Bell Helmets, a company that since 1954 has delivered purpose-built helmets marked by industry-leading design and performance technologies, today unveiled its “Super 2R” – a groundbreaking all-mountain helmet for riders, setting a new standard for helmet versatility and performance. Building off the success of the Super, Bell raised the bar with Super 2R, addressing the increasing demands of all-mountain riders with a category-defying helmet that bridges the gap between trail riding and downhill thanks to a removable, protective chin bar that can be easily attached and detached throughout the course of a ride.
The Super 2R was designed to serve the needs of a new generation of mountain bikers who are riding faster and farther than ever, and are taking on varying trail terrains and downhill situations. Bell’s Wraparound Protection technology addresses the need for added adaptability by delivering a protective chin bar that can be removed and carried on climbs, then quickly and easily snapped into place for the descent. The chin bar utilizes buckles with proven technology inspired by ski boots along with removable and adjustable cheek pads. These features add stability, comfort and protection to help improve performance on the downhill portion of rides and eliminate the need to carry an extra helmet along the way.
| With the Super 2R, we wanted to introduce a helmet that could address the various situations that a serious all-mountain rider might encounter. For avid mountain bikers, escalated downhill speeds call for enhanced protection in a full-face helmet. Until now, there was a choice between wearing an open-face or full-face helmet, or carry both to swap back and forth. We felt it was time for one helmet that effectively achieves all of that. The Super 2R is a single helmet that offers adaptable protection and comfort to address the riders' headgear needs. - Azul Couzens, Director of Marketing, Bell Helmets |
Everything about the new Super 2R was designed for all-mountain riding. In addition to its Wraparound Protection technology, the helmet is fully loaded with essential elements for riding across varying terrain. Overbrow Ventilation channels cool air through the helmet to prevent overheating on long rides. The Super 2R’s Twin Axis Gear (TAG) fit system provides a comfortable perch on the occipital lobe, while a newly designed camera mount features improved breakaway capability. Additionally, the GoggleGuide System lets riders easily adjust and stow goggles under the visor. From Enduro to XC, this host of performance features was designed to deliver more of what the all-mountain rider needs and positions the Super 2R as the new standard in all-mountain helmet performance.
The Super 2R is an upgrade from Bell’s original Super helmet, and the chin bar will only be compatible with the new Super 2R and Super 2. The Super 2R will be available in three sizes, is CPSC and CE EN1078 certified, and will also come equipped with ICEdot emergency identification and notification service; a label with a unique code that the user can activate at no charge. After setting up a user profile, first responders will be able to access emergency contact info and any special health conditions via SMS text through a standard mobile device. It will be available in five standard color ways. Super 2R is priced for retail at $200 and will be available at Bell dealers in November.
www.bellhelmets.com
I'm sure that those helmets can potentially be better than an open face in some situations but if they're going to mangle your face, there's no point... but then again, maybe the dude who got his face mangled would have had his face caved in if he wore an open face instead... Which is really the problem of not having a certification stating that the helmet is safe. It creates uncertainty and a lot of people are not willing to put their safety in that grey zone when their life is concerned.
It looks pretty sweet to me, if I had $200 for a helmet.
... stupid auto correct.
I've seen more Supers this year than A1s, I think because they are understated compared to the A1.
Good job Bell. How bout some MIPS and a Kashima stripe?
Want a helmet with ASTM-F1952-2032 certificate? Buy the MET Parachute, but you won't get a removable chin guard:
www.pinkbike.com/news/helmets-hardtails-and-more-eurobike-2014.html
Want a helmet with a removable chin guard? Go for the BELL, but you won't get the certificate.
I don't think it's very likely to manufacture a helmet with a removable chin guard that will get the certificate, but the choice is here, choose what's more important for you.
Oh and I think this helmet looks weird and I won't buy one. I'll stick with both a real full-face and an open face helmet just because I am a lazy and picky dude who likes to have lots of stuff to show off.
The MET may not detach, but it the same weight as the Bell when the chin bar is attached, so why bother with the Bell.
I think as more people get the MET, they are going to be surprised by how cool it is. I didn't find it that much warmer than my Giro Hex when climbing.
Btw I live in Ireland, if a helmet is warm, it's a feature, not a bug. The weather forecast says it's currently 31 Celsius degrees in Damascus, MD. Here in Dublin it's 15.
There's a difference between being negative, and just being realistic. This helmet doesn't seem to comply with safety codes for full faced helmets, but it's claiming to offer safety. It would be enormously more negative to state an item is good; when it has a glaring fault.
People don't want the same level of protection as a full face, they just want to know their face is safe, so some assurance, in the form of certification, goes a loooooooong way. This lacks that. That is an issue. Fullstop.
Also bare in mind the certification is constantly changing. As we learn more about head injuries, we do more to prevent them in the future. This helmet is not one of those preventative measures, it just looks cool. Note other companies are doing work to certain plans of movement within the helmet to reduce neck injury, brain trauma from concussive force, and otherwise.
Alternatively, you can get a backpack with a helmet holder, toss your full face on it, ride to the top with the open face, and switch for the DH. You have to stop to swap out the chin piece anyway, so why not just run two helmets, be safer, and deal with the whopping extra KG on the climb? Doesn't sound to negative to me!
..... different than this helmet...... how?
Giro switchblade.
But in all seriousness, it really depends on the trails I plan to ride that day. Said trails will determine whether I wear a fullface or open helmet.
i1026.photobucket.com/albums/y326/enzo038/giro_switchblade1.jpg
Most of the people buying this helmet are fully aware what this helmet is about so no need for btchn. If someone wants to buy, then please let him be. Don't behave as if Bell tried to sell it to your kid, lying about the safety.
