BELL
SUPER
WORDS Mike Levy
PHOTOS Paris Gore
The Right Tool for the JobIt's a saying that we've all heard at one point or another, but it is also a mantra that rings especially true when talking about helmets and safety. Downhillers have long worn full face protection that has evolved with the sport, and both the cross-country and road contingent sport feathery helmets that seem to be more air than EPS foam while still passing the required testing standards. And let's not forget BMX lids that, with their thick outer ABS shell, offer a buffer from the constant spills and scrapes of park, street, and dirt jumping. But we've seen a new style of helmet crop up over the last few years, one that looks to combine the DNA from all of the above to provide more protection at a reasonable weight for riders who don't want to wear a full face but will appreciate any extra security.
Not coincidentally, this train of thought seems to parallel many riders' shift to mid-travel bikes that can really attack the trail, as well as the enduro and Super-D race scene that seems to be the perfect application of said bikes and riding gear. Pretty much every helmet company now has an option in their lineup that is geared towards this market, with the majority following the same basic recipe: less or smaller vents and more material, along with (often slightly) increased coverage at the back of the head compared to a true cross-country helmet. Half measures? Depending on what you're looking for, maybe so. Bell approached the same concept from a different angle, with their new $125 USD, twenty five vent Super helmet being the result. Sporting more protection for the back of the head than pretty much any other half-shell offering on the market, as well as more coverage around the sides and ears, over-brow venting, and an integrated and easily removable GoPro helmet mount, the Super isn't just a warmed over cross-country lid. Further proof comes in the concession that Bell has made for riders who use goggles, with a shell shape that doesn't interfere with goggle fit, and a smart 'flying bridge moto visor' that slides up to make room for the goggles when they aren't needed. This last point should be noted by enduro and Super-D racers, as it will likely come in especially handy for them.
Alternative AnglesThe Super's story began with not only a clean sheet of paper (
how many times have we heard that cliche?), but by approaching the helmet's design from a different perspective. It's fair to say that most 'trail' helmets out there right now are pretty much cross-country lids with some added coverage out back, which is certainly a good thing for riders who are looking for exactly that, but Bell wanted something much more representative of the riding genre that the Super is aimed at. To that end, they looked at what aspects of a downhill helmet they might want to bring over to the Super, with lower protection sitting high on that list. This ethos is clear to see even in the earliest sketches of the Super (
see the photo above), with a shape that clearly puts an emphasis on limiting vulnerability when the wearer hits the deck. Interestingly, that early basic shape actually resembles Bell's '500', their first racing helmet that debuted in 1954.
What begins as a concept and simple sketches eventually makes its way to the computer, where CAD software creates a 3D shape (shown above) for Bell's designers to tweak and fiddle with. This is an important step in the process that also allows them to see the general shape and how it might look on one's head - a feature that could have looked neat on paper might suddenly make no sense, or it could become clear that coverage could extend further down without causing any issues. Half-size foam models, called 'eggs', are also carved by hand for the same reason, with the models also allowing for the first tactile connection as well.
The image to the right played an important role in the size and placement of the hex shape that surrounds each vent - notice that lateral lines of each are angled as to converge at a point out in space. While this may sound like a subtle detail, it goes a long way to making the Super pleasing to the eye.
| Our (Bell's) design philosophy really isn't so much about thinking outside the bike, that term is very cliche to me. We are more about designing through the lens of the end user. Purpose built is what we do, it's very focused and driven to provide a better experience to the end user. Hilgard Muller - Director of Industrial Design |
POV Made Easy
Love them or hate them, POV cameras are high on many riders' wish list of desirable gear, with a lot of us wanting to not only see our own riding, but the view from the top pro riders as well. Fitting most of these cameras to your helmet has been a bit of a joke, though, with rickety stock mounts that never seem to be in the right place while also never seeming to be tight enough to keep from making your video appear as if you're having a mid-run seizure. The Super takes an integrated approach to this issue, with a mount included that is designed specifically for GoPro cameras. Sculpted to fit into the hex-shaped vents of the helmet, it is held snug with a short Velcro band that slips under the X-static padding. The slightly countersunk shape of the mount, along with its lower profile compared to a standard GoPro helmet kit and thin foam contact point, helps to keep the camera steady and on target. The added benefit of the system is how easy it is to install and remove, with the job taking about fifteen seconds to complete. No faffing about with longer straps, and no wondering if you've chosen the proper placement on your helmet.
Goggle-Friendly
The number of riders who wear goggles with their half-shell helmet isn't big, but those who do will likely be ecstatic about this next point. Bell wanted the Super to be the choice of enduro and Super-D riders, many of whom wear goggles for all or parts of their race run. No one wants to have a face full of goggles while charging a short hill or transfer stage, though, so Bell designed a simple but clever solution that allows them to be pushed up onto the brow of the helmet by way of a pivoting visor. While the visor pivots can be snugged up enough to keep it from moving at all, backing them out ever so slightly lets the visor shift upwards by 30° to make room for them on the front of the helmet.
