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 an...
Summary: 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.
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?
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro Comp
Specialized Allez
Giro Atmos
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Bike Setup: Cramerotti Steriliser 7003
Frankenstein componentry
Summary: 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 I also have a Louis Garneau Bikini (which is also a terrific helmet, but noticably a couple of years out of date compared to the Specialized's minimalist construction).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.
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.
Similar Products Used: Bell Neutron Star (reassuringly heavy)
Giro Eclipse (named for its size)
Louis Garneau Bikini
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Summary: 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.
Strengths: Ventilation, fit, style.
Weaknesses: None that I have found.
Similar Products Used: Limar 107, Bell Phi
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