Reviews You Can Rely On

Bell Transfer-9 Review

Although it's a little heavy, we love the robust protection and incredible comfort, as well as the sweet camera mount
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bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review
Credit: Bell
Price:  $170 List
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Manufacturer:   Bell
By Dustin Schaad ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 20, 2018
71
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort - 20% 8.0
  • Visor - 10% 6.0
  • Weight - 20% 6.0
  • Ventilation - 10% 7.0
  • Protection - 20% 8.0
  • Extras - 10% 6.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Transfer helmet has been updated since our test period.
REASONS TO BUY
Super comfortable
Durable
Eject emergency removal system
Protective
Best included camera mount
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
The Bell Transfer-9 shares the same fabric as the most comfortable downhill mountain bike helmet we tested. It is lined with plush, dense interior padding in all the right places. This robust helmet feels much more substantial than most of the other models we tested. It inspired confidence in our riding. However, this helmet's extra comfort and added protection come at the cost of weight. It is the heaviest helmet in our test at 45.1 ounces, which is precisely 6 ounces more than the average weight of the six helmets we evaluated. We like helmets that you quickly forget you are wearing. Unfortunately for the Transfer, those added ounces are detrimental to comfort despite the incredibly comfortable interior padding. Still, we feel that that the Transfer is an excellent choice for lift-assisted riding or riders looking for added protection on the gnarliest lines. If you are willing to pay for a lighter helmet, we think the carbon version of this helmet, the Bell Full-9 is pretty rad.

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Bell Transfer is not lacking in vibrant colors that's for sure! If you have a concern about having a flimsy or weak helmet, the Transfer would be a great option. One thing that stands out with the Transfer is that uses the same fabric as the comfortable Bell Full 9. The secure fit along with the soft liner gives the Transfer a high rating in our testing. This helmet doesn't win an award, but it will take care of that noggin at half the cost of a carbon lid.

Performance Comparison


bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review - the bell transfer charging down the trail.
The Bell Transfer charging down the trail.
Credit: dustin schaad

Comfort


The Transfer-9 is the most comfortable full-face we've ever used to protect our CPUs. The interior of this helmet is padded with well-placed, dense open-cell foam padding. Bell covered the foam padding with a cozy material that we would describe as a cross between velvet and terry cloth. Unlike other velvety interiors, the lining of this helmet does a good job of wicking sweat away from the head. We found this especially true in the brow area where the Transfer uses a vast band of padding covered in this material to keep sweat from running down your face. All of these things combine for not only a very plush feel but also a very snug fit. The Transfer did not bounce around on our heads no matter how much chunder we rolled through. The incredible thing about this helmet is the blend of fit and comfort.

bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review - the helmet/goggle interface is solid.
The helmet/goggle interface is solid.
Credit: dustin schaad

Visor


The Transfer's visor is big and wide, which makes it one of the best sun, mud, or rain shields in our test. The Transfer lacks a center slider and adjustment screw like those found on the majority of visors.

bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review - no middle visor screw - lame!
No middle visor screw - lame!
Credit: dustin schaad

After testing many different helmets, we came to prefer helmets which have a center adjustment tab and thumbscrew. The lack of the third screw means that the two side screws need to be cranked tight to prevent the visor from jiggling while riding. Adjusting this visor on the fly is not as easy as helmets with a center thumbscrew.

bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review - one of the two mounting screws for the visor.
One of the two mounting screws for the visor.
Credit: dustin schaad

We prefer more full visors, which allow for the eyes to be shielded from the sun especially when leaning into banked corners, and this visor does just that. It is also the perfect length, any longer and it would be a sail on windy days or at Mach speeds. The Transfer's big visor also gives it a very moto look. Not surprising since the Transfer-9 and Full-9 are modeled after Bell's top-shelf moto lid, the Moto-9.

bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review - side view of the transfer 9
Side view of the Transfer 9
Credit: dustin schaad

Weight


This is the heaviest helmet in our test. Our size medium test helmet tipped our digital scale at 45.1 ounces. The snug and secure fit somewhat offset the weight of this lid, but there is no way around it, this thing is a tank, and the extra weight is noticeable while riding.

The Bell Full-9, which is the carbon version of the Transfer, is five ounces lighter. This puts it on par with the lighter lids in our test, but the Full-9 costs twice as much, at $400. That's $200 to shave five ounces. We're not sure if that's the most cost-effective way to cut grams, but there is not likely a place you would notice an extra five ounces more than on your head.

