|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Toby
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in Crested Butte | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Gear.com | | Strengths: | Easy to fit. Saved my head. I was hauling down a gravel road back to my car when I took a turn a way too fast. Well the turn also made a huge drop and off I went flying into the air. I landed it but couldn't handle the rebound. Off I went flying into the air head first. The helmet took the hit. I was knocked out for a minute or two (I think). Ended up with an arm in a sling for two weeks but my head was A OK. | | Weaknesses: | This thing is hot. It needs more vents. But its awesome for $40 bucks. | | Similar Products Used: | Just bought a GIRO with more vents. Had to have more vents. Sorry Bell. | | Bottom Line: | I think this helmet was awesome for $40 bucks. No buyers remorse here. But if you have more cash go for something with more vents. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mudshark
a Cross Country Rider
from sierras
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Protects my noggin. | | Weaknesses: | See below. | | Similar Products Used: | Other Bell helmets. | | Bike Setup: | Kona NuNu | | Bottom Line: | Cheap, basic head protection. Decent ventilation. The suspension has developed an annoying squeak in the last 6 months.I'll wait for the inevitable head plant to replace it. A good low-tech hard hat for riders who hate to spend big bucks on helmets. 3 warm ones. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Candler, NC
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | tennesse mountains | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | very durable | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | Honda Mountain Bike | | Bottom Line: | I was trail riding on a hill in Eastern Tennessee near Boone lake. I was near a rock bank that over looks the lake.
As i was turning, the bike slipped and I fell w/ the bike off a 75 bluff. I fell on my side then tumbled head on into a tree. I was knocked out for several mins until I woke up w/ stars. I broke a rib and had dozens of bruises, but the helmet saved my life, I cracked it, but it was a small one. I think without a helmet, I would not be here today. This is the only helmet I will ever use.
Thanks BELL....\
Rob Dunbar | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a
from Granby, MA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Price, Color Scheme | | Weaknesses: | Ventilation | | Similar Products Used: | Bell Nemesis 2 | | Bike Setup: | GT i-drive | | Bottom Line: | Not bad for $40, but not a great helmet. In-mold would have benn nice. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
will ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from brisban,qld,australia
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | donno | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | supercycle | | Strengths: | great helmet you can hardly tell it's on your head, it's comfortable, and it worx well | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | bell something can't remember but it snapped | | Bike Setup: | specialized hardrock a1 fs | | Bottom Line: | good helmet!! but if you're more a down hiller get a stronger one!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
none lots
a Downhiller
from no where
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | none | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | lots | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | none | | Bottom Line: | none | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris vanderkolk
a Downhiller
from palmerston north new zealand
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | kahutwara | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | pedal pushers | | Strengths: | really comfy, looks great, stays on, can stand up to alot. | | Weaknesses: | nufink | | Similar Products Used: | ummmmm rag | | Bike Setup: | apollo lsx 1.1 | | Bottom Line: | great for any rider.
iv used it everywhere and i takes the lot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clay
a Cross Country Rider
from Truro NS Canada
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Hub Cycle | | Strengths: | Looks Good, Good fit. Price was great... | | Weaknesses: | none... | | Similar Products Used: | Old Cheap things...dish rags....etc... | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Soul. | | Bottom Line: | Well, I had this baby for 6 months... Ringin out the sweat band was all I had to do. Till the other day...Heading down a steeeep desent with weak arms... and a tired body..
Oh Oh....OVER the bars...and Whack!! Side of helmet off this Log.. Thought for sure I was Bleeding. Nope. Cracked the tape portion of the helmet around the edge. Went to trade in today... The darn thing has done it's work!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Racer
from Shawnee Mission, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Good fit, comfortable even on long days, fairly breezy. | | Weaknesses: | LARGE. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek label helmet "Vapor" | | Bottom Line: | Used for road riding -- good helmet for the money. I trust Bell from experience with their motorcycle helmets - strong and solid, even with the ample venting. However, when compared to helmets like Giro at a similar pricepoint, the Bell is HUGE on my head. The FIT is fine, but the overall size of the helmet is larger than others. I basically look like mushroom-head on the road - but this will likely help if I ever do test this helmet for real, ie. me vs. pavement.
