Bell Super Air R convertible helmet review
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Bell Super Air R convertible helmet review

Convertible head protection for trail riders

Our rating

3.5

275.00
275.00

Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media

Published: February 13, 2021 at 12:00 pm

Our review
Fit issues with the chin-bar hamper what would otherwise be a superb hard-riding trail lid

Pros:

Comfortable, fits well and gives good coverage in half-shell form; Bell has considered every detail when it comes to protective tech and useful features

Cons:

Not DH certified; chin-bar doesn’t fit securely enough around some faces to inspire confidence when used as a full-face helmet

The Super Air R is a slimmed-down version of Bell’s Super DH convertible full-face, and is aimed at trail riders who want extra protection for the descents but in a lighter package.

In this regard it succeeds, weighing just 679g in a size Medium and being so easy to breathe in that I often wouldn’t bother removing the chin-bar for climbs.

Bell Super Air R convertible helmet for mountain biking
The Super Air R features a spherical MIPS layer sandwiched between two EPS liners of different densities. Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media

If you’re thinking about using it for enduro it’s worth noting that, unlike the Super DH, it isn’t certified to downhill standards, which prevents its use in some races.

Bell is known for its use of protective technologies and the Super Air R features a spherical MIPS layer sandwiched between two EPS liners of different densities to isolate your head from rotational forces and absorb impacts. The polycarbonate shell fully encloses the liner too.

Bell Super Air R convertible helmet for mountain biking
The chin-bar is light and breathable, and comes with two sets of cheek pads. Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media

Goggle compatibility has been well considered, with three positions for the peak (which don’t obstruct vision) and mouldings to hold the strap in place.

Pad contact around the head is excellent, and once the Float Fit adjuster on the cradle is dialled in, it feels snug all over.

The chin-bar is light and breathable, and comes with two sets of cheek pads, but some of our testers complained that the fit around the jaw wasn’t as snug as it should be. This made them wonder how much benefit the chin-bar would be in a crash.

However, if it suits your head shape and you’re not bothered about the lack of DH certification, the Super Air R is otherwise hard to fault.

Product

Brand bell
Price 275.00 GBP,275.00 USD
Weight 679.0000, GRAM (M) -

Features

br_MIPS yes
br_helmetType mountainbikeconvertible
Features Sizes: S, M, L

Colours: Black/White, Red/Black, Black, Black Camo, Blue/Hi-Viz, Gray, Green/Infrared, Red/Grey, White/Purple

Vents: 18 Helmet, 8 Chin bar, 4 Brow ports