The new Sweep XC picks up where its road racing brethren (the Sweep R) left off and adds Bell's new Variable Position Visor (VPV) to the mix. The VPV allows for 15 degrees of vertical adjustment by using an imbedded clutch mechanism that holds the visor firmly at the desired angle, but allows for easy, on-the-fly changes. Couple this with the 20 breezy vents, Bell's signature GPS Fit System, Fusion In-Mold Microshell and bottom wrap, internal reinforcements and clicked-in graphics and you have a helmet that's destine to go from box to podium in no time flat.
Submitted by
tigermale
a Weekend Warrior
from Sweden Date Reviewed: October 19, 2009
Favorite Trail:
anywhere
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$140.00
Strengths:
Great looking, great adjustment dial, great ventilation
Weaknesses:
WEAK design
Similar Products Used:
bell avanti, netto
Bottom Line:
This is a great looking helmet, but the fins in the back are weak as hell. I sometimes keep by helmet(s) in my backpack, while going to the store etc. and must've compressed or snagged one of these fins, causing them to break off, foam and all. the plastic shell has come off the foam in several places. if it were'nt for this, i'd give this one 11 pts on a 1-10 scale, but i just can't cope with pricey things breaking down so easily. I'll go with the cheaper ones from now on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ski542
a Cross Country Rider
from Bellingha, WA, USA Date Reviewed: July 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Galbrith
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$135.00
Strengths:
Vents heat extremely well. Secure fit on you head. Super light.
Weaknesses:
none (pricey but worth it)
Similar Products Used:
Older Giro helmets
Bike Setup:
Intense 5.5
Bottom Line:
My favorite weather is 55 degrees and overcast, so i'm always looking for something to get rid of as much heat as possible. The sweep is worth the price of admission. Keeps my head as cool as possible as the temps heat up during the summer. My last couple of helmets have been cheapo giros and i wish i would have spent the extra cash sooner and picked up this helmet. Another important feature is Twin Access Gear (TAG) system for fit (check out their website for more info). I don't like to have the straps super snug around my chin so it is very important for the helmet to fit securely. I would recommend this helmet to anyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
minouchi
a Racer
from Littleton, CO Date Reviewed: March 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Mount Falcon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Village w/50
Strengths:
Great ventilation - After first getting it, I went for a couple of cool weather rides and the only thing that got cold was my head...I just wasn't used to having such a breezy helmet! Light weight, looks good, VERY COMFY! High visor increases your ability to see and reduces neck pain. Easy to adjust on the fly. Bonus: No Helmet Hair! It will flatten your hair, but not give you the big bumps most helmets do!
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Helmets by Giro, other Bell, Trek.
Bottom Line:
Love it. Well worth the price I paid! Worth it at full price if you can afford it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
twheat
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette, CO, USA Date Reviewed: January 2, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Marshall Mesa (boulder)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light weight, looks and feels like a reallly high end helmet at a great pric point. Great air flow, well designed ratchet system.
Weaknesses:
I have yet to take a digger to the head while wearing the sweep, it seems fragile, but then again its BELL and i wouldnt doubt its stength. BELL has never let me down in their higher end helmet line up.
Similar Products Used:
Pro-tec, BERN, other bell XC style.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Pitch Pro.
Bottom Line:
I love this helmet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
OverfieldA
a Racer
from Stuttgart Germany Date Reviewed: August 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$87.00
Strengths:
Does a great job in a crash
Bottom Line:
This is an update to a previous post. I bought my Sweep XC last Feb and was not pleases with the separation between the plastic outside and the foam core and posted a not so glowing review.
On stage 8 of this years Transalp about 20km from the finish (don't ask me how) I ended up crashing and knocking myself out. My teammate thought I was dead, apparently I hit right shoulder then head, and then ended up hitting helmet side first into a curb. When I came around the race doctor was asking me what hurt, and told me that my race was over.
The only problem was my head did not hurt at all. I got up talked the doc into letting me continue, I finished (with my teammate in more shock than me, we finished). Then inspected my helmet and found that it did it's job to a T and like a Secret Service Agent sacrificed it's life to save mine. The plastic shell was scraped and dented but the real value of this helmet was on the inside where you could see where the foam body cracked and gave to protect my head.
