Mountain Bike Helmet Guide for Beginners

Mountain helmet safety statistics reveal a mind-blowing fact. When you wear a helmet while cycling, the chances of sustaining a head injury drop by 70%. This indicates that helmets are an absolute must-have in your cycling gear.

But, despite this, some cyclists prefer not to use helmets while riding on their e-bikes. Also, it’s important to note that wearing a helmet saves your life and reduces the severity of injuries in non-fatal accidents. This post will give you the ultimate guide for choosing a helmet for your electric mountain bike. 

Types of Mountain E-bike Helmets

Not all mountain bike helmets are designed the same. Riding a bike to work or for recreational purposes differs from attempting to break a world record or participating in a cycling competition. That’s why helmet manufacturers design different variations to meet diverse needs and circumstances.

While all helmets must pass rigorous safety tests, their appearances can be wildly distinct. It’s all about finding the right helmet that meets your unique style. The following are the different types of mountain bike helmets.

Commuter Helmets

Commuter helmets have a few standout features that are worth noting. Unlike their sleek and performance-driven counterparts, these helmets prioritize comfort over aerodynamics, hence their bulky design. This design has numerous benefits, like ventilation, meaning you don’t have to worry about sweating during intense rides. Most of these helmets also come fitted with integrated reflectors or lights, which increase the rider’s visibility. 

Road Helmets

These helmets are all about lightweight performance and maximum ventilation. The helmets have an impressive aerodynamic profile, which allows them to slice through the air with minimal resistance. Road helmets are also engineered to handle high impact in case of an accident. These helmets often feature extended rear head coverage, which helps to protect the back of your head in case you fall backward. 

Mountain Bike Helmets

Full-face Helmets

Full-face mountain bike helmets are designed for people who love the thrill of riding down hills or participating in endurance races. Their robust design ensures that they offer maximum protection on electric bikes. Their design ensures that you remain safe without compromising on airflow.

Half-shell Helmets

These helmets are ideal for cross-country and trail mountain bikers. Half-shell helmets offer optimal ventilation, ensuring you stay cool and comfortable even during those grueling uphill climbs. In addition to being lighter than full-face helmets, half-shell helmets occupy less space, making them the ideal choice for backpacking escapades and other thrilling adventures.

However, if you like conquering chairlifts, dominating bike parks, or pushing your limits in enduro races, it is time to level up with a full-face helmet. Your safety and performance demand nothing less. 

Trail Helmets

Trail helmets have become a common choice for mountain biking. The helmets come in different forms, ranging from remarkably lightweight and well-ventilated designs to more robust options that provide enhanced protection. Additionally, they come with a wide array of protective liners equipped with advanced technologies, ensuring your safety during rides. 

Features to Look for When Choosing a Mountain E-bike Helmet

• 1. Ventilation

The vents on a helmet improve the airflow over your head, resulting in a cooler and more comfortable riding experience. Additionally, more vents contribute to a lighter overall helmet weight.

• 2. Fit and Comfort

Since you’ll be wearing the helmet for every mile of every ride with your fat bike UK, choosing a helmet that fits comfortably is crucial. To do that, you will need to measure the circumference of your head, as helmet sizes are determined based on this measurement.

• 3. Safety Certifications 

One of the most challenging parts of buying a mountain e-bike helmet is determining which helmet offers the highest level of safety. This is where safety certifications come in. These certifications establish the minimum helmet requirements and determine the ideal helmet for different riding situations. 

• 4. Visor and Goggles Compatibility

Having the appropriate eyewear for the task at hand is essential. It ensures clear vision and shields the eyes from unwanted debris and harmful sun rays. Choose a helmet with headgear designed to accommodate either goggles or visors, as this will protect your eyes during off-road biking. 

• 5. Padding and Adjustable Straps

A good MTB helmet should have sufficient padding to cushion your head in case of an impact. On the other hand, adjustable straps ensure that your helmet is well-secured and won’t fall off while riding. While these two might be minor aspects, they can easily cause confusion when donning an MTB helmet for the first time. 

