiot" you have probably far bigger issues with personal safety than I.

 

[Voluptua]

You could put a plastic bag over your head! I offered to do this in a shop, but they let me try one on without.

 

[Konanige]

I can't be bothered to argue with people who think their skull is made from steel plate!

 

[Gary]

I have a feeling you'd lose no matter who you'd pick an argument with.

 

[ian6354]

for that sort of riding I don't wear a helmet at all. But I deem the risk of accident as minimal. (you may not)
I commute a hilly 80-100miles a week on a mix of busy roads and quiet lanes at an average of 15mph and max speed of 40mph+ and haven't ever worn a helmet to do so.
I'd actually consider the sight and sound reduction from wearing a full face on a bicycle in built up areas more of a risk.

in the Peak district I'd probably take a normal xc lid and put it on for the descents.

You sound quite a careful sensible rider. i think you'd be best to just make the call based on your own risk perception.

Pretty crazy way of assessing risk, you never know where it may present itself.

I was in an unfortunate position a few weeks back where I received a call from my Son's mate. They'd been out on a pretty long XC ride and on my lad a pretty bad accident on a quiet lane when he had to avoid a speeding car that was heading towards him. He sustained some pretty nasty injuries but I'm pretty sure it would of been another story had he not of been wearing his lid. There wasn't a lot left of the helmet!

I'm not one to teach anyone to suck eggs we all make our own choices, just like the t@at speeding towards him that day!

 

[Zimmerframe]

Gents ....

@Gary as an individual who is attractive to all members of society and experienced in your field, as much as you hate it, you set an example .. dumb twonks like me get on a bike and fall off .. if we don't wear a helmet - we end up even more stupid than we were before we decided to not wear a helmet - which is not a good spiral to be in ..

Whilst I'm pretty sure @Konanige doesn't find you attractive, his view point only suggests he's concerned for your well being.

now if you PM'd him a picture - it might be a different story.

 

[Gary]

I hope your son makes a full and speedy recovery.

You actually can't risk assess against complete freak accident situations. a pedestrian could just as easily have been hurt by the speeding twat in the car.
How many pedestrians wear head protection?

 

[ian6354]

I hope your son makes a full and speedy recovery.

You actually can't risk assess against complete freak accident situations. a pedestrian could just as easily have been hurt by the speeding twat in the car.
How many pedestrians wear head protection?

Thanks

I do see your point, I'd personally prefer to have the protection and never need it than not have it and ........

 

[Gary]

you set an example .

My example. Given in post #8 if you read it thoroughly. Was actually recommending thinking for yourself. and risk assessing based on your own experience.

 

[Zimmerframe]

My example. Given in post #8 if you read it thoroughly. Was actually recommending thinking for yourself. and risk assessing based on your own experience.

Yes, but your example is that you're so attractive that even with your head inverted you'd still be pretty hot ..

 

[Nicho]

So I’ve spent a number of hours looking at helmets and reading forums.
Makes me wonder just how many on here use a full face for every day riding?

I don’t, but I have a really good open face mips helmet which gets used every ride.

I’ve never questioned using a full face in the past thinking they are for the young that go downhill very fast.

Now at 60 , retired and riding alot I've started the question this.
The driver really was the move to my Whyte 160, and I keep thinking I’m riding a lot faster, not really rough stuff, just the standard Peak District stuff, no bike parks.

I don’t have a habit of putting myself in silly situations, having a bad back and missing disc I try and keep myself safe.

But as winter comes in and I blast down lanes and roads at 30mph plus I keep questioning doing it in an open face with no chin or cheek protection.

I fully understand it’s a personal thing, but do wonder what risk I’m taking, what would the benefit be, what is the downside, would I get extra protection from the howling wind and rain.

What does the EMBT collective think about using full face for aggressive cross country?
I wonder what percent of the people on here use one, especially us over 60 youngsters?

I am over 60 and I thoroughly recommend the MET Parachute MCR.

It is very comfortable and well ventilated and can be worn with or without the chinbar depending on how you feel on the day (although I always wear it with the chinbar as it feels far more protective, and you forget the chinbar is there until you try to take a drink!). I have worn it all through the summer and have had no problem with overheating (and I do get hot very quickly). It has lots of adjustments for size and fit and is the most comfortable and protective bike helmet I have ever had.

It is quick and easy to attach and detach the chinbar.

It has very good safety test ratings and certification (according to MET it exceeds the internationally agreed standards for downhill helmets, and is the highest rated helmet with a removable chinbar).

For us over 60s (and others with glasses, hearing aids, etc ) it is also much easier than most other full-face helmets to put on and take off whilst wearing glasses, hearing aids etc due to the way you put it on in two parts (it will also make it easier for them to remove it when they wheel you into the hospital).

 

[Gary]

I'm off for a break from the outragous flirting.

stay safe boys

 

[Funkeydunk]

I looked at it like this, how much does it cost to replace your teeth, not to mention the pain and future agony, that was the motivation to buy my FF helmet.

 

[highpeakrider]

I see what @Gary means and he does his own risk assessment.

I've ridden for 40 years with an open face without incident, however I've got older, being retired i'm riding more and riding a 160 mm Ebike I'm now riding faster so my risk assessment is changing.
I've also never used knee or elbow protection and that is being reviewed along with the helmet.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I've also never used knee or elbow protection

Remember, some people really find these really uncomfortable on their heads.

 

[Eddy Current]

So I’ve spent a number of hours looking at helmets and reading forums.
Makes me wonder just how many on here use a full face for every day riding?

I don’t, but I have a really good open face mips helmet which gets used every ride.

I’ve never questioned using a full face in the past thinking they are for the young that go downhill very fast.

Now at 60 , retired and riding alot I've started the question this.
The driver really was the move to my Whyte 160, and I keep thinking I’m riding a lot faster, not really rough stuff, just the standard Peak District stuff, no bike parks.

I don’t have a habit of putting myself in silly situations, having a bad back and missing disc I try and keep myself safe.

But as winter comes in and I blast down lanes and roads at 30mph plus I keep questioning doing it in an open face with no chin or cheek protection.

I fully understand it’s a personal thing, but do wonder what risk I’m taking, what would the benefit be, what is the downside, would I get extra protection from the howling wind and rain.

What does the EMBT collective think about using full face for aggressive cross country?
I wonder what percent of the people on here use one, especially us over 60 youngsters?

wasnt the removable chin ff helmets made for this situations?

 

[Nicho]

I see what @Gary means and he does his own risk assessment.

I've ridden for 40 years with an open face without incident, however I've got older, being retired i'm riding more and riding a 160 mm Ebike I'm now riding faster so my risk assessment is changing.
I've also never used knee or elbow protection and that is being reviewed along with the helmet.

According to a very experienced A&E consultant I know, if you are over 60 your chances of fully recovering from major trauma, such as a bone fracture, are dramatically reduced by as much as 40%, so older riders using all the protective gear they can comfortably wear makes a lot of sense.

 

[highpeakrider]

@Zimmerframe I think you'll be alright mate, have you got steel toecap shoes on?????

 

[Charlie]

I'm in the same age bracket.
I have the Bell mips full face.
Used to wear it without the bar but after a few spills I leave it on now.
Cheek pads bed in with time like a motorcycle helmet.
Can't risk knocking out all my front implants.
I would say they would not repair well.
Cost enough to get done in the first place.
The older ya get the less ya care what you look like.