Submitted by
L.G. Fuentes III
a Downhiller
from Redondo Beach, CA Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Del Cerro PV
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
South Bay Cycles
Strengths:
Light, comfortable, price.
Weaknesses:
color selection (but probablly why price is right)
Bottom Line:
I'v used Bell helmets for motorcross all my life and trust them. These MTB Bellistics are awesome- One of the best fitting helmets I have found.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Friggin'Frigger
a Downhiller
from CANADA Date Reviewed: August 26, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$125.00
Strengths:
The same as everyone below. It seems you don't really write a review on a helmet until it is tested. Well last week crashed hard at Fernie. All I remember is going over my handlebars and then hearing a loud crack after face planting. Much to my suprise my face and head did not have a single scratch or bruise (unlike the rest of my body), just the visor cracked. This helmet saved me. I hate to think of what could have been, but I got up and was able to ride for the rest of the day thanks to this thing.
Weaknesses:
What's with the 70's motor bike strap?
Similar Products Used:
After that crash I retired that helmet and bought another bell!
Bike Setup:
Bullit
Bottom Line:
It works, trust it with my life. The price is right.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike barosko
a Downhiller
from mornoe valley Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
bullet DH Mammoth
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
woodcrest bicycle center
Strengths:
lite, very welly vented, protects good on hard impacts
Weaknesses:
chin strap kinda diggs into your neck if you dont put on right.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
diamondback XTS moto just bought frame put all of my parts on it
Bottom Line:
nice helmet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Connie
a Downhiller
from SLC, UT, USA Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Deer Valley
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$79.00
Purchased At:
Jans, 2nd one at REI
Strengths:
Works - good protection, good fit, excellent value. Nice ventilation too, for a full face.
Weaknesses:
Paint chips easily.
Similar Products Used:
Bought the same helmet twice.
Bike Setup:
RM9
Bottom Line:
I wore my first one for about a year - wrecked two weeks ago (it's held up to lots of wrecks, but this one was serious - I was in the hospital for stitches on my leg) where I landed on my face at full speed on some gravel. It took some gouges out of the chin piece, and it's missing a chunk of fiberglass (or whatever it's made of) and paint, but it held together. Figured it was time for a new one. Wish it was completely indestructable, but at least it works well and isn't too expensive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fitzy
a Downhiller
from Ireland Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Manaun
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Sponsorship Form Bell
Strengths:
It is a really snug fit and does not move around on your head. It is light weight so doesnt wear out your neck like motorcross helmets. Nice sleek finish to the helmet
Weaknesses:
the rubber tape around the edging of the helmet can get dirty and come off now and agian after a small crash. but thats nothing to be worried about
Similar Products Used:
Diamonback. Giro. Quarn.
Bike Setup:
03 specialized big hit 03 boxxer race upgraded to teams hope enduro4
Bottom Line:
dam good helmet saved me form hospital once when i hit straight into a rock at about 30mph cracked the helmet but still saved me it would have happened to any helmet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Deich
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz, Ca, USA Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Dead Camper
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Another Bike Shop
Strengths:
Looks, strength, chin guard length
Weaknesses:
I get VERY hot in there.
Similar Products Used:
zip
Bike Setup:
schwinn '98 hardtail,LX,Marzocchi X-fly 80
Bottom Line:
This helmet rocks. It saved my face from getting scrached up during a face plant, and the side of my head when I hit a tree. The only complaint I have is that I get very hot inside that little thing. Bell should sacrifice some strength to put in a few more vent holes. Otherwise, this helmet is perfect!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Wooley
a Downhiller
from Australia Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
belair
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
super elliot cycles
Strengths:
great helmet, very strong and reliable. My brother went sliding down the steepest rode in Australia on 1 of these helmets and it saved him!!!!
Weaknesses:
none that i can think of excpet wearing sunnies!
Bike Setup:
avanti mavic frame, rock shox psylos
Bottom Line:
Great cheap full face helmet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pierre-Luc Benoit
a Downhiller
from Charny, QC, Canada Date Reviewed: December 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Tremblant
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
http://www.pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Perfect for limited budget riders. Well vented, cheap, light
Weaknesses:
Not a real «motocross» helmet. This helmet isn't approved Snell or Dot standarts. In DH, we needs the same protection at high speed....
