Interbike 2008 - Bell Helmets

Sep 29, 2008
by Tyler Maine  
Bell Helmets have been a long time industry leader in head protection for us cyclists. For 2009 you'll see refinements to most of the line up and all new graphics through out. We had the opportunity to talk to Don about the Drop full face, the Variant All Mountain / XC offering and the Faction DJ lid.

Check out the pics, the HD video and information inside:
Don runs us through some of the Bell Helmet's 2009 line up
:

The Drop:

The Bell Drop came to the show last year as the replacement to the long time Bellistic helmet and was instantly welcomed by on lookers. For 2009, the helmet changes are most widely seen in the graphics with new signature models from both Brian Lopes and Cedric Gracia.

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Bell Drop Lopes

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Bell Drop Cedric

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Bell Drop Manic


The Drop is Bell's answer to the gate and gravity riders needs. It is certified by both CPSC (bicycle standard) and the new ASTM (Downhill standard) and was designed by the same crew that brought you the Moto-8 helmet.

MSRP: $130.00 USD

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Colors: Matte Olive / Black Crest, Black / White Crest, Matte Black, Blue / Blue, Red / Black, White / Green
Weight: 37oz • 1048 grams
Certification: CPSC Bicycle Safety Standard Certified, ASTM DH Certified



The Variant:

The Variant is Bell's response to mountain biking as a whole. The Variant is the do all helmet for what ever type of riding you are into - XC, all-mountain, DH, enduro, dirt jump, slopestyle, dual slalom, 4X, trials, park or freeride. If you mountain bike, then this helmet is for you.

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If you are a mountain biker that likes to get out and earn your descents, or just pedal all day and you don't require the protection of a full face, then a helmet like the Variant should be what you are wearing. The extra rear protection is a must when you are playing hard.

MSRP: $100.00 USD

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Colors: Matte Black, Matte Titanium, Matte Silver / Pink Skull Camo, Matte Olive Skull Camo, Matte Brown Skull Camo
Weight: 11.3oz./320g
Certification: CPSC Certified



The Faction:

Skate style helmets are the choice for the majority of today's DJ and urban riders. Improved venting and fit sets the Faction apart from the majority of similar helmets out there. Both bikers and skaters turn to this helmet to keep them safe on the streets.

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The Fraction is the smaller brother / sister to the Faction and offers the same great fit and graphics as its older sibling.

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MSRP: $35.00 USD

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Colors: Black Mirra, Matte Blue Kagy, Matte Bronze McCann, Matte Grey Nyquist, Matte Khaki Wade, Matte White Bestwick, Neon Green Cooke, Matte Black Tony Hawk, Matte Olive, Red Tony Hawk, Titanium, Silver / Pink, Sparkle Magenta, Matte Black
Weight: 14.8oz./422g
Certification: CPSC Bicycle Safety Standard Certified, ASTM 1492 Skate Certified



Bell has a wide array of helmets to choose from so please visit www.bellbikehelmets.com to learn more.

Author Info:
brule avatar

Member since Mar 27, 2001
3,581 articles

71 Comments
  • 12 1
 i like those full faces like a million times better than the old ones. good job bell.
  • 2 2
 yep the full faces are sweet! also id just like to say that i already have the blue 09 dirt lid check out my pics!!!
  • 0 3
 all the helmets look so sick this year. except for the variant. i just don't like the look of that. but all the others are so sick.
  • 17 9
 they look kind of japanese
  • 14 11
 Bell needs to revolution. I think their logo just ruins the helmet, not that the helmets are some artistic helmets, I think they look bad too
  • 1 6
flag charleyboy14 (Sep 30, 2008 at 4:50) (Below Threshold)
 im waitning for the end 1 to come out
  • 13 3
 you people are wining WAYYY to much about the logo. it doesn't look as bad as everyone is crying about... and if iam correct..can't you just peel it off becuase it's a sticker?
  • 3 0
 i think so and the drop in all designs are SICK
  • 1 1
 FregoS, that is exactly what I think when I see Bell helmets. "sweet graphic! oh... the bell logo."

They need to change it up.
  • 3 7
flag martinsch (Sep 30, 2008 at 12:59) (Below Threshold)
 I like them way more than all those fancy ultra stylish e.g troy lee helmets. Even the logo is way better, timeless and modest. the new vector graphics make them look a bit more like the others but nevertheless more professional.
  • 0 0
 yes but tha bell sticker does take away the value when looking at it
  • 1 0
 yeah so they need to re-do their logo, they still did I good job on the cedric gracia full-facer and a not-too shabby job on the lopes and the faction
  • 0 0
 the full face looks awsome, although all the helmets look alot better than before
  • 0 0
 yah i had a faction and is just a sticker
  • 0 0
 if i get one. im gonna paint over the logo
  • 2 0
 I never thought I'd actually want a Bell but those Drops are lush.
I think if they did one with the same colour scheme as the CG one but without all the "CG"s, just a design instead it would be one of the best looking helmets ever, up there with the THE Zebra one.
  • 8 3
 really nice i just ahte the big bell sticker. it pisses me off
  • 1 8
flag dillonchamberlain (Sep 29, 2008 at 21:41) (Below Threshold)
 true dat homieJoker
  • 5 6
 Logo Change PLEASE... I won't ever buy a bell solely for that reason. keep the logo off, or change it to a symbol. it should be free if you want us to be a flying billboard...cha ching
  • 4 1
 bell has been around way to long to ignore their track record. not saying you dont own a decent helmet, but it kinda lame to just write a product off because of there logo... Mcdonalds has hardly changed theres but i bet you go there still!
  • 1 0
 the blue faction looks pretty nice
  • 6 0
 You do know Bell own Giro, so what the logo is a bit crap....your getting a really well speced helmet for not much of the green stuff, take the sticker off if your that bothered!
  • 0 0
 Good to see a new style/graphics look.
The old bellistic helmets were getting old.
  • 0 0
 you guys remind me of everyone who buys mercedes c-class' or bmw 3 series' just because it has a benz or bmw badge on it even though you could get the same amount of car for half the price
  • 1 0
 "FregoS (12 hours ago)
Bell needs to revolution. I think their logo just ruins the helmet, not that the helmets are some artistic helmets, I think they look bad too "

