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Submitted by
Curtis
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockville, MD
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Fit and protection, visor | | Weaknesses: | No longer produced | | Similar Products Used: | Giro, LG Alien, leather hairnets, skid lid, etc | | Bike Setup: | Old (1970's) Reynolds 531 Serotta "Standard" road frame | | Bottom Line: | I crashed on my road bike in November 2002 while wearing my 1999 Bell Rubicon Pro. I fractured my right clavicle and injured my hip in the fall. I was aware that my head struck the ground *hard* at the moment of impact. The helmet did not shift on my head, and it saved my f****** ass. Bell is replacing it with a 2002 X-Ray for $35. I love the Garneau's fit and lightness, but the Bell product proved itself. I've been wearing helmets since they were leather stuffed with horsehair, and this is the first time I've put one to the test. Bell came through for me. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Don Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath (Danforth) | | Strengths: | Light weight, solid construction, pretty good venting | | Weaknesses: | Pads are too thin, can get a bit of a "helmet imprint" on your forehead after long rides | | Similar Products Used: | Bell X-Ray Pro | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Trek STP 400, stock | | Bottom Line: | The Rubicon was a pretty good helmet for its time. It had a decent number of vents, and a pretty good fit. The only major issue was that the pads are pretty thin and after a long sweaty ride they compress to the point where they might as well not be there. If they beefed up the padding it would be a near-perfect helmet. I eventually replaced my Rubicon Pro with a Bell X-Ray Pro. I'd look at the X-Ray first, it's got an even better retention system and sturdier padding. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelly James Yee
a Weekend Warrior
from San Mateo, CA, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs, Parisima | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Excellent fit, decent looks, and time honored brand name. | | Weaknesses: | Padding adhesive tends to yank out hairs (ouch!) | | Similar Products Used: | Bell Cyclone, old Giro fabric covered lid. | | Bike Setup: | Yakota aluminum hardtail, Answer Manitou Ti front shock, XTR wheels and V-brakes, XT brake levers/shifters. | | Bottom Line: | When it comes to a helmet, I believe that fit is a top priority because if it's not comfortable, I'd be less inclined to wear it. I'll also admit that a helmet has to look half decent because I don't want to look like a dweeb.
Fortunately, the Bell Rubicon Pro addresses both of these issues very well. Okay, so it's not as cool looking as the Giro Exodus or E2, but the Bell helmets fit my noggin much better than the Giros and I think the Rubicon Pro actually looks better on me than the aforementioned Giros.
I recently gave into peer pressure and bought a Litespeed road bike to join my roadie friends on their rides (you can ride an MTB with slick tires for only so long.) The Rubicon Pro's visor can be removed, so when I saddle up on the Litespeed, off comes the visor and voila, I now have a road helmet.
I like the Rubicon Pro so much, I bought another one strictly for MTB rides. Pricepoint.com still has mediums for $40/ea. My only gripe is that the padding adhesive pulls out an occasional hair or two, especially when the helmet is new. Overall an excellent value considering the "baseball cap" like fit, great ventilation (count 'em, 26 vents), and fusion cover molding. 5 flaming turds all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairfax, Va, USA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fountainbleu | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Lightweight, Comfort, Price, Looks | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Giro and other Bell helmets | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Gary Fisher Big Sur | | Bottom Line: | For this price you simply can't beat it. It looks cool, is very comfortable, lightweight...did I mention it's cheap??\
If you want a very nice Giro E2 level helmet, but don't care to pay the price, then this helmet is for you. The blue is freakin sweet lookin. Save yourself 75 bucks over an E2 and go buy some other "wish list" components. Five "flamin poops" all around!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike B
a Cross Country Rider
from Medford, Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Superb fit, great looks, excellent construction, extremely well ventilated. | | Weaknesses: | None found so far | | Similar Products Used: | Bell Image Pro
Giro Air Attack (remeber those?)
Road Gear Styro thing | | Bike Setup: | 96 GT LTS1, full XT, Judy DH fork, RS Super Deluxe rear shock (ugh!), Azonics World Force flat bar, Oury grips (the best) | | Bottom Line: | These helmets are awesome! We ordered two of these from Price Point (the best price) and got them for $35 ea. but even at $40 they're an incredible deal.
If the Bell shape fits your head (Giro's don't fit the shape of my head well at all) then you can't go wrong here. Normally I would never buy a helmet without trying it on first, but being a discontinued item I couldn't find one in a shop, so after reading all the reviews on it I took a chance and ordered it. Everyone spoke of the great fit and sure enough it was everything it was built up to be. How often does that happen? After the initial sizing and a couple of rides to "sweat it in" it feels like I've had it for years.
