You seem to be a a multi-discipline cyclist wondering if you can use your mountain bike helmet for road biking. While it’s common to want to use gear across various cycling disciplines, safety should always come first. In this article, we’ll delve into the reasons why a mountain bike helmet isn’t recommended for road biking and explore the differences between the two helmets to help you make an informed decision about the best helmet for your cycling needs.
Let’s Understand The debate!
There’s a debate going on in the cycling world about whether riders should invest in different helmets for different disciplines or use one helmet for all.
On one hand, purchasing a different helmet for each discipline can be costly and can lead to clutter in your gear. On the other hand, helmets are designed with specific disciplines in mind, and using the wrong kind of helmet can potentially put you at risk.
Mountain bike helmets tend to be heavier and have more coverage than road bike helmets due to the rougher terrain and potential for more dangerous crashes. Road bike helmets, on the other hand, are lighter and more aerodynamic, making them better suited for higher speeds on smoother surfaces.
That being said, all helmets must meet certain safety standards, and there are similarities between the EPS blown-foam structure and impact resistance properties of road and mountain bike helmets.
Also, many riders, even professional cross-country mountain bikers, are opting to use road bike helmets for off-road riding. [1]
Why you shouldn’t use a road bike helmet for mountain biking
1- Coverage Issues
Road cycling takes place on smoother surfaces, so the risk of serious head injury is typically lower. So Road bike helmets tend to be more aerodynamic and lighter weight. They’re not as focused on saving the ears and skull.
Off-road cycling often takes place on rough, rocky terrain, making it more dangerous in terms of potential impacts.
Off-road cycling can be more dangerous than road cycling due to the rough terrain and obstacles, such as rocks and roots.
As a result, the importance of total helmet coverage for off-road riding cannot be overstated.
Mountain bike helmets are specifically designed with extended coverage, protecting the rider’s head in case of impact from a rock, boulder or root. Compared to road bike helmets, mountain bike helmets are heavier due to the extra structure around the lower-aft portion, providing full head protection. [2]
Gravel riding and cross-country mountain biking are two disciplines that fall somewhere in between road and off-road cycling. They may not require as much coverage as a true mountain biking helmet, but a road bike helmet may not offer enough protection in all circumstances.
2- The role of Mips and slip-plane liner in crash-energy dispersion
One the revolutionary developments in helmet safety technology is the introduction of Mips and slip-plane liners. These liners are designed to help dissipate crash energy and reduce rotational motion transferred to the brain during an impact.
Mips and slip-plane liners allow 10-15mm of relative motion between the helmet and the head in all directions in order to reduce the risk of minor and severe brain injuries.
Today, Mips is an ingredient brand that is incorporated into helmets made by a wide range of manufacturers across various disciplines, including biking, snow sports, and more. The technology has been thoroughly tested, with thousands of helmet tests performed since its inception.
Using a road bike helmet for off-road riding (Some Benefits)
1- The lighter weight of road bike helmets
Road helmets are considered lighter than their traditional off-road counterparts. This is because road bikers need to generate more speed on smooth roads, and a lighter helmet ensures less weight being carried.
Off-road riding, on the other hand, requires more robust protection, and that means more materials and therefore additional weight in the helmet.
Having a lighter helmet has advantages, especially when riding over long distances, which is typical of road biking. Less neck fatigue is one such advantage, especially when pedaling over many hours.
Additionally, with plenty of airflow in a road bike helmet, riders can stay cool in hot weather conditions.
2- The Aero advantage of road bike helmets
Road bike helmets are designed to be sleek and streamline, which reduces wind drag when riding at high speeds. The smooth, round shape of road helmets allows air to flow smoothly over the helmet, reducing the force of wind resistance and, in turn, allowing the rider to ride faster and more efficiently.
Furthermore, most road bike helmets feature fewer vents than mountain bike helmets. This may seem counterintuitive, as vents are typically associated with ventilation and cooling.
However, fewer vents actually reduce air drag and increase the helmet’s aerodynamic performance.
3- The similarity in EPS blown-foam structure and impact resistance
EPS blown-foam is a significant component of both mountain and road bike helmets. The foam is designed to manage energy during impact and reduce the severity of head injuries.
Despite the different requirements of both disciplines, mountain and road helmets have a fundamentally similar EPS blown-foam structure.
This structure is responsible for providing impact resistance to the helmet, thus protecting the head from damage.