I am truly sold on this helmet and plan to replace it with a new Sweep XC very soon. If you ever find yourself going wrong side up, this helmet is the one you need.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
phildevils@hotmail.com
a Racer
from sherbrooke, QC Date Reviewed: August 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Baie St-Paul race track
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
sports 4 season
Strengths:
ventilation is juste too good
the fit is as always perfect
Weaknesses:
a bit expensive for the rider who don't have it to the cost
Bottom Line:
best helmet ever
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason G
a Racer
from Toronto, Canada Date Reviewed: April 23, 2008
Favorite Trail:
alll
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
fit, feel, ventilation, looks
Weaknesses:
no replacement pads, and trying to find them is not so easy either
Similar Products Used:
Giro
Bottom Line:
Great Helmet, no issues, cool on hot humid days, fits like a dream
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Overfield
a Racer
from Stuttgart, Germany Date Reviewed: April 18, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Strengths:
Great vents, and a good fit
Weaknesses:
plastic shell pulling away from the foam core
Bottom Line:
Bought a closeout 06 great color red, white and blue. Feels great on my head can wear it for hours with no discomfort.
However I am concerned on the durability of the helmet. Less than a week after I got it, I noticed the plastic molding beginning to pull away from the foam core in several places. Not overly impressed, and concerned that once the helmet is exposed to the hot summer temps, that the problem will only get worse.
Would not buy another
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dashiell Feierabend
a
from Anchorage, Alaska Date Reviewed: March 8, 2008
Favorite Trail:
anything that's flowy
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Costco.com
Strengths:
Light, well vented, swift size adjustment, super styly.
Weaknesses:
Not enough padding, visor seems flimsy.
Similar Products Used:
Bell Aquila
Bike Setup:
Raleigh Lahar 02
Bottom Line:
This was the first high end helmet I've bought since getting into MTB. Truthfully, I was quite satisfied with the ancient Aquila despite its weight and lack of venting. But the Sweep is definitely light and airy, styled to make you look like you're at mach speeds when you're standing around playing with your balls. My main complaint is the lack of padding round the back of the helmet...when I press with my hands even lightly, it hurts the nog. That can't feel good in a crash situation, but luckily I've not had the chance to test it. Aside from that, it fits snug and the "GPS" (oh, they are soooo clever to create that acronym...marketing technology is disgusting) works flawlessly. Overall I would recommend it at the $80 steal I got it for, but you might need to customize the padding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erik Fiske
a Cross Country Rider
from Underhill Center, Vermont USA Date Reviewed: February 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
all of them
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$85.00
Purchased At:
blue sky cycles
Strengths:
Plenty of vents, attractive color schemes, easy adjust system, and it fits my head comfortably.
Weaknesses:
has not come between my noggin and the ground yet. No, wait thats a good thing!
Similar Products Used:
older bell products, none of which even come close to this egg crate.
Bike Setup:
wheels seat pedals, usual bike stuff parts and pieces
Bottom Line:
During my search at the local LBS this was the one that fit me the best but they were gouging at $135+. So I looked online and saved myself $50. It all comes down to comfort and venting for me. I sweat alot so this does just the trick. If you can find them below $100 go for it, if not, well it is something that protects your brain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MntnRnnr
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia, USA Date Reviewed: December 5, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Awesome fit. Excellent ventilation. Lightweight.
Weaknesses:
Expensive. (But then again, so is a trip to the ER...)
Similar Products Used:
Bell Influx. Tried various Giro helmets, but they don't fit my head well. Bell's helmets do.
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome helmet. The fit, with Bell's GPS system is fantastic (at least for me.) The air vents are ginormous - this helmet really ventilates well. Definitely one of the most comfortable helmets I've worn. I'm not sure about the "adjustability" of the visor - doesn't seem to do anything for me - but doesn't matter too much to me. The helmet is a bit on the expensive side - but if you shop around you can usually find it on sale. Overall, a great helmet!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from central valley, CA. Date Reviewed: July 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Can't tell you!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Amazon.com
Strengths:
The fit is second to none. Great styling. Breathes well. Lightweight. Nice visor. Crash replacement program.
Weaknesses:
Mine did not come with extra pads.
Similar Products Used:
Giro Stelvio, Giro Havoc, Specialzed M1.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic Marathon mountain bike. Specialized E5 S-Works road bike.
Bottom Line:
I cannot believe how comfortable this helmet is. It also looks bad@ss with the matte black/carbon color scheme. I was thinking about getting a Giro Atmos, but they don't come with a visor option, so the Sweep XC was the winner. It also is about $50 cheaper than the Atmos and it fits better. If you are thinking about getting this helmet, get it, you will not be disappointed. The crash replacement program is also a good incentive for peace of mind if you shall ever push this helmet to it's breaking point.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremie
a
from Newport, RI Date Reviewed: June 10, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Looks bad-ass, fits snug as a glove with the GPS, and is super comfortable...I love it!
