Review: Helmet shootout Part 1 - Bell Super, POC Trabec Race, 661 EVO AM

[Claudio]

When I go into most bike shops it's seldom I will see a helmet that is not suited to the road or XC purposes. There's countless options of them out there. It's not often you see something with some rear and side support – more focused on the trail and all mountain side of things. I set out to see what I could find that is readily available in South Africa.

 

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[Iwan Kemp]

Nice one! 661 will be my next lid

[Guest]

Bell Super is already my dependable solid lid of choice and will outlast the rest.

[(Deon)]

As is my Bell Super! I find the white stripe a bit garish, never thought I'd want stickers adorning my helmet but I think I found a use for them after-all.

[braailegend]

They all look nice but pretty expensive (Aka not in my budget), for the cheapskates like me the Fox Flux is a winner, had it now for 2 years, used as my DJ to all-mountain lid.

[Guest Sam Blake]

From a features and design point of view that EVO seems brilliant but the Bell is the best looking of the bunch. Tough choice.

[David D]

Could you give us some information on crash replacements?

 

This can make a huge difference when 6 month into a helmets life you damage it in a crash, and need to bye a new one.

[gummibear]

I tried the POC but found to little ventilation and kept on "overheating".

 

The Bell is a awesome helmet.

[Bizkit031]

I tried the POC but found to little ventilation and kept on "overheating".

 

The Bell is a awesome helmet.

POC is overpriced don't know how they justify their prices.

[patches]

I wonder how certain other upper end trail/AM lids slot into the line-up...

 

particularly the TLD A1?!

 

http://www.banditbike.ch/media/catalog/product/cache/4/image/800x800/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/l/tld_a1_helm_drone_group.jpg

 

http://www.bicycling.com/sites/default/files/fck_content/A1-Custom-Helmets.jpg

 

 

As for price, this upper end #enduro lid market has blown wide open. Most of these are more than one would pay for a decent full face... and I for one can't help but look at it that way (I paid R2400 landed for a brand new TLD D3, so paying even R2000 for the 661 is hard for me to justify)

[Brett]

What about the fox range? I had one and it was great.

[Claudio]

We are looking at 3 more helmets in Part two of the Shootout and it includes a Fox Flux

[Cruz Addict]

i have the super and must say its the best lid i have ever owned, super comfortable and has all the features as listed in the review.

1 point you didn't mention( perhaps you didnt know about it) is the bezel can be adjusted up or down depending on your head and fit requirements, there are 2 press studs where the bezel attaches to the lid, i found the std one too high for me so dropped down 1 and it made the world of difference.

[Brett]

Ok cool. Well apart from the weight, the fox is a good option especially based on price.

Weight was an issue. Think it was like 30g heavier than my bell. Haha.

[Nofearnofun]

When spending R2000,00+ on a helmet, some sort of crash replacement warranty is important. This coming from ssomeone that is on their third Bell Super which also has a crack after this weekend...

 

This might make you think that the Super breaks easily, I don't think this is the case though...

 

The Super is the most comfortable lid I have tried on, it does seem as if the adhesive Bell uses to glue the velcro bits in the helmet for padding is not good enough As I have had an issue with this in all three Super's I have had.

[Bizkit031]

I wonder how certain other upper end trail/AM lids slot into the line-up...

 

particularly the TLD A1?!

 

http://www.banditbike.ch/media/catalog/product/cache/4/image/800x800/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/l/tld_a1_helm_drone_group.jpg

 

http://www.bicycling.com/sites/default/files/fck_content/A1-Custom-Helmets.jpgThis A1lid is one fine looking one.

 

 

As for price, this upper end #enduro lid market has blown wide open. Most of these are more than one would pay for a decent full face... and I for one can't help but look at it that way (I paid R2400 landed for a brand new TLD D3, so paying even R2000 for the 661 is hard for me to justify)