Strengths: Beautiful helmet from a reliable company. Helmet fits great and looks great. Very easy to adjust in the back with a simple turn of knob. Best price I could find was from Performance. I had to order it, only took a week.
Weaknesses: Difficult to find because this is the 02 model!
Bottom Line:
Performance has these for $45.00 which is a steal. It wont last long, so go get one today! They are available in Red, Black and White
this is the best helmet that i have ever had. i tried on the giro's and some of the others, but they just didn't add up to all the features that i like in the bell phi (ie gps retention system). you can adjust this thing on the fly! just give the dial a little turn one way or the other to tighten or loosen. get one! you'll be glad you did.
Strengths: Vents nicely, works great when you crash!
Weaknesses: Too snug right at the very top of my head. Can you same "Astro-DOME" head.
Bottom Line:
I crashed at 25 MPH hour wearing this helmet and the only thing that broke was my collarbone. The helmet was all scrathced up & cracked a little, but that was better than my head!
I personally had a hot spot on the top of my head with this helmet, but I just added 3 extra pads and it felt fine after that.
This is a nice helmet, fit is all personal preference.
Bike Setup: LeMond Chambery (I use this helmet while Road riding)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from New Orleans
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2000
Strengths: Well constructed good fit
Weaknesses: No more comfortable than my Bell Forza but much more expensive.
Bottom Line:
Took a big header at Hooper Road. Put a major dent in its side, but no ill effects and I kept riding for the rest of the day. I sent the helmet back to Bell for replacement, which they sent much quicker than expected. Bottom line, crashed on head, still walking, talking, and riding.
The helmet is well constructed, much better than the Intercooler (which the Phi Pro was a warranty replacement). Unfortunately, it is no cooler than any other helmet I owned, but I doubt there is any relief in the hot and humid summers of Louisiana.
Strengths: Good looks, excellent fit, excellent ventilation, LIGHT!. Finally a Bell helmet that can rival Giro's vaunted good looks, and fit the odd sized melon.
Weaknesses: Thin padding; not enough padding
Bottom Line:
At last Bell has made a helmet that looks as though it was made in the 21st century. The helmet did require a few minor modifications. Those being the insertion of a couple more velcro tabs to adequately secure the pads...and the addition of padding along the 2 center spines of the helmet. Other than that this helmet is pretty close to perfect, it is more of a "road" helmet but it has a psuedo-reptillian shape that fits the "mountain" set as well. The head retention system also fits nicely and is very grippy. I like this system a bit more than Giro's, because it uses an elastic strap that you pull on either side to cinch it down on your head as opposed Giro's, that you push together. Both systems work very well, my preference is to the Bell. $125 is a lot of green, but so is intensive care and wheelchairs.
Favorite Trail: Golden Gate, Crystal Springs, 50 Year
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$125.00
Similar Products Used: Spec. King Cobra, Giro Exodus, Giro E2, Bell Rubicon, Bell Evo 2.
Bike Setup: Litespeed Unicoi, XTR, X-fly 80, yadda..yadda..yadda
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
David Bell
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000
Strengths: lots of vents,good looks, good price.
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
started training on road new bike. felt i should have a road helmet instead of my old mtn. lid. This fit the bill. very comfortable, looks great, and gets lots of air. Only complaint so far is the pads seem a bit thin no real cushion effect there. Great deal for the money (1/2 off sale at planetoutdoors. The Boreas is supposed to be superior but dont see it on any good sales (prob means something, huh)and couldnt affort almost $100 more. Rating it four chilis for now since haven't tested it fully, i.e. crashed.
