Category: Bell

Bell Super 3R vs Leatt DBX 3.0

Posted on by in Bell

The best helmet should be the one made for the riding discipline and comfortable enough on your head just like Bell Super 3R Vs Leatt DBX 3.0 that are designed for your downhill riding activities. They are a bit expensive but performance wise among the top and we may have different preferences so if you are also eyeing these helmets, go check what they can offer below and see which of them seems to be the most ideal option for your riding activities.

In this article, we are going to give you information about:

  • Which Bike Helmet to Purchase
  • What are Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0
  • What Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 Look Like
  • How are the Construction of Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0
  • How are the Fitting System of Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0
  • Are Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 Comfortable
  • Bell Super 3R Vs Leatt DBX 3.0

Bike Helmet

Bike helmet will reduce the chance of getting serious head and brain injury when there is contact with solid objects during an accident. We will not argue whether all cyclists will need to wear a helmet to ride safely or not because we may have different applications and a way to see the problem but for those who are riding for fun and often challenge themselves, it is necessary to wear one for we will have a higher risk of unfortunate events.

Bike helmets are also highly dependent on the application or discipline so not all cycling activities will have the same model to wear. It can be a hassle to have several different helmets for each discipline but since the product was made ideally to aid certain activity, it is best to have them based on which we will be using more often. Some activities are also versatile enough to allow for different rides such as Giro Indicator vs Revel that are suitable for both road and light trail riding.

Road Helmet

This is the most popular and cheapest helmet for casual cyclists or commuters who are concerned about their safety on the road. It is also the model we often find available in children’s versions because they also need proper protection just like adults. This type of helmet has the lightest coverage with tons of vents meant to aid the comfort while building wise, they can be similar to just any bike helmet, fairly light with less coverage on the back and sides.

Cross Country

This type is like a high-end version of road bike helmet because they are very similar to each other; in fact it is often hard to set them apart based on the design alone but this one is more expensive. They can have visor as well but often small enough to not harm your field of view and many can be removable. It may come with a very light body which is great for prolonged ride and have maximum air vents to promote better air flow.

Bell Super 3R Leatt DBX 3.0
Product Dimensions14 x 10 x 11 inches15 x 10 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight2.8 pounds1.7 pounds
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Trail Helmet

As opposed to the two mentioned above, this one is used for off-road application and it is still similar to the cross country one but beefier. It has an overall heavier weight thanks to the additional material to cover the head. This helmet is focusing more into protection but also trying to not fall too far when it comes to comfort and you can tell which one by seeing the huge visor, a fuller coverage on the back as well as sportier design.

Enduro/Full Face Helmet

This model is all about protection and the biggest among others because the activity in which it is prominently used has the higher risk of unexpected events. It is heavier and almost the same to those we have when riding a motorbike but still, they have some vents to cool the head down. Its full-face design is great to protect your face area and the huge visor works amazing with goggles. On some models they can be versatile for trail application as well.

About Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0

Choosing the best helmet may take some time but it is necessary to let users get the best choice and besides the model based on application above, different models may have different features as well. If you don’t have much time to spare to check on them one by one, it is faster to see what similar users are choosing since they will have a higher chance to fit yours. For those with a favorite brand, getting one from them will be faster as well.

One of those reliable brands that always offer high-quality helmets for your safety are Bell and Leatt which are very popular among cyclists. They are often be our first choice when looking for off-road riding helmet because they carry lots of options in this category and they are also well-known to have not only amazing choices but also highly-rated to be comfortable during the application thanks to their enhanced technology to fix common issues when riding off-road especially if you will be on for a prolonged hours.

Among these interesting choices, if you are all about protection and comfort, the Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 will be two of the best helmets to consider. Both of them are a great choice if you are in for a nice comfort but you are looking for a versatile option as well to be used for slightly different routine. The best part of these models is their ability to be converted into a trail model when you don’t need the full-face protection.

Between the two, Bell with its Super 3R is probably more popular than DBX 3.0 but when it comes to feature and product wise, they are actually very similar to each other so what you can get on one model will mostly be available on the other as well. However, in detail there might be some differences that will help you choose which of them can be the perfect choice for our versatile riding preference.

Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 Design

As you can see from the sample picture above, Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 are quite similar to each other with the same design and bulky enough to provide you a proper protection but the detail is a little a bit different with the latter has protruding outer shell compared to how smooth Bell is designing this helmet. They are also very sporty and side by side it seems that the 3R appears to be rounder than the DBX 3.0.

They are equally coming in a set with the chin bar so we can already use them for downhill riding out of the box and to give the best fit, we will be able to choose from different sizing options; S, M, and L. In addition they are also very similar when it comes to weight wise since they are equally weighed around 370-385 grams without the chin bar and almost doubled when installed with the extension.

Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 Construction

Moving further, let’s talk about the construction of these helmets because it affects the durability of the unit. In this side however, Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 are practically the same to any other single impact helmets out there because the outer shell are still made with polycarbonate shell while the inside is foam or EPS in which will take and reduce the impact once happening meant to avoid even more serious injury. What’s different is that the latter has different additional technology for safety.

We are sure almost every cyclist is familiar with the word MIPS which is designed to reduce rotational forces that may happen with an impact and the 3R already has this feature for best protection while the DBX 3.0 has this one called 360o Turbine Technology with the same purpose. It appears in blue circles all over the helmet’s inside to allow the liner to rotate a few millimeters when angled impact happens thus, it can reduce rotational forces to reach our brain.

Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 Fitting System

As expensive helmets, we don’t want Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 to be just like any road models we have and it translates well into one of their fitting systems as well. Usually we have the snap lock for helmet chinstrap but here we will get a magnetic lock instead of regular snap lock in DBX 3.0. The best thing about this type of lock is you can snap it with one hand yet, it may need a bit of learning to master it.

Our only issue with the magnetic lock is if you put the helmet on the ground, the magnet plate will attract some rocks or dirt easily so we do recommend to just hang it on the bike or tree branch nearby when stopping. As for the rear retention system, we love the big rotating wheel in these models because they allow a quick adjustment even when you are wearing gloves yet, in comparison we do like the one in Leatt better.

Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 Comfort

The last point is their comfort because no matter how good a helmet can be, if they are not comfortable, it is hard to find a reason not to ditch it and go with another option especially if we are going for prolonged ride. On this side we do think comfort is such a subjective preference but in full-face mode there sure enough padding to squeeze your cheek. There are 23 vents in total from both of them yet are arranged differently.

These ample vents are nice enough to cool your head during climbing and riding down including when the weather is pretty hot out there. They are not the breezier helmets in this category but they do a very good job.

Bell Super 3R and Leatt DBX 3.0 Comparison

Both of them are a nice choice to consider during the shopping for a versatile helmet but slightly different as well since they have different slip-plane technology which should be equally useful as well as different chin-strap lock and slightly different rear retention dial design. In practice they are equally comfortable despite having a different vents arrangement.

Bell Super 3R vs Leatt DBX 3.0

 
Bell Super 3R
- NO-TWIST TRI-GLIDES & X-STATIC AND XT2 PADDING
- MIPS-EQUIPPED & WRAPAROUND PROTECTION
- GOGGLEGUIDE ADJUSTABLE VISOR SYSTEM & INTEGRATED BREAKAWAY CAMERA MOUNT
- OVERBROW VENTILATION
Best Price Click Here
 
Leatt DBX 3.0
- Removable chin bar to modify the helmet from an uphill to a downhill helmet in seconds
- 23 vents for maximum ventilation even at low speeds
- Moisture-wicking
- Breathable
Best Price Click Here

Conclusion

All in all, we can’t go wrong with any of them because they are equally safe and comfortable but the issue with shorter Y strap that get on your ears makes us prefer to get the Super 3R from Bell.

 

Bell Sixer vs 4Forty

Posted on by in Bell

Bike helmets are designed for each type of discipline but sometimes can be versatile as well and for those who are riding mostly off the road, it is always best to stay with the MTB specialized helmets like Bell Sixer Vs 4Forty for the best safety. These models are not only coming with a good-look but also comfortable for the activity yet, before deciding to get one, go check what they can offer here to make sure we are choosing the best option between the two.

