Submitted by
Kat
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2006
Strengths: comfortable....good visor to keep sun off...rain too.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This helmet saved my life. I was doing a technical uphill section and ended up doing a wheelie backwards into a creek and landed headfirst onto a razor sharp rock. The outside of the helmet was fine but when I got home and looked the inside was all cracked up. The helmet did it's job.....just bought another x-ray because I know it will perform under pressure.
Submitted by
eric
a Racer
from fall city washington
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2005
Strengths: cool and cool in summer comfortable priced well
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
for a xc helmet it is bombproof and for a smooth rider it lasts forever. I have road ridden, dhed, xc'ed, dirtjumped, and cyclo-crossed and it did all of those without a comlaint. I crash a ton when pushing the limits of my tires and riding ability and it has always been there for me. worth all the money
Similar Products Used: Specialized Airwave but the Bell X-Ray is way better.
Bike Setup: 2006 Gary Fisher Tass Disc,Hayes So1e hydralic disc brakes,Manitou Axel Platinum Air 100,Deore shifters and front deraileur, LX M-570 rear deraileur,deore hubs,Bontrager select cranks,Bontrager Jones XR tires,Bontrager Ranger rims, 14 gram spokes,Bontrager Select saddle,Bontrager Sport crowbar,Bontrager Sport Stem,Bontrager Sport Seatpost, Truvativ ISIS Gigapipe, Shimano HG-73 chain,Sram PG-950 cassette,and Bontrager Dual Density grips.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
JT
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern CA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2005
Strengths: Fit, ventilation, profile
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Tried a "universal fit" helmet trying to save a few bucks, but I'm a slightly larger size and this didn't cut it. Bell X-Ray has been worth the money. Best combination of comfort , fit, adjustability that I tried. Reasonably low-profile and doesn't give that "bubble-head" look.
This is a great helmet, very cool with a very good fit. I just bought my 3rd one, I have crashed and cracked my helmet twice in the past year, but I didn't crack my skull. The helmet did its job. So far I have had to replace the pads in the 1st 2 helmets within 2 months of getting the helmet, this is my only complaint.
Submitted by
rwl11
a Cross Country Rider
from PDX, OR USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2005
Strengths: Excellent Fit, great ventalation
Weaknesses: Visor is TOO long!
Bottom Line:
After having to buy a new helmet after breaking an older Bell, this one fit great in the store. After riding with it for the first time in the Bend Big Fat Tour for 45 miles, www.bendbigfattour.com , I wondered why my neck was sore. Well, the visor is TOO long, which means I have to hold my head those few degrees higher to see down the trail, or if I hold it in a comfortable position, I can't see far enough and stuff just comes up too fast to react.
Bell has EXCELLENT customer service. When I bought my Silver helmet with a black visor, it wasn't more than 2 weeks when they came with a silver visor. I called Bell and asked if I could by the better looking silver visor. They said 'Sorry, we order 1 visor for every helmet. No extras!' I was astounded 6 months later, when I got a FREE silver visor in the mail, announced. I'll be buying a Bell from now on, the next being a Sweep XC. Fits awesome, shorter visor....I CAN SEE! without the neck problems. Supergo has the best price, $89.99
Bike Setup: Ellsworth ISIS, Race Face galore, hopes
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Reid
a Weekend Warrior
from Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2005
Strengths: Looks good, excellent ventilation, superb fit, GPS retention system
Weaknesses: A little expensive
Bottom Line:
I really couldn't be any happier with this helmet. I bought it yesterday because it was on sale half off. There wasn't anything wrong with my old helmet, a Specialized Enduro Comp, but I new as soon as I tried the X-Ray on in the bike shop that I had to have it. Between the outstanding fit, excellent ventilation and light weight, I forgot that I was wearing a helment during my ride today. There's simply no comparision between my old Specialized and the X-Ray. I had no idea a bike helment could be this good. Looks pretty good too (by bike helment standards anyway).
Submitted by
Sandman
a Cross Country Rider
from Pompano, Fl
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2005
Strengths: COMFORT, LIGHT, VENTILATION
Weaknesses: Liner pads fell apart
Bottom Line:
I purchased this helmet out of nessesity. I broke mine loading my gear, had to get one quick and did not really take the time to do the research. In the shop it felt good and was lightweight, it came in a cool blue/grey/black so I got it. Much to my surprise it has been awesome! I love this thing and will not wear anything else. It fits my head perfect, is durable and looks great. I would recommend it highly! Take care of the liner pads though. Mine disentagrated (due to abuse no dought) but a replacement set were available from Bell no problem. Im givin this one a 5+5
Submitted by
Luis Hernandez
a Cross Country Rider
from Guadalajara, Mexico
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2005
Strengths: Light, GPS retention system, no stretching straps
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Very nice fit. GPS retention system is very easy to use. I like two things better than Giro E2: lower profile and no stretching straps. Looks cool and keeps my head cool. Price is reasonable for what you get.
Bike Setup: Specialized Epic '03 with DT Swiss, Shimano, SRAM, Race Face, Thomson, Selle Italia, Tioga, Easton, Avid, Stan's...
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Rik
a Weekend Warrior
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2005
Strengths: Light, great fit, cooling and easily adjustable. Safe (by others' experience)
Weaknesses: Visor just a bit too long, but I doesn't bother me much.
Bottom Line:
My brother in law crashed into the back of a van the first day he wore his new X-Ray, went right through the rear shield, but was quite OK. Helmet cracked, but did its job. Now he has a new one.
I myself feel quite OK when I wear the X-Ray. Great ventilation and the GPS system rocks. Lighter than a Giro E2. Get one for a good price and you won't be disappointed.
Submitted by
S Junaid
a Cross Country Rider
from Clarksville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2004
Strengths: Excellent fit around the head. GPS positioning. Location of pads, Looks, light...
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
This helmet beat all I've ever used or tried on my head before. PERFECT. Even though I demoed it only, I bet you I'll have one within the month and will be loving it! When I say I've never had such a good fit ever before, I'm not kidding, I'm being dead serious. It fit better than all the Giros and Specializeds, all the Mets and other Bells. I have a slightly oblong head and this helmet fit like a true glove. I couldn't budge it except for the movement of the skin on my head, rock solid all around. Bell just set the standard for anatomy-friendly design with this awesome helmet. The only thing I find lacking (would find lacking) is the 'cheap' looking plastic components of the GPS system. My only fear is whether the same plastic components will withstand a hard fall and keep the helmet on my head when i do do an endo...