Even on a double century last year, this helmet remained comfy and breezy. In retrospect, I might have chosen Giro, just for the looks...otherwise, happy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Jacksonville, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hanna Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Authority | | Strengths: | Somewhat reasonable price; pinchless neck-strap | | Weaknesses: | style | | Similar Products Used: | Bell Image Pro (this one really sucked) | | Bike Setup: | Klein Fervor and Carbon Mantra Pro | | Bottom Line: | It still amazes me that helmets cost so much. They are nothing more than foam wrapped in Coke bottle plastic. Some sell for $160? It is CRAZY! These things are safety equipment, not luxury items! Shame on Gyro, Specialized, and Bell for gouging people for what costs < $10 in materials.
I chose this helmet because it was the cheapest helmet I could find that actually had some good cooling vents and didn't look like crap. My only gripe is that although the fit is snug, it just looks huge on my head. But it works, and that is what counts.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan Mendicino
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lava Flow | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Scottu Browns Cycle Save | | Strengths: | Nice speedy looks, Looks great with and without the peak, the peak is strong also, Strong as well! | | Weaknesses: | Cost a little more than i thought, Needs more air holes, Didnt come in much smaller sizes to fit MY head! | | Similar Products Used: | HRC Exit | | Bike Setup: | Marin B17 FSR DH, 24 speed, In-Sync Tripple clamps | | Bottom Line: | A Helmut with great looks! and a nice atitude!, Requires adjusting, as a click that doesnt pinch your neck! the Padding is soft also.
A good XC helmut, A good all round helmut, And it aint so shabby.
4 Flaming Chilis for Value, 3 for comfort, 5 for looks, and 4 over all! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Warren
a Weekend Warrior
from Doncaster, England
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Steetley Quarry, Conisborough | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$28.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Dock | | Strengths: | Looks good, feels good and cheap | | Weaknesses: | Sit to high on my head and rubs my forehead when worn for a while | | Similar Products Used: | Odyssey Apache DH | | Bike Setup: | Haro MX3 1999 | | Bottom Line: | Very good helmet, i rode in to a tree very fast this morning and it took the impact very nicly with just a small scratch. Very adjustable but not enough colours to choose from. Exellent lid!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robbie
a Cross Country Rider
from Hudson Quebec Canada
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Express-Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Purchased At: | I got it at sportcheck for 20$ Canadian but that was on Boxing day | | Strengths: | cool look, great feel, appears to be strong (have not crashed with it yet) (it;'s still winter and I can't ride)price | | Weaknesses: | When talking off the visor I srated the helmet that's all and that's no big deal since all have lot's of those come summer | | Similar Products Used: | I tried my friends Bell Ballistick, | | Bottom Line: | Great helmet at a great price, 20-50$ is defineltlyy worth it cause it could mean saving your life. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Wollongong, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Meryla Pass | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction Bicycles | | Strengths: | Kewl looking and the colour matches my bike, great weight and ventilation, really comfy to. | | Weaknesses: | Visor is a bit flimsy and can move at very high speeds (80 km/h plus) | | Similar Products Used: | Other Bells and Giros | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Giant Rincon SE | | Bottom Line: | Great stack hat for the cost. No big complaints here. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Cuillerier
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mont-Tremblant (coupe du monde) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Tommy and Lefebvre | | Strengths: | Fit, Price, Padding | | Weaknesses: | Look | | Similar Products Used: | Alot | | Bike Setup: | Devenci Chilliper | | Bottom Line: | Good helmet for the price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Durham Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Authority | | Strengths: | fit
Price
Looks
Visor
Features
