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?
Bottom Line:
It works, trust it with my life. The price is right.
Bike Setup: diamondback XTS moto just bought frame put all of my parts on it
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Submitted by
Connie
a Downhiller
from SLC, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003
Strengths: Works - good protection, good fit, excellent value. Nice ventilation too, for a full face.
Weaknesses: Paint chips easily.
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.
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
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
Bike Setup: 03 specialized big hit 03 boxxer race upgraded to teams hope enduro4
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Submitted by
Alex Deich
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003
Strengths: Looks, strength, chin guard length
Weaknesses: I get VERY hot in there.
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!
Bike Setup: schwinn '98 hardtail,LX,Marzocchi X-fly 80
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Submitted by
David Wooley
a Downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003
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!
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....
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$)
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz V10 w/boxxers, XTR package Hope hydrallic discs, fox smart shock.
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Submitted by
Justin Vorhees
a Downhiller
from California
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002
Strengths: cheap, light, well vented
Weaknesses: ???
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.
Bike Setup: 2001 RM 7 w/ thomson seatpost and easton bars
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Submitted by
Rhys Dowsett
a Downhiller
from Australia, Victoria
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002
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
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?
Submitted by
Brian Foss
a Downhiller
from Denver CO USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002
Strengths: Affordable (to buy), light, vented
Weaknesses: See bottom Line. . .
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.
Weaknesses: Buckles a bit finicky, hot sometimes, a little too flexible feeling sometimes
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