Dude the bell logo is the MOST recognized symbol in ALL of riding. That covers road, mtb, bmx, and ALL the forms of racing on a bike.

You must be the "newer generation" of riders because in my day bell ruled the bike scene bar none. Heck they still do. Where have you been.
  • 0 2
 liamc17, I'd rather have no logo, so your analogy fails. Good try though. PrimoDevil01, good try on the analogy as well. I don't shit helmets though. No matter what I order at Mc.donalds... a number 1, a number 5, number 3 or 4... they all come out a Number 2
  • 3 0
 I wish to have one of these helmets!!!!
  • 1 0
 The Drop is apparently 32 grams lighter (Just over 1 ounce) that the composite TLD D2!!! Nice work Bell!!!
The CG lid rocks...
  • 3 0
 not bad price to
  • 0 2
 The helmet looks great on the trail. This might not be important to some riders, but I believe that Fox captured the look of all mountain riding. Some might even say the spoiler increases your down force which gives you more traction (joking)!
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williamgeorge
Search Engine Optimization
  • 1 1
 i agree,fox's all mountain helmet is the most beautiful out there,light,cheap n comfy too.
  • 2 0
 drop weight only 422g? no way Wink
  • 0 0
 you guys should think about it cause if you took of the bell sticker or if your not able to take it off cover it with a sticker and it would look sick
  • 1 0
 if bell sold the bellistics with the visor that gee and cedric use that would be sweet
  • 0 0
 gustofwind is right the logo means nothing if you put a porche badge on an aston martin people will buy the aston martin and like he said you can just pull it off
  • 0 0
 the gracia option is sweet , had a few of these helmets and ok apart from big knocks , troy lee or new remedy by giro please n thank you
  • 0 0
 Bell does not need to change their logo, It's the classic bell why change that when thats the company they started their designs are sick anyway focus on that.
  • 1 0
 Love the Drop design. But that Bell Logo is uglier than Sh*t
  • 1 0
 not bad. still like my remedy more tho...
  • 1 0
 faction is nice. Super clean
  • 0 0
 the drop is 422 grams?? mistake maybe? great lookin helmet though, im keen on the cedric variantSmile
  • 1 0
 the cedric is amazingggg!
  • 0 0
 hahaha i love where he's talking about the fraction
"... and if your 8... or just have a really pinner head..."
HAHAHA
  • 2 0
 cedrics is SWEET
  • 4 2
 im loving the CG
  • 0 0
 did the guy just say ull win championships if u wear that bell drop helmet????? try ull protect ur head from when u crash
  • 0 0
 exactly. You WONT win if you smash your head in. So yea... they can get away with saying you will win lol
  • 0 0
 Had a bell X-Ray for years. Best deal going fo XC. Hope the Variant is as comfee!
  • 0 0
 Its about time for Bell to come up with more graphic on the helmets.
  • 0 0
 what happen the le green one
  • 0 0
 what happen to the the lime green helmet
  • 0 0
 the bell logo kills the whole look
  • 0 0
 I have buy the bell variant helmet the black version!
  • 3 2
 the full faces are sick!
  • 1 1
 Where's the Rob Roskopp one? You guys forgot one!
  • 0 0
 good looking, but the moto8 looks and feels better.
  • 1 2
 love the full face are they D.O.T APPROVED?
LIKE FOR MOTOCROSI RACE SO I MIGHT GET ONE
  • 0 0
 They are not DOT approved.
  • 0 0
 holy crap thats the dankest colection of full face ive seen in a while..
  • 0 0
 he garunteedd ull win a championship
  • 0 0
 I'm getting my lil nephew the FRaction, now he can ride too!!!
  • 1 1
 the full face helmets look amazing !!!
  • 0 0
 go put a drop next to a remedy..... same helmet....
  • 0 0
 i agree compltly with some people that the bell logo really ruins it
  • 2 3
 change the graphician Wink awful projects :\
  • 0 1
 i think the bell full faces are to bulky
  • 0 0
 Finally....
  • 0 1
 All new drop graphics looks insane!
  • 0 1
 so beautiful! the dirt helmets are amazing!
  • 0 3
 je dit oui maintenant pour le drop CG , il est bien sympatique , robot-bike sportivement ....
  • 0 1
 thoughs buckets are sexy







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