Review on Bell Super Adult Helmet Matte by Tyler Kota

Bell Super 3R vs Giro Switchbade. First a little about how I drive. I have to climb everything I ride down so I ride trail but I still ride down as hard as I dare and for those times I really need an FF. I have a Sixsixone FF and it's fine if I'm just going downhill all the time, but like most trail rides, you're also on trails that go uphill first and then downhill again. FF really isn't right for this, so I was looking for a hybrid that would be easier for me to set up than constantly turning FF on and off. I initially bought a new Giro Switchblade without trying it out as nobody had it in stock. At first glance it looked great but after trying it on I realized that there are a few things that don't suit me and my driving style. The Switchblade's build and protection is excellent, maybe even better than my Sixsixone, after all it has an official downhill rating. The locking mechanism is also great. It also had good and very thick padding inside. That's where the bad comes in though: the MIPS dial sticks a bit, and if you tilt your head back in an aggressive riding stance, the dial digs into my spine. Aside from the discomfort, falling head first also felt dangerous. The dial will break your back! I also found the Switchbade to be very hot and after just a few minutes indoors I was already sweaty. The cheek pads were too tight, even the ones that came with the thinner ones. I think this helmet was as hot as my FF Sixsixone. The MIPS also didn't fit my head well, I found that there were bruises and loose spots inside. Finally, I didn't like having my ear covered as I often use sounds for balance. I immediately sent the Switchbade back as I couldn't deal with these issues. Then I decided on the only other hybrid option and took the Bell 3R. I had my doubts after my Switchbade experience, but in the end I was pleasantly surprised! First, the 3R is noticeably lighter than the Switchbade. The 3R is not designed for downhill racing and it shows. The chin guard is not as secure as the Switchbade and the chin guard is much more flexible and lighter. The padding in 3R is also much thinner. But the 3R sits much better on my head. The tops of my ears rub against the helmet a bit, but that's not too bad. The helmet feels a bit wide and the straps run on the outside of the helmet so it can wobble a bit from side to side but it's not too bad, I can't live with that. The MIPS dial doesn't cut into my spine at any angle, which is the most important thing for me. Also, because the 3R is lighter, it doesn't get as hot as the Switchblade, in fact it's surprisingly cool. On the track I was very surprised how cool (temperature) this helmet is, even with the chin guard. It also felt a lot lighter on my head which made me less distracted by it so I could focus on riding. I think the 3R chin guard is a bit more difficult to put on than the Grio, but after a few tries I've already learned how to do it much better. Thumbs up for 3R! it's not quite perfect, but close enough for me. I hope this will be helpful to those watching both. **Update** I had my first BIG crash with this helmet yesterday! We're never ready for these things, they just happen. I'm SOOO glad to have this helmet on, especially in FF mode! If it wasn't me I would definitely be in the hospital right now and would have lost some teeth/facial flesh! Long story short, I made the jump and shortly thereafter misjudged the second and stuck my front wheel in a three foot hole at moderate speed. I was thrown upside down about 6 feet into a rocky creek. I hit my face/head so hard my eyes couldn't focus or stay straight for about 5 minutes and my ears were ringing loudly. The lenses of my riding glasses are out of place! When I got up and regained my sight, I couldn't believe my face/head wasn't damaged. Today I have a bad headache and a sore back/shoulder, but my head and face are unaffected. This helmet saved my ass! However, I had small chin guards or had the inner pads removed, depending on how you look at it. While this was much more comfortable, it allowed my face to be pressed harder against the front of the helmet on impact, and my cheek to touch the ground - only slightly. Now I see the value in those meaty cheek pads.