Weaknesses:
None...maybe the cost
Similar Products Used:
Other (older) Bell helmets
Bike Setup:
Fisher Big Sur and Specialized P.3
Bottom Line:
I just got the Sweep XC off eBay for pretty cheap, wore it for a few rides and loved it...then tried to eat a sidewalk and cracked it all up. My shoulder hurts like hell, and I took some skin off my face, but my head was fine...not even a headache! Just to note, when I called about the crash replacement program Bell has, I guess they have a new program where they give you 30% off a new helmet...or with the old program you can send it in and get a new one for $35. So, $104 or $35...you do the math, but I stuck with the old program.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon-Paul Versfeld
a Weekend Warrior
from South Africa Date Reviewed: September 27, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Jonkershoek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
Great look; good selection of colours; crash raplacement warranty; fits snug (GPS; good venting.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
Bell Delerium
Bike Setup:
Giant VT 2.
Bottom Line:
Wrote off my Bell Delerium - suffered grade 5 AC shoulder seperation (ie. totally wasted my shoulder; broken ribs. - Helmet had 8 cracked segments. I've fallen hard before, but this was SUPER HARD!!! And my head??? Not even the slightest scratch / headache :) This is why i've gone and upgraded to the Sweep XC. This Bell brand is sure courage for my head.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ricardo
a Cross Country Rider
from Ajax, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Glen Major/ Durham Forest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
Impala
Strengths:
Very light, excellent ventilation, cool-looking. Can use for road riding if you remove the visor. Adjusting system works very well and quick if you want to wear a cap, bandana or balaclava in cold weather.
Weaknesses:
Pricy. Doesn't come with spare pads. Range of visor movement is useless and not as claimed by Bell.
Similar Products Used:
Bell Mirage (about 7 yrs old!).
Bike Setup:
All stock 2005 Giant NRS
Bottom Line:
I don't race but highly recommend the Sweep XC to any cross country rider looking for a good quality helmet. Great ventilation, cool look and very light.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nathan F.
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio TEXAS! Date Reviewed: August 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Everywhere
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
BeyondBikes.com
Strengths:
Great air flow, light weight, fits perfectly!
Weaknesses:
None so far!
Similar Products Used:
Many types from Bell, Giro & Specialized.
Bike Setup:
1999 Litespeed Tsali-XT Group,Titec 118 Ti Handlebar,Frogs,Judy SID,KING Ti bottle cage,Salsa Brake Brace&Syncros Ti post. WT approx. 23 pounds ;)
Bottom Line:
One hell of a helmet, granted it is still new, but I have not felt this good wearing a helmet until now. It fits perfect, the air flow is wonderful, sweat did not go past my brow. The GPS fit system works better than Giro's Roc-Loc systems (IMHO). I am impressed with how you need to depress the dial to activate the adjustment. This way it is harder to fall out of adjustment, unlike the Roc-Loc that I used on my old Hammerhead, after over a year of use, the Roc-Loc had a tough time of staying in adjustment. I eventually got rid of it. My wife has a Trek helmet, which works great for her, but I now wish I had bought another Sweep XC just for her.
COngrats to Bell for a job well done on design and function!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Rai
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Timberland -close to home!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$78.00
Purchased At:
Ordered again but now with Psyclewerx
Strengths:
Lightweight, stylish and very good fastening system-best I have seen. Great ventilation.
Weaknesses:
I have been unlucky (one off?) the helmet I received had a few dents (should have checked in store) and the stickers fell off and I found a crack/hole hidden by the visor.
My 2nd helmet had a dodgy finish, the paint was peeling off the visor and I basically got my money back.
Talked into getting a black version instead of the silver ones and hopefully it will be fine!
Similar Products Used:
Met, Giro, Bell etc.
Bike Setup:
Well its for my head?!! Shaved as usual!
Bottom Line:
Well if p-werx can get me a spotless one unlike other bike shops (it was bells fault anyways) then I will buy it again and be happy!
The U.K. gets the same brands as other places, but we get the shoddy colours.
On Bells website they have so many great colours, but U.K. distributer is so rubbish in choosing ranges, they only importd silver, char-coal and white/blue?!!
What about red white and blue?
If you get a nice one, keep it as its a great helmet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryant
a Weekend Warrior
from Alameda, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 26, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$95.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Very light. Good fit for round head shapes. GPS system beats Giro's Roc-Loc.
Weaknesses:
Ventilation is good, but my E2 is better. Visor is smaller than E2 and doesn't cover as well.
