I call Shenanigans on this one. I've never heard or seen a rule from the USAT, WTC, or ITU that dictates a specific age of the helmet. They are typically only concerned with ASTM, ANSI, Snell endorsement (which probably come with 99.9% of helmets sold in the U.S.). I have a Giro Pneumo that is 5+ years-old and I'm not trading in a $150+ helmet because some RD wants me to get a newer one.

My bet is that they have bike and helmet inspection too at (or managed on site by) a local bike shop who also is a sponsor of the race. What a coincidence! "Your helmet is too old, or your bike needs parts A, B, and C before we can approve it, and we can conveniently sell you what you need to get your bike to pass!" Total conflict of interest. There is an RD here in Dallas who requires bike, helmet inspection at an LBS who is a title sponsor of the race. So theoretically, the LBS, acting as an agent of the race, could deny approval of say, a helmet, and then coax you into buying a new one. Total scam.

I looked at the rules on Steelhead's website:
http://www.steelheadtriathlon.com/?q=node/22

Under the "Transition Area" section they have the following:

"Current (no more than 3-years in age) ANSI, CPSC or SNELL approved helmets are required during the cycling portion of the event. You will be prohibited from participating if you don't have an approved helmet (no refunds). Helmets must be buckled in place during all aspects of the bike including transition."

I have never seen a race check this, but they could theoretically look at each helmet as you enter the site. Helmets normally have a label on the inside that shows their date of manufacture and the standards that they meet.

When to replace your helmet is a topic of its own ... many "experts" recommend replacing every 3 years because the plastics break down from UV exposure etc.

I was thinking...maybe Dad just wanted a new helmet!
Considering that plastic and foam and such degrade over time, especially with sun exposure...it makes sense. Someone should check into helmet degradation with some companies...I'd do it, but I'm going to Florida!

I agree that it is all about the $$$ ... that is how our society works. Profit is not a dirty word.

A LBS that has any business sense will see all these athletes coming in their store as an opportunity to gain long term customers. Give their gear a quick check out, make sure everything is good to go, maybe make a few quick adjustments, chat the athlete up a bit, etc. The LBS business is all about long term customers who come back for service and accessories.

Trying to scam people to make a quick buck would have the opposite effect ... people would leave their store with a bad taste in their mouth and never come back ... and they would tell all their friends about it as well.

A little off topic.

I am signed up for Augusta 70.3 and noticed this rule also. I had planned on just getting a new helmet since I have been using the helmet I got with my mountain bike a 5 years ago. I really don’t want to spend the $$ or have the look of an aero helmet, but are there any road type helmets that would be a better and cheaper alternative?

+1 to all of this. Years ago it was very very common to require a specific LBS to do a bike check for races. I'd say 75% of all triathlons I did from 1986 - 1992 had this as a requirement. I did dozens and dozens of races with this requirement and never had a LBS rip me off or suggest anything that didn't need to be done.

I don't know what the bike stores are like where you're at Sooner, but the ones around here are a triathlete's best friend. In the last decade or so, LBS's have really struggled with the advent of WalMart bicycles and the like. They've only survived by cultivating good relationships with local cyclists and getting business by word of mouth.

I think the 3 year helmet requirement is probably in place to prevent people from competing with horribly ancient helmets, which I have seen on occasion at races. It gives the RD a way to keep people from competing with unsafe gear. I sincerely doubt that they would turn down a competitor with a more or less modern helmet with no visible damage. But if some guy turns up with one of those ancient leather-strap varieties, they can keep him from competing with it for liability purposes. I actually saw a lady at a race last year with the same kind of helmet I bought when I bought my first ever bike helmet in the early 80's. It had to be 25 years old, I doubt it would do much good in a crash.

Thanks, IronMom. Much more eloquent than when I said it!

Thanks for the input (and finding the rule for me). I'm not sure what I'll do I guess. I've been thinking of getting a new helmet anyways since mine is neither aero or well-vented (ie. $35 entry level), but didn't really want to spend money on that yet. I think I could get by with mine b/c it may be more than 3, but can't be much more. I forgot to check last night.

I'm guessing my dad will get another since his is 7-8 yrs old I'd guess. It doesn't look much different than mine, but I think he'll like the excuse to get new equipment.