Customer Reviews

Bell Solar Bike Helmet

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I didn't read all the previous reviews but most discussed the fit. This helmet fit fine for me as well, but more importantly it works. I had a pretty bad accident with bone breaks (collar bone, multiple ribs)requiring surgery and felt a solid head thump on concrete. The helmet compressed and cracked but I had absolutely no head injury. Without a helmet I expect they would have had to wake me up!

I didn't have great confidence in the "universal fit" system - until I tried it. I have owned higher end helmets from Bell and Giro, and this fits as well as any I've owned. I can't see spending $100 for a helmet when this Bell does as well for a third of that.

As an avid cyclist and racer for 30-plus years, I've long since outgrown the need to be seen using the latest gear endorsed by Lance or Alberto or Andy. Let's face it: A big reason for the high cost of many cycling accessories is marketing and sponsorships. Products like helmets are little more than commodities, so manufacturers have to differentiate their high-end brain buckets by paying big-name riders to wear them.

Helmet technology has evolved to the point where there's little functional difference between entry-level models and the top of the line ones. They all consist of a shell, nylon webbing and some EPS foam. And while the more costly units may carry stickers signifying compliance with multiple certification standards (Snell, ASTM, CPSC, etc.), keep in mind that manufacturers are obligated to pay for the costs of testing along with (in many cases) royalty fees that grant them the privilege of applying the stickers of certain privately-funded safety foundations. A given helmet may well comply with the latest Snell standard, but unless the manufacturer pays Snell's fees, they can't say it does.

So that brings us to the Bell Solar. I've worn many Bell helmets (and crashed a few) over the years and have never found their protection to be lacking in any area. I originally bought a Solar as the first adult-sized helmet for my still-growing daughter, so I didn't want to spend too much on one that might well end up being replaced in a year. Once it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the adjustable-fit system would accommodate even my 60cm melon, and it was a couple ounces lighter than the dated Giro I'd been using. So I bought another one for myself. After more than 2000 miles of training, racing and touring (including 540 miles on the week-long Ride The Rockies), I have no complaints at all. The Solar fits well and has sufficient airflow to keep my head cool even when racing a criterium on a 90-degree day. Plus, its ridiculously low price means I have money left over to spend on other stuff for my bike.

I have a large head. I was a little skeptical about the universal fit, but it does adjust so that it can fit most heads. For my head, I would prefer that the helmet was just a bit larger (the helmet is the constraint, not the adjustable inside). But, while at times it seems bit tight, I've decided to keep it as the alternatives seem to cost twice as much.

After many helmets that wobbled back and forth on my head, this helmet has a racketing device in the headliner to tighten up the fit. It stays where I put it and protects my head.

I was skeptical of the one-size fits all, as these rarely fit me, but I am happy to say the helmet fits fine on my 7 7/8 hat size head. It is just a tiny bit snug, but does the job. The price was right at twenty bucks for my blue and white helmet.

The build quality is excellent (better than my Giro Mojave that was falling apart). I hope to never have to use it, but it should hold up well. It is comfortable for my 11 mile bike ride.

Purchased the Bell Solar Bike Helmet and it fit comfortably. Easy to adjust once I figured out how the straps worked. Recommend this product and company to anyone interested in buying a good reasonably priced helmet.

Recommend. It's a helmet, and functions fine as such. The extra pizazz of the aesthetics and easy adjustment put it over the top. I really like it, and get compliments... which says a lot.

This was a great helmit. It is nice & cool and I hardly know it's on sometimes. Very easy to adjust too.

This helmet was worn by my riding partner when he struck an obstruction and face planted at speed receiving a front temple strike. He was wearing this helmet properly and this helmet absolutely did its job and saved his life. Please wear your helmet whenever you mount your bike.