Bell is a name synomonous with helmets in the bicycle industry as well as all forms of motor sports such as Formula 1, the Indy 500 as well as every Moto-X event there has ever been.
Their latest lid for 2008 is the Bell Drop, read more..
Bell began as a small auto parts store in a suburb of Los Angeles some 50 years ago. Today they are still producing top of the range lids for all walks of life and sponsoring some of the top names in the business, Brian Lopes, Cedric Gracia as well as our very own Gee Atherton.
Mid seventies they branched out into the bicycle market with the first ever "Piss Pot"?
Now how about that little number from the top right of the page from their 1986 range, anyone guess a very youthful looking John Tomac who had just signed up to Bell?
Not quite sure what happened to my 1996 Bell Ballistic with Reebok Pump fitted inside her. She cost £275 back then and you pumped the Reebok inflatable bladder up with your thumb at the back of your head for a perfect fit!
Anyway less of the history lesson, today is 2008 and were sending it off drops and down tracks bigger and faster than ever before and need even better protection up top. This is where the “Bell Down” lid comes up with many similarities as their top of the range Moto-X lid the, “Moto-8”.
Construction is a hand laminated fiberglass shell and comes with eight full flow air vents and channels that will keep your head from boiling over. A nice juicy foam liner and padding is easily removed come wash time. The cheek pads are pop studded in whilst the main headliner uses Velcro.
The mouth piece can be replaced as there is a small Phillips style screw drive to hold it in place on the inside.
Fastening chin strap style is done by a simple click and your safe to go, just make sure it’s done up guys!
What I do like and think is unique is the way the peak is attached. There is no central fixing bolt, this peak has two fixing points each side. Right at the end of each peak there is a pivot that the peak clips into, that’s what it rotates around. Then the more conventional big side screw holds the peak in place. So what happens if the the screws come loose mid run or you crash? Will the lights go out as the peak slips down in front of your very eyes? Nope and the reason why is very simple: Where the big side screw penetrates through the peak isn’t your regular round hole. It’s a long slot meaning even if you take the side bolts out the peak has limited travel up and down! Genius.. Also note the screws can be tightened by hand, no tools required even though there is a screw driver slot.
The published weight is 1,007 grams - I weighed a medium and it came in at 1,045grams so guessing they weighed a small?
Certified to both the CE bicycle standard and the new ASTM downhill standard.
Now the only thing that will put you off this helmet is the price. No I’m not talking breaking the bank here I’m talking the other end of the scale! The price is an amazing £99.99 RRP. Now a lid for under a ton must mean compromises right? After all you have spent a shed load on your rig, surely you are not going to scrimp and save when it comes to your handsome looks? Well you don’t have to. If it’s got the word Bell on it then that’s the recommendation in itself as well as it being here on PinkBike.com Also if it’s good enough for Brian Lopes, Cedric Gracia and Gee Atherton, it’s definitely good enough for you and me.
Colours:
Blue/White
Black/White Crest
Olive/Black Crest - As shown
Red/Black
White/Green
Matt Black
The only downside is they are not available in the U.K until June 2008!
For more information please checkout:
www.bellbikehelmets.com Bell Helmets are exclusively distributed in the U.K by Madison.
www.ultimatepursuits.co.uk Retail price in the U.K is £99.99
Flat pedals for ever..
Si "Superfly" Paton.
www.Descent-Gear.com For Funn Full On 750mm Wide Bars
kool though!
