Bell XR Spherical helmet

The Bell XR Spherical opens the door to endless exploration

Today's cycling culture offers a variety of riding styles that may pique your interest. Maybe you want to get off the road and explore new paths off the beaten track. Enjoy nature on gravel roads and strive for your freedom. This is exactly why Bell developed the XR Spherical. With its robust construction, magnetic Fidlock™ chin buckle and premium comfort padding, this is the helmet for all occasions and all terrain.

Spherical Technology™ powered by Mips brings additional security. This helps direct impact forces away from the brain. This makes the XR Spherical light and airy like a road helmet, but offers the full coverage of a mountain bike helmet. Ready for all adventures!

specification

Technologies used

In this chapter we explain the technologies that the manufacturer uses in this product.

Fusion In-Mold Polycarbonate Shell
The EPS foam is injected into the thin microshell shell while it's still in the mold (or mold, which explains the name) rather than molding it separately and then gluing it on later. This process was first introduced by Bell and is now the standard for all demanding helmets.

Spherical Technology
MIPS Spherical is the evolution of the Multi-Directional Impact Protection system. Manufactured in the typical design, the two layers of dual-density EPP foam act as a kind of hinge that can move a few millimeters in any direction, effectively reducing rotational energy at certain impact angles.

float fit
Bell's most advanced helmet fitting system combines comfort and safety in an ultra-lightweight design. Float Fit optimizes the fit of the helmet in 2 ways in terms of head circumference and vertical adjustment. To reduce weight and simplify usability, the guide arms enclose the back of the head in a unique way thanks to the float design. This puts the helmet in an ideal position on the head. Simple, light and comfortable.

MIPS
The MIPS® safety system was developed to provide additional protection for helmets in numerous accidents. In certain impact situations, the MIPS system can reduce dangerous forces that might otherwise be transmitted to the helmet wearer's head.

1. Conventional helmets are designed and tested for a straight impact. In most cases, however, the impact is at an angle, which can cause rotational movements for the head.

2. This rotational movement can cause brain injury.

3. The low-friction shell is designed to help reduce rotational movement of the head in certain cases of angled impact.

Straight impact - oblique impact

The brain is typically more sensitive to rotational motion than linear motion because it has a shear strength similar to that of water or gel. When rotational movement causes different parts of the brain to move at different times, the tissues can be stretched, causing concussions or other brain injuries.

Rotational motion is a common cause of concussion and more serious brain injury from an oblique impact to the head. The MIPS system consists of a low-friction shell that is fixed inside the helmet. The low-friction shell is designed to slide slightly inside the helmet in the event of an accident, allowing forces to be directed away from the head. It is said to help reduce the risk of brain injuries.

Most conventional helmets are designed for a straight impact, but in most cases the impact is at an angle. The low-friction shell can reduce the rotational forces of an oblique impact.

Security system with the brain as a model

Unlike conventional helmets, which are primarily designed and tested for a straight impact, the low-friction shell of the MIPS system mimics the brain's own protection system against rotational movement. The cerebrospinal fluid is our natural defense system that allows the brain to move offset to the skull.