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Just In: Bell’s Shape Shifting Super 2R Full Face Helmet

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Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (3)

In all actuality, a lot of the new “enduro” specific product is no different than what many have been using for simply mountain biking. That isn’t to say that truly Enduro specific products don’t really exist as the race genre does have some unique requirements. Specifically, the need to be comfortable in your gear while pedaling the transfer stages, but still protected on the near World Cup DH caliber descents on some of the races like the Enduro World Series.

For some, that need meant carrying two helmets for race day – a full face for the timed descents, and a normal lid for the climbing or more XC oriented segments. When Bell approached the idea of designing a helmet for Enduro racing, they noticed the obvious fact that carrying one helmet is better than two. Starting with their popular Bell Super, a functional and removable chin bar was added to create a true 2 in 1 helmet…

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (2)

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (6) Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (4)

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (5)

Obviously, the concept of a helmet with a removable chin bar is nothing new. Perhaps most famously (or infamously), Giro had their own version over 10 years ago with the Switchblade. The issue this style of helmet has always faced though, is the ability to create a chin bar that is rigid enough to deflect a frontal impact yet is still removable.

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (27) Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (18)

Difficult yes, but impossible? Not after seeing the Bell Super 2R which even has competing helmet manufacturers complimenting the design. In addition to being protective, the helmet also looks to be well ventilated with 23 helmet vents, 4 brow vents for the Overbrow ventilation, and 6 additional vents in the chin bar. Unlike most full face helmets, inside you’ll find the TAG fit system just like you’ll find on the Super. The dial fit system with 3 position vertical adjustment is key to proper fit when not using the chin bar. Inside you’ll also find Bell’s X-Static padding.

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (12)

While the Super 2 shell is the updated version of the Super that you know and love, the real stand out here is the addition of the chin bar. Make no mistake, the Super 2R does not carry the same certifications as their downhill helmets, but is designed to keep your face in one piece during the typical All mountain/Enduro crash. Designed to work with most goggles, the helmet features a GoggleGuide adjustable visor with breakaway screws.

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (8)

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (11) Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (9)

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (14) Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (13)

The Super 2R chin bar gets its strength from 3 main design attributes: a full wrap around design, 3 locking mechanical latches, and reinforcing inserts which “plug” into the lower vents. The two side latches use a beefy steel hook which clamps down onto small recesses in the front of the helmet. The rear latch uses a scissor mechanism to pull the two sides of the chin bar assembly together, while the inserts keep everything in place. The clasps are relatively easy to operate, but it takes enough force to open each one that it should be nearly impossible for them to open in a crash.

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (16) Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (15)

The inside of the chin bar is nicely padded with thick, adjustable cheek pads and a vented front portion.

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (20) Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (21)

In addition to protecting the rider with its in-mold polycarbonate shell, additional coverage is provided in the even of a crash through ice. extended rider protection. Each helmet ships with a hidden ice. sticker with a unique code that first responders can text to get the rider’s vitals.

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (7)

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (23) Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (22)

No Enduro helmet is complete without a camera mount, so the Super 2R includes a breakaway mount that is also removable. The breakaway function allows the camera to pop off in a crash to prevent it from snagging on obstacles and injuring the rider. The simple Velcro strap and reinforced peg and hole in the helmet is very easy to take on and off, yet provides a very firm mount to keep the footage crisp. The mount will fit GoPros right out of the box and should work with most other cameras with the right adapter.

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (1) Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (24)

Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (25) Bell Super 2r Enduro helmet full face two helmets in one (26)

At 736 all in (including camera mount), the Super 2R is still lighter than most DH helmets which should make for a more comfortable long term ride. Clearly, carrying just the Super 2R instead of two different helmets will be much lighter, which should make this a popular helmet for anyone looking for versatile protection with some Enduro flair.

Available in both MIPS and non-MIPS versions, the non-MIPS shown here sells for $200, in 5 different colors.

bellhelmets.com

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vulgar bulgar
vulgar bulgar
9 years ago

After seeing Bell’s impact testing video where the chin bar deflects so far that it hits the dummy head’s mouth, I think I’ll stick to my real full face helmet. They need to either improve the stiffness and pass the full face safety standard or stop advertising it as a do-all helmet, it only passes open face standards.

Paul in VA
Paul in VA
9 years ago

@ vulgar: Wouldn’t a more rigid chinguard increase neck extension in a crash. Perhaps a chinguard that kisses your face would be beneficial.

