I wrote about the new Specialized S3 helmet I’d picked up after wearing it for just one ride – hardly a glowing review, but how has it faired for the riding I’ve done since?
To be fair, it’s been bearable. Mostly. But the tail end of a recent ride put paid to that.
As I suggested in the previous review, I have been wearing it pretty much since that first ride with a skull cap – partly as a sweat control thing, partly as a comfort thing. With the skullcap on it seems to be a perfectly comfortable helmet, and it certainly makes it more bearable to use. As the Sydney weather has cooled the skullcap has been a help for temperature control anyway, particularly for the 5-6am starts. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword though as some days the skull cap makes you overheat but without it the sweat would be running down your face (honestly, that ‘big mouth’ vent at the front and the lack of contact with your forehead is a real problem), and at times I can’t help thinking I’d be sweating less if I didn’t have to wear the skull cap in the first place.
Why was that ride such an issue? Well, after a coffee stop towards the end of the ride I decided to ride the 15km home without the skullcap. That proved to be 15km of constant fidgeting to try and make the helmet comfortable – the damn thing just felt horrid! It was a combination of the issues I’d highlighted on that first ride report where the contact areas at the front felt all wrong whilst the ‘Mindset’ settings at the back didn’t seem secure enough. It made me want to conveniently ‘accidentally drop’ the damn thing or even purposely fall off and hit my head so that I could justify replacing it.
Another issue I’ve noticed is that if the helmet isn’t tipped far enough forward the straps behind the ears go slack. The extent of this will no doubt vary by person, but for me it feels like I’m tipping the lid far too low at the front to maintain taught straps, and it certainly does nothing to enhance the comfort of it. Additionally if the helmet slips back at all whilst you’re riding and those rear straps do go saggy again they make an awful noise at speed – very bloody annoying when they’re so close to your ears, believe me.
The only positive I can draw is that it looks alright, and that the tension adjuster on the Mindset strap at the back is a very solid, positive system. I managed to find a location where my Oakley Jawbones stay in place too, although it can be a fiddly spot to find and getting my Radars into the front vents is a significantly easier option.
For the moment I’ll continue to use it, but purely because I’m still not able to work and therefore simply cannot justify another $250 on a replacement. I reckon a new helmet will be one of the first things I buy when I do have a job though – I’ve only had it six weeks or so, but I’m not sure I can put up with this thing much longer…
Tags:bicycles,mindset,mtb helmet,prevail,removable peak,road bike helmet,road bikes,S3,specialized
15 thoughts on “Specialized S3 Helmet – Follow Up Review”
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I bought my S3 after my older specialized (women’s d2 i think) split when a bike fell over on it *sad* at the start of May. I’ve had none of the issues you mention although your initial review did nearly put me off buying it! I find it just as comfy and a good fit as my old one. My only issue with spec helmets is the straps which seem to loosen off every few rides. I thought the bulky clasps under the ears might be a bit annoying when I tried it on in the shop but haven’t noticed them since! Have worn it with a cap a few times, but mostly without anything underneath it. i don’t sweat loads so haven’t experienced any of the sweat issues you mention but I’ll let you know when I test it out abroad in 35 degree heat on a long climb!
Get the helmet brand with the top adjustment… They are comfy and superb… It’s starts with the letter L and ends is R….
Lazer? Their sizing is all wrong for me!
I agree with DGOAB, this is a great helmet. I sweat a lot and I have not had the problem you mention – the helmet is well ventilated and the lack of forehead contact means you don't get a soaking wet pad on your head for the downhill. All the other reviews I have read rave about this helmet – it must be a personal fit issue with you – which I think you should accept could be the case. I am on to my second S3 – the first having saved my skull, so I would be happy to recommend it to anyone, so long as the fit is good.
I have an Echelon and a Vise and wanted to move up to an S3. I totally agree with the review; they got the rear straps too long with no adjustment and the gap between the band and the front is too wide. The Prevail fixed these things and a few other details.
I wanted to love this thing but took it back. I'd buy a Prevail but $500 a pound for styrofoam helmet is just too over the top for me, and there is no reason why I feel like paying Specialized another hundred bucks for fixing Their mistakes.
These guys seem to ilke it! http://www.bicycling.com/node/60315
Good for them – we all have different heads, and it's a lid that really doesn't work for me.
I'm relegating mine to MTB use with the visor permanently attached just as soon as I can afford to buy a new road lid.
Precisely, and a wiser head would have recognised that before rubbishing a perfectly good helmet. It fits me and obviously lots of other people perfectly…
Rubbishing? No. Honestly reviewing based on my own personal experience? Yes. I can't say <em>"it's an awesome helmet but I hate it"</em>, nor am I going to say it's good just because others have – I don't get along with it so I have tried to explain to my readers why that is.
You (and apparently many others) really like it – great! I'm pleased for you (and them), really I am. Personally I think it's poorly designed and doesn't work as intended, and I'm comparing to 2 previous high-end Giros and a Met, all of which worked and fitted much better.
If you have a problem with my reviews, don't read them!
to claim now you didn't rubbish it is rubbish – read your own "review". I think what you are trying to say is that it doesn't work for you – fair enough. But a review should not just be about you. Clearly it is not "poorly designed" since it works for others and is very similar in that respect to the Sworks, which is used by many pros. A good reviewer wold recognise this, which you did not. As you suggest I will read proper reviews in future….
Did you bother to read <a href="http://biketart.cc/2012/04/22/specialized-s3-helmet-first-ride-report/" title="Spesh S3 Review" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the original review</a>, rather than just the follow-up?…
Yes I read both and my comments apply to both. In any case it seems you chose a helmet that simply did not suit you – bad choice – but it does suit many others as almost all the reviews say. You are entitled to your opinion but please don't claim it is a review.
What is a review if it's not the reviewer's opinion?!
OK my mistake – if you don't like something – it's rubbish, full stop. Now I understand.
I'll stick to Cycling Plus in future.
Please dont reply to this, you obviously have much more time on your hands than I do. Please remove me from your site.
<em>"It sounds like I’m dead against the S3. I’m not at all really – it just has a few issues that I wasn’t expecting having found it so comfortable in the shop. Much of this could be down to my own head shape and the fact that I’m ‘a sweater’, if you’ll excuse the term. Yes, I was expecting it to be better, but I have come from a string of three very good lids. I’m just going to have to use a light weight cap or skull cap to stop my glasses constantly getting sprayed with sweat.
If it fits you and you don’t sweat much it will be a very good option (as I’m sure with the more expensive and slightly lighter Prevail), but if you know you sweat heavily I’d suggest you go with something else."</em>
Enjoy Cycling Plus.