In this article, we are going to give you information about:

  • What to Look in a Mountain Bike Helmet
  • What are Bell Sixer and 4Forty
  • What Bell Sixer and 4Forty Look Like
  • How are the Construction of Bell Sixer and 4Forty
  • How are the Fitting System of Bell Sixer and 4Forty
  • Are Bell Sixer and 4Forty Comfortable
  • Bell Sixer Vs 4Forty

Mountain Bike Helmet

Bicycle is a nice hobby, it keeps you fit and entertained but also doesn’t cost as much depending on your choice of accessories and tools. It is also a fairly risky activity with a moderate chance of injury if you are riding for fun that required a helmet but, for regular commuters, wearing or not wearing one probably doesn’t give that much of a difference since we are dealing with the road and other vehicles in this application. On the other hand, mountain biking is a discipline where a helmet is definitely needed.

If you are here then we don’t have to try or persuade you to wear the safety gear and it is probably because you have firsthand experience on how a good helmet can save us from serious head or brain injury because mountain biking is a very unpredictable activity. To choose your best helmet, beside checking what other similar cyclists are using, it is also great to know the option better so then we can see it from our riding preferences.

  1. There are two main bike helmets you can opt today; road and mountain bike helmet and the latter is the best choice for our riding option. This model is prominently different due to its huge visor, in fact there are many road bikes with visors as well but they are either small or non-adjustable unlike the one made for off-road application.
  2. Bike helmet construction also matters but on this side almost all models are the same, made with a thin plastic on the outer layer while the inside is a shaped EPS foam. This foam can differ from one model to another especially at higher price range because some of them are designed to be more robust and stay at its shape when meeting impact while the other will show dent.
  3. All bike helmets must be protective but they have to be comfortable as well hence the helmet are not fully covering the head but have some windows to allow air flow and cool the head. Logically the more vents the breezier they get but shape and placement matter as well in providing the best performance.
  4. In addition all bike helmets will have adjustment located at the back and most of them are operated through a dial so users can use them while wearing the helmet. This is important to give the best fit so our bike won’t move around during extreme terrain while if it is getting easy we can readjust them anytime. 
Bell Sixer4Forty
Product Dimensions14 x 10 x 8 inches15 x 10 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight12.8 ounces1.5 pounds
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About Bell Sixer and 4Forty

It is always best to choose the one that fits your activity and preference the most and besides these factors, there are some features we often see in mountain bike helmets as well that may or may not affect your shopping decision. In general the more features you get, the more expensive the unit will be as well. However, as long as they have everything you need in the unit it should be able to deliver a good level of protection just like all standardized helmets.

For those who don’t have much time to spare, checking what similar users are using will cut the selecting process and help you eliminate the less-reliable choices. Among those many bike helmets made for mountain biking, Bell is a very well-known name in this market because they carry lots of choices that are shown to always give a great performance and some interesting useful features on board. They also try to improve the helmets to be better and it is shown on how their new models are seemingly loved by lots of cyclists.

Bell Sixer and 4Forty will definitely be an ideal choice for mountain bike riding application and they are also among those highly rated for the performance and comfort because you will get everything in these models. Similar to most bike helmets for off-road however, their price range is a bit higher than a regular road helmet but when it comes to styling and safety, you don’t have to worry for none of these models can be a bad choice thanks to how Bell designed them.

The reason why Bell Sixer and 4Forty are often compared to each other is because the fact that the latter is actually a budget version for the more popular Sixer which is why we do feel tempted to save some and just get the cheaper helmet. If you guess the 4Forty will be so much different from its brother, it is not the case at all since both of them share the best quality on comfort, easy to adjust fitting system as well as an option to get a regular or MIPS featured one.

Bell Sixer and 4Forty Design

What’s even more amazing is that these helmets are also looking very similar to each other when it comes to shape with a slightly oval construction and they do have the same vent placement but a bit different since we feel like the Sixer is more “open” with how it designed the window, more generous and wider in comparison. Another prominent difference is that now you have the light and camera mounting on top of the helmet which is not available in the cheaper model.

