Helmets?

**Rhys** · 11-30-2009 04:43 AM

Hey,

I've recently made my plunge into the world of longboarding. My Apex 37 is currently shipping. With it's shipping, I started to wonder about safety gear. I have a mate who started longboarding at around the same time, he lives in a basin, near a pretty large mountain, so as you would expect the streets around there are fairly steep. Which is great. The answer I'm looking for is this: is a full face helmet worth the extra cost. I can get one just under $100AUD, but I'm not sure I really need it. The roads we're to be riding speed up pretty quick, and I'm guessing we will be averaging 50-60k's (apex. 30mph, I think). I don't mind wearing a full face helmet, and I'd prefer the extra safety, especially after we improve and reach higher speeds. So if anyone could speak from experience, it'd be much appreciated.

Also, hi, I'm Rhys.

**TitoBoy** · 11-30-2009 05:01 AM

Yes, IMHO the full face is worth the extra cost if you're going 50-60 kph on your apex 37.

Welcome to the 'fish Rhys .

**Rhys** · 11-30-2009 05:12 AM

Ok, sweet.

That's a plus I guess. Full face helmets are more comfortable, imo.

**TitoBoy** · 11-30-2009 05:21 AM

Originally Posted by Rhys

Ok, sweet.

That's a plus I guess. Full face helmets are more comfortable, imo.

+ they make u look like a bamf

**Rhys** · 11-30-2009 05:26 AM

Haha, that picture reminds me.

What kind of helmet should I get? Is a road helmet a must, or will a dirt bike helmet suffice? I might be able to get a dirt bike helmet for free, so if I were to remove the visor it could work well.

**Grubz** · 12-07-2009 12:33 AM

honestly a dirt bike helmet would be perfect, thats what i use for bombing hills, i have a dirt bike helmet from Mace, and i took the visor off as well

**sterlingc** · 12-07-2009 12:44 AM

The best thing you can do is calll up the mountain bike shops in your area and ask them how many brands and styles of full face helmets they have and head to the shop with the most choices. Then try a bunch of them on and make sure you find a good fit for your head shape and gives you enough visibility.

D ring style chin straps are safer and less likely to come off of your head in a crash than the plastic clip straps.

Also there are a bunch of DOT (motorcycle) approved mountain biking helmets that are lower profile than a motorcycle helmet but more protective than a standard mountain biking helmet, I would go for one of those personally.

**WolfOnWheels** · 12-07-2009 01:10 AM

Awesome shit = http://store.dsrpowersports.com/20afxfxdusp.html

**PurrCrabs** · 12-07-2009 01:33 AM

Honestly.... shouldn't have gotten an Apex if you'll be going 30mph, especially for your first board. If you learn to go that fast on it though... you'll go much faster with ease on a regular DH setup
Check out the Bell Drop, good helmet, light weight

**TitoBoy** · 12-07-2009 02:45 AM

I've read lots of good things about the bell drop, haven't had the chance to try it out yet though.

I use a 661 full comp helmet and an o' neal fury . Fairly inexpensive, feel solid and yet aren't overly bulky IME.

**xsx304** · 01-03-2010 09:11 PM

did you order the black springs for the apex? becareful i bit it hard today with my apex, i dont think i was going 30 but that thing can be a beast. i have regular springs in it, they were looser then normal beacuse i forgot to tighten them back up from previous day of shreddin.

oh yea, wear a helmet ^_^ i didnt and i got lucky, headed out to buy one on tuesday.

**tniggs56** · 01-03-2010 09:20 PM

Get white springs i hit 25 on my custom 35 today and it didnt shake at all, tried it with my black springs couple weeks back and i dumped pretty good.