Bell Announces All-New 'Super Air R' Helmet

 Obviously this should have been called the “Super Duper.”

 Its amazing how trail helmets keep getting even lighter, but I would rather start seeing dual-stage foam in the same weight range as current trail helmets. I've never once though about my Super 3R being heavy

 Where do all you good people draw the line between riding with a half shell or a full-face? Right now I only own a fox half shell and I get out on some black/double black trails where that little voice in my head starts saying I should be wearing a full face.

 OK, early adopter here, and this is what I found.

I'm going from a 2016 Super 2R size large.

Weight: 2R 794gr, Air R 758gr. Weight savings of 36gr. This is without the camera mount on either helmet.

Headlock system, or whatever it's called these days. 2R you can adjust it up and down. I've got a big cranium so pulling it down before dialing it tight is necessary. Air R no up/down adjustment.

Chinbar: This is where things really suck. 2R had a nice rubber coating of every surface of the chin bar that was not covered by the cheek pads. Air R has a thin foam (you can see the little foam pellet pattern) on some of it, and raw sharp edge plastic on other parts, especially right in front of your mouth. A decent face plant and that sharp edge pattern will be cookie cuttered into your mouth/chin. And the foam is not soft at all. It basically feels like hard plastic, so compared to the pliant rubber of the 2R it's worrisome to say the least. Also, cheek pads. 2R they are larger back to front, so more of your cheek is covered towards the front. Also a bit more snug. Air R they're basically half the "length" from back to front, which is weird because if it were the same size as the 2R is would still not cover the next vent forward.

General construction of the Air R seems super flimsy cheap plastic without any attention to finish on the inside edges, certainly when compared to the 2R.

Fit: Air R fits fine, except the Headlock being fixed a bit high for me. Feels more airy mainly due to the smaller cheek pads. Overall a bit looser than 2R, and not because of the designed rotation of the inner/outer.

Now I do understand that the Air R has a totally different design with the rotational stuff and different padding for different level of hits. But it seems like a relatively minor hit has more potential to cut your face with the harsh chin bar issues over the 2R.

Chinbar removal, whatever. Still have to take it off to install, unless you have a mirror or are super duper coordinated. Sure, can take it off a bit more easily, but again, whatever. I actually ride basically all the time with the bar installed. Kind wouldn't mind an all mountain full face that's one piece, saving weight and adding more protection due to more robust bar.

This might get the Amazon return, unless someone can convince me otherwise?

 What the hell is a google guide lol

 @BellBikeHelmets, Does it offer the same protection as the Super DH did? When looking at the website it doesn't seem to come with the same safety ratings. Why is that?

 So is it a replacement for the Super 3R, Super DH, or is it a whole new standalone product? Where does it fit? What are the safety ratings?

 According to their website it’s CPSC Bicycle but doesn’t have AS/NZS certification. Pity I can’t buy or use this helmet here. Kali, Smith and now Bell. Why do manufacturers not test to all standards?

 When I read Super Air R, in my head it just sounds like Super Error.

 For once, a removable chin bar helmet looks good with and without the chin bar. I actually kinda like it.

 Dang, I wish my helmet had a googleguide

 shouldve called it, "all new Hells, Bells"

 Still far from any form of D 3 ... 4