Submitted by
hitek79
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, Colorado, America! Date Reviewed: February 27, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Palmer Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$72.00
Purchased At:
Chainlove.com
Strengths:
Great padding, good visibility
Weaknesses:
Maybe needs more vents
Similar Products Used:
None really. Motorcross helmet.
Bike Setup:
Enduro SL
Bottom Line:
I looked at a Spec Deviant, but I wanted something more substantial than that. I picked up the Evolution for pretty cheap on Chainlove, and just trying it on inside I knew I made the right choice over the Deviant. I'm not a young guy any more, and I'm the sole provider for the fam, so build quality is more important to me than weight. This helmet fits super snug and does not bounce around at all. The visibility is great as well. I didn't feel like I had to move my head up or down to get the whole picture. The entire liner pulls out easily for cleaning, and the design makes it look like I'm going much faster than I really am. It's still cool here, so I don't know how this helmet will be in summer, but I do have a feeling it will get a tad warm unless I'm in the high country. Again, I can live with it for the added protection. It's not an every day helmet, but for those lift served days and the real techy trails, I'll be wearing it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
slcrockymountainrider
a Racer
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA Date Reviewed: January 17, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
661 Proform
Strengths:
Excellent construction, relatively light for a non-carbon fiber full face, decent padding but not overdone. The new Evolution shell is a big step forward for 661 from past helmets. Colors and graphics are some of the better designs being offered for 2009 compared to other manufacturers.
Weaknesses:
Really need to crank down on the visor bolt to keep it from slipping down with use. Gives the user the impression that the face guard is too close, this is due to thicker padding between the cheek area and the front of the helmet.
Similar Products Used:
Troy Lee Designs carbon D2 and Giro Remedy. All size Mediums.
Bike Setup:
Fast
Bottom Line:
I've been using a TLD carbon D2 for the past 2 seasons and just love that helmet. The fit, design, weight-everything is just spot on and it's become the benchmark for what I look for in a full face. I tried a Remedy due to the higher safety rating over both the D2 and Evolution, but the Remedy's fit was just too tight particularly with the cheek padding. This caused my goggles to not fit correctly on the helmet and would not allow me to wear sunglasses. Add to that, it was fairly heavy.
I've been put off by past 661 helmet offerings due to both fit and overall design, but am extremely pleased with the Evolution. It is comfortable, fairly light and doesn't have an odd shape/look to it. Compared to the D2 which has been the benchmark helmet for me, it is almost identical when it comes to fit and comfort.
My only complaint is that it feels like the front of the helmet is right up against your face. I measured the D2 and Evolution (both Mediums) side by side and inface the Evolution is about 7mm longer overall. Measuring the distance with the helmets on, there is no real different in distance so I chalk this impression up to the 661 helmet having a bit more padding in the mouth area than the TLD helmet.
This is a great helmet and 661 did a good job with accurate measurements on their bicycle line. The prices for 2009 aren't too bad either considering what you're getting.
Side Note: My brother has an '09 Flight 2 in a Large and it seems like their moto helmets are running a bit small for 2009 as the Large fit rather tight compared to the Medium Evolution.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fabricio fracchia
a Downhiller
from Caracas Date Reviewed: December 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Volcan
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$153.00
Purchased At:
Universal Cycles
Strengths:
comfortable, nice looking, light.
Weaknesses:
none so far (customer service doesn't support international purchases)
Similar Products Used:
Azonic Outlaw, Bell Bellistic, Giro Remedy
Bike Setup:
Transition Dirtbag 08, Zocchi 66 ATA, full SRAM drivetrain and brakes, LG1 with e-13 36 tooth ring.
Bottom Line:
The helmet is awesome in the comfort and graphic design department (I have the red distressed). But the customer service from 661 is another history, after broke my visor on a bad landing and trying to find it with the distributor for 661 in my country (Venezuela), he just have 3 Mullet helmets and a pair of Sunline bars (big distributor jeje) he told me that never had that helmet. I bough mine from Universal Cycles in the USA. I jumped to the 661 web page to buy the visor anyway, but next day after place the order for the visor an e-mail from 661 arrived telling me that can't sell it to me because I'm not a USA resident. So easy answer to solve my problem and to buy a new visor. I has been in situations like this with Ringle, Crank Brothers, even Giro which this guys sent me a new lid because the other was defective and the distribuitor in my country never answered my calls and all for free!.... the other brands help me with minor issues but very receptives.
So if you want a helmet that doesn't have a 661 distributor in your country just avoid it, try other brand.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DUTCH
a Racer
from Mt. Shasta CA Date Reviewed: November 8, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Calahan
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
sixsixone.com
Strengths:
Fairly light, breathable, and comfy!! Sick graphics
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
specialized carbon deviant berrecloth edition
Bike Setup:
Santa cruz Bullit, Totem coil, TAG Wheels!!
Bottom Line:
Sickest helmet ever, other than the carbon version
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sharpbrick
a Racer
from Norwalk, CT, USA Date Reviewed: September 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Sprain Ridge Park, NY
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$110.00
Purchased At:
661
Strengths:
nice padding, light, cool, cool colors
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Giant Reign 3 with Hayes sole1 with 8" disks, fox float R shock with 6" of travel, rockshox tora fork, sunline stem and grips, bash guard.... oh and a 661 evolution helmet :)
Bottom Line:
very nice helmet the colors are cool, the helmet is light?? (i have never had a full face helmet but i think it is) the chin strap is comfortable... over all i love the helmet :)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andreskart
a Downhiller
from Medellin Date Reviewed: August 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
tres cruces
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$190.00
Purchased At:
sixsixone.com
Strengths:
Excellent padding,quick release straps,very nice and useful visor, awesome interior airflow due to well placed air vents!
various graphics to choose, lightweight for a composite helmet, goggles fit very nicely.
looks are truly nice, quality is high,higher than expected,
very aerodynamically efficient!!
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
661 pro bravo,661 strike,gyro remedy
Bike Setup:
2005 Devinci 8flat8 with 888 vf, metel rp, juicy sevens, sunline v1 aluminum handlebar,sunline logo lock-on grips,maxxis minions
Bottom Line:
Very nice helmet very well done neat graphics 661 step it up to the competition quality is getting better and better every year at 661!! at high speeds you don't feel any drag whatsoever ,awesome helmet!!! the price right on the money!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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