Has anyone tried/bought this helmet? I think it looks quite nifty, if a little pricy. Here's a link to the Metro page at Bell's site.

As an aside: Why are helmets like this not more readily available? Is it because Europeans, who value bikes for transportation much more than us New Worlders, rarely wear helmets and thus there is no market? Or do the majority really want to wear a swoopy, wind tunnely looking thing to pop down to the store?

The market is evolving and Bell's Metro is one of the "non-swoopy" but not dorky styles. Kind of a mix of road helmets and Skateboard/snowboarding helmets.
Check out the Giro Xen too, same thing except better looking-unfortunately more expensive too.

Hrmmm, I like the looks of it and I like the integrated options like the "winter package" or the "rain package". I don't think this is a toy store Bell, though. I can't find a dealer locator on their site...I'd like to try one on at an LBS or something. I do like my Specialized helmet, though, nice and comfy and looks pretty good too.

All bike helmets look dorky, but I'd rather look dorky than have my head smashed in. Unless you are a serious racer, I don't think it is worth paying anything above the $30-$40 range.

Just to post an update...

I picked up the Metro and really like the fit and features. It feels really solid and "grabs" onto your head in a way that most helmets don't seem to.

On the downside: I am now riding a little harder and faster, the temp here has been pretty hot, and I now need a swoopy, wind-tunnely looking thing to avoid cooking my head.

What I like about this helmet is the feature where you can attach a Vistalite flasher on the back. It's about time someone creative put the blinky where it really belongs. On the back of the head! I find that cars really notice the blinky when it's up high around your shoulders. The cars slow down or give me more room because the blinky up high gives a better reference. The blinky attached to your steat post often gets lost from view.

this was my first choice for a helmet based on its design and abilty to add on lights and mirrors and whatnot.

what kept me from getting it? no lbs' had it in stock, and if they did, it wouldn't fit my massive dome anyway.

I put a zip tie around a couple of vents in the rear of my Giro helmet and then attached the blinky to the zip ties. You're right, a blinky belongs up higher so motorists can see it more easily. It's the same principle or reason that automobiles started putting the brake light up at the motorists eye level about fifteen years ago.

If your willing to go up a bit more, you can get some helmets with absurd levels of ventiliation...and in the summer heat, that is definately a good thing to have

I paid $65 for my Louis Garneau T-bone, and I still think it's a great helmet. It is a bit out there in looks, having a total of 33 vents and all, but it's not ugly or stupid looking either.

I've been doing that for quite some time now, I about fell off the crapper when I saw the Metro in Bicycling.

I bought a new helmet a month ago, was going to check out the Metro but my LBS didn't have them in stock. I bought a Bell Pro Paradox on sale because it fit my fat head.

With both my old Bell and the new one (different suspensions) I can clip my rear blinkie onto the headband at the back so it's visible from behind and is comfortable as well.

Does the light really stay on there though? Can anyone who has this helmet testify to the light's staying power over bumpy roads?

Is this safe? If you get in an accident, might this just drive the blinky into your head? Helments are designed to spread out and absorb an impact. Attaching a blinky where it was not intended could end up concentrating the impact into a small part of your head. I'm not pretending to be an expert, but I'd be interested in the opinions of other people who might know.

I did try this once. It helped to have the light where it could more easily seen. And it is much less likley to come off of my head than my bike. Having a helmet designed to hold a blinky sounds like a really good idea.

I have always wondered the same about lights, mirrors, cameras etc. that attach to the helmet. I suppose mounts are designed to break off on impact?

--J

I haven't looked at the specific Vistalite used on that helmet.
Is it "articulated" so it remains well aligned, or is it a wide-angle Vistalite?

As for the consequence of attaching a taillight to a helmet, I would be more worried about the zip tie than the taillight. In case of a collision, a light like the Vistalite or Planet Bike will easily break apart and pieces will fly around.

These Helmets Are As Hard To Find In The Lbs As Commuter Bikes Are!

Sorry...missed this.

Yeah, the light stays on very well. The band that it clips to is pretty snug, so you'd have to really work to get a light off.

As for the visibility: I'm using a Trek Disco Tech light that provides a good 180 deg. of light and seems to do the trick. I ride fairly upright though, so if you're using drop bars, you may want to double up with a seatpost mounted light too.

The Metro looks nice,,,,,,,but for a whole lot less change you can buy a decent skate helmet. I think I saw a Bell Skate helmet at Price Point for 7bucks
just my thought though---JJ

Well.... helmets do pretty well against uneven surfaces like rocks...and a plastic light is much more apt to break than a rock so.... I'd say there shouldn't really be a problem. Especially in the back of the helmet where you're less likely to have an impact in the riding conditions relevant to this discussion.

Boy that site sure makes that helmet look like a really nice buy with all the optional stuff you can put on it.

Consumerism go!

Yeesh - $80 for even a non-swooshy helmet? What is it with the helmet prices these days? $20 should be sufficient.

bkr

My god it's expensive!

I have seen it aplenty at one shop for $30 or $40. I think you would buy the helmet and all the optional stuff for $60 to $80.

However, I do have a 2 year old too large helmet (elastic band isn't elastic anymore) that is good for cold winter days -- with balaclava inside -- and a newer Giro helmet which is tight enough for Summer, but expandable to use a headband under, so it suits me 325 days/year. So I didn't try the new Bell Metro.

Mr. Gagnon:

Where have you seen this Bell Metro Helmet for $30 or $40? I want one but don't want to pay $70 or $80. Thanks.

Jeffery R. Lindholm

I went look at the Metro today. I bought it. It feels great, and I liked the add ons that are available. I'm a recreational rider, so I don't suffer from peer pressure to look like Lance. I think there's trend away from the aero, spidery swoopy, go fast look. At least for me. Any way the Metro is a nice alternative to the everyday racer style.

The best blinker's the one from planet bike that swivels with gravity and always points back. Even if you attach a blinker to the Metro or ziptie a blinker to your helmet, if you're tucking your head down or raising it straight up, it'll affect it enough that it'll be pointed away from the cars vertically.