Commuting - Commuter Helmet

Need some advice on a new helmet. Anything out there with commuter needs in mind. Saw the metro by bell, looks pretty cool. I like the idea of the winterizing kit because that is the major problem with the helmet I have now, trying to wear a winter hat under the helmet. Just never seems to work out comfortably. Anything out there that you people particularly like?

Ray

Need some advice on a new helmet. Anything out there with commuter needs in mind. Saw the metro by bell, looks pretty cool. I like the idea of the winterizing kit because that is the major problem with the helmet I have now, trying to wear a winter hat under the helmet. Just never seems to work out comfortably. Anything out there that you people particularly like?

Ray
- - I like my Gyro Semi MX. It gives better coverage and is shaped like my HEAD (which is not pointed in back).

I like my yellow Bell Citi, essentially the same as the Bell Metro but without the bells and whistles. I use a rain cover during foul weather and have no trouble wearing a fleece skull cap underneath the helmet during cold conditions.

Bell helmets fit my head well so the metro was a natural for winter. I found the ear flaps to work well and take out a lot of road noise. They also pad the chin straps and are comfortable, for me. And boy does it look dorky. Combined with the vent "corks", the helmet is too warm for temps above about 50F. I haven't tried the rain cover. I have a ghisallo for summer so I don't know how well the vents work in hot weather.

Need some advice on a new helmet. Anything out there with commuter needs in mind. Saw the metro by bell, looks pretty cool. I like the idea of the winterizing kit because that is the major problem with the helmet I have now, trying to wear a winter hat under the helmet. Just never seems to work out comfortably. Anything out there that you people particularly like?

Ray

Have you tried taping up the ventilation holes in the helmet? That helps. Also, you can get thin, lycra
caps that help and fit reasonably well. They aren't -20F solutions, but they help.

agreed..I hate wasting time dressing, and undressing for a commute.

If the cap idea isn't good, you can just double tape a piece of polar tech fabric on the inside of the helmet. You don't need much ...Just cut off the sleeve of an old shirt, If that's too hot try, some breathable stuff instead.

Just put a pair of panty hose on your head...the legs can be tied under your chin to keep your ears warm. And I won't feel nearly as dorky with the metro earflaps.

Met helmets have an edjustable nylon strap that adjusts for shape as well as size. The lower end models have more helmet and less gap, ideal for winter. You can also pass a U lock shackle through the larger gap.

Hi,
the removable pads in the helmet can be taken out to get some more space for a thick skull cap. Mtn Hardwear does a better job than most at making caps. This one fits easily under most helmets, and insulates better than anything that thin has any right to.
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/action/catalog/DisplayStyle?id=1402

You don't need a Bell metro.

Get one with a visor though, you'll thank me later.

Just put a pair of panty hose on your head...the legs can be tied under your chin to keep your ears warm. And I won't feel nearly as dorky with the metro earflaps.

:p Jest don't ferget to take that hose off at the same time as the helmet :lol:

Agreed. Visor is a definately plus! My last helmet had one but my new Giro Pneumo's lack of a visor is really starting to annoy.

Need some advice on a new helmet. Anything out there with commuter needs in mind. Saw the metro by bell, looks pretty cool. I like the idea of the winterizing kit because that is the major problem with the helmet I have now, trying to wear a winter hat under the helmet. Just never seems to work out comfortably. Anything out there that you people particularly like?

Ray

I have a Metro. It's a good helmet if it fits your head. Some people can wear Bells and some can't.

I really like the fit adjustment on the Metro. It can be tightened down to really keep the helmet on your head. I have another Bell with the same adjustment and like them both. It's about the best fit adjustment I've found.

I use the winter kit for the helmet but no the earflaps. It works well, removes quickly and, with an ear warmer, is a nice warm helmet.

The visor is a bit short and the helmet is a bit dorky but other than that it's a good lid.

Stuart Black

I have a Louis Garneau (can't remember the model) with something called a "Spider Lock" in back. Basically, you put in the padding to adjust to your head size, but it then has a head piece that comes down in the back of your head - you turn a dial on it once you've got the helmet on (you loosen each time you remove the helmet, tighten each time you put it on), and it fits the helmet exactly to your head. Very comfy, considering almost no helmet fits your head exactly - and it means you can expand it easily to fit a toque, ear warmers, whatever. Very easy to use, I seem to think I paid about $60 Cad a couple of years ago. Has a visor, but I haven't had a lot of foul weather use with it, so I don't know if it's good or not - but it can easily be removed.

You can take a look at their 2005 models (with visors) at

http://www.louisgarneau.com/eng/catalog_section_sub_items_idx.asp?catalogue=SU5&section=HL&subsection=033

Has a visor, but I haven't had a lot of foul weather use with it, so I don't know if it's good or not - but it can easily be removed.

