Made of a tough, multi-layered fiberglass shell with EPS foam liner, the Bellistic features full-face coverage, an adjustable retention harness, adjustable visor and large eye port to accomodate goggles, and 15 built-in vents.
Submitted by
Longboarder
a Downhiller
from seattle, washington
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2010
Strengths: great for both longobarding freeriding and bmxing
Bottom Line:
I ride my stinky pretty hard and race my longobard. this helemt works like a charm for both, i even used it for bmxing one time, but didnt really like. i prefer a bucket type for that. however i have had a few crashes with it and it has saved my jaw twice. there is a huge scratch going down the side of my helmet now..better it than my jaw.
Strengths: Its incredibly strong, good fit for my small head...
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Used this for my first year of downhilling, when my ballz were way bigger than my ability! Seriously, it must have saved my life more than a dozen times, I probably should have replaced it sooner..!!!
Currently using 661 legend, but will get another of these next time round, shame they dont do it in white!
Bike Setup: Sunday Factory Frame, 2009 Fox 40 RC2, Fox DHX 5.0, Saint drivetrain and shifting, EX721 on Hope Pro II, Maxxis minnion and high roller combo, direct mount sunline stem, Avid Code 4 Brakes...
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Submitted by
schneidie
a Downhiller
from south windsor, ct, usa
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008
Strengths: full face, good impact protection, price
Weaknesses: not very many sizes
Bottom Line:
good for freeride and DH if you're stretched for cash, Good helmet for not that much money.
Strengths: Awesome looks and fit. havnt needed to actually use the protection part let. goggles fit easily and has a gr8 style and graphic, especially if ur lucky enough 2 get a cedric garcia limited edition 1.snug fit and doesnt rattle around at all. very very lightweight
Weaknesses: wierd sizing. et a size smaller than usual or jst try 1 on first. snug fit and doesnt rattle around at all
Bottom Line:
If ur looking 4 a budget helmet that looks gr8 and functions and fits jst as well get this helmet.especially if u can get it on offer. look on www.chainreactioncycles.com but try before u buy
Strengths: Great price for what you get. Good overall padding. Great protection. I am on my 2nd ballistic now (Cedric Gracia edition...Painting it because its hideous)
Weaknesses: Visor is Junk! Cheap brittle crap. Mine is (Was) held together with fishing twine (Looked pretty bad ass.)Helmet itself is great in winter (exception is the visor cracks at -0)
Bottom Line:
$ for $ best helmet out there, Lets face it I know I'm gonna crash, why pay big $$$ for a helmet I'm gonna thrash? The ballistic is a good helmet, That being said the visor is total junk!!! I have made a mold of the visor and now run a fiber glass visor in its place. I have my trashed ballistic (looks bad ass) and my CG ballistic(Once painted My comp helm)
Similar Products Used: tested all products out there
Bike Setup: 02 Kona Stinky Dee
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Submitted by
Dirty Dirt-E
a Cross Country Rider
from Western Washington
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007
Strengths: Good fit, strong, good price, saved my mugg.
Weaknesses: Maybe needs more vents.
Bottom Line:
Ok, I'm 38. I own a house and have a great career. I'm no mommas boy, but I was talking with my mom the other day about a ride I went on with my buddy. Every time I tell her a story about a ride she asks if I wear a helmet.(DUH) I always smile and tell her "yes mom". She asked me if I wore "The kind that covers your whole face" I told her no, I don't have one. She insisted on buying one for me and gave me $100. I've always been a Giro guy. But, the LBSs didn't have any Giro full face helmets and I was going on a ride the next day so I kind of wanted to find one. I saw and liked the Bell Bellistic. It fit well, had some vents and felt sturdy. Fast forward to the next day. Rode to the top of Crystal Mt.(beautiful) Rode around a while then started down. Riding my new 2008 Giant Reign Zero and feeling good, got into some rocks while passing (and taunting) my boys and got a flat, I mean an instant flat, on the front. I heard one hiss, looked down and BAM! The wheel washed out and dumped me on my face at an estimated 30 MPH. I was wearing full armor and the brand new Bell Bellistic that my mom paid for the day before. Not a scratch on me. Bent the rear disc on my bike.(now THAT pissed me off) I did see stars for a few seconds, and my shoulder and ribs hurt today, but I can only imagine that I would have certainly gone to the ER and lost some teeth in that crash. First full face, first day wearing it, definitely getting another one. The part that protects your face cracked near the vents. Whatev' I'm still pretty! I've read some reviews that people write and they complain that their helmets cracked or broke when they crashed. Give me a break!!! Think about it! You just broke a fiberglass helmet by impacting something hard.... with your head! You should thank the company (like I did) that you can still type!!!
Strengths: Fairly comfortable padding once broken in, nice spacious face opening, decent looking. Haven't wrecked with it yet, but feels sturdy. Goggles stay in place for me.
Weaknesses: Flimsy visor (screw to which got stripped and fell off within 2 rides, thus leaving the visor flappy). Very heavy (NOT light for a FF helmet, at all). Very few open vents. I overheat really easily with this thing. Interior stays SOAKED after use, and the pads are detachable, making it really hard to clean.
