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