Is a full face helmet necessairy for all-mountain?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Farhan, Dec 15, 2010.

  1. Farhan

    Farhan New Member

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    hello STR!

    I'm new to mountain biking and after checking out mtb sites here and there, I've been wondering: if I go all-mountain, should I invest in a full face helmet or not?
    'Cause they're pretty expensive (about 200$ where I live), but I realy love the look.
    Whatever happens I'll be buying knee and elbow protective gear, as well as gloves, but I don't know if I should go for the full face or stick with a "regular" biking helmet, considering I might be a little aggressive on the trail, and pretty much unexperienced. Is the extra protection necessairy/usefull or will it just be an anoyance while riding uphill?
     
  2. freezy562

    freezy562 New Member

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    You can find one online for a lot less than $200. Most cool people hang it on there pack while going uphill.
     
  3. freezy562

    freezy562 New Member

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  4. Bryguy17

    Bryguy17 A little Shaggy

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    armor-wise, gloves at the minimum. knees are nice (knee injuries blow)

    for the helmet, though, it depends on where you ride, and what protection YOU want. its a personal decision. any bike helmet will protect your head reasonably well, just a matter of the face.

    you wont want to be climbing in a full face. it sucks. if you go that route, get a backpack thats big enough to carry all your armor/helmets.
     
  5. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

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    It depends on the type of riding you will be doing. I wear a FF when riding DH, a XC helmet when XC riding and a brain bucket when riding my AM bike.
     
  6. rodgerdodger

    rodgerdodger Member

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    I don't use a full face, but I think scars are cool.

    I also don't do downhill...
     
  7. mtnbikerfred

    mtnbikerfred Super Moderator

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    Depends. You ain't gettin any prettier, but you might want yer teeth fer later....
     
  8. CalEpic

    CalEpic member

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  9. Luskie

    Luskie New Member

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    ordered mine for chain reaction last week, new xmass gift to me.
     
  10. A D NOH

    A D NOH Custom Newbie Title

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    If you can live with wearing a full face while pedaling cross country. Wear a Full face.

    People probably look at me like im an idiot when I have knee/shin guards riding fireroads and then when I descend any lengthy trail I put on full elbow and forearm guards.

    I error on the side of caution.
     
  11. Rondo

    Rondo Member

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    I've bashed my face in an all mountain ride before. Twice. And I was wearing a full face helmet both times, and they broke both times, but saved my face. My beautiful beautiful face. Worth every penny!
     
  12. OCMoto

    OCMoto Member

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    Nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution. I went down on carwreck last Saturday and probably would have broken my elbow had I not had my armor on. Wear what you feel comfortable with.

    And rodgerdodger, scars are only cool when you're still single...and you do go downhill when I make you follow me :lol:
     
  13. whybother

    whybother New Member

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    agreed. do what makes you feel good!

    though i do find it funny when i blast past someone on my carbon hard tail race bike wearing nothing but a bit of lycra and a Sworks XC lid while they are picking their way through a rock garden on a 6+" bike with a full face and pads. :)
     
  14. LAMint

    LAMint Uphill or Down

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  15. Mk3

    Mk3 D to the izzope

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    Yes.
     
  16. Garrett

    Garrett Active Member

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    Definitely. I recommend the Giro Remedy for all your AM needs. Knee guards are also a good idea. I nearly busted my knee on Stairsteps about a year ago and it really made me wish I had pads...now I feel naked without them on any really technical stuff.

    It's good to have both an XC lid and a fullface though, especially in the summer months. I get funny looks and smirks for the hardtail + fullface combo, but I ride fast enough on some trails where it's better to be on the side of caution. Especially at Aliso this time of year, where if you fall your face pretty much has two choices on where to land: hardpack, or rocks!
     
  17. IDY-Craig

    IDY-Craig Lake Arrowhead

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  18. el cap

    el cap Active Member

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  19. madridg

    madridg Ride Therapy Patient

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    I second the deviant, it's a great helmet- great ventilation for a full face.
     
  20. Rivet

    Rivet Active Member

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    Full faces are not the perfect answer. It won't be long before all motocross and downhill events require a full face WITH a leatt/hans style brace. Statistics show that frontal impacts with a full face helmet have increased the number of cervical fractures dramatically. From Karting to Motocross and skiiing they are becoming required equipment. So that Full face may save your grill but you probably won't care if you are quadriplegic. I wear a XC lid for everything except full on DH.
     

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