Bell Sequence

Bell's Sequence is pitched somewhere between XC racing and "riding for the huck of it". A trail allrounder if you like, a single MTB helmet for all occasions. Ours came from the Jimbo Phillips collection - a range of lary designs from the California graphic designer.

The first thing that strikes you about the Sequence is that it's a genuinely good looking helmet - not in a kind of "I'm kidding myself that this looks alright", but more proper bad-ass trail lid. The shape is good, looking tidy and compact on the head, and the fit is up to Bell's usual standard. Perhaps it's the reviewer’s particular head shape, but Bell really seem to have this well-fitting helmet lark sorted and the Sequence is no exception. Fit is secured by Bell's excellent TAG fit system which allows adjustment for the circumference of your head as well as allowing vertical adjustment of the cage. The cage sits higher on the head too to prevent interference which eyewear and is rubberised at pressure points for comfort. The click wheel for adjustment has narrower notches than older GPS system and you're less likely to find yourself between notches in fit. The TAG system has proved sturdy and foolproof in use.

Fastening is via the usual nylon webbing straps with cam lock levers and buckle system. Getting the fit right is easy although we found the slightly silky straps had a tendency to work their way loose at the buckle, meaning they needed readjustment every few rides. A minor point and they don't affect actual riding, but if you're a fan of proper fit-and-forget gear, this may bother you slightly.

the Sequence has shrugged of it's minor knocks and scrapes to remain looking brand new after months of use...

Its venting is more than adequate for all but summer racing sporting a generous and capacious array of 24 vents. The vents are an aggressive, angular shape contributing to the stylish look of the helmet. The rear arrangement is rounded off focusing more on crash protection and durability rather than acting as an exhaust for the air coming through like it's racier siblings. But it's a fair trade off of safety and longevity over cooling, and if you require ultimate in air conditioning for the XC summer season, there is always its more race specific Volt and Sweep stable mates from the Bell range.

A full microshell outer always helps in the looks department and really helps to show off the aggressively shaped visor and gaping 24-vents. Full shell outers tend to drive prices up but they do aid durability and the Sequence has shrugged of it's minor knocks and scrapes to remain looking brand new after months of use.

The visor doesn't escape Jimbo's artwork which is a nice touch and it uses Bell's VPV (variable position visor) system. We've questioned this before and it's the same here - why do the visors not allow more downward adjustment instead of just upwards? The VPV system is cam-locked which means once adjusted it will stay there and it's easily removed for roadie duties if that's your vice too. If you subscribe to roadie etiquette of removing visors chances are the Jimbo styled models won't be to your taste but it comes in some more generic and typical colour schemes.

it does juggle the act of being all things to all riders rather well...

Coming back to the design, the Jimbo styled models should find favor with the urban and commuter scene. The race scene has always dictated bicycle helmets visually, and commuters often resort to 'piss-pot' style lids for a more casual look at the expense of weight and a hot head. But like this Bell Sequence, many helmets are getting much more urban and casual designs meaning you can get the look you want but without compromising on weight and cooling. We used the Sequence for commuting as well as trail duties and it quickly became a Cyclist No.1 favorite.

At £89.99 the price is reasonable considering its array of features, quality of fit and a pretty competitive 335g weight. The Sequence is genuine allrounder and it looks great to boot. The self-loosening straps are a tad annoying but it's a gradual thing that won't affect you during a ride. There's a lot to like about the Bell Sequence and while it does nothing ground breaking, it does juggle the act of being all things to all riders rather well. Under cutting Giro's popular Athlon and Xen lids by a tenner isn't to be sniffed at either!

Solid, stylish, comfy trail lid for a good price.

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