I am currently at Lake Garda, the Mecca of Lycra, I see plenty of adults between 30 and 50 in full body armor and XC helmets. Do you think people able of composing such outfit would care?
Common sense - if you lack it, even D3 and neck brace won't help you
I myself (foe what it's worth...$?) think the helmet does serve a purpose AND... y'know, Bell probably doesn't want to make a helmet that will kill it's customer base. this ain't 2001 anymore.
so I'm gonna hazard a guess that this face guard is pretty solid--at least...more solid than my lips and teeth.
Also, posting "Giro Switchblade" is an abbreviation for "I'm old and only half paying attention."
Yea who gives a shit about showing it will actually do what it's implying - certs are for pussies.
Yea really outside the box, no one ever made a XC helmet with a removable chin guard.
I have no idea if this helmet or any others are designed to do this but the principle of crumple zones is a sound one and so maybe this and other chin guards are designed to crumple in a controlled fashion? Making a helmet unbreakable is a relatively easy thing to do but this would not prevent serious head injury.
Maybe the manufcaturers can shed some light?
i think given the opportunity to do something like that i would be more confident in purchasing one.
Super slowmo video if anyone does try this.
Also, I thought about the Urge Archi, but at least the MET is 1952 certified, lighter and better ventilated.
So first ride in today. So you have some background, it's a 10.5 mile loop I try to ride as often as I can at lunch. So I'm pretty familiar with how I feel riding it with my old helmet.
It was around 80 degrees and 73% humidity- I'm on the east coast, felt like I was in a rain forest today.
So on to the helmet. As I initially said, the fit for me is great and I still feel that way after the ride.
As far as the ventilation- loved it. I assuming it's the front vents, but they did a great job of pulling air in- I could definitely feel on the downs.
I will say I think it was a little warmer on climbs, but too me, it was barely perceptible and worth the trade off to be in a FF helmet.
I didn't feel as though I was getting any 'rebreathing' that you can get on 'true' FF helmets. The visibility is excellent.
It may be because I'm used to motorcycle helmets, but for all practical purposes, I couldn't feel the weight difference when actually riding.
Also, worked with my glasses perfectly.
All in all, very happy with it. One of the guys I ride with frequently, tried it and it's now on his b-day list.
The only thing I dislike and it has nothing to do with the helmet itself- I enjoyed using a water bottle and saddle bag on my short lunchtime rides.
With a FF, I'm back to a hydration pack full time.
www.bellhelmets.com/en_eu/cycling/helmets/dirt/super-2r-8003
conforms to both
•CE EN1078
• CPSC Bicycle
and the top of the range Fox Rampage meets
CPSC, AS/NZS 2063, ASTM, EN 1077, Ironically 1077 is for ski helmets not the specific 1078 for Bicycle helmets....... Hmmmm you take your own opinion from this
The standard's key features are:[1]
Test anvils: Flat and kerbstone
Drop apparatus: Guided free fall
Impact velocity, energy or drop height flat anvil: 5.42–5.52 m/s
Impact energy criteria: 250g
Roll-off test: Yes
Retention system strength: Force applied dynamically. Helmet supported on headform.
and the top of the range Fox Rampage meets
CPSC, AS/NZS 2063, ASTM, EN 1077, Ironically 1077 is for ski helmets not the specific 1078 for Bicycle helmets....... Hmmmm you take your own opinion from this
CE EN1078
CPSC Bicycle
Both clearly stated on the Bell web site, so to make it clearer the certification is as below;
EN 1078 specifies requirements and test methods for bicycle helmets, skateboard and roller skate helmets. It covers helmet construction including field of vision, shock absorbing properties, retention system properties including chin strap and fastening devices, as well as marking and information.
The standard's key features are:
Test anvils: Flat and kerbstone
Drop apparatus: Guided free fall
Impact velocity, energy or drop height flat anvil: 5.42–5.52 m/s
Impact energy criteria: 250g
Roll-off test: Yes
Retention system strength: Force applied dynamically. Helmet supported on headform.
www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/86318/10mr98r.pdf
To compare these to what is classes as one f the best DH full face helmets the Fox carbon Rampage supports CPSC 1203, ASTM F1952 A standard for DH mountain biking,
AS/NZS 2063:2008,
EN 1078
That said it also incorporates a standard for ski and snow helmets, which is mildly unusual for a mountain bike helmet.
Paying to use SNELL is not necessarily the best, as other standards that are far higher have discrepancies, I have found them queried them and been met with shrugged shoulders and told "because that is the factor of safety picked", rather than basing it on scientific monitoring of the oil and gas industry.... numbers out of thin air come up, YES way to frequent!
And a useful rendition of what is better than what can be found here
cyclehelmets.org/papers/c2023.pdf
So I will leave it to yourselves to decide if a jaw piece with the same locking mechanism as Leatt Neck braces and Ski boots around the world for 50 years is of any benefit and seem flimsy or not, dangerous or not, likely to take your eye out or not when you face plant that rock....there is got to be some dispersant of force if it does brake, can you honestly say that some of that force wouldn't be taken up from the break of the jaw piece, would it have broken otherwise? and what would your face look like if it wasn't there? Not boasting a positive for the jaw piece or negative. just questions. Personally I have seen a SNELL branded road helmet split in two pieces and removed from a motorcyclist, miraculously they were fine, but do you expect your helmet to come off let alone split in two. there will always be a circumstance that changes the outcome.
what's so "ground breaking"
dirtmountainbike.com/uncategorized/the-15-worst-mountain-bike-products-ever.html/10
Just like one of these only it doesn't make me wan't to tear my eyes out.
EN 1078
The Super 2R is an upgrade from Bell’s original Super helmet, and the chin bar will only be compatible with the new Super 2R and Super 2.