How to Properly Fit a Bicycle Helmet with Art's Cyclery
Just weeks ago, I found myself careening down a steep mountain path. The road was clear (what luck!), the weather was perfect (what comfort!), and the vistas were inspiring (what a backdrop!). As I maneuvered corners and negotiated the canyon, I had a smile fixed permanently on my face.
Then, it happened.
A pothole, unseen and ill-willed, took hold of my front tire and sent me flying through the air. As my bicycle detached behind me, time slowed and my mind raced with everything I was grateful for: family, friends, puppies, sweet tasty burgers, and of course… my helmet.
My helmet was ruined but, fortunately, I walked away from the crash safe and sound. It was time to find something new to protect my noggin'.
Serendipitously, the latest Curious 52 challenge by Art's Cyclery made this a lot easier. With quick and simple instructions on how to properly fit a bicycle helmet, my trip to bike shop was made effortless. This was a big deal because, as I discovered, there are a lot of different helmets out there.
(My New Babies)
In the past, I had always clung to the idea that my helmet should cling to my head as tightly as possible. As Luke shows in the video, your helmet should follow Goldilocks’ own advice - not too loose, not too tight, but just right. Shaking my head like a wild man with the straps loose was a great test to see if the fit was right. I may have taken it a bit far, but definitely be sure to shake around to test the fit!
If you are searching for a new helmet, I encourage you to try on as many as possible until you find the one that really feels perfect. Even though the sizes may be the same, I found that some helmets were too tight or too loose in certain places. Tinker according to this lesson and you’ll know the right fit when you feel it.
Wear a helmet! Watch out for potholes! Shake!
