Can anyone confirm that they’ve worn the Bell Meteor in any NAS events w/o a problem regarding them being ‘legal’? Thanks in advance.
BUMP
Haven’t rec’d any reply from NAS or Bell on this either.
Anyone?
I thought that I read (on here) that they are okay for US cycling events (due to agreement signed between US and Euro cycling bodies), but not for Triathlon yet (different regulatory bodies). If you do a search for UCI or the other regulatory agencies on here, you’ll probably find the thread.
I used a bell meteor at both florida 70.3 and IM Wisconsin without any issues. didn’t see to many at IM, but there were several others at florida.
Brian,
Only helmets which meet the US CPSC standard are legal for use in USA Triathlon (USAT) sanctioned events. This includes all NAS events and all IRONMAN events (every US based 70.3 and IMKY). Three notable exceptions to this rule are IM Kona and 70.3 Clearwater - Ironman received permission from USAT use International Triathlon Union rules, regarding helmets, for those two events due to the high number of non-American participants, and IM Canada, which is not USAT sanctioned.
If the helmet contains a sticker that says “CPSC,” you’re good to go. Otherwise, you risk DQ, should a race official notice you using a non-CPSC certified helmet. I know the Bell Meteor II does not meet the CPSC standard, but I’m not sure about the Meteor.
Because IRONMAN events are sanctioned by USAT, they must follow USAT requirements unless special permission is granted. As stated above, IM Kona and Clearwater are the only events in which special permission was granted.
Hope this helps.
JR
I bought this helmet last year and turned right around and sold it. It wasn’t CSPC and I had read that it wasn’t legal. The dumb thing was that I ordered it from a shop in France. It wasn’t even available in the US.
I know at Wildflower last year they checked my helmet for the sticker. They were showing an official what to look for in the helmet.
And since I had an aerotype, they were looking for the sticker.
I thought I heard they DQed folks who were wearing helmets the official knew were not legal and had no sticker.
I wonder why some folks want to ignore the rules, especially with something so visible.
Dave
Well, technically they are not legal!
When we came over for IM 70.3 CA last year the Giro & Bell helmets we bought did not have the CPSC sticker and the officials told us even a Giro Boreas without a sticker would not be legal. So both my friend and I spent $ 100 on a “legal” helmet prior to the race. Then on race day NOONE ever tool a look at out gear! No break check, no helmet check at all! That relly shocked me a bit as I am used to a thorough bike and helmet check in at German events,
And guess what we saw on the course? People were riding with the Giro Advantage and Bell Meteor on in the dozens.
**Jimmy- **Thanks for the reply, exactly what I was looking for.
**Hazelman- **That was specifically what I was thinking. I didn’t think they were legal, but knew I had seen many of them at NAS events. I’ll need to check on this as the helmet I’m referring to is from a US cycling Team which was supplied by Bell from overseas in '07 and I have access to one of them.
Thanks again for the feedback, much appreciated!
It’s not legal… BUT i have seen several at IMFL
I had one to race in FL but borrowed a legal one to avoid disclassification. like it was anounced in the briefing.
No idea if they’re legal, but I’ve worn one in half a dozen NAS events.
G.
Jimmy,
The saga continues……I picked up the helmet to check it out:
You’ll notice there are (4) stickers inside the helmet, one which reads:
Complies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets for Persons Age 5 or Older.
Made by Bell Sports, 1924 CR 30000N, Rantoul, IL 61866 Phone 1-800-456-2355
Made in China
Serial No. Y1655410
So despite some of the other posts which may have been for different model year Meteors, this particular helmet meets the US CPSC standards and would be legal in NAS/USAT sanctioned events?
Thanks again for your feedback.
Where did you get that?
jaretj
JaretJ,
There is a cycling Team that I’m affiliated w/ who was sponsored by Bell last season - using these helmets in all TT’s in the States. They had an ‘extra’ as it’s a small size and won’t fit anyone on their Team, but will fit the athlete whom I need it for.
With all the digging I’ve been doing on this it seems some years may have been CPSC certified and some years not (those manufactured in '07 appear to not have been). This one is apparently a model which was cleared by CPSC standards.
If it is CSPC certified, I wonder why Bell does not sell it in the US.