Bontrager Starvos Road and Rally MTB WaveCel Helmet Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Starvos WaveCel Road Helmet

Hot

• WaveCel technology helps absorb both rotational and linear impact forces
• Virginia Tech 5 STAR Rated
• Headmaster fit system for one handed adjustment
• Now available in XL
• Adjustable and lockable side straps
• Comfortable and light weight
• Affordably priced
• Crash Replacement Guarantee provides a free helmet replacement if involved in a crash within the first year of ownership

Not

• Less padding/different type than the more expensive Specter version
• Only available in 3 colorways
• No front or rear Blendr mount integration for lights or GoPro

Rally WaveCel MTB Helmet

Hot

• WaveCel technology helps absorb both rotational and linear impact forces
• Virginia Tech 5 STAR Rated
• BOA system for one handed adjustment
• Adjustable and lockable side straps
• Visor adjustments provides different coverage options
• Drop-in coverage for additional rear of head protection
• Comfortable and light weight
• Works with goggles
• Crash Replacement Guarantee provides a free helmet replacement if involved in a crash within the first year of ownership

Not

• No front Blendr mount integration for headlight or GoPro

Trekbikes.com

Price: $99.99 (road); $149.99 (MTB)

Colors: Road (White, Black, Radioactive Yellow); MTB (Black, Olive Grey/Radioactive Orange, Nautical Navy, Marigold)

Sizes: Small (51-57cm), Medium (54-60cm), Large (58-63cm), XL – road only (60-60cm)

Weight for Medium: 335g (road); 400g (MTB)

Source: Trek website, online, retail

How Obtained: Samples from company

RBR Sponsor: No

Great Options for Budget Conscious Cyclists

Back on May 21^st, Bontrager announced the addition of 3 new WaveCel helmet models, which I highlighted here. I’ve been testing the Starvos road helmet and the Rally MTB version over the last few weeks. Both are great options, as they combine the added safety of the WaveCel technology, a 5-star rating from Virginia Tech with a price point for the budget conscious cyclist. Trek was able to reduce the cost by changing out some features found on their higher priced models and removing the WaveCel inserts just from the rear of the helmet, replacing it with EPS.

Starvos for the Roadie

If you are just getting into road riding or need to replace your existing helmet, the Starvos is a great choice at only $99. For those hard to fit heads, it’s available in sizes up to XL. I’ve tested many of the Bontrager helmets, and can honestly say the Starvos is a great deal.

How can Bontrager make a safe helmet at such an affordable price? They simply swap out a few of the higher end features found on their Specter helmet, without sacrificing comfort or safety. The chart below compares the different key features between of the two helmets.   

Model	Starvos	Specter
Fit system	Headmaster II	BOa
WaveCel inserts	Front, top and sides of the internal area	Front, rear, top and sides of the internal area
Pad material	Moisture wicking pads, less padding then Specter	Moisture wicking pad
Buckle type	Standard buckle	Fidlock magnetic buckle
Weight	300g (size Small)	322g (size Small)
Colors	3	5
Price	$99.99 MSRP	$149.99 MSRP

The fit system on the Starvos is a Headmaster II. While it uses the same one-handed dial concept as the BOA, the dial itself doesn’t glide as smoothly. But it does works just fine.

In regard to the WaveCel inserts, the Starvos does not have a rear insert, but instead uses EPS. This saves a little weight making it 22 grams lighter than the Specter.

The moisture wicking, washable pad material used in the Starvos is similar to that found in the Specter, however there is less of it. I also found the pads to be not as soft. Honestly, if I didn’t have both helmets side by side, I’d probably have not noticed the difference.

The Starvos uses a buckle that is found standard on a majority of helmets on the market today. This is in contrast to the Specter, which uses a magnetic Fidlock buckle closure. I tend to like the standard buckle better. When I take a break from riding, I sometimes hang my helmet from the bars or when carrying gear out to the car I put my gloves, computer, and lights inside the helmet. I have accidentally undone the magnetic buckle in both cases, since it slides so easily, and then everything falls out or the helmet falls to the ground.

The last difference is the Starvos only comes in 3 color options. White, black and radioactive yellow. If you must have a helmet that matches your bike and the three options don’t match, then consider the Specter.

The Starvos and Specter helmets both have adjustable and locking side straps and covered by Bontrager’s Crash Replacement Guarantee, which provides a free helmet replacement if you’re involved in a crash within the first year of ownership. Let’s hope you don’t need to test that out!

When Bontrager went to WaveCel technology for their road helmets, they did away with the Blendr mount option. Helmets like the Circuit with MIPS were great for integrating front/rear lights or a GoPro. With the WaveCel road helmets, these accessories now need to be placed on the bike frame, bars, seat or seat bag.

Rally WaveCel for the Shredders

The new Rally WaveCel is a great option for someone getting into MTB or needing a replacement helmet. At $149.99 it’s half the price of the Blaze WaveCel. Like with the road versions, Trek needed to change some features to reduce the price and the table below outlines the key differences.

Model	Rally	Blaze
WaveCel inserts	Front, top and sides of the internal area	Front, rear, top and sides of the internal area
Buckle type	Standard buckle	Fidlock magnetic buckle
Blendr integration	None	Front mount
Weight	360 grams (size small)	380 grams (size small)
Price	$149.99 MSRP	$299.99

Like with the road version, the Rally does not have rear WaveCel inserts, using EPS instead, making it 20 grams lighter than the Blaze. Also, the Rally uses a standard buckle closure while the Blaze has a Fidlock magnetic buckle.

Another key difference is the lack of Blendr integration on the Rally. On the Blaze, Bontrager uses a front Blendr magnetic plate mount to attach a headlight or GoPro to the top of the helmet.

There are similarities between the Rally and Blaze besides the 5-star rating from Virginia Tech. They both use a BOA fit system that enable one-handed adjustments. The side straps have lockdown strap dividers for a better fit and drop-in coverage provides added protection at the rear of the helmet. Both MTB helmets come in a choice of 4 colorways, as well as an adjustable visor for sun protection. The visor is also great for the non-mountain biker when sun exposure to the face is a concern.

For riders who like using goggles while mountain biking, I strapped on my Smith goggles and confirmed there was enough clearance.

Bottom Line

The rule of thumb is to replace a helmet every 3-4 years, unless you have a crash, then immediately. If it’s time to replace your lid or you’re a first-time buyer, take a look at two of the new price friendly WaveCel helmets from Bontrager. Both the Starvos road and Rally MTB received a 5-star rating from Virginia Tech, so you can be confident in your purchase.