Submitted by
Barry Clement
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2000
Strengths: it saved my life
Weaknesses: company would not replace it
Bottom Line:
this helmet saved my life. I bombed off of a 6' retainer wall while freewheeling downtown and I landed straight on my head on hard cement. I cracked the helmet in 2 but I managed to get up and walk away with only a few minor scratches. this helmet did its job and I would reccomend it to anyone.
This is an excellent helmet that looks and feels like a hat. It is so light and closely fitting that you can forget that it is there. Ventilation is excellent and you look like you are going a mile a minute when you are standing still. I absalutely love the look of these helmets but the visor looks a little out of place if you realy look at the helmet up close. but that is only personal opinion.
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha, Nebraska
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000
Strengths: Very Light, Great Fit, Well Ventilated (after you take the visor off), looks good.
Weaknesses: Brain Trust device is made of cheap plastic that broke after about 4 rides. Very expensive
Bottom Line:
I loved this helmet for its amazing fit and lightweight construction. However, after only a few rides, the plastic web that makes up the "Braintrust" system broke into four pieces. This was not the result of a crash or abuse or anything else. I put the helmet on, and all of a sudden, I had several pieces of plastic poking me in the head. I haven't gotten a hold of specialized yet, but I'm not too hopeful after hearing about how others have been treated. For the money that specialized asks people to pay for this thing, one would expect a better put together product. I'll let you know what happens from here.
Bike Setup: Couple of wheels, pedals, handlebar, and seat.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from Stillwater, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2000
Strengths: Very light, lots of air holes
Weaknesses: expensive
Bottom Line:
I really really like this helmet. Lucky for me my aunt paid half for it, otherwise I couldn't afford it. The front visor may look cool, but doesn't help any. My head doesn't get hot either, unless it is over 80 degrees out, the it does... Overall the best helmet I have seen.
Submitted by
Andrew Curry
a Racer
from Palo Alto, CA
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2000
Strengths: I ride road, and once I took the goofy visor off the Cobra became the best helmet ever. The forehead vent is the best -- I never even sweat up there any more.
Weaknesses: Kinda expensive.
Bottom Line:
Fabulous helmet. The all-red ones look badass, too.
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000
Strengths: Great Ventilation, Light, Looks
Weaknesses: Priceeeeeeeeeeey
Bottom Line:
This is one great fitting well ventilated helmet. Nothing beats having a helmet with great ventilation on those hazy/hot/humid summer days. It definitely came with a high price tag, which is why I give it only 3 chillis for value, but I think I am worth it, which is why I give it 5 for overall.
Bike Setup: Rocky Mountain Lmtd Edition Race, Easton Carbon Risers, Race Face SYStem, Z2 Bam fork
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
MJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Pleasanton
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000
Strengths: Light, lots of ventilation, fits great, looks cool
Weaknesses: Price...but it was a gift so i cant complain!
Bottom Line:
This is absolutely the best best helmet out there...yeah its pricey but it is the best fitting and best ventilated helmet out there. Why is it that the most expensive always fits the best? I probably would have never paid this much for a helmet were it not a gift! Oh well, next helmet I guess i'll be paying for myself...and it will be another Cobra. The construction, and looks of the helmet cant be beat. GERT ONE YOU'LL LOVE IT!
Bike Setup: Cannondale hard tail, Marzocchi z-2, Nukeproof hubs w/517 rims
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Futrell
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000
Strengths: Light-weight, price, adjustability, great looks.
Weaknesses: A piece of the rear webing that unattached from the velcro, fixed w/super glue.
Bottom Line:
Overall i'm very happy with the adjustability and price which was normally $140 but was on sale for 50% of. I love it when stores go out of business! It would have had a lot less Flamin' Chilis if i'd paid more than $70, and would've had 5 Chilis if i hadn't had to break out the super glue after a few weeks of use. I recommend this to those who like a good looking, light, adjustable, and well ventilated helmet.
Bike Setup: Trek 830 Mt. Track, Shimano XT V-Brakes, Front suspension
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Enrique Soto
a Cross Country Rider
from Mexico
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2000
Strengths: Very Good Looking Great Ventilation Visor Easy to adjust strings Very light
Weaknesses: It is not very thick, and if your nose is big, it won't be fully covered
Bottom Line:
I am very happy for buying this helmet, it is really nice and very light. Sometimes you feel like you are wearing nothing. If you have the bucks, do buy it.
Weaknesses: Web retention not as good as Giro, Crash policy is poor.
Bottom Line:
Great helmet. The rear retainer is plastic and uses velcro to hold in place. Trial and error to get it to fit just right, but worth doing for best fit. Quality and finish is outstanding - better than any helmet I've seen. I used Giro, but they stopped making the M/L size. I'm in-between the Giro sizes so I tried the Cobra. The Cobra did it's job when I crashed into a big tree head-on in a downhill, and only got a stiff neck (it's fine, thank you). Specialized crash policy is to give you 20% off the price of a new helmet if you take it to a dealer. Well, that's quicker then waiting 5 weeks for a return, but not much of a deal, since I can buy it cheaper via mail order. If they would copy the Giro retention device they'd have the best helmet on the market. I'd give them 5 chillis, except for the retainer and poor crash policy (Giro only charged me $40 and got it to me in just over a week)..
Submitted by
Carl Marquardt
a weekend warrior
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: January 22, 1999
Bottom Line:
Very nice. Well vented, fits well and light. Cool clip-on visor, too. I'm glad I got it as a gift, though--that's a lotta clams to lay out for a bit of glorified styrofoam, plastic and nylon strapping.
Submitted by
Joe
a weekend warrior
from Altadena, CA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1998
Bottom Line:
Just got a new 99 Specialized King Cobra Helmet in Team Red, it's sort of a revamped Air Bangee that's lighter with better ventalation. I can't believe how lite it is, it feels extremely comfortable and looks awesome. If your in the market for a new helmet and don't mind spending about $120.00, check out this helmet, protect your investment(your head)... well. Happy trails!
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