I bought a brand new Smith helmet in February and have only used it a handful of times. I've never crashed with it, and I store it safely. It may have dropped from waist height once or twice, but I am shocked if that amount of impact would cause a crack. The styrofoam piece in the front is cracked about 2 inches long, but the structural integrity of the helmet seems fine. I've only worn the helmet about 6 times since I bought it.
I contacted Smith for an answer but got a bot-style response that barely even answered my question and just told me that if I want to submit a warranty claim that I need to fill out a form. I simply want to know if this crack is superficial or not and if the helmet is actually unsafe, even though it has never gone through any significant impact.
I would be very surprised if a small drop could cause a crack that would be deemed severe enough for replacement. If that is the case I won't be purchasing a Smith helmet again.
Thanks in advance!!
by Chocojaxx
32 Comments
yup
Big crack. Replace. A drop from waist height can do that.
Yupper
Time for a new helmet unfortunately.
I’ve never owned a smith but this could have happened to any helmet from any company. If smith helmets fit your head nicely I wouldn’t write them off completely.
Only if you like using your brain.
Yes
Yeah replace it for sure, and good on you for being proactive about it!
Dude what the fuck, YES. This is the one thing keeping you from a TBI, if you ever think “should I?” Just do it.
Replace. Get the smiths “mips”
Definitely replace, the good thing about Smith is they are likely to give you a better warranty claim
Other commenters have gotten it right, you need to replace this.
However, you should still try and contact Smith, either for a warranty replacement or crash replacement. They might hook you up.
I’ve gotten two POC helmets for 50% by contacting them after a crash. One was two years after purchase.
There is no such thing as a “superficial” crack in a helmet.
Cracked = dead.
Smith likely will approve you for a crash replacement at a reduced cost
Only if you value your skull
You have any other questions you already know the answer to?
Replace
All helmets are single crash items.
Destroy that thing
Replace it
Definitely!
1000% yes
Yes, obviously
At this point we’re just making it too easy for r/cyclingcirclejerk
But yes, replace it ASAP, that helmet is done for
Yep
Might try to see if Smith woukd cover that as a warranty replacement. I got a free Garmin 830 replacement that way. After a pothole, the unit separated in two and crashed on the pavement. I called Garmin. They’d never heard of that happening. I sent them the old unit vs k and got a new one. And theme original one was about 18 months old. Always worth a try.
I just replaced my helmet which had a similar crack, where if you put stress on the helmet, you could see the crack widen. It stinks. But better safe than sorry.
Replace for sure, and I’d suggest never dropping a helmet if you can help it. I’d also maybe contact Smith to see what they say. Worth a try.
Time for anew lid.
Yes
Depends how attached you are to your brain.
JK, get a new helmet and protect that melon—you’ve only got the one.
If the thought “should i replace my helmet?” occurs to you, then yes, replace it! $100 for a new helmet is preferred over a TBI
Yes. Had similar crack from crash. Helmets are really one time use for any decent crash from my experience. Designed to crack it seems. Better than my noggin but not so wallet friendly!
Specialized is having a solid sale right now and a handful of their MTB helmets are half off. I just ordered a Tactic 4 as my replacement. Obviously not a super aero gravel helmet but it’s rated like #4 on the Virginia Tech independent helmet testing they do. It was 71 bucks shipped. 👍🤝