Okay, I laughed so hard because when I first started mtb you were a dork if you put a white foam thing on your head to look like a q-tip. Countless wrecks later I finally decided I was gonna splurge and get a Hammerhead(mtb has a STEEP learning curve!). That brings me to the era Dave discusses where it was "two straps will save your brain" territory. I recall getting my first Spesh helmet and being amazed with the "fit" because I didn't spend every 2 minutes adjusting those damned straps! And Uncle Piss-Pants who suddenly divulges the secrets of the universe? Priceless!
It stinks that companies make claims and just because they have two scientists who are vested in their creation people will believe that it's gospel. The history of helmets is rather new in this world and especially this sport. We've taken from the moto and skate worlds and tried to adapt them to our needs. Also, we just don't understand enough about the brain to know how to effectively design the ideal helmet. I'm surrounded by neuroscience researchers and they're still struggling to understand brain impulses! So, because we don't even understand how the brain works, how can we make an optimized product for each sport? Shy of just hanging your bike on the wall and admiring it there's no good way still to protect our most valuable asset.
I agree with Dave that helmet design has come a ways but there's still an understanding of the brain and how it is affected and we're still waiting for technology to help with that one. I do also agree with AJ's point about variables and hair is definitely one of them. It's like a MIPS under a MIPS under a MIPS because the skin on your scalp moves as well. There are probably too many variables to account for in this game but I suppose all we can do is support the companies so that their research gets supported? It's tough to show a real solution to this one. Good article though!
April 4, 2019, 9:19 a.m. - The Chez
Okay, I laughed so hard because when I first started mtb you were a dork if you put a white foam thing on your head to look like a q-tip. Countless wrecks later I finally decided I was gonna splurge and get a Hammerhead(mtb has a STEEP learning curve!). That brings me to the era Dave discusses where it was "two straps will save your brain" territory. I recall getting my first Spesh helmet and being amazed with the "fit" because I didn't spend every 2 minutes adjusting those damned straps! And Uncle Piss-Pants who suddenly divulges the secrets of the universe? Priceless! It stinks that companies make claims and just because they have two scientists who are vested in their creation people will believe that it's gospel. The history of helmets is rather new in this world and especially this sport. We've taken from the moto and skate worlds and tried to adapt them to our needs. Also, we just don't understand enough about the brain to know how to effectively design the ideal helmet. I'm surrounded by neuroscience researchers and they're still struggling to understand brain impulses! So, because we don't even understand how the brain works, how can we make an optimized product for each sport? Shy of just hanging your bike on the wall and admiring it there's no good way still to protect our most valuable asset. I agree with Dave that helmet design has come a ways but there's still an understanding of the brain and how it is affected and we're still waiting for technology to help with that one. I do also agree with AJ's point about variables and hair is definitely one of them. It's like a MIPS under a MIPS under a MIPS because the skin on your scalp moves as well. There are probably too many variables to account for in this game but I suppose all we can do is support the companies so that their research gets supported? It's tough to show a real solution to this one. Good article though!