| If there is one vital piece of mountain biking | | | | design lighter, better ventilated mountain bike |
| equipment, it is your mountain bike helmet. The | | | | helmets. This may compromise reinforcement, and |
| purchase of your helmet should be at least as | | | | affect safety. Be sure to look for a sticker that |
| important as buying your bike. Whether in the city or | | | | states that the helmet meets the necessary safety |
| off-road, you have no business being on a bike, | | | | standards.The best indication of this is the CPSC logo, |
| without a mountain bike helmet.Although accidents | | | | or in Europe the CE logo, or alternatively SNELL |
| cannot be eliminated, wearing a helmet will reduce | | | | certification. Helmets with the ANSI standard are not |
| the risk and severity of a head injury by up to 88 | | | | recommended.Never wear a mountain bike helmet |
| percent.It is therefore worth spending as much as | | | | that has been in a crash. Even if the damage is not |
| you can afford on the best mountain bike helmet. | | | | visible, you should always replace it with a new |
| Your life may depend on it! It is an investment in | | | | helmet.One example of exceptional mountain bike |
| your safety, and will be used for a long time.If you | | | | helmets, is the Giro range. Their E2 is sleek, light, and |
| are a novice rider, buy your helmet from a store that | | | | comfortable. The unique Wind Tunnel Ventilation |
| specialize in biking equipment. Ask a knowledgeable | | | | system, offers all the channels and vents you need |
| sales person to advise you. A quality mountain bike | | | | for a cool ride.The Giro Rib Cage, and in-mold |
| helmet is of little use, if it isn't fitted properly.The | | | | technology ensures superb reinforcement. The |
| helmet should be placed evenly on your head, and | | | | snazzy Point of View Visor features an inventive |
| rest about 1" or 2.5cm above your eyebrows. Ensure | | | | internal clutch mechanism. Adjustment is secure. You |
| that the helmet doesn't tip forward or backward, but | | | | won't be distracted by irritating rattling on the |
| rests straight on your head.Your mountain bike | | | | trail.Giro also offers an infant mountain bike helmet, |
| helmet should fit snugly. Utilize the different foam | | | | the ME2. Kids adore them! The strap guides are |
| pads inside the helmet to get the tightest and most | | | | simple, and the buckle won't bite young skin. The |
| comfortable fit. Pull the chinstrap as tight as possible, | | | | helmet features a microshell with a built in bug |
| and adjust the side straps so that they rest just | | | | net.Young riders love looking and feeling cool with |
| below the ears. The chinstrap should never be on the | | | | Flume, the youth version of the mountain bike |
| point of the chin, but moved back.The helmet should | | | | helmet. They can choose between Lavender Space |
| pull down when you open your mouth wide, although | | | | Girl, Yellow/Black Flames, or Silver/Blue Flames.Take |
| there should be just about enough room to allow you | | | | your time when fitting a mountain bike helmet. It |
| to eat. If not, tighten the chinstrap. Make sure that | | | | may take 20 - 30 minutes to get the correct helmet |
| both buckles are on the jaw and under the ear.The | | | | fit. Examine all the different types and styles. |
| mountain bike helmet should not feel loose, or move | | | | Experiment with pad and strap positions.You will find |
| more than 1" or 2.5cm in any direction when you | | | | that mountain bike helmet that was made for you, |
| shake your head from side to side. If it does slip, | | | | that will hug your head snugly, and will enable you to |
| check and adjust the foam pads or side straps. If | | | | tackle any trail with confidence and a feeling of |
| you physically move the helmet, the skin on your | | | | security.For more information visit |
| forehead will move with it, if it is a proper fit.The | | | | Best-Mountain-Biking.comRika Susan of researches, |
| airflow over the head is the means of ventilation in a | | | | writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright |
| mountain bike helmet. Larger side vents also improve | | | | of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be |
| ventilation. There is usually a sweat band on the | | | | reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left |
| inside of the helmet to control sweat, and ensure | | | | intact. |
| comfort.Manufacturers are constantly striving to | | | | |