Aesthetic wise, Bell Sixer and 4Forty are looking great on your head and they are just as sporty as most mountain bike helmets out there without creating a funny look. They are available in different sizing options as well as fashion choice from subtle, glaring, or matte and gloss finish. Weight wise these helmets are not the lightest in the market but in comparison 4Forty is actually lighter than Sixer. Read also: POC Tectal vs Giro Montaro.

Bell Sixer and 4Forty Construction

Bike helmet is made to protect our head and this is why they need to be built reliably to make sure every system works perfectly when there is an impact. In this side Bell Sixer and 4Forty are the same because you will get this outer shell made from polycarbonate material to cover the impact absorbing EPS liner on the inside but, this liner is a bit different and enhanced because they use the Progressive Layering method here with foam of different densities.

Instead of just one type of foam, Bell is using softer foam to slow speed impacts and the harder foam is added to help with faster hits. In addition, the model in our article today is also their MIPS version and just like any typical helmet, this MIPS is shown as a layer of plastic that sits between the helmet’s pads and foam made to allow enough movement in an attempt to reduce the amount of rotational acceleration during an impact.

Besides all of these standard construction, our favorite part is actually how they use the wrap around design to fully cover the liner besides those in contact with our skin on the inside and this usually only present in expensive models to make sure the unit will last longer.

Bell Sixer and 4Forty Fitting System

Moving further, let’s see the fitting system in Bell Sixer and 4Forty because it also matters and they are also identical in this side with a regular adjustable chin strap to further add its comfort yet, it also prone to loosen on its own as we put it in and off frequently. The rear retention system will adjust these helmets on width and height as well as easy to use and comfortable enough to access using one hand but, if you wear gloves, it is a bit uncomfortable to rotate this dial.

Bell Sixer and 4Forty Comfort

As for the comfort side, Bell Sixer and 4Forty are very much comfortable but in comparison the padding seems to be a bit thinner in 4Forty. They have a good fit and don’t feel too hot when you spend quite the time off road but the amount of vents are different between 15 and 26 ventilation. We also love their adjustable visors that can be fully lifted to get away from your vision, but 4Forty lacks the indexed peak to make it stop getting wonky.

Bell Sixer vs 4Forty

Both of them are a great options if you are looking for a reliable and comfortable mountain bike helmet but the most prominent different between these similar models is probably on the comfort because somehow the 4Forty is not as cushiony as the latter yet, despite it has less vents, there is no issue about sweat as well and what’s better the latter is actually lighter in comparison.

 
Bell Sixer
- FUSION IN-MOLD POLYCARBONATE SHELL, PROGRESSIVE LAYERING AND EXPOSED POLYCARBONATE ROLL CAGE
- MIPS-EQUIPPED AND FLOAT FIT RACE (INTEGRATED WITH MIPS)
- X-STATIC AND XT2 PADDING
- DUAL-FLOW VENTILATION, INTEGRATED BREAKAWAY CAMERA MOUNT
Best Price Click Here
 
Bell 4Forty
- FUSION IN-MOLD POLYCARBONATE SHELL
- NO-TWIST TRI-GLIDES AND SWEAT GUIDE - Quick-adjust fasteners that help keep straps flat and properly positioned.
- GOGGLEGUIDE ADJUSTABLE VISOR SYSTEM - Adaptable visor system accommodates both goggles and glasses and works with or without the visor attached
- SPECIFICATIONS - Small (52-56 cm), Medium (55-59 cm), Large (58-62 cm), and X-Large (61-65 cm) Sizes.
Best Price Click Here

Conclusion

All in all we should go with the one that fits our preferences and on this side you can choose any of these options but if budget is in consideration then 4Forty is the most ideal choice while if you are looking for best comfort Sixer should be the option. 

Bell Sixer vs POC Tectal

Posted on by in Bell, POC

Mountain biking is an extreme sport with its high accident rates and even with proper safety gear, sometimes we can’t avoid getting injured. However, wearing a proper helmet for the application like Bell Sixer Vs POC Tectal will prominently reduce the chance of serious head and brain injury from the impact. For those who also love adventuring and challenging the terrains, go check what these popular helmets can offer and pick one that seems to fit your preference the most.

