Apologies in advance if this has already recently been asked but I need to replace my helmet which I left in a taxi and never saw again (it was quite an old helmet anyway).

I've looked at the Bell Muni which has a rear clip for a small light and a clip for attaching a Blackburn Flea front light which looks like a good idea, but the attachment uses an elasticated strap to fit the helmet to head size rather than the usual dial adjuster, so I'm not so keen on that.

Ideally I'd like a helmet with plenty of ventilation, a peak (removable) and at least a mounting point for a rear light. Any recommendations for a helmet for the commute and the occasional bit of touring?

This website has most of the helmets currently manufactured with a brief synopsis of some pros and cons of each.

https://bhsi.org/helmet11.htm

I have a Bell Citi, which I like.

N.B.- Helmets, their effectiveness, their use and other controversies have their own thread. Maybe I'm alone in this but it would be great if a simple, practical question like the one posed in this thread by the OP not turn into a debate about mandatory helmet laws and helmet effectiveness. If it does, can the moderators move this discussion to that thread?

I like the Giro Indicator. It has a visor that, I assume, could be removed if you wiashed (also assuming that a visor is what you are referring to as a "peak") but does not have a provision to mount any lights. It is dial adjust and fits me well. I was hit by a car a couple of months ago wearing one and landed on the back of my head and right shoulder. Remember thinking while I was in the air that the landing was going to hurt. My helmet hit first and did a great job cushioning the blow. Clavicle didn't fare so well.

i buy the cheapest helmet that fits correctly.

I found the elastic band on the back of the Bell Muni way more comfy than the old dial-band on the City. The Muni's adjustable chin buckle is very convenient, and I really love the Muni's optional flip-up rear-view mirror.

+1 for the Muni!

-Warr

The optional flip-up mirror was a feature that attracted me to the Bell Muni but the longevity of the elastic band does concern me, but then I also thought that when commuting, a glance over my shoulder to see what's happening behind me when navigating the traffic indicates to the traffic behind me that I'm about to do something like move out into their path, which I wouldn't do if I was using a mirror to see behind me.

Thanks for posting that very useful link

Consider 2 helmets, Summer go for the ventilation,
Winter time , I'd think a Ski/bike /skate helmet
that offers a winter ear warmer option
would be good.
Bern is one in the shops here.

Good point but it doesn't get that cold where I live and I always work up a lot of heat so ventilation is important.

I just purchased the Bern Macon. It is billed as a combo skate/bike/ski helmet and includes a liner with earflaps. I picked it out because it was hi-vis yellow

I'll report back here when I have had a chance to try it out. I just moved to Salt Lake City from Bangalore, India and am waiting for my sea shipment that includes my bicycles.

Bern are nice but any helmet is great

the same helmet for everything else....

I've got a giro hex I wear for everything. All helmets have the same safety standard. Unless you're doing time trials every weekend, I don't see any practical reason to own more than one helmet.

for the winter, I just tape up vents as it gets colder...then a cycling cap if its really cold.

I just have a cheap bell helmet from a big box store (not THAT big box store). It fits nicely and will keep my brains nicely contained should ever tangle with a car. I can't ever imagine spending more than 15-20 bucks on a helmet.

I have the Giro model that is simlar to Hex, the Phase. These models are more round and traditional than other Giro ones. I use a thin beanie when it gets cold enough, but I never have to deal with temps much below 30.

I ditched my 30 dollar helmet for a 70 dollar one last summer. There is an amazing difference in air circulation between the two. The temperatures here can hover from 105-110 for days, so this was a very good purchase for me.

I got one of these. Under $15 shipped. Actually fits my big head pretty well. Just wish the visor didn't have holes in order to block direct sunlight. Nothing some tape can't fix.

In terms of safety performance, all helmets are built to the same standard and should offer the same protection from minor head injuries (no safety device is a substitute for sensible riding- please know the limitations of your helmet). More expensive ones might offer better ventilation, potentially be lighter, and possibly have more of a brand mark-up, but otherwise they're all the same.

I'd get the cheapest one that fits correctly. No helmet can ever hope to do its job if it's badly fitting. You might want some extra adjustability so you can wear a hat under it in cold weather.

I received the Bern Macon Carbon Fiber EPS edition for xmas primarily for skiing, but I noticed that they have a summer kit to swap out (basically no ear coverage) so that I could also use it as winter commuter helmet.

First ride with it on using the summer kit the temp was around 36 degrees and it worked perfectly. 2nd ride it was around 50 degrees and it started to get a little warm, there aren't that many vents, but the venting it has works quite well.

I will continue to commute in my old Giro Atmos when the temps get above around 65 though. It is heavier as the carbon weighs in at about 340g whereas my atmos is at 270g, but I don't notice any bobblehead affect that some heavier helmets have.

For city riding and other junk, I just wear this otherwise, I have a pretty nice higher-end road bike helmet that I don't bother breaking out unless "it's gettin' real up in har"

The Bell Muni is a good choice. As is your Citi. And my occasionally-worn Slant.

buzz, you're not alone -- debating the merits of helmet use is a subject to be addressed elsewhere; this OP didn't ask that, only what would be a good replacement for his loss. I'm with you on this. If OP wants a helmet for the commute, then the OP can do what he/she wants. Opinions about their worth are themselves worthless in this discussion.


(O.T.: just turned on the news, to see a story of a house fire resulting in a death; damn, it's like every day around here is either a shooting or a fire, wtf....)

I have a helmet for daytime use and another one set up for riding with headlight + blinkie. That way I don't need to bother with mounting/removing the lights and their mounts. Both are Giros.
I also have a Bell helmet that I am going to rig up to accessorize with Santa hat or other seasonal decorations when the urge can't be resisted.

I use the Bell Metro, which was the predecessor of the Muni. It's a great helmet. The fold up mirror is very convenient, but my favorite feature is the rear blinkie strap. Having a blinking red light attached to the back of my helmet is a nice safety feature. I think it identifies me as a person to drivers. The Muni has the same strap, I think, plus it has built in rear lights. I think when I replace the old Metro, I'm buying the Muni.