Helmets with removable chin guards arenât anything new but early attempts looked pretty ropey and werenât exactly in high demand. The enduro boom has now provided that demand and Bell has stepped up and taken on the challenge of upping the safety, style and usability stakes.
The new Super 2R uses Bell's highly regarded Super 2 helmet as its foundation, but adds a chin guard that clamps securely in place with three sturdy metal clasps. Three clasps may not sound like a lot, but with the rear one working similarly to a ski boot closure and the front two using sliding hook-style clamps that fix tightly into the helmet, things feel pretty damn solid. The chin guard also pushes into four of the 2Râs vents, making for an even better connection.
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The rear clamp is reminiscent of a ski boot closure
Getting the chin guard clamped in place takes a bit of practice but you soon get the knack of aligning the vents and locking the clasps and it can be done in a matter of seconds on the trail. Removing it is easy enough too, though youâll need some finger strength to open the clasps. The chin guard is relatively light at 356g (the Super helmet alone is 376g in medium) but isnât exactly small, so youâll need a pack with external strapping to carry it.
Once on, the 2R feels similar to a regular full-face lid, though itâs noticeably more airy around the top of the neck and behind the ears, and the strap routing isnât quite as neat. Itâs easy to tailor the fit using the indexed dial on the retention cradle and padded inserts under the cheek pads can be removed if things feel too snug. All this leads to a comfy fit with or without the chin guard in place.
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