After taking a look at our road helmets last week, this week it is the turn of our mountain bike collection, suiting multiple disciplines from enduro to downhill; Sunday jaunt with the family or MTB World Cup. Some of the best bikers in the world wear Specialized helmets in racing and training so let’s take a look at some of our range and why they’re the pick of the pack.
S-Works Dissident
Downhill MTB racing is a true spectacle, but hurling yourself off a mountain-top, plummeting into the valley below with the perfect balance of pace and control – not forgetting the occasional high-speed launch into open air – is neither easy nor the safest way to spend ten minutes. Nothing but the very best is good enough for downhill racers who make a living out of testing gravity, and the S-Works Dissident is just that: the very best.
Engineered to protect World Cup downhill and gravity riders, the S-Works Dissident is simply the lightest, most-ventilated and technically advanced full-face carbon fibre helmet you could hope to lay your hands on. While its 3D sculpted cheek pads and 4th Dimension Cooling System take care of airflow when the sun bakes the mountainside, the Carbon Matrix shell makes sure it is light and comfortable enough for full days in the saddle.
Nothing has been neglected in this helmet which meets the ASTM DH safety testing standards; goes without saying. It is compatible with the Helmet EJECT™ system and Leatt™ brace and includes a magnetic chin strap buckle to improve comfort and allow for quick and easy one-handed use. So, besides its protective and ventilation features, the Dissident is an intuitive piece of kit that will settle in comfortably with your existing equipment and hectic MTB lifestyle.
Australian veteran of mountain biking, Jared Graves, joined up with the Specialized Factory Racing Team in 2016, bringing with him more than a decade of pro racing experience. Widely regarded as one of the hardest working and passionate athletes on the pro cycling scene, Graves has raced multiple disciplines in his career, including 4-Cross, Downhill and, taking his focus more recently, Enduro.
Look out for Jared and his S-Works Dissident as he tears up the trails in the Enduro World Series when it kicks off with Round 1 in Chile on 24th March.
Ambush
The Specialized Ambush provides the most extensive coverage and protection possible without stepping into full-face territory. Favoured for its light weight and supreme ventilation, this spec’d out helmet is perfect for ripping down the trails during long days on the pedals.
The Ambush boasts Energy Optimised Multi-Density EPS foam construction around an Aramid Reinforced Skeleton that adds structure and strength to the foam without increasing the weight. Not a single thing has been left out of this immensely versatile helmet which is fully compliant with our Mindset 360 fit system, optimised for on-the-fly adjustment through the five visor positions.
What’s more, cooling is managed by our 4th Dimension Cooling System’s enormous vents and exhaust ports, so fears of overheating can be left in the dust.
Living in a log cabin in the Highlands of Scotland, Hannah Barnes is the human embodiment of pedalling passion who has made a life out of racing and sharing her all-consuming love of two-wheeled adventures. Now racing for Specialized – when not dabbling in an off-season career in nursing – Hannah Barnes will be visible in all her Specialized regalia, including Ambush helmet, in the season to come.
It’s not just pros who love the Ambush. Tom Marvin of What Mountain Bike magazine gave it a near-perfect BikeRadar score of 4.5, describing it as “One of the best vented, most comfortable trail lids on the market, minus the stupid price tag”.
Ambush Comp
The barely any more basic baby brother of the Ambush is the Ambush Comp, borrowing most of the superlative features of the Ambush, just packaged in an even more affordable construction. This helmet is made from a single density foam which is reinforced by a Composite Matrix, a hybrid which efficiently manages impact while maintaining lightweight properties.
The Ambush Comp has a neat low-profile aesthetic which is fully-integrated with the Midset 360 fit system, enabling quick and easy adjustments of the visor to accommodate varying conditions from rain to bright sun. It shares the same level of ventilation as the top-shelf model, boasting a 4th Dimension Cooling System with its massive vents and exhaust ports. There is absolutely no reason why this helmet should not be your lid of choice on even the hottest days out on the trails.
But don’t just take our word for it. The guys at Bike Mag couldn’t help but sing its praises:
“Simply put, the Ambush Comp settles into the fore and aft sweet spot, and is comfortable enough to nearly forget you're wearing it altogether.”