| | Weaknesses: | visor comes off sometimes, but not often........but aside from that its good | | Similar Products Used: | other bell helmets | | Bike Setup: | Gary fisher | | Bottom Line: | Great helmet for the price. the visor sometimes pops out of the slots that it sits in but that only happens when your not wearing it. This helmet has an amazing fit. It grabs your head. and is confortable too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Gainesville, FL
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Rock Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very light weight
Adjustable
Price ($40)
Visor stays put | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | giro, trek, specialized, bell | | Bike Setup: | KHS Nomad Softtail | | Bottom Line: | If you want a nice helmet at an inexpensive price, look no further! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James McCallum
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything new and exciting | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Looks, price, Bell crash compensation plan | | Weaknesses: | Frount foam pad falls apart at seams after extended use | | Similar Products Used: | some old thing from the mid 80's | | Bike Setup: | Stock, Giant Xtc Ds2 execpt, with Hope disc front and rear | | Bottom Line: | Good Helmet, unlike other reveiwers, I have had no trouble with the visor being anything but sound. Havent had a decent crash to test the crash capabilities of the helmet(does that mean im not riding hard enough???;-)
Overall 4 flammin chillis because of the frount pad failure but otherwise I will buy another one if/when I crash this one
Looking for a mid priced good looking helmet then buy this one :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike DeWitt
a Weekend Warrior
from Ft. Leonard Wood, MO
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Many | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great price got mine for $32.00 @ performance bikes. Looks good, nice visor and head net. 10.6 oz. very light for price. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Bell, Giro | | Bike Setup: | Raliegh M60 w/ Jett shock | | Bottom Line: | Great starter helmet very light and stylish. Other Helmets as light cost twice as much. Fully adjustable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIKE
a Weekend Warrior
from CHERRY HILL, NJ
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | BEHIND KINGSGRANT | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | PRICE, GREAT FIT EASY TO ADJUST, LOOKS GOOD | | Weaknesses: | A LITTLE HOT | | Similar Products Used: | NASHBAR HELMET, SPECIALIZED,OTHER BELLS | | Bike Setup: | KLIEN ATTITUDE RACE & TREK 2100 COMPOSITE | | Bottom Line: | GREAT HELMET FOR PRICE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Allentown, PA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | psycho betty's revenge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price, I got a great deal when I bought it with my bike | | Weaknesses: | I looked like an alien from "Mars Attacks" | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4000, rigid | | Bottom Line: | Here's the facts. This helmet saved me from a killer fall. I'm going down this sick downhill with all these twists and logs okay. Out of nowhere comes this tombstone shaped rock around a blind bend. Through the air I go, my head bounces off a log, a rock, and then I land in a thorn bush and my bike lands on top of me. The bottom line is that the helmet was still in one piece, and so was my head. Buy this helmet if you want an inexpensive lid that will do the job when you need it to! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cam
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | comfy
Cool finish (sparkly black on black)
| | Weaknesses: | looks cheaper than more expensive helmets...cuz it is. | | Bike Setup: | RM Thin Air | | Bottom Line: | It feels fine and it's cheap.
It DOES come in black now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bigjay
a Weekend Warrior
from Philly
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Broad Street | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Saves your head
Snap on visor
Price! | | Weaknesses: |
A little ugly but what do you expect for $39? | | Similar Products Used: |
Giro | | Bike Setup: |
C-dale | | Bottom Line: | Got hit by a crazy lady in her big ugly car, hit my head on the big ugly car, head saved by big ugly helmet. Ok, it's not that big and ugly, but it did save my head.
Great helmet for the price. Buy it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carbon Klein
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Bigh enough to fit my big head.
