Yesterday my favorite touring helmet bit the dust. Nothing dramatic, just one of the plastic straps which make up the inside liner of the helmet snapped beyond repair. Now the helmet doesn't fit as it should and I know it has to be replaced. I had that helmet a long time and got plenty of use out of it, so no complaints from me.

My helmet was a Bell Citi and I absolutely loved it. It was lightweight with a simple rounded shape. There were just enough vents to allow sufficient airflow but still plenty of smooth surface area which I find aesthetically pleasing and less likely to snag should I hit the road. It was one size fits all with an easily adjustable band I could manipulate depending on whether I was wearing a cap beneath it or not. The bill was high enough not to impede my vision and was great for keeping rain out of my eyes. The helmet was a pleasant, basic yellow for added visibility but not a shouting day glow or neon. It was marketed primarily as a commuter helmet but was also great for touring. Unfortunately it has long been phased out otherwise I would simply go get another one.

So today I go out and shop for a new helmet. As I'm visiting bike shops and REI, one question kept popping up in my mind......."When did bicycle helmets get so ugly?" It seems like every helmet was designed to appeal to either the competitive racing cyclist, the gonzo mountain biker or the skateboarding hipster. The vast majority of helmets came only in black, silver or white with a few neon yellows or dark matt finishes. The helmets were literally covered with vents and pointy edges everywhere. There was nothing I found remotely pleasing to my admittedly simple and probably retrogrouch tastes.

I thought I would check with this forum for helmet suggestions. Perhaps you are wearing one that you really like and would recommend. My ideal helmet would be:

• Simple, rounded shape
• Generally a solid color (yellow, orange, etc. Bright but not neon)
• Mostly smooth surface
• Some venting
• Detachable bill
• Easily adjustable headband for universal fitting

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.