Bell Furio Helmet

Price Paid:  $50.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Anytime I can ride

Bike Setup:
Trek Madone 4.7

Summary:
Vent noise - Two of us in our riding group bought 07 models last year. At around 10 mph the side vents start to whistle and as the speed increases the noise is worse. It's hard to hear people talking while riding beside us and forget an approaching car from behind. Road test this one.

Strengths:
good looking, easy to adjust

Weaknesses:
Vent noise, straps don't like to lay flat.

Similar Products Used:
Bell Image Pro, Bell V-1

Price Paid:  $60.00 at Adventures Edge

Favorite Ride:
Tour of the Unknown Coast

Bike Setup:
Cannondale, Dura-ace, FSA Compact, Ksyrium SL (tubular)

Summary:
Light, Cheap, Comfortable. Simple to adjust and did I mention it is light, cheap and comfortable. Why would anyone pay $200 for a helmet when they could have this one for $60?

I just crashed tested mine. Hit a dog at 25mph and landed on the back of my head and shoulders. Helmet crushed by I rode home with some road rash and bruises. Went to the bike shop for a new helmet (to be purchased by the dog owner) I could have spent $200+ of his money, but opted for another Furio.

Strengths:
Light, cheap and comfortable. Oh and it does it's job.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Various Bells, tried some Giro's but they don't fit my head shape well. Also a Limar.

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.