I personally like the looks a lot and I will point out that there is a world of difference between a $40 helmet and a $100 helmet bought for $40. There is a quality and workmanship there that just doesn't come in the lower priced helmets. The best helmet I have ever worn! Buy one I'm sure you'll bee glad you did. They're still available online but size and color selection are drying up. Act fast! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron K
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, CO
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bergen Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$54.00 | | Purchased At: | Gear.com | | Strengths: | Fits great and looks pretty good too. Once properly adjusted, this helmet won't budge on the fastest descents, and it's so comfortable you'll forget it's there. What more can you ask? Bell has a pretty good crash relacement policy too; send the busted helmet and $35 and they send a replacement. | | Weaknesses: | There is some styrofoam exposed where the upper and lower halves of the shell meet. More on one side than the other. It's a minor cosmetic issue but a little annoying. | | Similar Products Used: | Lower priced Bells | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3. mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | There really isn't alot to say about a helmet. Any helmet is going to provide roughly the same amount of protection, as long as it fits well, is comfortable, and dosn't fall apart. The only other major consideration is appearance, and that's all a matter of opinion. In my opinion the rubicon looks good. Not quite as stylish as some of the Giros, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. For $135 I'd give this (or any) helmet 2 chiles for value; but I only paid $54 and it looks like not many others paid full retail either, so 4 chiles for value. If you're looking for a good helmet right now, the Rubicons are all over the web cheap. PricePoint.com has small, medium, and large in all three colors on blowout for $39. You ain't gonna find a better helmet for that kind of scratch. Nashbar has 'em too ($44.44) Here's hopin' you never need it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete Mayhak
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, MI
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | This helmet fits like the one or two ball caps everyone has owned and just not been able to throw away. Lots of vents and very light weight. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Loewr end Bell. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR/XC Comp. | | Bottom Line: | Buy the helmet retail buy two if you can get 'em at the deal I did. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared S
a Racer
from regina
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Milstream | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | outtabounds | | Strengths: | super good fitting and looks cool | | Weaknesses: | I've had 2 of these helmets and this years one the glue didn't hold together very well at al I had to take it to a shoe maker and get him to glue it. | | Similar Products Used: | tsunami pro and a forza 2 | | Bike Setup: | 99 M2-Pro with lots of race-face | | Bottom Line: | They're both nice helmets except my older one fits a lot different than my new one and my new one the glue came off for one of the adjustment straps. I have the red with black diamond, and the silver/silver helmets. They vent realy well but their visors kind of suck I was riding fast on an offchamber part of trail and fell and hit my face hard and the visor broke. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CrazyMike
a Weekend Warrior
from Foothill Ranch, CA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$42.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar.com | | Strengths: | Fit, let me say again fit. It fits like a glove | | Weaknesses: | Velcro staying put | | Similar Products Used: | Giro torrer, Greg Lemond, Giro Exodus | | Bike Setup: | Fuji master | | Bottom Line: | This is the best helmet I have owned yet. The fit and fell of this helmet is like is was made just for me. The Volvo/Cannondale team didn't make a mistake in making this there team helmet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brady
a Cross Country Rider
from Tuscaloosa
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Munny Sokol Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$76.00 | | Purchased At: | www.universalcycles.com | | Strengths: | Great fit, good looks, excelent ventilation. Fusion fit system is great, and back of helmet is covered in hard plastic, no exposed foam | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None, first bike helment | | Bike Setup: | C'dale SuperV | | Bottom Line: | I originally wanted the Nemisis pro, but Univ. Cycles didn't have it in the color I wanted and let me have the Rubicon for the same price since they had it in the color I wanted. It's turned out to be a great helmet. Don't take my work for it, also take Cannondale's, this is the team helmet for the Volvo team. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sheila
a Cross Country Rider
from Morrisville,VT
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Whiplash at Great Glen trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Well ventilated, cool, very comfortable, light | | Weaknesses: | The elastic strap in the middle of the head-lock system is tearing away from the plastic attachment points. This does need to be repaired. | | Similar Products Used: | Bell paradox Pro, an old clunker Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Marlin, preyy much stock except for clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Got a great deal from online outlet store. Both they, and Bell, said I could return the helmet for repair. However, that leaves me without a helmet, and since I ride daily, that is not an option now.
I really like the helmet, and I suppose when cooler weather comes, I will return it for repair/replacement of the elastic strap, and have to borrow one of my kids lids. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fran
a Cross Country Rider
from Blue Bell, PA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Middle Run | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Ventalation was excellent, I got the green color which is cool. Fit is great, I was going to get the cratoni Twister.
But this one fit better and looked better. I did like the twister fit knob that makes adjustments. Bell makes great helmets. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Bell imagine, Giro | | Bike Setup: | Specialize StumpJumper | | Bottom Line: | The price was great. Listed for $99.00, I got the twenty dollar rebate plus my lbs gave me ten dollars off that. The visior is a secure fit.