Bottom Line:
I'm not a huge fan of this helmet. If I could do it over, I'd wait and spend another 50 or 60 bucks to get a better full face helmet. It's weight and the lack of vents makes it very hard to pedal around with this on head. I over heat very easily wearing it. It's hard to clean, the visor is flimsy. That being said, it is a cheap way to get facial protection. I think you get what you pay for. Feels sturdy and like it would work in a crash.
This helmet sucks! You might as well just buy a open face, it would be less hot. I've had my teeth knocked loose twice wearing this thing and just last weekent I recieved a handlebar to the face and the helmet did nothing. I ended up with 6 stitches. I'm throwing this piece of junk away!
Bike Setup: 05 orange faith with 07 boxxer team....
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Submitted by
dez
a Downhiller
from british columbia
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2007
Strengths: cheap. great beginner helmet.
Weaknesses: hot. when i hit a tree or land on my face it pushes up and exposes my chin so it mine as well not be there. and the only way to prevent that is to wear goggles. but its kinda a pain to wear gogs so ya.
Bottom Line:
good for absolute begginers. if ur actually serious about FR DH or DJ get a pro tec or a six six one or a giro.
One of the lightest full face helmets in the market. Padding is abundant especially around the cheek area. Used this for freeriding on ladders and skinnies. First fall on my face and I saw stars. As I sat up to catch my breath I was relieved to have this on my head. Was on my bike in the next ten minutes. Had I not had it I would have been waiting for medical help. overall good protection at an affordable price. Not as bulky as some of the DOT approved full face but that comes with the added protection. Definitely recommended for 4X, BMX, freeriding, and trials. Gets too hot for long agressive XC rides. Need more protection for shuttle runs. Overall a great investment for protective dental coverage.
Strengths: Light, good looking, fits really well, saved my face when I went over the handlebar.
Weaknesses: Paint chips easily; sometimes hot, but I live in Arizona, so what can I expect?
Bottom Line:
This is a great helmet for the price. Especialy since it is a full face. I would reccomend it to anyone who was looking for a great full face helmet that is under $100.
Strengths: lightweight, vents, padding, looks really cool, easy buckle system and CHEAP!
Weaknesses: none that I can think off
Bottom Line:
I bought this helmet last week of ebay for $60. I was in the market for a new helmet after I smashed my TLD d2. I didn't want to spend to much cash so I went with the bellistic. I couldn't be more happier with this helmet.
I would like to mention that I'm not a downhiller, I race BMX and 4x. In downhill you reach speeds that are comparable to motocross, thats why I would sudjest wearing a moto lid for downhill.
I tried this helmet twice at the bmx track last weekend and I'm stoked. The helmet is very light and it didn't botter at all while riding. Also, my oakley crowbars fits perfectly in this lid. I did not yet crash in this lid so I don't know how it will held up after a serieus impact. The helmet seems to be well built and very durable, it should last at least 1 - 2 years.
Overall, I'm glad I bought it. For $ 60 I just couldn't resist buying it. If you are in the market for a new helmet go for this one! Its perfect for bmx, 4x, freeride and maybe even downhill (depends on your skill level) and its cheap! I would definitely buy one again!
Submitted by
William Holmes
a Cross Country Rider
from Anacortes,Wa
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2006
Strengths: I bought it because it was lighter and fit better than anything else I tried. It saved my life!
Weaknesses: I wonder if I would not have suffered a concusion if I were wearing a more expensive helmet.
Bottom Line:
I bought this helmet on a Friday night at Whistler. The next day at around noon I crashed. There is a big scar in the top of the helmet and I'm beat up bad all over my entire body despite having on full protective gear. I do not remember anything about the crash, suffered a concussion, 5 hrs in the clinic, and a CAT scan. I feel fine now after 48 hrs, although memory is not fully back. I can't stop wondering if this would have happen had I bought a more expensive helmet, but I also feel like it saved my life.
Similar Products Used: I spent almost four hours at Whistler going to every shop I could find to try on every helmet. This one fit the best.
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz V10
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Submitted by
Jason Todrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange County, California
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2006
Strengths: Light, Inexpensive FULL FACE!
Weaknesses: Maybe a bit hot, but honestly, not too bad for a full face.
Bottom Line:
This has got to be the best value helmet I have ever seen. In shopping for a standard MTB helmet it occured to me that I wear full face on my motorcycle... why would I be stupid enough to not wear one on my MTB.
I am not a Downhiller by any means and any one who is truly runnign downhill should be using a DOT Motorcycle Full Face anyway. What I would classify my riding as is Aggressive CC, not freeride, but certainly not out for an afternoon stroll. This helmet fits that nitch well, it's light enough to wear all day and tough enough to save the noggin should things go... well, not as planned. Plus, should you take an unexpected Face Plant, you're covered... I'd put this helmets up against any "beenie" type in a face-first 10mph wreck anyday.
Best Part, Performance Bike was running a sale when I need to buy my new helmet.