Don't give a damn what others think? You can run the Super visor-less and with goggles by using Bell's clever goggle tabs that mount at each visor pivot and act as guides for the goggle strap. You might look foolish, but at least your goggles will be staying put.
First Impressions: | We've only had a few rides with the Bell's new Super on our heads, but we have to admit that we are fans so far. While other 'trail' helmets seem to be slow-stepping in the right direction, Bell has truly looked at what makes sense and taken off running with the idea. There is much more coverage all around, especially at the sides of the head behind the ears, and slide-up visor layout that allows for easy goggle storage simply makes too much sense not to applaud, even if you never plan on using goggles yourself. The same can be said about the GoPro mount: we might not be big fans of POV cameras, but the Super's clean mount definitely helps. Concerning fit, the new Bell helmet offers a very even feel on the head without any hard points that might cause trouble in the long run, and it feels reasonably svelte when in use. Unfortunately we can't comment on how effective its over-brow venting system functions until we get to use the Super in some warmer conditions, but we anticipate the helmet allowing for relatively good airflow. Our single caveat boils down to the Super's Speed Dial Fit System that, while doing a great job holding the helmet steady, seems a bit industrial, a point that a few other testers have mentioned as well. Besides that, the $125 USD Super is a very impressive helmet that will likely have other brands wondering if they should have approached the concept with a bit more gusto. - Mike Levy |
www.bellhelmets.com
Just a possibility that lets them both share the high end market.
Also phobospwns and others Giro and Bell are both owned by the same parent company anyway.
Every helmet co in the world would have you believe that their helmet fits you the best. Nobody talks about shape. FWIW Giro fits me better now than it did five years ago. Something changed - I used to only wear Bell. Yeah I bet the stickers can peel off, its just vinyl on the plastic visor.
Like in the DH helmet review, Bell is on everything, but Giro makes action sports stuff only - snow and bike. Bell is moto, bomb disposal, etc. So it might not be a bad idea to create 'Bell-Head' or 'Bell-a-bong' or whatever, to promote the high-end nature of their bike lids.
The colour sets you can pick from for BELL helmets have always been a tad ugly as well. Blue with green pin-striping? Grey with Flowers? Meh.
Not downplaying the quality of Bell helmets, mind you.
At this point they could really benefit from a graphics change. It is and always was an ugly logo. It needs to be modernized.
never had any issues with my giro or bell helmets! (was in head on collision with a car with my giro helmet).
BELL don't change anything i like you the way you are!.
just hearing the name BELL makes me think of baja 1000 and other ton of racing history , anyone who disrespects them is a FOOL.
RESPECT!!!!!!!
thats priceless
Holy ouch.
I also wear a full face above anything XC. I get a lot of flack for it when people see me up in the woods. They ask "you really need that helmet for these trails?" Because everyone thinks the trails are XC trails. And truthfully they are technically right, but then again nearly any trail can be an "xc" trail depending on how you ride it. I digress though, when people give me flack I invite them to follow me on a run. After that they don't ask why I wear it. Speaking of, if anyone who lives around the Seven Springs area of PA wants to go ride sometime hit me up. I have trouble finding people to ride with, it's all endurance XC all the time. Which is fine, but mostly I want to, as Ricky Bobby would say, "I wanna go fast."
If I'm not a downhiller but want's to have face protection Casco MX is the only way for me.
Re; the logo - are you guys kidding? Its a logo that is synonymous with quality structural testing. I'd buy a Bell helmet any day of the week, and I will buy the Super this week.
Andrew
www.sweetsingletrack.ca
I must be taking "Crazy Pills"
www.lazersport.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41&lang=en
The Bell helmet is nice, it's just not as nice as the Lazer. Lazer camera mount can be replaced if broken or added if you don't buy it up front. Plus Lopes has some signature helmets in the line if you want to support him. The Rolls retention system has been awesome. I can roll it big to fit over a hat for snow riding or tight to hold my camera steady with ease and one finger. Guess which one?
Anyway, Bell made a really nice Enduro helmet ...congrats!
I mean the attractive version of the horrible Met Parachute
Where is the contour mount???
Come on BELL.
nice lid though )
FTFY
But it's true, after the TLD A1, that's the second "enduro" helmet we're stuffed with that will actually be forbidden on most enduro races... why? Cause it's an XC helmet, it's not a full face! But the word Enduro is so appealing to marketing dudes...
Oh yeah, Norbs got Robbed.