Similar Products Used:
Motorcycle Helmets
Bike Setup:
Kona Stab Dee Lux 99, BoXXer 00, Hayes 8 and 6 inches, Mavic D321, BlackSpire with Race Face DH crank....
Bottom Line:
For the next season, i will buy a motocross helmet with Snell and Dot standarts because I cracked my Bell Bellistic after a lot of serious crashs...
But, for recreative riders or limited budget racers, go fo it!!! The Bellistic is great and very cheap (just take a look at pricepoint.com, jensonusa.com, etc. The Bellistic is around 38-45$)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Riley MacDonald
a Downhiller
from Antigonish,NOva SCotia Date Reviewed: December 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Many A JUmp
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$29.00
Purchased At:
ediscount
Strengths:
cool lokkin' very strong well vented cheap and strong
Weaknesses:
THERE ARE NONE
Similar Products Used:
netti
Bike Setup:
norco strike
Bottom Line:
amazing helmet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Moe Joe
a Downhiller
from Canada Date Reviewed: December 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Joyride
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
John Henry
Strengths:
Its killer strong.
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy.
Similar Products Used:
Giro Switch Blade
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz V10 w/boxxers, XTR package Hope hydrallic discs, fox smart shock.
Bottom Line:
I bailed on a 30 foot gap on grouse mtn, landed on my face, and the visor cracked. It saved my head.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Vorhees
a Downhiller
from California Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
dog bone @ northstar
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
cambria
Strengths:
cheap, light, well vented
Weaknesses:
???
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
2001 RM 7 w/ thomson seatpost and easton bars
Bottom Line:
I bought this helmet for DH, but started using it for freeriding when I started going bigger(6' plus). I attempted a 22 stair, came up short, and endoed head first into a mail drop off box 20' from the bottom. Thanks to the helmet my head is fine and I was able to walk away. The helmet was destroyed, but since it was son cheap in the firts place, I can just buy another one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rhys Dowsett
a Downhiller
from Australia, Victoria Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
anyting with hills
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
godcross cycles
Strengths:
-gives ya lots of cofidence! as soon as i got it i jumped a huge step down with ease. -keeps ya ears warm in da winter -looks pretty kool and dont rip a massif hOle in ya wallet
Weaknesses:
............YEH RIGHT
Similar Products Used:
UM NOPE THS I MY FIRST
Bike Setup:
norco atomik,z1 wedges,hayes cables,husselfelt,xt changing bits,axiom stem and some other stuff
Bottom Line:
Great skid lid!! what more could i ask for? if want value then go for this one looks cool does whats needed and face it any helmet is better than nothn at all in a stack right?
HAVE FUN !!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lindos Bicknell
a Weekend Warrior
from Mapleton, Queensland, Australia Date Reviewed: September 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Anything with big drop offs
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Mammoth Bikes
Strengths:
Breathes as good as any full face i've tried, light, makes ya go crazy knowing the amount of protection you've got
Weaknesses:
the tape around the bottom seems weak, colour
Similar Products Used:
Giro Mad Max
Bike Setup:
Kona Stuff
Bottom Line:
Good helmet for anyone who wants a full face and has small budget. alot of other full faces had too much cheek room but this one doesn't
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Foss
a Downhiller
from Denver CO USA Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Winter park downhill course
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
rented at winter park base
Strengths:
Affordable (to buy), light, vented
Weaknesses:
See bottom Line. . .
Bike Setup:
Gt xcr-4000 modified for 6" of travel, original bomber, ringle wheels, stx(crappy) and xtr drive train
Bottom Line:
I have rented this same helmet sevral times. the same exact helmet (no. 5) from the shop at the winter park base. This is my first season of downhill, but I like to think I ride hard. Anyways, I took a digger on the upper half of cherokee (not a dificult run) and ended up with a concussion, and 26 stitches in my face. I would think a full face helmet would prevent this but it didn't stop my chin from catching rock or my front teeth from punching thru my upper lip. I recomend anyone who is looking for safety should use a snell and DOT approved helmet.
On the flip side, if I didn't have it I'd be having plastic surgery right now.
