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review

Bell Gage Mips

8
£149.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A well made, strong performing helmet that loses nothing with the inclusion of Mips
Weight: 
235g
Contact: 

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 Gage Mips brings together some top-of-the-range features, a good fit and the Mips anti-concussion system. Ventilation is also strong and it looks good too, with a low profile and no 'mushroom head'.

The Gage still sits at the top of the Bell helmet hierarchy, although we expect to see a new top-line lid from the company, used by LottoNL-Jumbo in this year's Tour de France but technically still unannounced. Bell has, however, made an upgrade to the Gage ahead of this, adding in the increasingly popular Mips system.

> Find your nearest dealer here

For those who haven't come across this before, Mips is essentially a plastic netting on the inside of the helmet that helps to prevent concussion by moving with the head upon impact. Full disclosure: I did not test out this system to see if it stopped me getting a brain injury as, regardless of scientific fact, I am not going to try to hit my head hard enough to give myself concussion even for road.cc.

Bell Gage Mips Helmet - inside.jpg

One element that concerns me with Mips systems is their effect on the ventilation of a helmet, given that they essentially act as another layer. In this case, I found it didn't have too much impact at all (good for a helmet…) and the air moved freely around my head while riding. Bell has managed to retain the 26 vents throughout the helmet, as you would find in the non-MIPS version, and these, combined with the well-thought-out channelling, provides a decent breeze to cool you down.

Bell Gage Mips Helmet - front.jpg

Another area some might think the helmet could suffer is weight, but when we reviewed the original Gage it came in at 230g, and this version is only 235g. Only adding 5g is impressive, and doesn't negate the efforts made to keep the weight down with the EPS (expanded polystyrene) structure.

> Read our guide to the best performance helmets

The helmet has a good level of comfort, with the Mips system not affecting fit at all. Fitting is handled by Bell's Twin Axis Gear (TAG) system, which allows for three heights on the cradle at the back of the head and also a dial that loosens or tightens the rubber fitting system around the rest of the helmet. It works well, though I think it maybe falls just short of the kind of fit you get with full head systems like the Rollsys you find on Lazer helmets.

Bell Gage Mips Helmet - back.jpg

Padding is also not impacted by the new system, with the antibacterial pads sitting in the same place as on the non-Mips model, though just inside the system instead of directly on the inside of the helmet. They work well, with one placed at the top of the head and another across the top of forehead to prevent discomfort while also stopping sweat dripping down your face. This is combined with soft and light straps that are easy to adjust but do have a tendency to twist slightly, though nothing too major.

> Too much? Check out our guide to the best cheap helmets

Although £150 isn't to be sneezed at, I think the Gage is really good value for money. Compare it with other pro peloton helmets with Mips and we have £219.99 for the Lazer Z1 Mips, £225 for the POC Octal, and £224.99 for the Giro Synthe Mips.

Overall, I really like this helmet. It's good value for money, has a strong fitting system, and although not the lightest, certainly isn't going to overly slow you down on a climb.

Verdict

A well made, strong performing helmet that loses nothing with the inclusion of Mips

road.cc test report

Make and model: Bell Gage Mips

Size tested: Medium, 55-59cm

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?

A high-end road helmet used in the pro peloton, but with the Mips system included for added safety.

Bell says: 'The Gage was engineered to meet their [pro riders] exacting standards with breakthrough technologies like our two-way adjustable Twin Axis Gear (TAG) fit system, moisture-wicking X-Static padding, and superlight yet precise buckles and Cam-Locks. Ride like a pro. Get the Bell Gage.'

It has a good fit, decent ventilation and a nice amount of adjustability.

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

Cam-Lock™ Levers

Channeled Ventilation™

Internal Reinforcement

Lightweight Webbing

MIPS-Equipped

Twin Axis Gear™ (TAG)

X-Static Padding

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well made, decent straps, and Mips system sits well within the helmet.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Performed well, ventilation was good, it was comfortable to wear and sits nicely on the head.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Seems well made and likely to last a long time.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
6/10

Not the lightest lid, but at the same time, given only 5g are added by the Mips system, it's not too bad.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10

Pads are well placed and fitting system keeps everything where it should be.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

A pro peloton helmet under (just) £150 with an Mips system is a great price.

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

It performed well, the Mips system sits well in it and it was comfortable for extended riding times.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I think it looks really good, with a low profile avoiding 'mushroom head'.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

If I had to choose something, perhaps the straps could be better placed to avoid twisting. However, this isn't a huge issue at all.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

A strong performing helmet that manages to include the Mips system without it impacting on the performance of other areas.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 27  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Evo 6  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between. 

Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.

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