On me 'ead son! (Specialised SWorks 2D Gerolstiner Helmet)

Member Name: yackers1

Product:	Specialised SWorks 2D Gerolstiner Helmet
Date:	17/04/09 (438 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very light weight, very comfortable, uses the newest technology, stylish and strong

Disadvantages: Very expensive

****My recollection of cycle helmets****

I can remember when the subject of having a safety helmet for a push bike (shock horror!) emerged back in the late 1980's/early 1990's. Back in the day the helmets were a typical 'p' pot style and painted in luminous colours, I seem to recall green for boys and pink for girls (back then this concept was fine and there were no shouts of 'sexism' or anything like that).As well as being bright these helmets were made out of tacky and cheap plastic, and were so large that you needed neck muscles of a body builder to wear them for any length of time. They definitely weren't a fashion item. Whist my parents were keen for me to have one I never bothered wearing one since I thought it would only be of some use if I was knocked off by a car (i.e. more likely to happen in town centres) and since I lived in the back end of nowhere in sleepy Norfolk this was never going to happen.

Move forward a few years to 2006 when I met my current partner, who is a keen cyclist. Somehow she managed to get me in to it and I have never looked back. During the years between cycling because I had to and cycling for fun it appears that technology in cycle helmets has move forward quite substantially and I was totally unaware of it. Gone are the plastic and tacky looking 'p' pot helmets that were so garishly painted you could be seen a mile off and here are the small, sleek (and dare I say stylish) and lightweight helmets of today. The two types are a million miles apart.

****How I decided I needed a helmet****

Riding around the roads and green lanes of Norfolk on my trusted MTB I never saw the need for a safety helmet. Riding speeds averaged around 13 mph (occasionally I would just about get over 20mph if I found a hill and a tail wind) so what damage could really be done if I fell off? And predominantly cycling on roads the likelihood of falling off is pretty remote to boot.

If I used the MTB what is was designed for and took it off road and through woods (where there low branches to avoid and the like), or up and down mountains (where the risk of falling off is increased and there are obstacles on which you can bash your head), and rough terrain I would definitely invested in a helmet. The fact was I used the MTB off road two or three times a year at the most so there really was no benefit in me purchasing a helmet.

Riding a racer on the road is totally different to riding an MTB. The speeds are much higher, the bikes are more 'fickle' (especially round corners) and there is a high likelihood of falling off or crashing by hitting potholes in the road. My first ride out (without a helmet) was a scary experience, and despite hating wearing anything on my head (that includes baseball caps, sun hats, motorcycle crash helmets etc) I decided I needed to buy a helmet, and fast.

****Choosing the most suitable helmet****

There are hundreds of different cycle helmets in the market place from a whole range of manufacturers. There are different styles and different colour schemes. There are specialist helmets, professional use helmets and helmets for general use. There are so many and trying to find the most suitable one is an absolute mind field and an internet search and visit to various online cycling forums confused me even more. There was only one thing to do - visit a bike shop.
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The most important thing when buying a cycle helmet, or any helmet, is the fitting. Too tight and it is likely to cut off circulation and be uncomfortable which is likely to affect your concentration. Too loose and the helmet may twist and turn and obstruct vision, and if the worst comes to the worst then it will not do it's job properly as safety will be compromised. I would always recommend visiting a shop and trying on the helmet you are intending to buy before actually making the purchase. Once you know the model and size you can then start shopping around and looking for online deals to ensure you get it at the best price.

After visiting several shops and trying on more types of helmet than I care to remember I stumbled upon the Specialized S Works and that was it, and luckily the fit was perfect for me.

****The Specialized S Works****

The S Works is no standard helmet, it is much more and, in addition, it is a thing of beauty. Weighing in at a meagre 180g (approximately 6.3 oz) the S Works was the lightest helmet available when I purchased it. It's nearest rival, the Decibel, is 50g heavier (this is close to a 25% weight saving) and whilst this does not seem like much (and I guess in real terms it isn't) when you have an S Works in one hand and a Decibel in the other the difference is very noticeable. That said, the Decibel is still a very lightweight helmet in its own right.

In order to achieve such lightweight, without sacrificing safety, functionality and durability, the S Works uses state of the art technology and materials. Despite looking fragile the S Works is made out of a dual density foam "inner matrix" that is covered by Kevlar fibre, both of which is both strong and very lightweight. However, these materials are expensive hence pushing up the price of the finished product.

