Bell Banter Youth Bike Helmet Review

The Bell Banter Youth Bike Helmet is designed to provide young cyclists with safety and style.

It offers robust protection and a cool design that appeals to children, making it a popular choice for parents looking to ensure their child’s safety while riding.

Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Product Description

The Bell Banter Youth Bike Helmet features a durable construction with a hard outer shell and a cushioned interior.

It employs an advanced ventilation system that keeps the wearer cool and comfortable even during longer rides.

The helmet has an adjustable strap system and a pinch-guard buckle to ensure a snug and secure fit without discomfort.

It also includes compliance with standard safety regulations to provide maximum protection.

Specs

• Size: Universal youth (fits head sizes 50-57 cm)
• Weight: Approximately 280 grams
• Material: ABS hard plastic shell with EPS foam liner
• Ventilation: 10 vents for airflow
• Safety Standards: Meets U.S. CPSC safety standards for bicycle helmets
• Color Options: Various colors and patterns are available
• Adjustment System: True Fit self-adjust system with a pinch-guard buckle

Pros

• Safety Features: Meets stringent safety standards, ensuring high protection.
• Comfort: Lightweight with multiple vents for cooling and sweat absorption.
• Adjustability: An easy-to-use adjustment system for a perfect fit.
• Design: Attractive designs that appeal to children.
• Durability: Made with high-quality materials to withstand rough use.

Cons

• Size Limitations: Only available in one size, which may not fit all youth.
• Limited Color Range: While there are various options, they might not cater to all personal preferences.
• Noise: Some users report that the vents can create a whistling sound at higher speeds.

Consumer Reports test

Consumer Reports has thoroughly reviewed 23 different bicycle helmets, including the Bell Banter youth bike helmet.

The lab tests are designed to determine whether the helmet can withstand a fall. They evaluate the helmet’s impact absorption capability and ventilation.

The most effective test is, in particular, the wind tunnel, where a helmet is exposed to different conditions.

For example, the test includes flashlights illuminating a reflector atop a helmet.

The reflector is evaluated for light output at a distance of about 10 feet.

Other important measurements are the number of vents and ribs on the helmet’s outer shell.

Most helmets are made of expanded polystyrene, a lightweight material similar to the foam in restaurant takeout containers.

Expanded polystyrene is a good choice for head protection.

Other tests include the occipital clamp, which is designed to hug your head for a more comfortable fit, and the straps, which are evaluated for elasticity.

And, of course, there’s the buckle.

This model has a reusable breakaway feature.

However, it didn’t make a huge difference in the helmet’s overall comfort.

It’s not surprising that the bell and whistle helmet model from Bell received the top score, but the Nutcase Street Sport 8 Ball is a close second.

Nutcase is a Portland-based company with hundreds of helmets on the market.

The company says it performs “rigorous safety checks” before sending each of its helmets to the consumer.

They are confident that they can withstand even the most demanding impacts, but the CPSC is less certain.

The Bell Sixer has no glaring problems, but it has some notable features. For example, it comes in nine colors and is goggle-compatible. It also has integrated MIPS (multi-impact protection system) technology. Even if the liner does have a sag, it should still be able to handle low-friction impacts.

The Consumer Reports testers were not impressed with the occipital clamp. However, they did find the chin strap useful, as the design included a rectangular piece of padding to keep sweat from dripping into the eye.

Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Drawbacks

The Bell Banter is a nice bike helmet with an integrated safety light, a sleek design, and an ergonomic fit.

However, it is not the most expensive, nor does it boast the most features. It is a decent choice for parents on a budget and those searching for a good bike helmet that will last.

This model is recommended for kids ages 8-14.

Don’t like the price?

Here are some other factors that need to be considered.

For example, the cost of fines in Australia has skyrocketed from around $71 in the 1990s to more than $319 today.

This isn’t economical for low-income communities, and the fines are a hassle to pay on top of other expenses.

In addition, law enforcement has been known to use the mandatory helmet as a bludgeon to harass black riders.

The Bell helmet has a few minor shortcomings, including a lack of adjustable straps and an inability to get an accurate fit without trying it on.

Additionally, it isn’t the most comfortable helmet to wear.

The Bell Banter is a decent choice for a kid’s bike helmet. It features several impressive features, such as an in-built safety light and a nice ventilation system.

Despite its size and weight, the Bell Banter will fit most heads measuring 21.2-22.8 inches. If you are looking for a bike helmet for your child, it should be at the top of your list.

Although it isn’t as light as the competition, it is the safest of the bunch.

The Bell Banter is a solid choice for parents on a budget and those looking for a durable bike helmet.

It features several impressive features, including an in-built safety light and a decent ventilation system.

Despite its size and weight, this helmet will fit most heads measuring 21.2-22.8″. The Bell helmet is a decent choice for kids ages 8-14.

Helmet Instructions

If you have just purchased a Bell Banter youth bike helmet, you may be wondering how to adjust the helmet to fit you.

You’ll need to adjust the chin straps first to ensure you can wear the helmet comfortably.

It is important to ensure the straps are tight enough to keep the helmet in place. Some models have a universal fit ring, which can be adjusted to fit various head sizes.

For this reason, you should use a fabric tape measure to check the length of your head.

You can hold the tape above your eyebrows and around your forehead.

You may also try wearing the helmet on your head to get a more accurate measurement.

The straps should be snug and one to two finger widths above your brow.

When you’ve found a suitable size for your Bell helmet, you should try it on in a store.

This is the easiest way to ensure a good fit. However, you’ll need to adjust the chin straps at least three times.

Once the helmet fits properly, you can adjust the side straps to fit your head.

If the helmet is off your head, you must tuck in the side straps with a rubber band. Otherwise, you can tighten the straps to re-adjust their fit.

Lastly, you’ll need to make sure the rear tension knob is tight.

A loose knob means your helmet isn’t fitted properly.

Also, it might need to be adjusted to keep the helmet from moving forward.

As mentioned earlier, most consumers don’t read instructions.

So, if you don’t know how to adjust the buckle or the straps, it’s a good idea to go to a store and have the helmet re-fitted.

The Bell Banter youth bike helmet comes with the Bell True Fit fitting system, which reduces the time needed to adjust the straps, neck, and chin straps.

It also features 17 vents to keep your head cool and an integrated safety light.

The Bell Banter Youth Bike Helmet is a solid choice for young cyclists. It provides essential safety features, comfort, and style.

It is designed to meet rigorous safety standards and has convenient adjustment mechanisms to fit a range of young riders.

Although it has minor drawbacks, such as size limitations and a limited color range, the overall functionality and design make it a reliable and attractive option for children’s bicycle safety.