Sorry, dumb comment there - it's meant for shielding the eyes from sun.....

The visor really helps with mist/drizzle and the eyeglasses as well as the sun. I can see now why people wear those short-billed cycling caps under their helmets.

Ditto. The visor works best for me on wind, mist, rain, sun. Around here the "real" roadies snub visors. Don't know why. Maybe they add alot of wind resistance??

Agreed. Visor is a definately plus! My last helmet had one but my new Giro Pneumo's lack of a visor is really starting to annoy.
My (older) Pneumo has a visor. I wonder why they got rid of it in the new "improved" version? Could there be a safety issue with it breaking/cracking and cutting the eyes or face in a collision? But I could see soft visor being a problem too - in a tuck on a 45mph descent for example. The Atmos is also visor-less, but the E2 has one. They seem so simple and cheap (E2 is the cheapest of the three), I can't imagine it's a cost issue. I don't get it.

Serge,
I believe the safety ratings on helmets require that visors be shatter proof to prevent eye injury.

Not a big fan of my bell helmet. I like most of the Gyro's I've tried on. Ditch the visor, whatever model you get, takes a big chunk out of what you can see with your head down.

My (older) Pneumo has a visor. I wonder why they got rid of it in the new "improved" version? Could there be a safety issue with it breaking/cracking and cutting the eyes or face in a collision? But I could see soft visor being a problem too - in a tuck on a 45mph descent for example. The Atmos is also visor-less, but the E2 has one. They seem so simple and cheap (E2 is the cheapest of the three), I can't imagine it's a cost issue. I don't get it.

It's not cool to have a visor. I love mine, wouldn't dream of taking it off, reduces a crapload of glare etc.

Not a big fan of my bell helmet. I like most of the Gyro's I've tried on. Ditch the visor, whatever model you get, takes a big chunk out of what you can see with your head down.
I'll keep my visor thanks.




INP there's an edit button just an FYI:)

INP there's an edit button just an FYI:)

yeah, yeah, I know - I'm too used to posting edits on my website for the sake of people who view before the edits.......what can I say......other than I looked like a dork on that one. :rolleyes:

Well, I have a bell stunt helmet, and a metro, have have everything for it, love it, the mirror is a bit weak, can break, get a take a look mirror works great. I can put my Night Rider Digital Evolution on it, I have a Trek Disco Tech Tail Light on the back, you can put ear plugs in the earflaps so you can here your music and the road.
Geek

I looked at the Bell Metro, but decided that the Citi was a better value. The Citi is a sripped down version of the Metro. If I were starting from scratch, I might get the metro, but I already had a balaclava and a headband, so the Metro's vent covers wouldn't add anything. The Citi adjusts easily to fit over my balaclava, headband or my bare head.

The clincher was that the Citi did better in crash tests than the Metro. Why pay more for a less protective helmet with gizmos I wouldn't use?

The only reference that I have seen to a test that rated the citi ahead of the metro did not do any actual testing. They pointed out that the plastic surround on the base of the metro was not found on the citi. They judged that this would make the metro slide less freely against the pavement compared to the citi. To me, that is mostly an issue when the head is no longer attached to the rest of me and so I am not too concerned about that. What test are you referring to? The metro has more agressive venting and a well thought out winter kit. I think it (metro) costs more than it should given the price of the citi. YMMV

I like my Giro Eclipse. Especially the RocLoc3 feature. It holds the helmet securely on my head with no sideways movement.

Fsor, I was referring to the same Helmet Institute test (http://www.bhsi.org/helmet05.htm) you were. As to the winter kit, if you already have a good balaclava and/or head band, you don't need it. My balaclava has comfortably got me down to 0F, and I know it could work colder. But, as I said, if you're starting from scratch, the winter kit might be useful.

I just explaining why I made the decision I did. The Metro's a good helmet, but when it came down to buying, I just didn't think it was worth the extra money. To others, it might be.

As it turns out, I bought the metro without knowing about the citi. The metro is a nice helmet and I like it, but it is too expensive given the existence of the citi. I can also say that the visor does not keep the rain off the glasses in a downpour...yesterday was drowned rat time for me, sheesh what weather!

I use a Bell Metro. The worst problem is it sets to high on my head. I like the adjustment and visor though. Don't get the accessories. The mirror is worthless and broke immediately. I got a rain cover for half the Bell price that even covers the visor. I use a surplus army sleepbag cap. It is thin, fits easily under the helmet, and will velcro under my chin when the temperature is near freezing and velcro behind the head when warmer. It is good down to about 25 degrees. Above 45 degrees I use a head sweat, below 25 degrees I use a balcalava.
Phil

It looks like the doodads you can attach to the Metro don't work that well. I'm glad I bought the Citi for $30 less. You can then buy the head coverings and mirrors that you like, instead of being stuck with the single "choice" offered by Bell.