Oxford Metro-V Helmet

Oxford Products' Metro-V helmet is a nicely thought out, genre-blurring design that is comfortable for longer rides at road typical pace. However, for all its pluses, it's hard to recommend it over some store branded models, which offer more pizzazz for quite a few pounds less.

Tipping the scales at a genre typical 291g and available in four contemporary colours, we have the standard in-mould construction (where shell and liner are formed together, trimming weight and production costs). In this instance, the rim is left bare, leaving it vulnerable to everyday damage, although this hasn't been an issue in several weeks' constant use.

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The matt blue outer shell of our test model is attractive and well finished, while a subtle peak offers some protection from sun, wind and rain without looking too mountain bikey. Damp cloth wipe-overs keep it looking sharp.

Round the back, we have an integrated three-function LED fuelled by a CR2032 button battery. The switch is easily located in gloved hands and the modes are quite distinctive. It's not retina tickling but offers some useful tertiary illumination. Suffice to say, our factory fitted cell is still going strong despite a fair bit of night riding.

Unfortunately, the triangular design sits extremely close to the thumbwheel, which makes split second tweaks (say, to accommodate a cap or buff) trickier and, though not a deal-breaker, merits redesign.

Y and chin straps are functional but feel a little low rent compared with those on the BTwin 500. Achieving a good fit isn't difficult, though, and I was less conscious of its angular profile. It sits slightly higher than many commuter models at the back, but still offers ample support to the occipital region.

Ventilation doesn't follow the inlet and exhaust principle of more sophisticated road models, yet still keeps pace with skinny tyre speeds. Due in part to a thick shock of hair, high humidity can leave me feeling a little soggy after 25 miles at 20-25mph, even wearing a really feathery, airy race lid.

Nonetheless, the Oxford copes well enough, although I was beginning to drip on some long, slow, 1-in-7 ascents, with the mercury in the mid-20s, humidity at 60-70% and scant breeze. At the other extreme, haring along the other side, there's less wind noise at 30-35mph, so doesn't overly impair conversation, or awareness round town. Their arrangement also lends it nicely to mounting lighting and some lighter action cameras.

> Check out our guide to the best budget helmets

When all's said and done, I've got along just dandy with the Metro-V. It's by no means a bad helmet, but stiff competition leaves the spec below that we've come to expect. This makes it very difficult to recommend over a host of similar and, ultimately, cheaper designs.

Verdict

Nice enough for general riding but faces stiff competition from store brands