Ventilation


The Transfer-9 scored similarly to the majority of the helmets we tested in overall ventilation. This is impressive because the Transfer has a much snugger fit than nearly all of the others. Normally a snug fitting helmet would equate to less airflow and less overall ventilation, but Bell did an excellent job of designing the Transfer's ventilation system. Similar to many other full-face helmets, the Transfer has an overbrow vent system designed to take in cool air at the front of the helmet.

Unlike many of the designs out there, the Transfer's overbrow vents do promote airflow through the helmet. The three wide-open intake ports above the brow area of the helmet are connected with well-sculpted interior air channels and gaps in the interior padding. Our testers agree that the Transfer is much cooler on the bike than they would have expected from such a snug braincase.

bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review - a view of some the mouth bore vents on the chin bar.
A view of some the mouth bore vents on the chin bar.
Credit: dustin schaad

Protection


This helmet meets the CPSC 1203 and CE EN 1078 standards for cycling helmets sold in the US and Europe. It also meets the more stringent ASTM-F1952, which we think downhill riders should consider as a requirement in a helmet. The Transfer is also certified to ASTM's 2032-06, which is standard for BMX helmets.

bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review - sometimes you just gotta carry the bike to get to the goods. the...
Sometimes you just gotta carry the bike to get to the goods. The hefty Transfer 9 might slow you down over a few hours.
Credit: dustin schaad

The Transfer is compatible with the aftermarket Eject Helmet Removal System, which has been around for a while in power sports helmets. This system consists of an air bladder which sits deflated in a shallow pocket molded into the polystyrene at the top of the helmet. The air bladder is connected to a small inflation tube that runs out the back of the helmet via a small channel in the polystyrene. Inflating this system allows emergency responders to more easily remove it without causing further injury to the critical cervical spine in the event of a significant crash. The pocket and air tube channel that make this helmet compatible with this system will go unnoticed if you choose not to purchase and install the Eject system. The system sells for around $50-$60; however, it can be hard to find online. Not sure if this system is going to catch on in mountain biking, but it seems like a good idea to us.

bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review - riders are confident charging with this substantial feeling helmet.
Riders are confident charging with this substantial feeling helmet.
Credit: dustin schaad

Extras


The most intriguing extra feature of the Transfer is the Eject Helmet Removal System which we've explained above in the Protection section. The Transfer's second coolest extra is the included camera mounting system, which is different from the integrated mount found on the Full-9. The Transfer's system consists of an adhesive receiver which accepts a breakaway mounting plug that attaches to the camera. The helmet comes with a GoPro compatible plug and a Contour plug (if you happen to be one of the five people on the planet that own a Contour). We found that adhesive mounts produce slightly less jiggly footage than snap in mounts like the one found on the Giro Cipher or the Bell Full-9.

The Transfer has headphone pockets and channels to route the cables. Bell calls this feature Soundtrax. The Soundtrax pockets will accept most helmet compatible headphones. One last thing, our test helmet also came with a nice bright red storage sack which we promptly tossed on the shelf and forgot about. You could store the helmet in this bag, but we ain't got time for that.

Durability


For starters, it has a very nice clear coat, which kept the helmet looking glossy and fresh. We did notice a tiny bit of scuffing where the visor contacted the helmet, but it was minimal compared to other helmets. The trim gaskets which cover the edges of the shell in the face window and at the bottom are an area of failure like the TLD D3 we tested, but not with the Transfer. This helmet uses flexy vinyl trim that proved to be durable and well bonded to the helmet.

bell transfer-9 downhill helmet review - the transfer 9 in its natural habitat.
The Transfer 9 in its natural habitat.
Credit: dustin schaad

Best Application


We think this secure helmet is ideal for trying new lines, stepping up your game, and general lift-assisted downhill riding.

Value


The Transfer-9 is great value. You receive all the safety features that you would in a carbon but at the fraction of the price.

Conclusion


The Bell Transfer is an excellent bang for your buck. The Transfer-9 is a trickle down of the Full-9, which benefits from technology afforded by its older motocross brother, the Moto-9. This helmet is packed with features at just half the cost of other high-end full-face helmets.

Dustin Schaad