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Bell Drop Helmet

April 15, 2008

Published by superfly


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
  • + 7 props
flag stinkyrider88 (April 23, 2008 at 4:10) (Below Threshold) show comment
WOW!! Much better than the bellestic I think. Reminds me greatly of a remedi tho...
  • + 1 props
flag ajh4446 (April 23, 2008 at 10:08) (Below Threshold) show comment
exactly what i was thinking
  • + 1 props
flag naturalhigh (April 23, 2008 at 17:48) (Below Threshold) show comment
well i believe bell and giro work together and share plans
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flag wkdloz247 (April 23, 2008 at 4:18) (Below Threshold) show comment
Ive got last years one and its still goin strong. Ive been impressed with its performances and has served me well. Id have no problem with buying this years 1, looks good 2.
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  • + 5 props
flag jamiewire (April 23, 2008 at 4:20) (Below Threshold) show comment
i think it looks pretty shit. looks cheap and not a patch on the bellestic sorry dudes
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flag tomcaffry (April 23, 2008 at 9:31) (Below Threshold) show comment
the bellistic looks cheap + nasty
so whats the difference
though for the money the bellistic is a good buy - for some..........
  • + 0 props
flag jamiewire (April 23, 2008 at 10:35) (Below Threshold) show comment
yea true but for less money you can pick up older models of 661 flight and thats a mega helmet!!!
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  • + 6 props
flag pepikdh (April 23, 2008 at 4:40) (Below Threshold) show comment
this logo on a helmet is very ugly
  • - 3 props
flag variiis (April 23, 2008 at 5:14) (Below Threshold) show comment
you are ugly!
  • + 8 props
flag triptex (April 23, 2008 at 5:43) (Below Threshold) show comment
No he's right that BELL sticker is rediculous. Lice lid without that massive ad campaign.
  • + 6 props
flag xt-shreder (April 23, 2008 at 7:41) (Below Threshold) show comment
i agree it would like pretty sick if i didnt have the billboard on the side and the top
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flag t3h1337r (April 23, 2008 at 16:39) (Below Threshold) show comment
then take it off dumbass... its a sticker not a paintjob.
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flag crewsdawg (April 23, 2008 at 5:33) (Below Threshold) show comment
look at Johnny T. from WAY back when! Ha, he still kills it to this day!!!
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flag fantaman (April 23, 2008 at 5:55) (Below Threshold) show comment
sorry don't like bell helmets,ugly design's like the bellistic.
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flag lcstay10 (April 23, 2008 at 6:08) (Below Threshold) show comment
looks bad. remedy all the way
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flag zgr7 (April 23, 2008 at 6:17) (Below Threshold) show comment
Dainese d-raptor fiber le is another option, and I'm pretty happy with it so far.
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  • + 2 props
flag g10ry (April 23, 2008 at 6:45) (Below Threshold) show comment
ye id would look cool if they didnt have the super ugly bell sticker.. they could have still have there name on it just make it go with the helmet
[Reply]
  • + 2 props
flag citizenlee (April 23, 2008 at 6:58) (Below Threshold) show comment
I do quite like the shape of the lid and the design is pretty cool, but that nasty big Bell logo just ruins it for me. I think it's time they changed it. Look at Gyro for example, all they did was change the font and now their logo looks so much better. I dont mean to be a cynical label whore but I think I'll stick with my Remedy thanks
  • - 1 props
flag citizenlee (April 23, 2008 at 6:58) (Below Threshold) show comment
Giro*

