There is no conclusive evidence that any road helmet protects cyclists from anything more than falling off their bike when they bang their heads. And even that is controversial when you talk about concussion rather than the flesh wound.
I realise you weren’t responding to me, but I’m going to see if I can spark a helmet debate anyhoo 
I think your post might need a bit of editing mate - it doesn’t really make sense.
There is no conclusive evidence that any road helmet protects cyclists from anything more than falling off their bike when they bang their heads
Unless you’re suggesting that there is a reduced chance of focal coordination deficits following head trauma that would then, once the rider re-mounts, prevent a further dismount?
I don’t even know what a “helmet debate” is supposed to be about.
They can make you more aero.
They usually increase core body temperatures.
They almost always reduce peak impact forces upon impact and so concussive forces.
They reduce the risk of Pterion or frontal lobe fractures leading to extradural bleeds.
Road helmets not large enough to increase peak torsional forces on the neck (although full faces can/do)
They do not necessarily correlate with all-cause mortality for cyclists because the water is muddied by drivers treating helmeted cyclists differently to cyclists with a bare head (so helmeted cyclists are more likely to be carelessly murdered).
What is there to debate?
Whether they look cool or not?
They don’t look cool, but some helmets look cooler than others.
Edited to clarify in case anyone thought that driving into a cyclist because they are wearing a helmet and can take it isn’t murder.
I think we all agree that the coolest looking helmets are keirin helmets
And you can use a keiren helmet for Saturday night roller derby!
Probably not wrong. Same can be said about motorcycle helmets, construction helmets, baseball helmets, football helmets, hockey helmets, etc.
The helmets “just” protect the head and whats inside… no biggie.
I know more than one person who life was save because they were wearing a helmet. Big hits to head, concussion, but everything else perfect… No helmet and direct hit is probably death. I dont know about you, but I dont want to find out.
A problem with “off brand” helmets is that it gives owners false sense of security. Similar to people who wear helmets improperly (usually too small, or too loose). Would you dare to ride 30 mph downhill, with no helmet? I hesitate with a helmet on!
I think the major discourse is if the use of helmet and laws that require people to use helmets discourage the use of bikes for commuting.
The helmet safety debate is a weird one. Most cyclists that have been cycling a long time have had their helmet either save their lives or at least prevent a serious injury.
But people always go on about how they don’t do anything, usually citing studies that don’t look at sports cycling (e.g. looking at dutch cycling statistics).
This is a rare case where I trust anecdotes more. Especially since I’ve just had to throw a helmet due to a fall that at a minimum would have concussed me.
I’ll reiterate the point in case you missed it in my post. It’s quite simple.
Helmets protect the head if it were to take an impact. This is not up for discussion (if you’re wearing a full face, wear a neck brace).
The helmet argument is about whether or not helmets should be legally mandatory.
The evidence says that:
Conclusion: Do not mandate helmet wearing, but wear a helmet if you think the risk of you falling off your bike for reasons of your own doing is nonzero.
In practice: I intentionally do not wear a helmet to commute. I do wear a helmet to ride my MTB. I mostly wear a helmet for road cycling.
I’ll say I generally wear a helmet, but “the helmet saved my life” stuff irritates me a bit to be honest. Unless there’s testing of the exact same circumstances with and without, it’s not really a legitimate claim based on the state of the helmet, or the conclusion of an ER doctor who may or may not be qualified in helmet safety despite being medically qualified.
One thing their not designed for is multi-impact collisions which they are if you are hit by a car, which is another reason the mandated helmet laws are a nonsense.
Anyone have the Met Trenta? I just ordered the 3k carbon version on sale at BTD. I searched the forum but didn’t see anyone sharing their experience with it.
But would you pay a lot MORE for a helmet that is LESS SAFE?
How about wheels? Would you pay a lot MORE for a wheelset that is LESS SAFE? For instance, a hookless road tubeless wheelset? Less safe, more money?
Always wanted to test it, never been able to.
Hi Brian,
I work for MET so it’s great to read that you have a Trenta 3k! The 3k offers the best balance in our range between aerodynamics, ventilation and weight.
Although we are well established in other markets, we are relatively new in the US which might be why you haven’t seen so many comments on TR about.
If you do early bird rides or ride at dusk, we do a handy USB rechargeable led that clips onto the back of the retention of the helmet.
Cheers,
Jo
No idea if a helmet has saved my life. Have walked (well, hobbled slowly) away from a ~30mph collision with a car (their fault not mine) with an intact skull, no concussion, and a helmet that was caved in and cracked. Obviously impossible to know what the damage to my head would have been without the helmet but looking at it I’m in no hurry to put that to the test! Never ride without one personally, but certainly wouldn’t want to see them mandated as generally anything which may discourage people from getting on their bikes is a bad thing in my view. Plus anybody riding without a helmet isn’t putting anybody else at risk.
I think this is a critical point….people see a cracked / broken helmet and say “OMG, this helmet saved my life!!!” when in reality, your head is much harder than a helmet and the helmet is supposed to crack (thereby protecting your head). They are not equivalent.
Just to be clear, I am 100% NOT advocating for riding without helmets. I wear one every time I ride and would never consider riding without one. Just pointing out that the “it saved my life” anecdotes are likely overblown.
That’s what I was really getting at, said much better. Although they seem to manage “utility” cycling quite well without helmets (and hiviz) where they haven’t dangerised cycling so much and it isn’t part of the culture wars.
I find ‘the helmet saved my life’ argument depressing. A mate of mine lost his life to a head trauma whilst wearing a helmet. I wear a helmet myself, its my choice, one has probably saved me from a ride ending gouge but I could never claim it has saved my life 
My light trolling has succeeded mwah ha ha, but seriously I already regret bringing it up.
Forgive me!
I’m just annoyed I’ve bought a Ballista instead of a Velocis.
This is what my helmet looked like after crashing during a race. But it did not save my life…I would have died anyhow were it not for helicopters.
Not $500, but getting pretty close…the merino brow pad seems like a big miss.
Yes, Trenta 3k Carbon Mips. Fitted & suited me much better than the alternatives I tried - but all personal innit! Very happy with it.