A unique feature of the S Works is the increased ventilation. This is the feature I like most about the S Works as, being an individual that seems to perspire from the head more than anywhere else, it keeps my head really cool even on those (rare) tropical days in the UK. The manufacturers claim that the S Works was developed in a wind tunnel and that the shape of the helmet (with the "mouthport at the front and the vertical exhaust ports at the rear") produce a through draft across the length of the helmet. I can't really comment on if this through draft system is any better or worse than other helmets, but I can confirm that it works very well indeed.

The helmet straps also uses modern technology in that they are made out of drylite webbing. Helmet straps usually soak up water and sweat (which often leads to salt encrusting and nasty smells), however the drylite webbing does not. It is designed to repel moisture and force it back in to the skin. Since the straps don't get wet they don't stretch and then shrink like the straps of other helmets, hence reducing the need for constant re-adjustment. The straps are directly attached to the inner matrix and routed out through the sides of the helmet, rather than from inside the helmet like many other helmets will. This stops the annoying 'strap on your face', which really annoys me.

Since the drylite webbing doesn't soak up sweat the straps remain nice smelling for much longer than conventional straps that can get very stinky in a very short space of time.

The S Works complies with all international safety standards including CPSC, SNELL B90A, CE and AS/NZS.

****Comfort****

The lightweight body, the thin straps that are routed out the side of the helmet (meaning they don't cut in to your cheeks) and the increased ventilation (stopping your head from overheating) all results in a very comfortable piece of kit. As I have previously stated I hate anything on my head since I just find it annoying but with the S Works I often forget I am wearing a helmet.

After trying on dozens and dozens of different types of helmet in many shops I can honestly say that the S Works is by far the most comfortable helmet I tried on, but then the fit is perfect for me and the medium fits me like a glove.

****Price and availability****

The S Works is available from many online and offline retailers. If you are thinking of buying an S Works then I would recommend going to a shop and trying one on to ensure that the size and fit is suitable for the shape of your head. Once you have confirmed that it is the 'right' helmet you can then go and carry out an internet search to ensure you get the best deal.

The S Works is not cheap. In fact, it is currently one of the most expensive helmets on the market, but then given the features, the technology used, and the Specialized branding (a highly respected manufacturer of cycling apparel in the two wheeled world) this high price is not surprising.

The recommended retail price of the S Works is £109.99. At the time of writing the S Works can be bought for £89.95 (excluding P&P) from the TriStore.com, although sizes and colours are limited.

****Disadvantages****

Unlike many other types of cycle helmet the S Works is only available in 3 sizes, being S, M and large. Whilst this is OK for me as the medium fits me like a glove these sizes are not going to be ideal for everyone. If you are in between sizes or have an exceptionally large, or small, head then the S Works is not going to be suitable for you. Many riders think that by wearing a bandanna or a buff under the helmet to make it a tighter fit will suffice, but adding another layer to make it fit will reduce the S Work's effectiveness when the worst comes to the worst and you take a tumble.

The S Works is available in limited colour schemes being black/pink strip, black/orange strip, blue/white strip, blue/pink strip and plain black and plain red. Whilst black will 'go' with any colour cycle clothing and bike if you want to colour match with your particular bike or team kit then you are going to struggle.

Many helmets come with a protective hard case to store the helmet when it is not in use. The Specialized doesn't, which surprises me especially since it is a top of the range helmet, which is exceptionally expensive, from a well respected manufacturer. Most top of the range products have the 'extras' thrown in so I have no idea what Specialized are playing at.

Another major disadvantage is the price. At £110 it is one of the most expensive helmets on the market. Whilst it is the lightest and full of modern technology it doesn't make it the safest helmet (there are others that are just as good) so you need to weigh up whether the extra features are worth the additional cost.

****Conclusion****

There is no doubt that the S Works is the most technologically advanced helmet that money can buy and if you like being a leader and at the forefront of technology this helmet is definitely for you. In addition, it is comfortable, very lightweight and stylish. You will be the envy of your local cycling club - just remember to wear all of the other 'right' branded kit (unlike me with my MTB shoes) otherwise you will be met with a frosty reception (those roadies are so fickle. Lol.)

Unfortunately the S Works is one of the most expensive helmets on the market, although it will not protect your head any better than many other cheaper helmets. The question is can you justify the additional expense in buying the S Works?

I bought the S Works because it was the most comfortable one in my local bike shop and, unfortunately, my local bike shop doesn't sell helmets from that many manufacturers, hence I didn't have a wide range to choose from. I would definitely recommend the S Works as it is a great helmet but if I were looking to buy a helmet right now I would shop around a lot more since I don't think the additional for the S Works can be justified and feel a cheaper alternative would have served me just as well.

Summary: A great helmet but you have to wonder if the additional expense can be justified