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review

Bell Z20 Aero MIPS helmet

7
£209.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Surprisingly breathable, lightweight aero helmet but it's priced at the top end
Weight: 
279g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Bell Z20 Aero MIPS helmet bridges that balance between aerodynamics and the ventilation of a normal road helmet. It's comfortable to wear and comes with the added benefits of the MIPS system, though it is pretty expensive.

  • Pros: Good airflow; comfortable padding and fitting system
  • Cons: Feels bulky at the front; pricey

If you are a time triallist or triathlete, aerodynamics take priority over pretty much all else on the bike, but for a roadie who wants a bit of that wind-cheating help then some compromises have to be weighed up.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Ventilation is the key factor, and Bell certainly knows what it's doing here with the Z20. Even on helmets with 20-odd vents it still comes down to where you position them rather than just the amount or size of the holes.

The Z20 has just 10 vents split evenly between the front and rear. Bringing in the air is the large central channel that sits just above your forehead, with one more either side which are then separated by a structural rib.

Bell Z20 Aero MIPS helmet - front.jpg

You can really feel the cool air flow in as you are riding, quite dramatically. I was very impressed when riding on one of the hottest days of the year to still feel pretty fresh, as the colder air replaced the warmer stuff as it travelled out through the rear exhaust vents.

The only time it does become a touch toasty is on long climbs in the heat, but that is to be expected.

Looking at its construction, the Z20 is made up of two parts bonded together, the internal structure being no doubt that of the standard Z20 MIPS with all of the vents already cut out but with an EPS (expanded polystyrene) cover section, itself covered with a polycarbonate outer shell.

Bell Z20 Aero MIPS helmet - inside.jpg

It does add some depth to the front of the helmet with its two layers of EPS, which I did notice in my eyeline a few times – especially when looking up the road from a crouched position – but it's not enough to really affect your vision.

Bell Z20 Aero MIPS helmet.jpg

Surprisingly, though, this extra material hasn't added much to the overall weight, with this medium size weighing in at 279g. Impressive for a standard helmet but even more so for an aero offering.

Dealing with fit and adjustment is Bell's Float Fit Race, which is adjusted by a dial ratchet system at the rear. Nothing unusual about that, but it's good to see that this cradle runs right the way around the helmet so when tightening you get an even tensioning right the way around your head. Some helmets only adjust the rear half.

Bell Z20 Aero MIPS helmet - back.jpg

The height of the helmet in relation to the cradle can be adjusted to four different positions too.

Between the cradle and the EPS you'll find a MIPS layer, which is becoming more and more commonplace on cycling helmets. It stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, and is basically a slip-plane. Strategically placed tabs connect the two parts of the helmet intended to reduce rotational forces during impact, allowing the cradle to move independently of the helmet by a small margin. (Read more here.)

The padding inside isn't massively thick, but I found it perfectly comfortable and it doesn't get too overwhelmed with sweat either. The padding contains silver fibres to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

> Keeping your helmet clean, and other bike kit bio-hazards

It comes in a range of six colours and three sizes: small, medium and large.

At £209.99 it is quite a pricey lid, even with the Mips technology, which is showing up on helmets from as little as £69.99, like the Giro Isode.

> Buyer's Guide: 18 of the best high-performance helmets

Aero goodies often incur a higher price, but the Bell is still 20 quid more than the Giant Pursuit MIPS Aero. The Z20 is a lot lighter, though, and has better ventilation.

Even Specialized's Evade helmet will 'only' set you back £200, and it's around 30g lighter overall.

> Should you buy an aero helmet?

On the whole, though, the Bell is a decent choice if you want the wind-cheating properties of an aero lid but don't want to overheat on all but the steepest of climbs.

Verdict

Surprisingly breathable, lightweight aero helmet but it's priced at the top end

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Bell Z20 Aero MIPS helmet

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Bell says, "Every watt counts. The Z20 Aero is built with that in mind, delivering uncompromising performance, innovation, fit and comfort. With its drag-defying shape, Progressive Layering, and Integrated MIPS, this helmet provides real-world performance for riders who want to lead."

It's a decent performing lid with a good balance of aerodynamics, comfort and ventilation.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Bell lists these features:

CONSTRUCTION

FUSION IN-MOLD POLYCARBONATE SHELL - A PROCESS PIONEERED BY BELL BONDS THE HELMET'S OUTER SHELL TO THE EPS FOAM LINER TO CREATE A STURDIER HELMET.

AERO-OPTIMIZED SHAPE

PROGRESSIVE LAYERING: THE PROCESS OF ENGINEERING A HELMET LINER WITH VARIABLE EPS FOAM DENSITIES TO BETTER MANAGE THE TRANSFER OF ENERGIES AFTER SOME IMPACTS

RETENTION SYSTEM

NO-TWIST TRI-GLIDES: QUICK-ADJUST FASTENERS THAT HELP KEEP STRAPS FLAT AND PROPERLY POSITIONED

LIGHTWEIGHT STRAPS

FIT SYSTEM

FLOAT FIT RACE - A STATE-OF-THE-ART LIGHTWEIGHT FIT SYSTEM FEATURING SEAMLESS INTEGRATION WITH MIPS, AN EASY-TO-TURN DIAL, WIDE-RANGE VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT AND PADDED WIDTH-ADJUSTABLE CRADLES

VENTILATION

OVERBROW VENTILATION FEATURES INTAKE PORTS ON THE BROW OF THE HELMET TO USHER IN COOL AIR AND PUSH IT THROUGH THE AIR-CHANNEL MATRIX FOR FULL-HEAD VENTILATION

INTERIOR

SWEAT GUIDE PAD DESIGN PULLS MOISTURE AWAY FROM THE BROW PAD AND AWAY FROM EYEWEAR

X-STATIC PADDING - QUICK-DRYING MATERIALS, WOVEN WITH REAL SILVER FIBERS, INHIBIT GROWTH OF ODOR-CAUSING BACTERIA AND FUNGI

MIPS

MIPS®-EQUIPPED - MIPS STANDS FOR MULTI-DIRECTIONAL IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM, WHICH IS A LEADING SLIP-PLANE TECHNOLOGY INSIDE THE HELMET DESIGNED TO REDUCE ROTATIONAL FORCES THAT CAN RESULT FROM CERTAIN IMPACTS.

TOTAL VENTS

10 VENTS

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

I can't verify its aero performance, but for an enclosed helmet with minimal venting it breathes well and is comfortable to wear.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Good airflow.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Bulky front end can get in your eyeline a bit.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's at the top end, even against some of the most expensive aero helmets.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Overall, the Z20 Aero is a quality helmet, but just a few niggles and the price keep the overall mark down.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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1 comments

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Simon E | 4 years ago
0 likes

No mention of potential watts saved? Pretty relevant in a £200+ aero lid, I'd have thought but Bell haven't given us any figures.

Although it's a lot of money for a hat, an aero lid is probably going to save you more (vs a standard vented one) than those deep section wheels you lust after.

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