> What’s the main difference between skate and bicycle helmets? I’m not
> talking asthetics or materials or weight etc, but what kind of knocks is
> each one designed to take??
According to a voluntary draft Snell standard [http://www.smf.org],
extreme sport helmets (which includes skating) have greater coverage
and sharp object (e.g. curb edge) impact test requirements on top of
the usual bicycle helmet stuff. In practice, skate helmets may also
be more durable, but manufacturers will always tell you to replace a
helmet after a fall.
That’s what I figured, but I don’t understand why a lot of unicycle and bike trials riders wear traditional bicycle helmets, as surely there are more edges on a trials course!
Skate hemets can take more than one impact, cycle helmets are designed to crumple so need replacement after a impact.
As to why many nevertheless prefer cycle helmets, I suspect it’s because they’re better ventilated and seem to cope with sweat better (I have a skate and a cycle helmet and tend to wear the cycle one for that reason).
I think the most important piece of safety gear is a pair of padded gloves. Never while unicycling has a helmet saved me from any sort of injury, but you never want to look back and think “I should have worn a helmet”, so the helmet is important, too
Other than that, the only part of my body that has sustained unicycle-related injuries are my legs inbetween my knees and my heels, and all that has been is minor flesh wounds. This can be prevented with some leg armor, but I prevent it by putting on some less aggressive pedals.
I’m glad you posted this. I ride a coker and had gotten into the habit of only wearing my helmet, based on several dozen moles without a UPD.
After reading this post, I decided to wear my knee pads and wrist guards yesterday morning.
I was timing my 3rd mile (I’m trying to break 5:45 for a mile) and fell forwards. My wrist and knee was protected, but I scraped my arm quite a bit.
I finished that mile (I stopped the timer when I fell, and re-started) Still 5:43 or so.
After that I rode home at a slow pace, no timing. For some reason I had another UPD. This time I ran for a few steps, turned around backwards and landed on my back, thumping my helmet on the ground.
I had trouble mounting after the first UPD. I guess it wasn’t my day. But I became a believer in safety equipment.
I think people get cycle helmets because that’s what they have lying around the house and then they just can’t be bothered switching. In some places I guess it could be hard getting a skate helmet? I had a bit of trouble finding an affordable skate helmet in my size.
I think it was a combination of me wording it poorly and you reading it wrong. What I meant was that when I hit my head, it’s usually on the back of my head, so this skate helmet is better than bike helmets for me.
Usually i wear military cargo pants cut to 3/4 length and a pair of blue Roach indie knee/shin pads. i cant afford to buy good freeride shorts currently so authentic Caros from the thrift store are the closest thing i can get to aleviate saddle catch.
i noticed many of you all sport SIXSIXONE gear any particular reason for sportin’ SIXSIXONE over Lizard Skinz, Roach or FOX gear? just curios?
My “Roach indies” where a gift and have came in handy when i was learning to ride. only problem i have is the size i inherited is a Large and they seem to be just a bit long for me. i can still wear them i just have to be careful to tuck the tongue of my sneekers under the pads.
i have also noticed a few riders actually today infact sporting “Kris Holm” brand leg and arm armour, is this a unicycle specific item?
