mammal profile

Because carbon doesn't fatigue, as long as it's bending within it's design envelope, repeated flexing should be fine. Good theory, but as always, it depends on the execution.

OMB, it depends how you interpret the message. I agree with Niels' interpretation.

"I'm convinced that the best thing you can do is buy a helmet that fits your head, is comfortable, and stays firmly in place. By doing that you're going to be far better off than worrying about the latest advancements in helmet science arguments."

If you add a "just" in between "than worrying", it's crystal clear. I don't think Dave is saying it's complete bullshit, I think he's pointing out the weak point in system, and encouraging where the focus should be.

The chundery runout directly after "crack of dispair" (I think).

5th and 6th photo from the bottom... Is that the Dales hell run-out? Man, props for always sending that line in these tests, the aftermath of that scares the bejesus out of me.

Lame motorbikes.

Very true.

As someone who doesn't carry a portable tire gauge, my point up top about varying pressure with temp also applies to tires. 30psi in the warm is waaaay different once you hit the trail at 4 degrees C. Again, might be obvious to some, but I was surprised how much of a difference it makes.

Great article. WRT Manitou seals, they also have great low-temp bath oil that they use for the Mastodon. Had my Mattoc done with that same oil for last winter, and it made a big difference around 0C.

I'd just like to add the most obvious factor for air springs, maybe not mentioned in the article because it's so obvious. If you air-up your springs at the house (warm ambient), and then get out for a super cold ride, the relative pressure in the air spring will become way less than it was when you checked/adjusted it in the warm environment. Very drastic changes, so make sure you check/adjust air springs once your bike has adjusted temp to match the riding environment. Same thing (but opposite) if you check/adjust air springs in a nice, cool basement suit, and then head out for a 35C ride.

With regards to EPS, if the foam is compressed from impact, it should be replaced in case you impact the same spot again (protective qualities compromised). Not just the case of a cracked helmet (I'm certainly not telling you what to do though).

That said, yeah, my events have always been either OTB or really abrupt slide-outs. Both those scenarios involve a very small likelihood of front-rim impact. I'd say that's road/commuter data, for a large part.

I find that one interesting, because I don't remember ever having a significant crash (one that would require helmet replacement), to the front rim of the helmet. Side-rim, front-middle/top and side-middle/top, mostly. I've never wrecked a helmet visor in a crash, even in 4 straight years of DH racing (back in the day).

This could just be me, and my crash tenancies, because crashes are very dynamic things that depend on tonnes of factors... But that graph surprised me.

Lots of NV trails devolve into ultra-sensitive dust bowls in the tail end of the summer and into fall these days. And spot-on about sensitive trails after lots of rain or winter conditions... It pains me when I hear nonchalant attitudes about riding "loamers" when it should be glaringly obvious that those trails are in rehab mode. And for the dust-bowl conditions, riding a bit slower and more carefully through corners is a must to avoid complete disintegration. 

Some trails are definitely designed for the all-weather traffic (including the 3 mentioned above), and things are coming a long way in that respect.  But this serves as a really good reminder that the old RDS mantra may not be embraced like it was, and everyone needs to do their part in order to minimize our impact. At least on our own terms.

Yep, I love the fact that mountain bikes are human powered, and I also love the challenge of value-oriented mountain bike enjoyment. E-mtb will never be more appealing than conventional mtb to this rider.