Weaknesses: Doesn't fit the shape of my head. Never had a problem with road helmets, this one leaves a gap on the top-back of my head and the hard foam front is uncomfortable against my forehead.
Submitted by
dave
a Weekend Warrior
from st.albans, herts, uk
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2007
Strengths: quite light, awsome graphics with matt black and flame outlines.
Weaknesses: strap rubs on throat, but i got used to it
Bottom Line:
great helmet, i got it cheap for £40 instead of £100. mind you its the 2005, its a great helmet and it has boosted my confidence alot. i wont be scared to do most jumps now. highly recommended specially with the sick graphics.
Bike Setup: specialized hardrock sport 2007, rock shox tora 302, husslefelt downhill bars, kore 1 stem, v8 pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jerome
a Weekend Warrior
from Mudeford
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2007
Strengths: Excellent looking helmet, good venting even in hot conditions and will fit a pair of goggles (i'm using a pair of ski goggles at the moment) is a snug fit and the buckele stays put. You can still hear people talking.
Weaknesses: bucke can push against your adams apple which can be a bit annoying, and you can't put earphones in underneath.
Bottom Line:
A good helmet which will definetly save your head in a big crash. Top notch - get one as it will seriously boost your confidence.
Submitted by
Mike Salkewicz
a Weekend Warrior
from Hopatcog, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006
Strengths: Fitment is great, internals come apart relatively easy for drying and cleaning. Very comfortable, and doesn't hinder breathing nearly as much as you'd expect. Matte black finish is not as big a heat concern as I originally imagined, though I don't do much open-air riding - mostly dense forest.
Weaknesses: Neck strap is a little funny to work with. I usually end up sweating a lot, and the pads take a long long time to dry out completely.
Bottom Line:
Just a great helmet overall. For $90 there is no way to go wrong, but even at retail, $140 is nothing compared to the agony of a busted jaw. The styling is so very nice, but it functions and fits so well that I look forward to strapping my helmet on, no matter how sissy the trail might be. Couldn't ask for much better.
Submitted by
Stephen
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2006
Strengths: Review **Pro Carbon Fibre Bravo FF** Lightweight, easy on the neck after a day riding. Comfortable, airy with good accoustics and minimal packing of internal pads after several rides. Easy opening and closing "fastex" type chin buckle even with gloves on. The higher-cut back profile of the helmet makes riding with a pack or hydration pack no problem even when your tilting your head up. Good front ventilation on chin protector. PLenty of room for goggle types. I have tried Smith and Oakley.
Weaknesses: No hook for goggle band?!!Price if not on sale.!!
Bottom Line:
Lightweight alternative and easy on the neck. Reasonable peripheral angles. Comes with a helmet bag!
Submitted by
Jose Rodriguez
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2006
Strengths: Light weight, durability, comfort, cool factor, and it works. Sturdy enough to be a motorcycle helmet (not intended to be one but it sure looks the part)
Weaknesses: The double ring strap takes a while to get used to it. If you ride motorcycles then you will be familiar with the system.
Bottom Line:
I got the carbon version and I love its light weight. For a helmet that protects your mug, chin, skull and back of the head its feather weight makes you forget your head is encased in carbon fiber. Twice I have crashed on the downhill runs at Winter Park, CO, and landed on my head first then proceeded to tumble arse over head until a final stop. On both cases I walked away without a single bruise anywhere above the neck. The helmet only scratched on the surface and the visor held on place thanks to the good metal screws that hold it yet allow the visor to move up and down. It ventilates well but it is not comparable to an open face, poked full of holes XC foam helmet; they are two different tools for two different jobs and it is not fair to compare one to the other. I use my Bravo for night rides and the vent holes at the top allow for a head lamp to fit in place. On cold Colorado winter nights, the Bravo keeps my head warm and has saved my teeth more than once. The only complaint: the double ring strap is hard to deal with when you have gloves. It is bomb proof when closed and adjusted but it takes a few tries to get the strap on and off until you figure out how they work. This is an excellent full face helmet, works as advertised and my unscathed skull and face is proof; it can be used to ride trails but it will get your noggin sweaty on hot summer rides under the sun. Buy it if you value your skull and ugly mug.
