hankbrandenburg

I have a Bell Metropolis helmet that is about 3 years old and I am considering replacing it. I'm interested in any recommendations from the group on commuter helmets.

I liked the high-viz colors and strap in the rear of the Metropolis that I could attach a PlanetBike blinking light to. Apparently that model is now discontinued.

Any ideas will be appreciated!

aadhils

How about the Bell Citi?

JoeyBike

^^^Beat me to the punch by one second!^^^

My local bike shop has a black Metropolis. I don't know the size. Shoot me a PM if you want their web address.

Closest thing I know of is the Bell Citi. Comes in bright orange or yellow with black trim.

https://www.bellbikehelmets.com/produ....asp?prodID=14

Andy_K 

My "bright orange" Citi helmet has faded considerably in the year and a half that I've had it. It's now a sort of pale orange. I don't know if that from sun or from the rain (probably the rain). Anyway, it's a pretty decent helmet, and I can't see how it's different from the Metropolis.

mds0725

My bright orange Bell Citi helmet (in use for about 16 months) has also faded to a pale orange, except under the front visor, where the helmet is still its original bright orange color. I don't ride in the rain so I think the fading is actually from the sun. I met a woman cyclist recently who was wearing what looked to be a white Bell Citi helmet, but she said it was bright yellow when she bought it.

I still think it's a great helmet and I would buy another one if I needed to replace it. I've been told that the Citi replaced the Metropolis in the Bell helmet line. When I was shopping in early 2008 I compared the two and couldn't find much, if any difference. In fact, the mirror that clips onto the visor of the Metropolis also fits the Citi helmet visor. Some cycle shops and online retailers might still have the Metropolis, but if you liked your Metropolis, buy a Citi.

hankbrandenburg

Thanks for all the advice on the Citi. Does it have a loop in the rear to clip a blinker on with?

Andy_K 

Yes.

mds0725

Yes it does. Here are photos of the back of my helmet, with a Planet Bike SuperFlash attached.



(The faded color in this photo and the one immediately below is the result of my camera's flash.)



Just for fun, I also took a photo of the front of the helmet with the visor removed to give you an idea of how much the color has faded.

bugly64

This is the helmet I use and it's been good to me for about 5 months. The Giro Atlas II:

Big_e

My helmet of choice is the Limar 550. Light and has large vent holes. No strap on the back for a blinky. I ordered it from Bikewagon.com.
Ernest

hankbrandenburg

Thanks all - looks like the color will fade just like my current Metropolis but I'm going to go with Bell again.

Tony A.

I recently found a new Metropolis by searching online. They differ from the Citi because they have the snaps for the rain bonnet, a BIG plus in my book. Careful with what you find online though. Some people say to replace a helmet after 5 years and even a "new" Metropolis might be 5 years old.

Tony

DataJunkie

Dang the helmets in this thread are fugly.

CCrew

Thanks, I thought it was just me . No real venting either...my head would cook.

Hot Potato

Does the "winter kit" from the Metro fit in the citi? I figure the ear covers will work on just about any strap helmet, but what abut the vent plugs and the citi?

Just curious. Also curious why you want to replace the helmet. I am not buying into the theory that you should only use it for a few years.

CCrew

Judging by the UV damage? I'll buy.

DataJunkie

My reasons are as follows
1) Bored off ugly ill fitting helmet
2) Landed on head splitting said helmet
3) Bored of helmet. Found a new racing helmet I liked and switched.
Thus, I am on helmet #4.

BarracksSi

I dunno about the UV damage -- it looks mostly cosmetic to me, as in those bright fluorescent colors always fade faster than just about any other pigment I've ever seen. From lifesaving rings at hotel pools to construction pylons, neon orange and yellow looks like crap in a hurry. If you want a new one for a fresh color, that's cool, but I don't think the structural integrity of the faded helmet is compromised.

The winter kit should fit the Citi; it looks like it's got the same vent pattern as the Metro.

Hot Potato

Sounds like Bell Citi helmets fade easily. Or is it just the HiViz paint?

The Bicycle Helmet Institute doesn't think helmets should fade easily with sun exposure:

"Occasionally somebody spreads rumors that sweat and ultraviolet (UV) exposure will cause your helmet to degrade. Sweat will not do that. The standards do not permit manufacturers to make a helmet that degrades from sweat, and the EPS, EPP or EPU foam is remarkably unaffected by salt water. Your helmet will get a terminal case of grunge before it dies of sweat. UV can affect the strength of the shell material, though. Since helmets spend a lot of time in the sun, manufacturers usually put UV inhibitors in the plastic for their shells that control UV degradation. If your helmet is fading, maybe the UV inhibitors are failing, so you probably should replace it. Chances are it has seen an awful lot of sun to have that happen. Otherwise, try another brand next time and let us know what brand faded on you. "

Check out their site:

https://www.bhsi.org/replace.htm

BarracksSi

My vote is that the pigment is fading. The plastic should be fine.

CCrew

I dunno... that color is molded in. If it can fade I'm concerned that there is unseen loss also. Not that the shell is the primary protection tho.

Lets just say I prefer not to take chances with my noggin, I rather like it

MNBikeguy

Lots of mis-information abounds on that subject proliferated by aggressive marketing. Retailers and manufacturers are more than happy to sell you an new helmet. It's even worse for motorcycle helmets.
Yes, polypropylene fibers deteriorate rapidly in sunlight. Fortunately for us, our helmets are not made of rope.
'Technically', non-woven poly deteriorates in UV light as well. If you wear the same helmet for 75 to 100 years, I'd be concerned.
At any rate, the point seems moot. By the time your helmet fades, it's probably still structurally sound, but it's old and smells like your socks. There are probably better, cooler ones out there now.

KLW2

I have the bright yellow citi and no fading in a year's use....

thdave

I've got the Bell Metro and the two things I wouldn't do without are the little mirror, that attaches to the helmet and comes with it, and the strap for the rear blinkie. I wear the helmet all the time, mostly because of this. The mirror works great.

That said, the rain cover is too difficult to snap on and the winter gear is bulky. I can accomplish the same features two ways--using my rain cape hood under the helmet to handle the rain, and fitting a hat under it in the winter.

Does the City helmet come with the mirror?

KLW2

No, but neither does the Metro, it's an accessory for both...
I have both helmets and enjoy them equally. I haven't bought the mirror, rain or winter kits, like you, I have better ways to equip for rain or extreme cold...