BMX, which stands for Bicycle Motocross, is a cycle sport performed on BMX bikes and it’s extremely popular Australia wide. BMX bikes are not like regular ones. They have a lower frame height and smaller wheel size, but wider handlebars. This is a sport that certainly involves some risks and one wrong move can easily result in a fall that might have serious consequences. For that very reason, it’s important that these riders, especially kids and beginners, are protected with the adequate BMX safety gear. On top of this list are BMX helmets Australia riders should wear. Let’s see why and what are some of the most important things to keep in mind when buying.
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BMX Helmets
In order to avoid serious head injuries, all BMX riders need a properly fitting BMX helmet. There are different types of comfortable and safe BMX helmets Australia retailers offer. These can vary from the very lightweight construction of the road helmets to fully protective ones. The frequently recommended helmet type is the full-face helmet that is used for avoiding injuries during a collision with other BMX racers, as it protects the head, mouth, and teeth. These helmets are mostly used for racing.
There is another type of helmet that features an open face and resembles an urban type of BMX bike helmet. It provides good coverage on the temporal regions (the area behind the ears, commonly associated with processing auditory information and with the encoding of memory) and the occipital region (the back and the lower area of your head).
The choice of your helmet will depend on your riding level and style. BMX helmets have a simple design, are durable and budget-friendly. Almost every BMX helmet is made up of an expanded polystyrene (EPS) liner that is wrapped in a poly-carbonate outer shell. EPS is a crushable foam that is really effective at dispersing high-velocity impacts, which makes it ideal for use in helmets. They also have an adjustable chinstrap that clips into place and it stops the helmet from coming off in a crash.
Fit
How Do You Size a BMX Helmet?
The most important step is measuring your head. You should measure the circumference of your head by wrapping a tape measure around your forehead, just above your eyebrows and ears. Make sure that the tape remains at a mid-forehead level, as this is where the brim of the helmet will fit. It’s recommended that you measure 2 or 3 times and take the largest of the 3 measurements as your best fit. In case you don’t have a tape measure, use a string and then measure it against a ruler.
There are different sizes of BMX helmets, including toddlers, small, medium, and large size helmets. There are also larger sizes than 66.3cm, but they might have to be specially ordered.
- 47cm – 52.1cm – toddlers size
- 53cm – small
- 54cm – 56.8cm – medium
- 57.8cm – 66.3cm – large
However, in different brands, these dimensions may differ in a few cm. A properly fitting helmet should sit firmly on your head without shifting or moving. To check, turn your head from side to side and nod back and forth to make sure the fit is right.
Retention System
The retention system should be properly fitted – you should be able to fit two fingers between the strap and your chin, thus the strap should make a V shape underneath your ears. Both these areas have to be easy to adjust and remain securely in place.
Tightening Mechanism
There are helmets that have a secondary retention system, one that tightens an inner shell or brace around your head, and another one on the occipital bone. It creates a snug fit, an additional layer of comfort and stability. However, make sure that the shell shape is right and that you don’t only rely on the tightening mechanism for what’s otherwise a poorly fitting helmet.
Bike Helmet Care
Many people tend to use chemical cleaners, use extremely hot water, and wash their helmets in the dishwasher. All these practices of cleaning can end up destroying or damaging your helmet, meaning they can affect its structural integrity, making it less effective in the event of an accident. Instead, you can wipe the exterior of the helmet with a moist cloth to clean the dirt, mud, and grease. And when the inside of the helmet requires some freshening up, you can use a little shampoo. Use your fingertips and rub the shampoo into the padding until you’re feeling like you’ve covered the entire helmet.
After that, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Make sure that you get the shampoo out, because if not, you may find it stinging your eyes the next time you get on your BMX bike. In the end, dab dry with a soft towel and allow it to air dry. Keep in mind that the padding is removable as well. When the pads begin to wear over time, there’s no need to replace the entire helmet, just replace the pads.
