The Bell Falcon XR is a more affordable version of the XR Spherical, featuring an inbuilt LED light and Mips Evolve crash protection.
The Falcon XR sits at the top of Bell’s commuting helmet range and comes in second in its road hierarchy, just below the XR Spherical. The Falcon features trickle-down technology, including the ‘Deep Road’ fit and Fidlock buckle.
While targeting both commuting and road audiences, the Falcon successfully balances comfort and performance, despite being markedly heavier than out-and-out roadie lids at 338g (excluding the light).
The magnetic Fidlock buckle is a joy to use, once you get the hang of it, and both ear and chin straps are easy to adjust. While the ventilation is middling and the ponytail hole leaves something to be desired, the Falcon XR does its job dutifully as a comfortable and practical lid, with a handy inbuilt LED light.
Bell Falcon XR LED Mips fit + sizing
The Falcon XR is available in small, medium and large, with the sizes overlapping by 1cm each way. With a 56cm head, I fall into both the small and medium ranges, opting for the medium.
The Falcon XR features Bell’s ‘Deep Road’ fit, which aims to provide the deep coverage of a MTB helmet with the ventilation of a road helmet. I found the helmet wrapped well around my head and that the coverage matched its description. The ponytail hole is relatively shallow and I initially struggled to get my hair through it, but it was no longer an issue once on.
Bell doesn’t mention any designated sunglasses ports, however ventilation holes at both the front and back can be used for glasses storage and held up well over rough terrain.
The Falcon XR uses trickle-down technology from the XR Spherical for its fit adjustment, featuring the Float Fit system. The rear dial is rubberised for easy grip, though it’s quite small and sits very close to the ponytail hole.
The magnetic Fidlock buckle is cleverly designed and will connect from almost any angle but will only undo when slid laterally towards the front of the helmet. It does take some getting used to but holds securely and requires minimal effort when used correctly.
The padding is Ionic+, which Bell says is antimicrobial and uses silver-impregnated yarn to help control helmet odour from sweat.
Bell Falcon XR LED Mips material + technology
The Falcon XR uses Mips Evolve crash protection, which claims to reduce the effects of rotational impact. The Mips Evolve system is a 1mm thick Low Friction Layer (LFL) that sits between the external material and the internal padding.
Neither the Falcon XR nor the XR Spherical have been tested by the independent lab at Virginia Tech yet, but the helmet has a CE EN1078 certification, an industry safety standard required on all cycling helmets sold across Europe.
The helmet’s external structure uses Bell’s Fusion In-Mold technology, the brand’s take on the standard in-moulding system. The polycarbonate shell is bonded to the EPS liner which Bell says makes for a sturdier helmet, and features 17 ventilation holes.
A rear port doubles as a light mount or an additional ventilation hole, with this model including the Blackburn Grid tail light as standard. The 30-lumen light unclips from the inside of the helmet for USB charging or removal, and Bell says it can run for up to 15 hours on eco mode, with four modes available in total.
On our scales, the medium Falcon XR came in at 338g without the light, and 368g with it. While respectable for a commuter helmet, it is comparatively heavy among road helmets, roughly 65g heavier than the Met Vinci Mips.
The Falcon XR LED is available in matt black, matt blue + grey, or gloss white + black, and a newer model that doesn’t include the light is also available in purple.
Bell Falcon XR LED Mips performance
The Falcon XR is noticeably heavier in hand than most road helmets but the difference felt negligible when worn. The padding and deep fit provided a high level of wrap-around comfort, and the front of the helmet channelled rain water away from my face effectively.
The Float Fit system worked well for me, with no noticeable play, and the Fidlock buckle functioned seamlessly after a few practice runs to get the hang of it.
The main downfall of the Falcon XR was its breathability. While the Ionic+ padding felt comfortable against my skin and seemed to dry relatively quickly, the overall ventilation was lacking, and my head got quite hot when riding in mild weather.
The Blackburn Grid light was a surprisingly enjoyable add-on. Visibility while riding isn’t only a concern for commuters, and it was a reassuring feature that I was happy to turn on when afternoon rides became unexpectedly overcast.
Bell Falcon XR LED Mips verdict
The Bell Falcon XR LED is an admirable commuting helmet that could be used as a one-stop-shop for head protection. The deep coverage fit and soft padding provide ample comfort, while the inbuilt light offers added visibility for any type of riding. While the ventilation could do with some improvement and the overall weight is heftier than most road-specific helmets, the Falcon XR could adeptly turn its hand to most types of riding, bringing top-tier XR Spherical technology to a more affordable price point.
| Price | £129.99 |
| Weight | 338g (excl. light) |
| Sizes available | S, M, L |
| Safety tech | Mips Evolve |
| Adjustment system | Float Fit |
| Number of vents | 17 |
| Attachments | Blackburn Grid COB rear LED light |
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