Last year it was a great deal. This year it's a steal and then some. Introducing the Ukon FS, featuring Fusion In-Mold construction, our improved Twin Action fit system, easy-to-adjust Cam-Lock levers, 17 vents and a snap-in visor.
Submitted by
F Bomb
a Downhiller
from Northern NH Date Reviewed: August 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Anything off trail in the White Mountains
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Local Shop
Strengths:
Simple but sturdy. No nonsense. Totally old school feel.
Weaknesses:
Haven't found one yet.
Bike Setup:
Vintage, made in USA Treks.
Bottom Line:
Can't say enough about this helmet. It fits and feels great and has taken some semi beatings without any problems. I stumbled onto this helmet and its made a lifelong Bell fan out of me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matin lopez
a
from greensboro Date Reviewed: September 17, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
fit my head! after trying on everything under 89 bux, this thing fit like a glove...amazing for my watermelonhead.
Weaknesses:
none really...could use more padding but if you compare it with as i stated above, it really has no weakness...but you DO have to know how to use it unlike some that have posted here...maybe they bought their helmet too late!
Similar Products Used:
specialized...a great helmet...best ever in fact but could not find locally and a bit pricey. Giro gila...good lid but tore up a bit too soon. Other models i cant remember but never owned a bell before.
Bike Setup:
mag hardtail mainly mountain but gots the pinners for the road.
Bottom Line:
FLAT OUT the best deal I have ever gotten on a lid...the others at performance were just uncomfortable with the rear plastic (all sizes) strap digging into the skull...only the bell seemed to do it right...and this is comparing with 80 dolla units...i almost didnt try it on cause it was so cheap...slightly heavier maybe, but c'mon, for the money you cant tell the difference....makes your neck stronger anyway you weenies
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marc
a Weekend Warrior
from Redlands, Ca, US Date Reviewed: October 18, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
sportsmart
Strengths:
Comfortable. Looks pretty good. Bell is a reliable helmet brand. Good adjustablilty. Price.
Weaknesses:
Air flow isn't great.
Similar Products Used:
Other bell helmets.
Bike Setup:
gt avalanche 2.0
Bottom Line:
A good reliable helmet. can get warm, but is half the price of most other helmets. i'm satisfied with it. if you lose the little helmet pads call or email bell, and they'll send you new ones for free.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Oz
a Cross Country Rider
from Abilene, TX Date Reviewed: April 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Anything my kids won't try
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
rei
Strengths:
Helmet is the heat
Weaknesses:
only after it has been bashed on something
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
the helmet... focus on the helmet
Bottom Line:
I am helmet # 3, not becuase they malfunctioned or were faulty, but because they have saved my noodle! I'm sure there are better helmets out there, but for $40... come on. Once on a tree, second time on a big rock, no question each one has been worth every penny. 5 and 5 on the chili meter since i'm still here to write this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cory
a Weekend Warrior
from Juneau, AK, USA Date Reviewed: April 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
dredge lake to ecology trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
cambria bicycle outfitters
Strengths:
Everything! Great fit, looks cool, and offers very much protection. I would deffinatly buy this helmet again.
Weaknesses:
On this helmet?
Similar Products Used:
protec
Bike Setup:
2004 Marin Pine Mountain, stock with a few upgrades.
Bottom Line:
I was recenly in a bad bike crash and this helmet saved my life! Everybody should buy this helmet, even the most hardcore racers. Buy this helmet, it rocks!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nelson
a Weekend Warrior
from Portugal Date Reviewed: November 20, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Strengths:
Fits like a Glove. Never had a helmet in my that felt so good. Good design.
Weaknesses:
The straps where a bit long so I had to cut them
Similar Products Used:
Other Bell and 661 Mullet
Bike Setup:
Hardrock
Bottom Line:
I tried lots of helmet's before deciding for this Bell and most of them where more expensive but this was the first to really fit great and feel confortable. The construction quality seems very good also. It is easy to adjust. Highly recommended considering the price. You pay little and get a lot.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vlad
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
sportcheck
Strengths:
I dont know what those other guys were saying, this is a great product. It took me a while to find a helmet this good. It fits me like a glove and it also looks cool.
Weaknesses:
There are no weaknesses but if u want one then the straps were a little too long so i had to cut them.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Norco wolverine, with a new easton handlebars and a Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 3 fork
Bottom Line:
This helmet is great. If you find that your head doestn really fit in any helmet like mine go for this one. IT looks cool, it fits well and it migth save your brains one day. So go out there and ride fast and ride safe.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from niagara falls Date Reviewed: August 5, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Sport Check
Strengths:
Good price. Twin action fit system creates an amazing fit for any head size. Fusion in-mold tecnology improves durability. Functional visor, has no holes. Excellent ventalation. Looks cool.
Weaknesses:
Straps were too long.
Similar Products Used:
Louis Garneau Rock n' Road
Bike Setup:
Not relevant
Bottom Line:
A great fitting helmet that looks good, and breaths well. If you wear it, it may just save your head one day.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelly
a Cross Country Rider
from Philly Date Reviewed: June 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Wissahickon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$29.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Inexpensive, looks fine, comfortable. Great customer service.
Weaknesses:
Pads fell apart but I use it everyday and Bell immediately sent me replacements.
Bike Setup:
Mongoose Zero G2 with upgrades. Basic cross country.
