The Super line of helmets has cemented Bell a place in the collective mountain biker consciousness as a provider of the best coverage and protection in the industry. Bell continues to innovate and has recently released an all-new helmet and yet another update to the Super line.
The Bell Sixer Helmet
The Sixer is a new helmet in the Bell line, but it essentially takes over the aggressive trail portion of the line for the old Super, sans chin bar. Now, it appears that all of the helmets with the label “Super” feature Bell’s signature removable chin bar design. Re-labeling and updating the 100% open shell helmet as its own line makes sense, and makes Bell’s helmet choices easier to understand.
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More than a rebranding, the Sixer comes with a completely new design and the latest tech. Thanks to integrated MIPS technology, the Sixer has “a sleeker, closer-to-the-head fit that combines with our Float Fit system and proprietary Sweat Guide to ensure unprecedented comfort in a helmet,” according to Bell. While it’s difficult to say without trying the helmet on, it appears Bell has resolved one common complaint about the excessively large profile of the old Super.
The Sixer provides serious ventilation with 26 vents, including 4 brow ports. “Goggle compatibility complete with a strap gripper at the rear of the helmet, adjustable visor height, integrated camera/light mount, and a full hard shell rounds out the package,” according to Bell.
The helmet weighs a claimed 410g and costs $150 MSRP for the MIPS-equipped version.
Bell Super DH Helmet
The new for 2018 Super DH helmet takes the concept of the removable chin bar helmet to the Nth degree with certifications for full-blown downhill riding. The Super DH has passed the ASTM F1952-00, ASTM F2032-06, CE EN1078, and CPSC Bicycle certifications.
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The Super DH also includes the new MIPS Spherical technology for maximum protection against rotational impacts. How does this differ from standard MIPS? Instead of offering an extra layer between the helmet foam and the head, MIPS Spherical is “built into the helmet between two different layers of foam, one of high density EPS and one of lower density EPP,” according to Bell. “This ball-and-socket can move several millimeters in any direction in the case of impact.”
Other features include:
- Float Fit DH™ w/ Fidlock Buckle
- Fusion In-Mold Polycarbonate Shell
- Goggleguide™ Adjustable Visor System
- Integrated Breakaway Camera Mount
- MIPS® Spherical
- No-Twist Tri-Glides™
- Overbrow Ventilation™
- Progressive Layering™
- Sweat Guide™ Padding
- Wraparound Protection™
- X-Static® and XT-2® Padding
- 19 helmet vents, 2 brow ports, 4 chin-bar vents
The complete Super DH helmet weighs a claimed 850 grams and retails for $300 MSRP.
