Bell Adrenaline Bike Helmet
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Category: Sports See more product details |
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Description of Bell Adrenaline Bike Helmet
Fresh new helmet shape is packed full of premium features! Innovative helmet design offers a dynamic new look. QuickFit system delivers the perfect fit and exclusive Bell CamLocks adjust easily for an optimal fit. Sixteen vents help to keep you cool whileSports reviews of Bell Adrenaline Bike Helmet
Customer Review: Improved Fit, Solid Functionality, Still Huge
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
I'm an avid-but-'broke' cyclist: a college student with a part-time job who nonetheless finds room in his budget and time in his day to race bikes. This means my equipment is either high-end but old, or inexpensive but good-quality.
The Bell Adrenaline helmet fits into the latter category. It's a solid, dependable model at a good price, though I will state for the record that it looks really enormous on a small-boned guy like me (5' 9", built like a whippet -- a slightly pudgy whippet, but a whippet nonetheless). It's still pretty nice looking, though. I especially like the white and silver model (looks like it was custom-made to go with my team kit!).
I'm currently on my second Adrenaline helmet. The first one did a great job protecting my skull when I had a minor run-in with a lamp post at roughly 25 - 30 MPH (entirely my own fault) and wound up on the ground. That one had the old fit system -- a suspension rig with over-complicated strap adjustments and a little plastic sliding component in the back that allowed the user to refine the fit. I was never able to dial the fit in 100%, but it did its job just the same.
My new Adrenaline has the 'Tru-Fit' system -- a suspension harness with an elastic component (and two integrated reflectors) in the rear with simple, straight-forward chin-strap adjustments. It's a shave lighter than the old one (I'm guessing the Tru-Fit harness weighs less than the old one), and the fit is greatly improved. It appears that the basic design of the helmet itself is otherwise the same as it was before -- same fairly-effective ventilation patterns, same foam, same shell. It still looks huge on my head. I'm okay with that, as long as it works. There are more important things than looking pretty on the bike.
The Adrenaline gives you excellent functionality at a very good price point. It is not the lightest, best-ventilated, or most aerodynamic helmet on the market -- so if you're regularly doing long rides in hot weather, you might want to consider another model (my head got quite toasty on a century in July); likewise, if you're a road racer above Cat 5, this is probably not the best helmet for you. Cat 5s should be able to make do with it, at the cost of an exceptionally-warm head from time to time.
I do find the visor useful when the sun stands at certain angles -- it prevents light from coming in over my sunglasses and blinding me. However, I do think sunglasses of some kind are really essential if you'll be riding for more than five minutes in bright sun with *any* helmet. It also helps a bit in the rain, as long as it's not windy and/or I'm not riding very fast.
Since all helmets are required to meet certain minimum safety standards, you need not worry that this less-expensive model will provide lesser protection in a crash. The Bell Adrenaline really does a good job there, and that's where it counts.
In essence, unless you need to be the fastest guy in town or heat is a big problem for you, this helmet will do you just fine. The Tru-Fit system makes adjustment a no-brainer, which is good, because in a crash, you want your helmet to fit, so you don't wind up becoming a no-brainer.
Customer Review: Solid, dependable, everyday workhorse
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
I purchased this helmet for dual use. It saw daily service as the helmet I wore for bicycle commuting in all weather and also during singletrack XC adventures and racing. The Bell Adrenaline did what it was supposed to do, today, when I ate it during a race in a rock garden and hit my head. It's not ultra light, super flashy, or engineered with a featherweight latticework of a million vents, but it will perform in a dependable fashion and can be purchased for a reasonable price.
A few notes, the comfort pads in the front are secured by a relatively weak adhesive, so they can detach after being exposed to several hard rains and/or sweaty rides.
Customer Review: Fred Meyer has it for $15.99
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
I ordered this before reading the reviews. It cost me $24.99 from Amazon.com and I saw the EXACT same helmet at Fred Meyer for $15.99. I am still waiting on the helmet. Should have checked my local store first. That is a HUGE price difference. Lesson learned.Customer Review: Serves the purpose
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
Unfortunately, it does not fit all. Otherwise, it is a good pick for the price.Customer Review: Sun-Cover Not shipped
Sport shop rating: 3 Stars
This seems to be a great helmet in terms of its price and design...But it does not gives you a very sporty look...especially if you have a round face or large head. Moreover, I was not shipped with the sun-cover which overall gives a very dull look to the helmet. But nevertheless, its light and sturdy, though I have been using it for past 5 months, it seems the upper plastic layer is detached from the foam inside and needs a re-glue. For the price, the helmet serves it purpose