• 6. Weight

Generally, mountain bike helmets are heavier compared to other helmets, thanks to their design. The additional weight primarily comes from the material used to make the helmet, featuring a thick shell and an extended rear section. However, different helmets have different weights. For instance, full-face helmets are heavier than half-shell or commuter helmets. So, before buying it, you must fit your helmet to see whether you are comfortable with the weight. 

How to Properly Fit a Mountain E-bike Helmet

Just like hats, helmets come in different sizes. Therefore, following the steps to achieve a proper helmet fit is important. While it may take some time and effort, prioritizing a correct fit is essential because it holds immense value for your safety. Here are a few tips to help properly fit your Himiway Zebra helmet. 

• 1. Measuring Your Head

To determine your head circumference, take a flexible tape measure and wrap it around the widest part of your head, approximately one inch above your eyebrows. Alternatively, you can use a string to encircle your head and then measure the length of the string using a yardstick.

• 2. Adjusting the Helmet Straps and Padding

Most helmets come equipped with fitting pads, including at least one foam pad set. If you have an extra set of thicker pads, you can use them to customize the shape of your helmet. Initially, you can remove the top pad completely or opt for the thinnest pads. This adjustment lowers the helmet on your head, extending its protective cover on the sides. It may slightly reduce the airflow for cooling, but the impact is unlikely to be noticeable.

For side fit adjustments, you can use thicker pads if your head is narrow and has a gap, or add thicker pads at the back for shorter heads. The pads should make even contact with your head all around without creating excessive tightness. You can also rearrange the pads, especially at the “corners” in the front and rear, leaving some gaps to improve air circulation.

Although the pads may compress slightly over time, the effect is minimal, so it is unreliable for loosening the fit. The helmet should sit level on your head, with the front positioned just above your eyebrows or, if you wear glasses, just above the frame.

Tighten the chin strap under your chin to ensure a secure fit instead of leaving it loose and dangling. A properly tightened chin strap allows you to comfortably fit one to two fingers between the strap and your chin, providing enough space to avoid irritation or restricting movement.

Once you are satisfied with the fit on your head, you can adjust the straps on your chin and around the sides of your head.

• 3. Stability

Always ensure your helmet fits perfectly and doesn’t move around whenever you shake your head. This way, you can be sure your helmet will be stable when riding your Himiway Cruiser on uneven terrains. 

• 4. Comfort

It is crucial to ensure a properly sized helmet for comfort and optimal bike safety. Wearing a too small helmet can cause significant discomfort. It may not fit properly on your head. Conversely, a too-large helmet can move around or, more importantly, fail to provide the necessary protection in case of an accident.

Electric Bike Helmet Safety Standards in the UK

• 1. Ce Certification

Ce Certification indicates that the electric bike helmet meets EU health, safety, and environmental requirements. 

• 2. BS EN 1078

This is the most common certification standard for bike helmets in the UK. This certification specifies the standards for helmets used by cyclists, roller skaters, and skateboarders. It tests different factors like impact resistance, strap retention, ventilation and visor retention.

• 3. Pas 015

The Pas 015, or Product Approval Specification certification, indicates that the manufacturer has complied with the rigorous system of testing and regulation. Helmets can only be released to the market once they have been tested and certified safe for the user. 

Our Choice - Himiway Cobra Basic Electric City Commuter Bike

The Himiway Cobra electric mountain bike is designed to cater to the mass market and capture the attention of commuters seeking an eco-friendly alternative to cars.

It comes equipped with a 48V 20Ah portable battery, which offers an extended range of 60~80 miles.  

Safety and reliability are at the forefront of the Rambler’s design. Its integrated battery design mitigates the risk of short circuits and wetting issues, providing a secure and dependable riding experience.

The Cobra’s tires offer an improved riding experience on city streets. These tires are designed for smoothness, comfort, and efficiency. They feature a larger radius and narrower width, enabling effortless maneuverability and reducing the effort required to pedal.

Conclusion

There you go! These are some of the things you should consider when buying a helmet for your Himiway Cobra electric mountain bike. Following these tips will ensure you get a helmet that fits you perfectly and keeps you safe and that you enjoy the thrill of off-road biking.