Specialized 03 S1 Helmet Helmets


  • Average Rating: 5/5
  • MSRP: $
  • # of Reviews: 4

Product Description

The S1 takes helmet technology to a new level. Thanks to our work with pro level road riders in events such as the Tour de France and our world class mountain bike team, the S-1 is lighter, sleeker and better ventilated than any helmet we've ever made!


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Reviews 1 - 4 (4 Reviews Total)

User Reviews

Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:3
Submitted by O.Z Chi a Commuter from

Date Reviewed: September 18, 2004

Strengths:    Lightweight, sleek black, fits like a glove.

Weaknesses:    Brain trust 2 retention system doesn't retain very well.

Also price, but it was cheaper than the Giro Atmos ... and what is your head worth to ya anyway?


Bottom Line:   
At first, the S1 feels like a Giro. After adjustment, however, it feels like what a Specialized helmet should feel like for me: perfect.

I agree with the other reviewers about the brain trust 2 system: it's pretty useless. I prefer the Giro roc loc 4. All the new Specialized helmets have a derivative of the roc loc design (kinda cheesy imitation, imo).

I wish the Giro Atmos I had would fit my noggin ... it was a great lid.

Will come back again for a more detailed review after a few rides.

Expand full review >>

Price Paid:    $110.00

Purchased At:   GoRide in Redwood Ci

Similar Products Used:   Specialized Enduro Comp
Specialized Allez
Giro Atmos


Bike Setup:   Look KG286 w/ Centaur kit
Campagnolo Proton wheels
Deda cockpit


Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:4
Submitted by Laurence a Recreational Rider from

Date Reviewed: October 18, 2003

Strengths:    Weight
Ventilation
Adjustable, removable, visor
Good looks, nicely finished
(Potentially) great fit


Weaknesses:    Price - should be about 20 quid cheaper
"Braintrust" way too flexible
Muted colour range - I went for stealthy black, because I just like to ride, but if you wear replica pro-kit and $100 sunglasses, you might want something more gragarious.


Bottom Line:   
I needed a winter/wet weather helmet and the S1 is a high end road helmet with a removable visor.

Why it is assumed that roadies only go out when when it is not raining, I don't know - In my experience, the mountain bikers quit earlier in the season!

At full adjustment the visor adequately keeps the rain out of my eyes/off my glasses.

The helmet it very light and very well ventilated. That forehead vent is fabulous! It also has more ventilation at the back of the head than anything else I've tried.

It comes with a lot of additional padding and I found that I could greatly enhance the fit I had in the shop. However, the helmet is so light, the depth of the padding is only required to keep the helmet snug, not for comfort.

The occipital braintrust thingy is poor and lets the S1 down. The adjustment makes very little difference because the material is far far too flexible. I like to ride with the straps of my helmet very loose indeed. I also have a Louis Garneau Bikini (which is also a terrific helmet, but noticably a couple of years out of date compared to the Specialized's minimalist construction). The LG has a retention system that can be adjusted to make the helmet so tight you don't really need straps atall. The Specialized didn't come close and the first time I used it the road vibrations had it moving around on my head alarmingly.

The good news is that it was incredibly easy to fix - I just strung a rubber band (matching the helmet colour of course) around the "lobes" of the braintrust and secured the ends with a small key ring. This makes a deeper and more rigid "cup". Now the helmet feels like my LG, only lighter and arier. Plus, I can clip a LED onto the rubber band!!

Now I have a light, comfortable, aggressive looking, versatile helmet.

Fit: I think I have an "oval" head. I tried and hated (until it saved my head one time) a Giro Eclipse because the one with the right length left me floating around side to side very badly. I didn't know better! If you like the way Giros fit, you'll have the converse problem with the S1. For reference, the LG Bikini and the S1 have very similar fit characteristics.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Ride:   Uphill

Price Paid:    $160.00

Purchased At:   lbs

Similar Products Used:   Bell Neutron Star (reassuringly heavy)
Giro Eclipse (named for its size)
Louis Garneau Bikini


Bike Setup:   Cramerotti Steriliser 7003
Frankenstein componentry


Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by colbrio a Racer from berkeley, ca

Date Reviewed: June 21, 2003

Strengths:    When adjusted properly, there is no forward or rearward rocking of the helmet. Like twist adjustments on side.

Weaknesses:    Colors

Bottom Line:   
Well ventilated and secure. Rock solid when the straps are adjusted properly.

Expand full review >>

Favorite Ride:   Laurless Grade-Carmel Valley

Price Paid:    $149.00

Purchased At:   Specialized

Similar Products Used:   Giro Pneumo

Bike Setup:   2003 Specialized E5, Dura Ace, Deda bar and stem, Speedplay pedals, Mavic SSC SL, Fizik carbon seat, Specialized Pave seatpost


Overall Rating:5
Value Rating:5
Submitted by CritLover a Racer from Brooklyn

Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003

Strengths:    Ventilation, fit, style.

Weaknesses:    None that I have found.

Bottom Line:   
I bought this helmet hoping that the large forehead vent would remove the need for headbands, and I was right. The helmet is light, stylish, and super well ventilated. It has been critiqued for the mechanism that cups the back of the skull, but I haven't noticed anything that makes me feel it isn't secure. It was a great investment, and my Limar is now permanently on the shelf.

Expand full review >>

Price Paid:    $80.00

Purchased At:   Ebay

Similar Products Used:   Limar 107, Bell Phi




Reviews 1 - 4 (4 Reviews Total)

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