The all-new S-1 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!
This helmet looks and feels great. It is light weight and barely fells like you are wearing anything. The vents pull in a lot of air to keep the mellon cool.
The Casco helmet I previously used had a nice thinly padded (but effective) chin piece. Adding this feature to the 02 S1 would make it perfect.
I will still give the "Big S" 5 overall.
By the way, the telescoping, detachable visor is ingenious.
Submitted by
Chase
a Cross Country Rider
from Greensboro, North Carolina USA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003
Strengths: Super-Lightweight, excellent durability, excellent colling vents, radical look and many color schemes; cheaper the Giros
Weaknesses: PADS SUCK! Adding supplied extra pads on the backside of the helmet just above the "BrainStem" solves problem ;
Bottom Line:
BEST HELMET EVER DESIGNED! AFTER ADDING PADS MOST COMFORTABLE AND ERGONOMIC! EXTREMELY DURABLE FOR ITS WEIGHT! ANY CROSS COUNTRY RIDER ONA TEAM OR JUST RIDES FOR FUN WILL FIND NOTHING BUT SATISFACTION AFTER USING THIS HELMET!
Strengths: This is helmet is like the king cobra which I had for many years. The 02 S1 is a bit heavier than the cobra but the fit is well worth buying this helmet. It just stays in place, which is my biggest problem with other brands. They either slide back of forward. Not the 02. Furthermore, this helmet is nice looking. It doesn't make your head look too big and the vents keep you way cool. This helmet is for someone that rides a lot and wants to not be able to notice anything on his head.
Weaknesses: The only weakness are the pads. They are narrow and tend not to stay in place.
Bottom Line:
This helmet stays in place, gives great air flow, great fitting, and is nice looking. Well, worth the price.
This is a bit extra for my former review. I was riding with friends this winter, and crashed off of a good sized jump (front tire sliped on the lip). Well i landed directly on my head. Other than a head ache, I was fine. I guess i am saying, that even though this helmet is light, airy, and on great helmet, it still protects your head exceptionally well. It cracked across a few spots, but held up great protecting my head for when I rolled and banged my head on a rock. Just wanted to say, this is one amazing helmet. Good for anyone who dosent like a heavy helmet sitting on thier head, who likes a helmet that feels likes it is a fan and who likes to look good. I will buy another.
Submitted by
Curt
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2002
Strengths: Lightweight, color, safety.
Weaknesses: Expensive.
Bottom Line:
I got this helmet as a prize from work. It saved me from a hard crash I had recently during a muddy ride; I hit my head hard. The helmet took the blow rather well and did not even have a scratch on it. I also go for night rides and with my light mount strapped to the helmet, the straps do not block the vents. The vents are huge, and work really well on hot and humid days.
The helmet construction is better than the other helmets I've owned. I think that's why it took the impact like it did.
When the helmet needs to be replaced I will get another one. Even though it is expensive, it is worth it... to me.
I give 5 flaming chilis for value and 5 flaming chilis for its overall rating.
Similar Products Used: Bell Razor, Giro Hammerhead.
Bike Setup: 2001 Specialized StumpJumper M4 HT w/Chris King, Race Face Turbines, Eggbeaters, Marzocchi Marathon 80, Thomson, Avid SD 7s
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brent
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002
Strengths: Incredibly light, very snug and comfortable, the next best thing to having an air conditioner along for the ride, and apparently the final solution to the mushroom-head look.
Weaknesses: Cheesy stickers -- the "Specialized" logos survived about 1 hour into my first ride with my new helmet. And it'd be nice if it came in a wider variety of colors.
Bottom Line:
For about 9 months out of the year here in Tucson, a mid-morning ride can be so hot that even the rattlers and jackrabbits have the good sense to seek out shade, so a mountain-bike helmet has its work cut out for it in the head-cooling department. Enter this new Specialized helmet: it sets a new standard for cooling, lightness, and comfort. The air-intake at the front of the helmet really works. This is the first Specialized helmet I've ever worn, and I was somewhat hesitant to buy it based on some less-than-glowing reports I'd read and heard about the retention system on previous years' models. Well, the folks at Specialized must have done their homework, because this new retention system works great for me -- in fact, even better than Giro's system, which I've relied on for years. And, on me at least, the S1 looks a lot sharper than any other helmet I've ever tried, too. The S1 is far from inexpensive, but I think it's worth every penny, so I'm still giving it a 5 for value. The Specialized designers outdid themselves on this one.
I wouldn't normally shell out this much cash for a bike helmet but it was the only one I found that fit my had. I tried on many different helmets from manufacturers like Bell, Giro, Louis Garneau, and even Specialized. The S1 was the only one that fit me comfortably. In a way I am happy that it was the only one that fit me because it is a great helmet. You can hardly tell that it is on your head. I have also had no problems with the removeable visor and actually praise it's intuitive design. All in all, good job specialized!