-Ride Hard!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Rogers
a Downhiller
from NJ Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Ringwood trails
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Price Point I think
Strengths:
Vents, cheap, works, light, holds goggles
Weaknesses:
Buckles a bit finicky, hot sometimes, a little too flexible feeling sometimes
Similar Products Used:
Own hammerhead, E2. Tried on AZX, Vigor, a few others
Bike Setup:
Bullit w/avalanche/Jr.T
Bottom Line:
Good fit and GREAT value. Can be had for real cheap almost anywhere. Did its job- 2 days ago my face contacted the ground at high velocity and I killed it but walked away. Can't ask for too much more. The only reasons it doesn't get 5 chilis- a bit flimsy and it just works, it's not spectacular in any form
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from Montreal, Canada Date Reviewed: January 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Bonzai (Bromont)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Paul's Cycle
Strengths:
It's solid, it works and the crash replacement is good.
Weaknesses:
The visor is pretty cheap-o, it's hot as hell, needs more vents. It's kinda plain looking but hey, it's meant to save your brains!
Similar Products Used:
Pro Rider DH helmet
Bike Setup:
-Giant DH...with DH parts
Bottom Line:
I'm bored so I'm writing reviews on everything I own. This helmet is killer hot! But anything will be at 32 degrees celcius. I cracked mine so I don't have it anymore but I liked the helmet...it works well. It's weird, the mouth guard part of the helmet wasn't aligned with the rest of the helmet...it seems everything I buy is lopped sided or crooked (see my Smith Buzzsaw review).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Rainville
a Downhiller
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Suicide Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
ABC Cycles
Strengths:
- Solid - Nice Fit - great Winter hat when Mountain biking, I do not get that cold with it on ;)))
Weaknesses:
- Needs more room for sun glasses - On hot days, it's like wearing a oven on your head. - Motor Cycle type straps are not my thing....
Similar Products Used:
Motor Cycle Helm...
Bottom Line:
This helm is good, however, i'd like to find a better one when i get my new bike. It's great for the winter rides... keeps your ears warm. ;)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Smilee McIver
a Downhiller
from Owen Sound Date Reviewed: January 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
What to choose? What to choose?
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Heavy, vented,full-face, price, the confidence it gives you when you are gutting it down a hill, and stuff like that.
Weaknesses:
Some lack of sunglass space, so get goggles like me.
Similar Products Used:
Motorcycle Helmets?
Bike Setup:
Giant DH Team, XMO XL-70, AC Pro, System 8's.
Bottom Line:
It's a good helmet from a good company that I got for a rock bottom price (the MSRP is 120), hint to everyone-BUY YOUR STUFF IN THE FALL AND WINTER, not only is it a helluva lot cheaper, if you do it at your local shop, they'll love you for giving them some kind of bicycle business when there's 5 feet of snow outside.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stewart
a downhiller
from Gibraltar (Europe) Date Reviewed: December 30, 1998
Bottom Line:
I recently purchased a Bell Belistic helmet, and think it is briliant. I feel there is need for sunglass space too, but it isnt such a big problem. One problem i did have was the piece of rubber lining along the chin guard, came off in some places, all in all, a briliant helmet :)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Albert Rondeau
a downhiller
from Lennoxville, PQ, Canada Date Reviewed: November 9, 1998
Bottom Line:
I bought my Bellistic two years ago after a major spill scared the crap out of me and I realized that Downhill requires a Full Face helmet. I feel much more secure and confident with my Bellistic and although it is hot, the vents do cool you down once you get rolling. The only problem I have with the helmet is that it is almost impossible to wear conventional sunglasses with it, the oakleys I wear are quite tight in there. I will definitely get some goggles for next summer.All in all, very cool, very rugged product!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a downhiller
from Northwest Date Reviewed: August 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've had this helmet for about 3 years now. I bought it via a pro deal through my local shop for $185. It's extremely comfortable and built strong. Makes me feel like I'm wearing a motorcycle helmet rather than a bicycling helmet (that's a good thing when it comes to downhilling). I've crashed a couple times, but haven't had any major impacts to the helmet's shell, however, I did notice the other day that right along the jaw line, a crack was spreading across it. Now I've got a decision to make, spend the $140 to replace the helmet, or shove some kind of adhesive in the crack. I think I'll opt for the adhesive, if it gives way some day, I'll just buy a new helmet.
Overall Rating:
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