Very inexpensive. | | Weaknesses: |
Unavailable in black. | | Similar Products Used: |
Bell Forza Pro 98 model | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Mantra Race 99 | | Bottom Line: | I liked this helmet so much that after two weeks of shopping around, I bought another one. This time I got the 99 model for exactly the same price as my 98 model: $39. I read that the 99 model has new CPSC regulations to meet so is better, but man, the 98 model worked just fine to save my head.This is also my second review on the helmet....once again, I got the blue model. Rather than to pay $20 to Bell to get a new helmet replaced, and to cough up about $12 plus $3 for a box for shipping, I decided not to return my 98 busted helmet for a crash replacement. So I thought I would see how strong these helmets are. Well, I took to my helmet with a hammer, and I used both the blunt and the sharp side of the hammer (I wish I took pics of the process, but alas I didn't). I kept striking and striking the helmet with the hammer while it was on a concrete floor. It finally broke after about half a dozen full effort blows with the hammer. I struck the ridge on the top of the helmet where it was the most thin. I struck it repeatedly with the sharp end of the hammer and while it entered the foam body of the helmet, it wouldn't crack or fracture the helmet....the helmet remained intact. I then placed the helmet on its side and proceeded to strike the side of the helmet (where it struck the ground during my accident) and although I damaged the plastic covering of the helmet, I could not crack the helmet itself. You know what I think? For $39, it's pretty good. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Cross-Country Rider
from MI
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Great value, stylish | | Weaknesses: |
None I could think of | | Similar Products Used: |
Other Bell models | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale Road bike | | Bottom Line: | I needed a new, better fitting helmet that looked good and wouldn't break the bank. I love this model! I had my first road crash last night- collided with a dog that someone did not have on a leash! I was at about 22 mph coming up the back of the pack and the dog shot out in front of me and stopped. Wrecked my bike, but the helmet literally saved my life. I took most of the impact on the right rear of the helmet, it has the imprint of the road on the helmet and cracked it from the rear point all the way through the middle and to front. I Got pretty banged up, still hurting and got a headache, but I shudder to think what it would have been like without a good helmet. Great product- thanks Bell!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carbon Klein
a Weekend Warrior
from SanFrancisco
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Saved my head.
The only thing that fits my big ole head.
Cost only $39 at Copelands and Lombardis in SF | | Weaknesses: |
It doesn't come in black, so I got the blue one. | | Similar Products Used: |
Giro something.... | | Bike Setup: |
99 Klein Mantra Race | | Bottom Line: | I was looking for a black helmet and tried on all the Giros from Exodus and Hammerheads all the way down. Unfortunately, my big head wouldn't fit the Giros well, they bit around the temples and I knew that a headache will surely ensue. The dude at Lombardis in SF found this cheap ass $39 Bell that fit. It was comfortable and had a visor which stayed on the helmet after I wiped out over my handlebars and landed head first on concrete. I got a bruise on my righte temple because the helmet impacted my head, but despite the crack on the plastic covering of the helmet under the visor and the dent on the right side of the helmet, I'm ok. My right knee was so injured that I couldn't walk without excruciating pain for 2 weeks. For people with big gigantic heads, the size L/XL 14 fits well....better than the Giro L/XL. I didn't sweat much that first day I went biking, so I can't comment on that aspect...Bell charges $20 to replace an accident damaged helmet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BIKEHIGH
a Weekend Warrior
from STRAFFORD, PA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
WISSAHICKON | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
This helmet helmet always fit great and semmed to keep my head cool enough. Not the coolest looking lid, but not ugly either. But, I refuse to spend a hundred bucks for looks and style when I can get a great helmet like this for less than fifty. | | Weaknesses: |
Velcro stickies started coming unstuck on a regular basis, but so what. What can you expect after sweating in the thing for a year and leaving it in the truck when it gets over a hundred degrees outside. | | Similar Products Used: |
Giro Hammerhead (leftover $39) | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized FSR | | Bottom Line: | This helmet saved my pumpkin from getting smashed, by giving it's life for mine. Busted the back out of it. Going way too fast on a downhill. Hit a gravel pit. End of story. Don't remember how I hit. Except for some double vision for two days my head was fine. Which is more than I can say for my butt, which had not much skin on it. Still was a pretty cool crash since there just happenned to be this cool babe waiting at the bottom of the hill, and she was nice enough to collect my helmet, shades, and water bottle while I cleared my vision. 4 chilies just cause I didn't spend enough on it to give it five. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Grabowski
a Cross-Country Rider
from Queens, NY