Mr. P
9 years ago

This is a “TRAIL” helmet, and as such I like the flex in the face guard. No head/neck/body is going to sit in immobilized like that test, and is more likely a crash is a glancing blow… like in the later test shown.

And a solid face guard does suck for the neck.

I dig this for intense and extended downhill trail riding like Downieville. But it would not be my first pick for the bike park, or DH riding AS IT IS NOT MADE FOR DH. (which some people can’t comprehend)

P

David R.
David R.
9 years ago

The more interesting comparison for a lot of riders is, bendy chin guard vs. no chin guard. I like bendy.

Pete
Pete
9 years ago

I’ve having a tough time with this helmet. It’s cool tech, but if you are really getting nasty out there should you not be in a rigid full face helmet and neck brace? I’ve taken some nasty spills and broken some bones in my time mountain biking but I have never lost any teeth when wearing a half lid and when crashing in a DH capacity, I was in full pads, full helmet and neck brace (which I credit with walking away from the off). My point is, it’s not like you will be all light and nimble then get to the top of the mountain and strap this little piece of plastic on and be good to bomb down DH stuff and unless you are bombing DH stuff do you really need it?

I hope the BikeRumor staffer who reviews this helmet will consider if they ever felt like they needed the extra protection in an all mountain capacity or if the lack of full DH protection left them feeling naked.

Paul in VA
Paul in VA
9 years ago

opinions are mixed on neck braces too.

http://orthopaediciq.org/why-the-leatt-brace-is-dangerous/

Andy
Andy
9 years ago

Paul makes a good point.

I have broken my front teeth out multiple times really like the idea of this helmet. I would much rather smash my face into the inside of a padded chin bar after it has dissipated some of the force then a rock at full speed.

priority drinker
priority drinker
9 years ago

I agree with Paul and Mr. P on this. I once broke my jar and shattered my zygomatIc arch in a crash with a tree. We were on a trail ride that in no way resembled DH as there is no true DH in Austin. But the trails can be incredibly difficult and technically challenging sometimes. If I had a helmet like this at the time I would have been using it and, in turn, would probably have been fine. I definitely plan on buying one now just for the extra protection when I feel lIke it’s needed.

I crashed on the trail that is just above the sinkhole on the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Definitely a good spot for a full face but who wants to have to ride ride with one out there for 3 or 4 hours? Nobody!

jmal
jmal
9 years ago

This is the perfect “Enduro” helmet. In all the Enduro’s I’ve ridden the majority of riders don’t use full face helmets because the extra weight and heat of a full face over a 4+ hours event can be off putting. This helmet offers a massive improvement on face protection over the standard trail helmet used by the majority in the Enduros I ride. It doesn’t need to achieve the same level of protection downhill helmet require when weight and heat are not an issue.

Ryan
Ryan
9 years ago

Another rider who has broken his face here, and I have been waiting for a helmet that would protect my cheek/orbit regions. POC has yet to address this issue, so hello Bell. I just need protection for XC badassery.

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

@jmal

your enduros aren’t typical then: a large majority, including the EWS, require a full face on the descents.

on the subject of the helmet, if nothing else, they learned the lesson of what not to do from the archi-enduro: the low amount of coverage on that helmet caused worse crashes for some, because the chinbar caught the ground & drove their face into the ground, this one should at least have enough coverage, & better angles to slide instead of catching.

I’ll be real interested to see if the EWS allows these for competition, & if any sponsored riders opt for them over 2 helmets.

Drek Larsen
Drek Larsen
9 years ago

I like this helmet, and would be interested in buying one once I can actually try it on. I am lost as to how the removable chinguard would be better than a rigid full-face that’s just lightened and heavily ventilated.

Mirwin
Mirwin
9 years ago

“After seeing Bell’s impact testing video where the chin bar deflects so far that it hits the dummy head’s mouth, I think I’ll stick to my real full face helmet. They need to either improve the stiffness and pass the full face safety standard or stop advertising it as a do-all helmet, it only passes open face standards.”

Or you could wrap your head in rebar and let your upper vertibrae take the brunt of the impact. There is supposed to be some ‘flex’ in every helmet to absorb some of the impact. To expect your head to come away completely contusion/scratch free simply doesn’t make sense.

Superdosser
Superdosser
9 years ago

I hope a start up like this Bell company tried to get some expert engineering input before they jumped into the helmet business.

Manuel
Manuel
6 years ago

How can I buy or where can I buy a new replacement of my breakaway camera mount.

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