Bell Furio Helmet

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Pedal the Planet, Le

Favorite Ride:
Pretty much anywhere

Bike Setup:
2005 Specialized Roubaix Elite
2007 Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL

Summary:
Wasn’t looking for a helmet, but picked this one up at a store sale, tried it on, loved the GPS (gear) system, better than Roc Loc, and this helmet matched new (for me) frame colors.
For the money, it is light and extremely comfortable. It needs better vent design, since it seems warmer to my than my other lid, a Giro Monza. I have yet to be able to give my head a good splashing.
One-handing any locking system is problematic, and I am concerned that this mechanism is more complicated than the simple Roc Loc, but everybody knows these helmets spew from the same factory, so lid quality is not the issue, but durability of this wheel gear. No problems on first century of riding with it.

Strengths:
Value for the money, light, comfortable, does the job. Removable pads easy to clean.

Weaknesses:
Hard to hit your noggin with a squirt of water, vents are not terrible well-designed. Probably less of a problem north of Mason-Dixon line.

Similar Products Used:
Giro Mojave, Giro Monza

Price Paid:  $70.00 at Performance

Summary:
I have been using Bell helmets exclusively for the last 20 years but this is probably my last Bell. The last 2 helmets I had the pads ended up falling apart in less than one season. Bell charges $15 for a new set (they are just lined foam!). They should provide a second set or be more reasonable on replacement pads

Strengths:
easy set up and fit. Light and well vented

Weaknesses:
pads just don't hold up. Mine started separating within a couple of months

Similar Products Used:
several Bell's

Price Paid:  $60.00 at REI

Bike Setup:
Bianchi Pista fixie - stock
KHS Flite 500
GT Zaskar LE - all xtr w/rockshox SID SL

Summary:
Best 60 bucks I've ever spent. Flipped going downhill on my mtb and landed on my head and shoulder...snapped my collarbone and cracked my Furio, but my head came through fine. Really did the job, I'm getting a new one soon.

Strengths:
Fits great, light, looks fast and professional.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Other cheaper bells.

Price Paid:  $55.00 at Peddaller Bike Shope

Favorite Ride:
Peddalars /Lensdale

Bike Setup:
LeMond Reno

Summary:
Recently in a bad crash where my head struck the ground. Helmet cracked but stayed together and protected my head.
What more can you say. It did the job when needed. I will buy another just like it....as soon as my arm recovers.

Strengths:
goof fit, confortable, good value

Weaknesses:
None that I can find.

Similar Products Used:
Giro

Price Paid:  $45.00 at REI

Favorite Ride:
Smugly commuting past surly drivers in traffic

Bike Setup:
Ol' beater hybrid (Raleigh M30), with big cushy road tires. It gets me there.

Summary:
I needed to replace the el-cheapo Target special with a real helmet. The Bell Furio was on special at REI for about 30% less than their original price. They had one or two cheaper models, but this one had what I needed and nothing I didn't and it fit well when tried on in the store.

Strengths:
Shell and foam are fused well, fits snugly yet comfortably.

Weaknesses:
A little on the pricey side, but a good value all the same.

Similar Products Used:
The helmet I had before really can't compare. They were both black and had straps. The similarity ends there.