In this article, we are going to give you information about:

  • What are the Difference Between Road and Mountain Bike Helmet
  • What are Bell Sixer and POC Tectal
  • What Bell Sixer and POC Tectal Look Like
  • How are the Construction of Bell Sixer and POC Tectal
  • How are the Fitting System of Bell Sixer and POC Tectal
  • Are Bell Sixer and POC Tectal Comfortable
  • Bell Sixer Vs POC Tectal

Road and Mountain Bike Helmet

Bike helmets are available across disciplines and there are lots of them coming from different brands as well as with different models and designs; sometimes they are very unique and unusual but for most of the time, the goal stays the same which is to protect our head or brain to be exact in case there is a hard impact. In general bike helmets are differentiated only to two types between the road and mountain bike application. They are of course, made ideally for each riding discipline.

In general it is easy to tell them apart because usually there is a visor in a mountain bike helmet while road helmets avoid this feature especially with the fact that we prefer to wear sunglasses when doing the activity. A road helmet with visor is also often seen as an obstruction of rider’s vision if your riding has aggressive geometry yet, many models like Giro Indicator vs Revel will let you detach this feature easily to let the helmet be more convenient across disciplines.

In a road helmet, you can find lots of vents or windows which are designed to let the air go from the front and cool your head then take away the temperature through the exhaust windows on the back. Those made with higher performance are often very expensive and while it is weird for the more vents also mean the less “helmet”, the cost mostly goes to designing the product, to make it more effective and attractive in potential user’s eyes.

Mountain bike helmet on the other hand, is rarely seen with a huge amount of vents on the unit because it is not the main idea here. Mountain application is all about safety and hence, comfort is something we don’t pay much attention to. In general however, they do look alike with few differences mainly on the head coverage, especially between the regular and full-face one. Even on trail models, there will be more coverage on the back of the head as well as above the ears.

In addition, mountain bike helmets have a visor because it makes the ride easier for many of use don’t wear sunglasses in this application because not only it darken our sight but also because they may fall off easily hence, we prefer to wear goggles. The lack of vents prevent small particles such as tarmac from coming through them in case you fall on such a surface. If you have a varying ride choices, a helmet like Bell Super 3R with removable chin protector can be a great choice for both climbing and downhill racing.

Bell SixerPOC Tectal
Product Dimensions14 x 10 x 8 inches17 x 10 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight12.8 ounces2 pounds
Best offerCheck priceCheck price

About Bell Sixer and POC Tectal

The best bike helmet is the one that fits your application the most and which feels great when being used while riding but choosing one that comes with these benefits are impossible without actually trying and used them in real-life for a period of time hence we can only guess which seems to match our taste the most. Shopping based on the discipline will help a lot for these types are ideally designed for certain applications, making them have a higher chance to match yours.

If you are here then we are sure mountain biking is the type of application you will be doing frequently and to match the activity, we also should pick the helmet made for this discipline. There are so many good brands out there offering reliable helmets and while different companies have their own marketing words, in general helmets are safe and it is dangerous to market one as the safer option because the company may get sued if proven wrong and giving false information.

Among those many reliable brands in the market, Bell and POC are two of the most popular manufacturers when it comes to bike helmets especially if you are in for a middle or higher-range on the price spectrum. They are not as affordable as many Giro helmets but, quality wise they tend to carry various features as well as pretty design and thoughtful comfort for each application which is why lots of cyclists are getting their helmets from these brands.

For those who have been wearing Super from Bell, the Sixer is actually launched to replace this model and meant to take over its place by giving you what’s available from the older brother but also with better quality thanks to the advances in helmet technology especially with the extended rear coverage. Tectal has similar stories but with the older brother Trabec which was either loved or hated by cyclists due to its unusual design. This helmet is redesigned to be the hybrid of Trabec and Octal or the favorite road model from POC.

Bell Sixer and POC Tectal Design

We agree that spending quite a budget for these helmets also meant we want to get something that doesn’t only work great on terrain but also looks amazing. For those who hate Trabec, POC Tectal is no longer sporting those designs but now has this sporty look native to trail helmet with better vents to address its comfort issues and of course, not forgetting a huge visor at the front. What’s impressive is it stays fairly lightweight at 340 grams despite having bulked up a bit.