Date Reviewed: August 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Comfortable
Easy strap adjustment
Useful Visor | | Weaknesses: |
A bit heavy | | Similar Products Used: |
Bell Evo2 Pro
Louis Garneau Globe | | Bottom Line: | When I needed a helmet to replace my old trusty Bell Image (The original model) this one fit in more ways than one. Stylish, comfortable, easy to adjust, all at a reasonable price. You also get Bell's excellent reputation for customer service. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a Cross-Country Rider
from sonoma county, ca
Date Reviewed: August 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Bottom Line: | this helmet just saved my skull. had to pick rocks out of the shell. awesome helmet. bought another one but had to pay $40 bucks, not on sale this time. still best investment i have made. have to give it 5 more chilies. i'ld give it 50 if i could. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a Cross-Country Rider
from sonoma county, ca
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
still looking | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
price
looks | | Weaknesses: |
visor | | Bottom Line: | i got this helmet for $25 and it has been holding up great. it was built by 16. i sweat a moderate amount and the pads haven't loosened at all. the visor is on a bit loose but that's not what i think is going to be a big difference if i need it in a crash. the best helmet for the price at just about any range. why spend a $100+ on something that you'll need to replace on your next crash. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Downhiller
a
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
bt timah | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Looks good and it's provided with reinforcements pads, Lifetime guarauntee | | Weaknesses: |
poor workmanship | | Similar Products Used: |
Giro | | Bottom Line: | This product is cheap and it's worthwhile for it's durability......very affordable....worth 5 chills | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SGT ROCK
a Cross-Country Rider
from Drumheller, AB
Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Price
Fit
Looks good | | Weaknesses: |
A bit bulky
Weak visor attachment | | Similar Products Used: |
Bell Image Pro | | Bottom Line: | A good helmet a very good price. Visor attachment bites - light brush with the hand and it's dislodged. If it lasts as well as my '96 Image Pro did, I'd give it a five in spite of the visor. Until then, score four. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick
a Weekend Warrior
from drexel hill, pa
Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
bonner park | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
lite weight, looks good, great price | | Weaknesses: |
the visor | | Similar Products Used: |
bell, giro | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale CAAD3 - Indys | | Bottom Line: | Great Helmet, Great Price... I don't understand why people would pay upwards of $100 for a helmet when this one gets the job done. (Yes it has saved me a few times!) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, Illinois
Date Reviewed: June 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Great style, great fit. | | Weaknesses: |
The weight makes is feel a little weak/cheap, and I don't like how the visor is held onto the helmet so delicatly. | | Similar Products Used: |
Giro & Trek helmets. | | Bottom Line: | Well, first few days out with this and I smacked my head right into a huge rock... the visor exploded into a million pieces and the helmet is dead, but it kept my head from splitting open. I guess this is why we are suppose to wear helmets. Saved my life. 5 flaming chilies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elle Carter
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chico, CA.
Date Reviewed: May 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
anything with dirt | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Bottom Line: | I got my Forza helmet because of it's good looks and great price ($35). So far I've been really pleased with it's performance, it stays on great and looks great too. The only real complaint is that my forehead sweats alot. Aside from that though it's a worthwhile helmet at a very competitive price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Holly
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I spent quite awhile trying to find the right helmet for me, and I have not been disappointed by this one so far. The thing that influenced my decision to buy this helmet was sizing. This helmet is unique in that it is sized a little smaller than most others. The Small version is smaller than even any of the other Bell helmets. I had already looked at Specialized, Fisher, and Giro helmets, but none were small enough. The only helmet that appears to come close is some of the Trek line. The small size of this helmet keeps it firmly in place on my head, so I don't have to worry about it shifting. I also found that the Bell helmets fit the shape of my head better than any of the others. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deadly Tedly
a Cross-Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Bear Creek, or anywhere in Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Price, looks | | Weaknesses: |