Strengths: This has got to be the helmet with the best ventilation and looks in the industry. It is so light it feels as though your not wearing a helmet. The inlet and exaust vents are HUGE and the air just flows through your head while riding. The visor is also a very unique piece that not only looks cool but actually works great. Specialized co-molded the visor so that the edges are soft. In case of a crash the visor will not scratch your face, it also has a telescoping feature not found in any other visor.
Weaknesses: Even though the big S redesigned the retention system of the helmet, users have to adjust the system all the way in order for the helmet to feel really snug on your head.
Bottom Line:
I received this helmet as a warranty exchange from Specialized after the retention system on my King Cobra helmet broke after two years of use. No questions or hassles from the warranty department. Try calling Bell or Gyro and see if they will do the same. NOT...Big kudos to Specialized on this molded piece of cranium art. What the other reviewers have to realize is that this helmet is intended to be as light as possible, suck air like a vaccum, and look cool enough to be worn in the Tour de France. That it's expensive, yes of course. But so is all the best stuff such as XTR, Titanium, Carbon, etc. Specialized performed extensive wind tunnel testing to ensure that the helmet provided the best possible ventilation while reducing weight at the same time. Anyone have any idea how much it costs to rent a wind tunnel? Alot. As for the previous reviewer complaining of the visor falling off easily, you must have a defective piece. Because unless I pull on the visor hard it does not come off. Call Specialized, they'll take care or of you. So if you are a XC racer or want a helmet you can also use for the road, I sugest you try out this helmet before making your final decision.
Strengths: -Weight(or lack of) -sleek looks -venilation is amazing, its like a fan is in there -nicely desgined visor(i took it off though, i think helmets look funny with them on) -huggge vents, no holes, let amazing amounts in, the exaust ports, wow, i can fit 3 fingers in easyily -fits my head well
Weaknesses: the adjustable spring retention device is weak, i have it at the max setting and it is just tight enough. and price, normally 160.00 would be a bit steep, and the same goes for all the giro and bell helmets that are that much.
Bottom Line:
nicely desgined overall, although the retention system could use some tightening. on the inside of the helmet, it is scuplted and riddled with channels to blast the air though. it is so freaking light that you barely notice its up there, especially because your head is nice and cool. the visor is pretty cool, with the adjustable length and comolded rubber/plastic. i took it off, as i dont really need it. overall a sweet helmet, when you dont notice the helmet is there, it is doing its job well, the S1 does its job very well. 4 chilles for value, because of the price(160.00), but 5 for overall because of how freakin'well it works!
Similar Products Used: tested specialized m1, specialized air cobra
Bike Setup: not important for a helmet
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Zatoichi
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacto, CA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002
Strengths: Nice styling; well ventilated; slick visor design
Weaknesses: Retention device seems weak; fit not as good as Giro; pricey
Bottom Line:
When my 2002 Giro Pneumo got backordered, I decided to try an S1. It actually fits my gigantic noggin, and I like the adjustment setup (the straps adjust with 1/4 turn fasteners-simple & quick). Ventilation seems more than adequate, although temps have only reached the mid-80s so far.
And while the previous reviewer didn't like the visor, I think it's one of the slicker designs I've seen lately. It attaches via a small peg molded into the mounting clip, which mates with a matching recess molded into the helmet-more secure than the tiny pegs on Giro's visors, yet easily removed for road use. In addition, it can be adjusted for length while riding.
While I've never been a fan of past Specialized helmets, I like this one, although the design seems to place most of its weight a litle high on the head. Four chilis for fuction & looks, but only three chilis for value, since $150 seems a bit high.
Bike Setup: 2002 Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra, Control Tech barends, otherwise stock (for now)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bwah
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Worth,TX,USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002
Strengths: Light weight Can you say ventilated?!!
Weaknesses: Visor
Bottom Line:
Not a bad product, but for the price I would expect higher quality. The weight is truly wonderful. You barely know it's there.
I CANNOT believe that the visor attachment mechanism made it through quality control. What a lame piece of engineering. Unless my helmet is deformed I cannot see how anyone could ever imagine the thing staying on. The slightest hit and it's gone. If you buy one of these, you have two options : 1. Ditch the visor 2. Superglue the screwy thing in place
I would also like a little more spring tension in the head retention mechanism. While it is "adjustable", I find it useless on all but the hardest settings.
As far as looks go it's only OK. There are several better looking brain buckets on the market, BUT none of the shops stock them and if you want to check the fit prior to purchase, you are usually limited to a couple of brands. Of the helmets available at the average shops, the S1 is probably the best. (Of course DFW is not anykind of MTB Mecca ...)