Similar to many other trail helmets, the Sixer is also made to be bulky but compared to those in its range for example the brother Super 3, this version will look pleasingly smaller. It has this streamlined appearance from the front to the back while side by side with Tectal, it also looks a bit slimmer. They equally have enough coverage on the back but if you check closely Tectal does extend a bit higher at the top, making it look taller where Sixer directly round it down.

Bell Sixer and POC Tectal Construction

Bike helmets are meant for protection and this is why they need to be sturdy but also working properly to absorb and prevent a concentrated impact on our skull. In this side Sixer, just like most sport helmets is made using polycarbonate shell as the outer layer and then combined with EPS foam liner inside which is using Bell’s Progressive Layering technologies that deploy different densities of foam layered in order to better absorb a wider range of impacts including softer foam to reduce slower speed impacts.

This model also has a MIPS liner that you can find even on road helmet which looks like a thin layer of liner inside the bike helmet sitting between the pads and foam meant to allow enough movement to reduce the amount of rotational acceleration during the impact and this feature is not yet coming in Tectal. What’s new in the POC option is how they put aramid bridges system inside to ensure this helmet will stay together when you fall and hit the ground.

There are actually two versions of POC Tectal and the one we are talking about here is the regular one while the Tectal Race version gets the aramid reinforcement spread throughout the entire EPS liner instead only on the key areas of the EPS.

Bell Sixer and POC Tectal Fitting System

The next is their fitting system because it is equally important to give you the snug fit and actually helpful in real-life experience. What we love from Bell Sixer and POC Tectal is they are also enhanced in this side. Starting with Sixer, this model has a good clearance of ear to shell while the strap is also adjustable on its fore and aft yet, the clip is just standard snap lock. Tectal strap is not adjustable but it has these amazing splitters that make the light strap stay on their place.

Similarly, the tightness of these helmets are adjustable via the rear dial that you can access and try with one hand while wearing the helmet. Overall you can adjust the height and tightness of these helmets.

Bell Sixer and POC Tectal Comfort

The last part is their comfort and on this side Bell Sixer and POC Tectal are very comfortable despite being a trail helmet which tends to get a bit hotter in summer. In our opinion the amount of vents work pretty well in giving some fresh air into the head because there is no sweat build up or any unnecessary itch. They may not be built for glasses but goggles sit well with the rubber strap on the rear area to keep the item still.

In addition, if you are the type who often finds visor can be a bit annoying, worry not because these helmets will let you adjust the position of their visor to be straight and covering your sight or a bit higher to get away from your field of view. 

Bell Sixer vs POC Tectal

These helmets are highly rated and very popular because of their performance and how they deliver a great user experience. Side by side the Sixer is more streamlined while Tectal sit a bit taller at the back and about construction, POC doesn’t use MIPS in this model but the helmet is featured with aramid bridges to add into its robustness. They are equally comfortable and have a good fitting system with a total of 17 and 26 vents respectively yet, weight wise Tectal is lighter than Sixer.

 
Bell Sixer
- FUSION IN-MOLD POLYCARBONATE SHELL, PROGRESSIVE LAYERING AND EXPOSED POLYCARBONATE ROLL CAGE
- MIPS-EQUIPPED AND FLOAT FIT RACE (INTEGRATED WITH MIPS)
- X-STATIC AND XT2 PADDING
- DUAL-FLOW VENTILATION, INTEGRATED BREAKAWAY CAMERA MOUNT
Best Price Click Here
 
POC Tectal
- FEATURES: Includes an EPS liner, outer PC shell, and unibody shell construction
- PROTECTION: Aramid fiber grid for protection and durability
- FULL COVERAGE: Designed to provide more coverage at the temples and back of the head
- FIT FOR YOU: Size adjustment and adjustable visor
Best Price Click Here

Conclusion

These models will fit your adventures both giving safety and style without being annoyingly warming. We love both of them but POC Tectal is lighter in comparison to reduce fatigue over prolonged wear and we do love its styling.