Durability! Weight | | Bottom Line: | I bought this helmet because at $40 it seemed like a good mid-priced helme and it fitt. I loved it for the first two months I owned it but then things started falling apart. The covers on the pads separate at the seams but worst of all the velcro will not stay glued in place. One piece that really got on my nerves because it fell out constantly was finally stapled in, and now the velcro doesn't hold well at all. Whenever I ride I've got a strap dangling down next to my ear now and the helmet shifts sideways. The siver color is disappearing from the inside of the shell somehow.It's also kind of heavy, and I don't mean that in a weight weenie way but I mean your neck gets tired holding it up on long rides. Try it on in a shop along with a few other helmets and you'll see that it is noticeably heavier than most.Two chilis for price and because it will keep you from cracking your skull, but it just doesn't last well with heavy use. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a cross-country rider
from flagstaff, az
Date Reviewed: March 11, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
i got my forza for 17 dollars at wholesale, yet I see it selling for about 45 at shops. Good lightweight, free breathing helmet. No sweat dripping on brow and provides a snug fit. This beats my old 15 year old bell helmet so I can only give this a 5 chile rating | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Lee
a cross-country rider
from Burlington, Ontario
Date Reviewed: January 20, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I got this helmet on an incredible deal-$45 canadian, which is about $30 bucks american, which is half price! The helmet feels so much better than my old piece of crap styrofoam, and the colour and visor work fine. The pads are starting to split a bit, but I don't really care. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a weekend warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: December 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Just ordered a Forza 2 for my wife from REI. Check out their REI OUTLET @ REI.COM, then select REI OUTLET. They are offering an incredible deal on this great helmet for less than $20! And for the season - no shipping! Chrome Red, Medium size only. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: December 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought the bell forza 2 pro for 40 smackers from Nashbar, great deal concidering that 2 weeks before it was 20 bucks more (+1chili) this helmet has a very nice fit, it hugs my head nicely and it doesnt crawl forward or backwards like some other helmets (+1chili) This helmet is fairly average in weight which is acceptable because one hardly notices the lid is on your head (+1chili) Ventilation is great compared to other helms ive tried, it keeps your head cool (+1chili) and finally the color, style, and looks of this helmet are exactly how i like a helmet to look... although im not a big fashion bug... (+1chili) I cant give a crash rating to this helm and hopefully wont have to anytime soon... An overall rating of 5 flaming chilis! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Wong
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have to echo the below review. Great helmet, lousy sweatbands. The sweatbands on my Forza 2 have split at the seams after 10 or so uses. The fit is great and the Half Nelson system is great, I forget the helmet is on sometimes. I do wish the helmet had better ventilation holes at the back, it can get a bit muggy back there. 5 flaming rats for the helmet minus 1 for the disintegrating sweatbands that I'm going to have to buy more of. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a weekend warrior
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This helmet fits wonderfully and is very comfortable. However the removable forehead sweatband is something that will need replacing often. The blue cotton covering the foam comes apart at the seams way too easily. I've had the helmet for about 3 months now and am on the second replacement sweatband now. It looks like a call to Bell for some replacement sweatbands is in order. Other than this issue it's an excellent helmet - 4 chilis, minus 1 for the sweatband issue. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shea Sellers
a weekend warrior
from San Antonio, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I paid $45 for mine. I live in a hot climate - the backing of the velcro headband fasteners came off during my first ride with the helmet. Some glue will hopefully put me back in business. I like the removeable sweatbands. The visor looks nice, also. Overall looks sharp - without the defective velcro fastener, would be a great helmet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a weekend warrior
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought the Forza 2 Pro after trying other Bell and Giro helmets. Really liked the fit and feel of this helmet over the others. Was the only helmet I could put on and forget I was wearing. Guess the extra money was worth the extra comfort. Luckily, I can't provide a crash report yet..... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cory
a cross-country rider
from Missouri
Date Reviewed: March 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the Bell Forza 2 Pro for about 55 bukcs, which is comparable to the Giro something or
other, (i forgot what model) and it looks and feels great. The color of mine is a shiny silver, which
looks nice, and the helmet fits great, is lightweight, and gets good ventilation. It does not have 355
vents, but the vents are huge, and shaped to create good flow. Besides, with so many vents, are you
getting decent protection? I ahve not wrecked yet with it, and i hope i never do, so i won't say how it
works in a wreck, but it is approved. | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 59.00