Similar Products Used:
Giro E2
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert 120
Bottom Line:
This helmet is essentially replacing my year-old Giro E2. The E2 is a great helmet, this one's just that much better. Style-wise, they each have their own distinctive shape. The E2 has a sharper, and blockier shape than the swoopy lines of the Sweep. It boils down to a matter of personal taste and I like both, but the point goes to Bell for an edgier design.
I didn't need a new helmet but when I tried on the Sweep in the store, it blew me away with how much better hit fit my head. I have a very round head and it's freakishly wide. This makes it hard to find properly fitting helmets and sunglasses. I only wear Arai motorcycle helmets for this reason. The Bell is wider than the E2 which I think would make it fit a wider range of head sizes. The difference is small but very noticeable. The only knock I'd give it on fit is that it tends to sit "on" my head rather than my head fitting "into" it, like the E2. The GPS system blows the Roc-Loc away. It's much easier to get it fit just by turning the dial. With the Roc-Loc, I was always accidentally releasing it by hitting the buttons. This happened a lot just simply putting the helmet on or taking it off. I get slightly less "helmet hair" with the Bell also.
If you're looking for a high-end trail helmet that's versatile enough for the street, this one's worth every penny.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Burque Date Reviewed: June 1, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Bell
Strengths:
It is feather light & tons of vents, with a visor that never blocks your view.
Weaknesses:
None.
Bike Setup:
Salsa Moto Rapido, Full X-9, Race Face Deus Cranks, Easton Carbon Monkeylite SL, Thomson Stem & Post
Bottom Line:
Its a great looking lightweight mountain helmet that doesn't have a long visor to block your view. And it does a great job of keeping your head cool.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lewis
a Racer
from Portland, OR Date Reviewed: May 12, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
Here's an update on dealing with Bell to get the replacement pads: They responded to my email within 24 hrs. and new pads are on their way...
You have to respect a company that stands behind it's products with great customer service.
I'll bump my review up a couple of Chilis for great product and great service!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lewis
a Racer
from Portland, OR Date Reviewed: May 9, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Bike Gallery
Strengths:
Comfortable, adjustable, light, good ventilation, removable visor
Weaknesses:
Pads fall apart
Bottom Line:
I got this helmet so I could have a single helmet to wear for mountain biking, road riding and commuting. The good: - The easy adjustment makes it a snap to add/remove a skullcap for cold rides. - The removable visor is great for switching from MTB to road. - This is the best ventilated helmet I have ever worn. The bad: - The pads in the front of the helmet started falling apart after just a couple of months. After a year they're basically trashed. For $120, I'd expect every part of this helmet to be bomb proof, even for a daily rider. I'm waiting to hear from Bell to see if they can hook me up with some replacement pads.
Overall: This is a really good helmet, highly functional and great looking. If it weren't for the problem with the pads, it would be a fantastic helmet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from Germany, US Army Date Reviewed: December 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Black Forest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$85.00
Purchased At:
Wheel World.com
Strengths:
LOOKS, LIGHT WHEIGHT, retention system very comfortable
Weaknesses:
Price when not on sell
Similar Products Used:
Alpina MTB
Bottom Line:
Great helmet. I get a lot of complaments on it. I didnt have this helmet a week and had a bad crash with it on. I can say that it did what it was made for.I sustained no injury (to my head) Helmet sustained several cracks and goudges. I still wear it for light rides and can't even tell that its broken. When I return home from Afghanistan I will definitly buy another one weather it os on sell or not!! Got to give it 5 RED HOT chillies!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Canal Winchester Date Reviewed: August 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Lake Hope, OH
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Good Venting, tight fit (does not move), Cool looks
Weaknesses:
None soo far
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez
Bike Setup:
Sworks FSR
Bottom Line:
This is great helmet and a steal at $80. No sweat run's down into your eye's with this baby. You can feel the air keeping your head cool. Recommend to anyone looking to get a new helmet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Somerset, NJ Date Reviewed: August 18, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
Bike 'n Gear
Strengths:
comfort, ventillation, light weight, endlessly adjustable with simple but high quality clips/buckles, looks
Weaknesses:
you get what you pay for, but I have to believe some of the $125 is just for the Bell name.
Similar Products Used:
sixsixone don't remember the model. good helmet, sacrificed itself a few times for me. not as comfortable as the bell.
Bottom Line:
expensive but worth every penny. so comfortable and light you will forget you're wearing it. great ventillation. high quality all around. nice, easy adjustability in the chin straps and head band make it possible to size it perfectly. very highly recommended.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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