Pffft... noob.
  • + 5 props
flag citizenlee (April 23, 2008 at 9:19) (Below Threshold) show comment
What sorta cock gives negative props for correcting a speeling mistake?
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flag simen1201 (April 23, 2008 at 7:12) (Below Threshold) show comment
absolutly not pretty!
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flag nods (April 23, 2008 at 7:13) (Below Threshold) show comment
Those aren't stickers anymore. You used to be able to peel them off but now they're screened on. I'm guessing it's because everyone was peeling them off. Bell should take the hint when they see people peeling off their logos.
  • + 0 props
flag triptex (April 23, 2008 at 7:35) (Below Threshold) show comment
Yeah Bell should update their logo.. It's not the 90s anymore and aesthetics matter much more than they realize. Even their skate style lids have that same screened on logo.. Its hideous.
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag johnneygood (April 23, 2008 at 7:20) (Below Threshold) show comment
Bell made a serie of those helmets. You can get one WITHOUT those ugly stickers. Got to see it by yourself on Bell's website.
  • + 0 props
flag t3h1337r (April 23, 2008 at 16:41) (Below Threshold) show comment
people are just too dumb to realize they can pull them off. I bet they dont even come on that way in the first place.
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flag kingofthemountain (April 23, 2008 at 7:43) (Below Threshold) show comment
looks like a giro remedy kool though!
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flag cr8urban (April 23, 2008 at 7:45) (Below Threshold) show comment
Bell and giro are the same company. This helmet is not really aimed at people who like the remedy, but provides an alternative. And that logo is bell's deal, people buy their helmets for that logo. If you're looking for mor style you'd be getting a remedy.
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  • + 3 props
flag snitz (April 23, 2008 at 8:03) (Below Threshold) show comment
once a troy lee always a troy lee
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flag ej2fast (April 23, 2008 at 8:14) (Below Threshold) show comment
reminds me or a lamborghini gallardo
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flag Devinc (April 23, 2008 at 8:49) (Below Threshold) show comment
I have that helmet, and the picture is not doing it justice. I got the black with white crest. It looks super cool, granted the Bell logo isn't great but its much better looking and protective than the ballistic. Go check out the graphics from the black and white crest as is stands out alot more than this olive with black crest version shown here.
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag Devinc (April 23, 2008 at 8:51) (Below Threshold) show comment
http://www.bellbikehelmets.com/europe/productDetail.asp?prodID=9#

second helmet from the top.
  • + 0 props
flag citizenlee (April 23, 2008 at 9:21) (Below Threshold) show comment
That is really nice, better than the green one posted above, but the Bell logo is still a bit big.
  • + 0 props
flag triptex (April 23, 2008 at 12:19) (Below Threshold) show comment
Yeah I like the black and white one.
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  • + 2 props
flag ironhorserocks (April 23, 2008 at 9:34) (Below Threshold) show comment
uglyyyyy
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  • - 9 props
flag tristan (April 23, 2008 at 9:44) (Below Threshold) show comment
i am going bmxing today at the skatepark
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flag jonenalle (April 23, 2008 at 10:33) (Below Threshold) show comment
Im with citi that bell logo is too big.. But anyway it looks good
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flag farmanjekyll-slig (April 23, 2008 at 11:18) (Below Threshold) show comment
looks a bit like that dude off halos helmet lol
man that sticker is unnnesicarily big!
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flag crankmeister (April 23, 2008 at 11:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
ugly ...
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flag crankmeister (April 23, 2008 at 11:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
i prefer my TLD D2 carbon flames
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  • + 1 props
flag m47h13u (April 23, 2008 at 11:58) (Below Threshold) show comment
One thing he doesn't mention about the helmet in this review is the fit. The way this helmet is made, it squeezes a lot more at the head than the face so it feels very unequal.
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  • + 0 props
flag c-v-tich (April 23, 2008 at 12:19) (Below Threshold) show comment
yo superfly ; )

now i remembered i had that same reebok pump helmet and it was fiting well and was lite too

it was good idea
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag thomasz (April 23, 2008 at 13:50) (Below Threshold) show comment
Iv got the black/white version it looks way better than that color but it fits very nice and dosent squeeze your cheeks like a remedy.
[Reply]
  • + 1 props
flag bikeobsessed (April 23, 2008 at 14:14) (Below Threshold) show comment
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugly!
  • + 0 props
flag t3h1337r (April 23, 2008 at 16:42) (Below Threshold) show comment
yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooour FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACe!
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flag kona-stuffed (April 23, 2008 at 14:41) (Below Threshold) show comment
i have a bell full face. how the hell do i get the big logo off. its painted not a sticker!
  • + 0 props
flag triptex (April 23, 2008 at 15:13) (Below Threshold) show comment
LOL you dont.
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flag D-ponko (April 23, 2008 at 16:07) (Below Threshold) show comment
I have one myself and there amazing. the vents really work well.
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flag npinder2002 (April 23, 2008 at 22:59) (Below Threshold) show comment
Its a pity about that enormous sticker. I would probably fall and scrape it off in a hurry though... Looks pretty rad otherwise.
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flag dynobiker (April 25, 2008 at 6:17) (Below Threshold) show comment
ya thats right buy a helmet from walmart that sounds like a good idea
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flag old-hucker (April 25, 2008 at 12:37) (Below Threshold) show comment
I like the bellistic it is way lighter than any fiberglass helmet. It feels like half the wieght to me (I havent compared the numbers). And I think some of you guys are way too concerned with looks (vanity is usualy a girls trait). Anyway as I said I like my bellistic.
Stefan
[Reply]
  • + 0 props
flag Mike-MTB (July 17, 2008 at 14:11) (Below Threshold) show comment
Bell shouldnt make huge logos on those sweet helmets, they should just blend the name into the design with a cool font
[Reply]

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