Bottom Line:
I don't have much experience with other helmets. This post is motivated by Bell's great customer service. The little pads fell apart after a few months, though I have been riding virtually every day this year. One email to Bell brought me a quick response and replacement pads in a few days, for free. I'm glad I can't speak for it saving me in any crashes yet, but great customer service like this leads me to think they've put some effort into the product itself. I would recommend this helmet to anyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
clifford louie
a Cross Country Rider
from Bellevue, WA. USA Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$29.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Serviceable, basic, yet comfortable. Economical. The black on red graphics make it appear more expensive.
Weaknesses:
Chin strap doesn't stay snug. As the ride progresses, body heat (or some mysterious force) causes the strap to loosen up. I do pinch myself about 50% of the time when trying to release. Universal sizing is ok, not terrific.
Similar Products Used:
giro gila
Bike Setup:
2000 Intense Tracer with full XTR and Mavic ceramic rims.
Bottom Line:
It'll do the job, but getting an upmarket helmet utilizing sizing for fit and better strap retention would be a plus.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Emilio
a Cross Country Rider
from mystic, CT Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
bluff
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
rose city
Strengths:
lasted a year, "probily" saved my life
Weaknesses:
they all seem minor now
Similar Products Used:
giro havoc
Bike Setup:
giant warp ds2 rs sid 100 float rl
Bottom Line:
I say "probily" because I can't remember. All I can remember is sitting back at my car trying to true my front wheel the rest of the day is blank. doc J said I have a concussion and the CAT scan showed signs of bruising. the helmet cracked from the bell emblem on the right side right around to the other side. I hate to think what would have hapened if I didn't have a helmet on. It does not mater what helmet you have even the cheep ones will still save you a55.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DAVY
a Cross Country Rider
from tightbung1@yahoo.com Date Reviewed: April 13, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Straps and clasps are weak. Mine broke on 3rd ride. Means helmet is junk
Weaknesses:
Giro, older good Bells
Bike Setup:
Junk. DO NOT BUY. The cheap clasps that adjust the rentention straps are Junk. Mine broke one the thrid use. They have very small, weak half-moon shaped pins that fit in the holes and in theory are suppossed to provide enough strength to hold the clasp closed. Mine popped out, first the left, then the right. Now every time I try to close them, they pop out and the helmet cannot be used. Can imaginge how well it would hold in an accident. Bell has cheapened its helmets with this low end made in China garbage. A few years ago they got in a big mess because of defective retention systems and apparently they have not learned. An unsafe helmet. Cannot give negative ratings to it or a would. Does not deserve even one "chili"
Bottom Line:
GEE, another rewrite. Ought to fix this posting system too. No chilis for it. The clasps on my helemt failed on the 3rd use. Have very cheap half moon shaped pins that will pop out of the holes aloowing the helmet to come loose. JUNK. A few years ago, bell got into trouble over defective retention systems. Apparentley, they have not learned. Made in China on the cheap. Do not buy any helemet with this type of retention system. It is worthless and dangerous. WIll be contacting Bell directly, but I am sure I will be wasting my time. No more Bell products fo me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Scoobydoo
a Cross Country Rider
from Tokyo, Japan Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$56.00
Purchased At:
Mont Bell, Yokohama, Japan
Strengths:
It is a helmet. Pads are durable. Does not have an excess of holes, therefor allowing it to be constructed of less hard foam--should assorb impact better
Weaknesses:
Straps--especially the new design for the chinstrap clasp
Similar Products Used:
Bell, Giro
Bike Setup:
2 wheels, cranks, chain. I suppose this seems absurdly irrelevant for evaluating a helmet.
Bottom Line:
Cost a ton, but this is Tokyo. Won't get it cheaper anywhere here, because prices are fixed. Suppliers work together to prevent keep prices at the same level. Called collusion and price fixing in the US. Oh, Sorry. It is ok helmet, good basic lid and doesn't cost more than the brain surgery it is supposed to help prevent, but the clasp really is difficult for me to release without pinching myself. Don't know why Bell started this. The one size fits all idea is nice, but is less comfortable than the old sizing methods for me. Would have bought another GIRO, but their pads don'tlast. One or two wand washings and they fall apart. Bell pads last. No extra pads suppiled with this "cheapy". MADE IN CHINA.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nic
a Downhiller
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: March 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Mann Cycle
Strengths:
Look, Lite, Fits awesome
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Avanti
Bike Setup:
Hardrock
Bottom Line:
Great Helmet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas Date Reviewed: February 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Walnut Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$24.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar.com
Strengths:
Fairly light, very comfortable, low price.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Tried some of the Giros, those pads fell off in the store.
Bike Setup:
2003 Gary Fisher Tassajara
Bottom Line:
I picked this up from Nashbar.com on clearance. The helmet fits very nicely as it is fully adjustable, a requirement when buying a helmet online. It has plenty of vents to shed heat and the built-in sweatbands do their job. I forget I have it on while on the trail. It is very hard to beat for $24.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, TX Date Reviewed: January 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
OP Schnabel
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$39.00
Purchased At:
Ride Away Bikes
Strengths:
Lightweight, comfortable, stylish
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Vetta
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper
Bottom Line:
This helmet is very comfortable. The wraparound band comforms to my head so the helmet fits like a glove. After 4 hours I still don't know its there. Lots of vent holes so you stay nice and cool. The visor helps keep the sun out of your eyes. Not as dorky looking as some of the other Bells. I
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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