Bell supplied the riders of CSC-Saxo Bank and Crédit Agricole with a brand-new Volt helmet just in time for this year’s Tour de France. The new helmet builds on the company’s previously range-topping Sweep R and clearly shares some technology with sister company Giro and its flagship Ionos.
Like many of its competitors, Bell has introduced a new (and partially visible) composite internal reinforcement structure for strength (and looks). Eleven frontal vents suck in cooling air while internal channels direct it towards the rear-facing exhaust ports. Like the Giro Ionos, the Volt uses antibacterial X-Static fabric on the sweat wicking pads to help keep them fresh.
Bell has also improved fit and comfort with the Volt with its next-generation retention system called Twin Axis Gear. The new setup adjusts the helmet circumference via a handy dial like the old GPS system, but is now adjustable vertically, too. The Volt will also come with a detachable visor for off-road use (we also like visors for riding on the road in the rain) and plugs are included to seal up the mounting holes to maintain the helmet’s clean lines. The medium-sized CSC-Saxo Bank version that we inspected weighed 302g.