Similar Products Used: First full face helmet. Bought after a night ride where I ate dirt and almost lost my front teeth.
Bike Setup: Cannondale Gemini, Manitou Sherman, 6.5" travel front and back, rigged as a trail bike with Raceface 3-ring cranks and 2.5 Weirwolf tires. I'm heavy but I'm slow until I come to the downhill part of the ride.
Bike Setup: 06 avent boost and manitou 4-way shock, 05 manitou sherman flicks, front hayes hfx9, back hope m4, mavic 729's on hope xc's, truvativ hussefelts, ect.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
bart wyspa_wwa
a Downhiller
from warsaw/poland
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2005
Strengths: strength, comfort, good face vent, nicely fly protected, good fit, good neck protection with proper safety jacket
Weaknesses: very (EXTREMLY) CHIP foam inner part. looks like baby helmet from chip supermarket, after few crashes with head leanding is moving a liitle, week head vent (face vent is OK)
Bottom Line:
After several landing "on the rocks" I'm staying with 661 full bravo. It saved my head. Outside is very strong (scratched looks even better:). Inside (if you have to take it out) looks very chip, and is mounted with glue. I wish 661 resolve this. In my extremly used one, it's moving a little, but I don't notice ithis when riding. Head part vent is week, face vent is ok. Use good safety jacket - it could save your neck with full face. I use Ufoplast Scorpion Sjacket (motocross version).
Strengths: comfortable, light, looks good, solidly built
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
found this helmet for $60 and couldn't pass it up. I'm glad I didn't. definitely a good investment. not quite as cushy inside as some others, but still very comfortable.
Submitted by
David Parenteau
a Weekend Warrior
from Nanaimo,BC,Canada
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005
Strengths: Light and comfortable.Easily adjustable visor and it looks sharp in the graphite colour scheme.Good visability as well.It also came with a helmet bag.
Weaknesses: Hot,just like any other FF helmet.The strap is difficult to do up with full fingered gloves on.
Bottom Line:
After several rides the helmet really began to conform to the shape of my head and it's become really comfortable.Initially it was uncomfortable around the chin area but that problem is gone now.The strap can be awkward to use with the double D ring setup if you wear full fingered gloves but it's a more reliable system than the plastic snaps that some helmets have.With the double D ring system,you know that the helmet isn't coming off.Although my helmet has yet to save my head in a big crash,it does have a number of marks on it from unplanned contact with the odd stump or log.Hopefully I won't ever have to put it to a real test. Great helmet for the DH'er or Freerider but way more helmet than is neccessary for the XC rider.
Similar Products Used: all of 661s full face helmets
Bike Setup: 03 iron horse sgs pro dh..
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Valdosta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2005
Strengths: protective, comfortable, removable linter, looks great, well vented
Weaknesses: Paint job seems like it might chip or scratch easy(i have the 05 matte black w/ red flames)
Bottom Line:
I have to say that I've only tested it out a few times, and I don't downhill, I ride singletrack. I went with the full face mainly for two reasons: 1) i'm new and not the best, and my face is ugly enough as it is 2)To keep those freaking spider webs off my face and out of my hair. I was expecting this helmet to be unbearibly hot, expecially living in south ga. Its unbelievably cool. Its pretty well ventalated, especially at speeds. Its very comfy too. It does run about a half size large, and the comp runs a little smaller than that. I havn't even noticed any spider webs, so i don't know if its doing a good job like i hoped it would, or if the spiders died. As for durability, i cna't say that i've given it a good test, but it seems like it could take some hard beatings. I have to reccomend this helmet to you if you're looking at an affordable full face helmet.
