Here at Bike Stop we’re always looking to expand our range and include the best brands that are worth their salt. One of our latest additions is that of Bell helmets, a premium brand from California that includes some seriously stylish bits of kit; let’s check out some of their best offerings.
The helmets that often get associated with Bell are their retro styled ones. Obviously, a genuine retro helmet from decades ago is a seriously risky proposition, but many brands are creating helmets that look like something from the 70s but have the latest materials and design to make them fully up to modern standards.
Bell offers several retro styled helmets, including several open faces, but the most distinctive ones are their retro style full face helmets, such as the Bullitt. This helmet comes in several finishes with sleek solid colours coming in at the base of the range, and topping out with the gorgeous Roland Sands Design carbon version, featuring a full composite carbon fibre shell, unique brushed aluminium visor pivots and a range of bespoke visors to choose from, beyond the included clear and dark pair. If you’re looking to complete a retro look and don’t want to lose the front protection of a full-face helmet this could be ideal, and is especially suited to café racers.
Bell offers a range of open face helmets for the full retro look, with the Custom 500 and Scout Air forming the basis of the range, with classic paint schemes and natty snap-on system for visors and peaks to complete your style. Moving into more modern styles and the Riot packs a flip-down visor and a premium suede lining. Finally, the Broozer brings things right up to date with a fully-removable chin bar to suit your fancy and the weather. Certified to perform to standard both with and without the chin bar this could be an excellent choice for those who might want to commute or go for a more spirited ride and want to enjoy its unique look and feature set.
For those who want a bit of open face convenience but aren’t fussed about retro styling, Bell offers a flip-front helmet in the form of the SRT Modular, packing the obligatory flip-front for easy petrol station face reveals, or for giving that Toyota Yaris driver a piece of your mind without a chin bar blocking out your creative swear words! A drop-down internal sun visor only boosts practicality.
For those who are content with modern styling and the security of a conventional full-face, Bell have you covered. The reasonably priced Qualifier DLX and regular SRT helmets come in a wide range of colours to suit many tastes. The Qualifier DLX integrates MIPS tech (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) which allows the helmet shell to rotate around the head just enough to reduce rotational forces on the head in an accident.
Moving up the full-face range and the Star MIPS has about all you could need from a sporty full-face helmet, packing the aforementioned MIPS tech, fog-resistant Pinlock insert, widened aperture for greater visibility and a silver-embedded removable liner to keep things fresh.
For those looking for something unique, and maybe slightly impractical, the Eliminator Carbon is ideal for those looking to make a statement. Tipping the scales at only a shade over a kilo, this helmet ensures minimal neck fatigue, however the forehead vents require a clip-on cover to close, and it’s not exactly the quietest helmet. That being said, if you want a bold look then these considerations might not even matter!
For those going to the track, or looking for the best performance in a crash, the Race Star is a likely contender. A full carbon shell keeps weight down, while Pinlock keeps your view clear, and Flex Energy Management is designed into the impact liner to deal with low, mid and high-speed impacts. A true hallmark of its premium quality is the availability of five shell sizes to keep the shell an optimum distance from your head, and reduce the dreaded bobblehead syndrome of some lower level helmets! A proper helmet…with a proper price tag!
If you need some expert advice, then you can have a chat online with us via web chat on our website. Our shop is open, with our café opening at the weekends. If you’re a bit far from Stevenage, our online shop is alive and well, and taking orders for delivery. You can also check out our full range on our website with free delivery for any order over £50 on the UK mainland, and delivery possible to almost anywhere else. Not only that but our ‘No Quibble’ returns policy allows for returns within a 365-day period – see our returns page for more details.