So price and fit plus ventalation sealed the deal. Crantoni
twister was good idea but needs better colors. The visior on the Crantoni is held on only by velco. They need to improve this option. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Yorba Linda
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Feels great, lots of vents, light. | | Weaknesses: | None, except it kinda does look industrial and unfinished in design, as others have noted. | | Similar Products Used: | Giro Gila, Giro Ventura | | Bike Setup: | GT Outpost | | Bottom Line: | I love this helmet. Got a great deal at gear.com (like 43$). I messed up my helmet though. Im too embarassed to say how, but I really regret it. I bought the Gila to replace it, which is good enough, but doesnt really compare to the rubicon. Id recomend this or the nemesis if you can get a good price. Bell does a 20$ rebate for your old helmet through August too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross-Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Devil's Gulch | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Cool looks, great fit | | Weaknesses: |
Part of the velcro seems to be peeling from the helmet, but not enough to cause a problem. | | Similar Products Used: |
Giro Gila, Bell Paradox Pro, everything else in the store | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC Comp (full suspension) | | Bottom Line: | I read all the reviews and tried on just about every helmet in the store. This helmet just felt right on my head. It was snug but not too tight. I thought the Paradox was pretty good, and for $40 I was going to go with that, but this just seemed of higher quality and better safety. The other helmet that got great reviews was the Giro Gila, which was $60 and felt good. It was a tossup between the Gila and the Rubicon and came down to this. 1) The Rubicon just felt better. 2) The Rubicon looked cooler on me. 3) The Rubicon was on sale for $99. I figured that if I just spent $1500 on a bike, it would be pretty foolish to save $40 on something as important as a helmet. Especially when I thought about the wipeouts I'd had in the past month. Since I've used it, it feels great and I've had NO regrets.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fakaui
a Cross-Country Rider
from R.S.M., Ca.
Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Cactus Trail (90% Singletrack) | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
great ventilation, great fit, fits my head!! | | Weaknesses: |
price...but that goes with any helmet over $100, but worth the price to save lives!! Know from experience | | Similar Products Used: |
Giro Exodus, Bell evo2, | | Bike Setup: |
Uzzi SL and Schiwinn Homegrown | | Bottom Line: | Its a very good helmet with great fit and comfort. The visor sits in the perfect spot so it does'nt sit too low. Keeps me very cool even in the 90* weather we have been having. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Verzosa
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco,Ca
Date Reviewed: May 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Fireroad, Mt.Tam | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Incredible fit
Adjustability
Ventalation | | Weaknesses: |
None that I could think of. | | Similar Products Used: |
Giro Hammerhead
Giro Exodus
Bell Nemesis
Bell Evo2 | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 6500zx,XT/XTR,Atom Bomb | | Bottom Line: | This is the first helmet that I've try on that fitted like a fitted baseball cap. Very comfortable straps. I've noticed that the ventalation system of this helmet is excellent in keeping my head cool. This is absoulutely the best helmet out there today. I say that this is the best $135.00 that I've spent. I highly recommend this helmet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robb
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: May 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
50 Year Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Great fit.
Great retention system.
Light.
Well ventilated.
Ease of adjustment. | | Weaknesses: |
From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the helmet doesn't look quite finished. | | Similar Products Used: |
Giro
Qranc
Specialized | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Unicoi
Marzocchi Superfly
XTR | | Bottom Line: | Probably one of the best fitting helmets you will ever attach to your head. The retention system is outstanding. Great suction without any pressure points. The elastic straps (in the retention system) provide a secure fit without any discomfort, almost like putting on a fitted ball cap. Easily one of, if not, the best retention systems. The helmet straps are a cinch as well. The cam lock closure is even easier and it allows the straps to move freely without much of a fight (when it is opened), permitting those ultra fine adjustments. If you liked your EVO2 helmet you'll love the Rubicon. Same fit, only cooler. It is extremely well-vetilated. The only drawbacks are that the helmet just doesn't seem to be finished. It looks as though it begs to be a little more sculpted. Whereas the EVO2 is more rounded and natural the Rubicon is angled and industrial. Somewhere between the roadie look and the MTB look. Visor attachment is solid, no velcro, and it doesn't move. The visor too though doesn't quite mesh with the rest of the helmet. It's weaknesses shouldn't be considered as such. They are purely superficial, and they don't prevent injury. If you want, or like a good looking helmet, there is better. But, if you want a solid, comfortable fit, here you go. It's too bad we can't give fractional stars, 4 stars for styling and 5 stars for everything else for a total of 4.5 stars. | | Overall Rating: |
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