Specialized Ambush 2 Review and Interview with Helmet Designer
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
- Use LOAMWOLF15 to save 15% (if applicable) at CompetitiveCyclist.com (click here: bit.ly/3pON5DN).
Boasting the highest, 5-star rating from Virginia Tech’s independent testing, the new Specialized Ambush 2 helmet could be one of the safest offerings in the mountain bike helmet market. Specialized started from scratch when designing the new Ambush 2 helmet. With an incredibly light weight for an aggressive trail-duty lid, plenty of safety features and a stylish appearance, it’s a helmet we were excited to try on. We actually drove all the way to Santa Cruz, California to meet with the head of Specialized’s helmet department, Alex Jerome as well as their main marketing legend Allan Cooke for some shreducation on the new helmet. They led me into some of the steepest, dustiest and fastest trails Santa Cruz has on tap and lobbed technical jargon at me in between laps, some of which I may still remember. So here it goes.
The Lab
Starting on the inside and moving out, the new Specialized Ambush 2 helmet is ANGI-ready and features the newer MIPS SL solution. MIPS SL tech is designed to help minimize rotational impacts while eliminating some of the criticisms of their other designs, namely the movement, thickness and noise. It also allows for great airflow as the tech integrates nicely with the padding. From there Specialized used dual-density EPS foam to offer protection from low and high-speed hits.
Between the interior and outer shell is a web of air channels. Specialized used Computational Fluid Dynamic design to maximize the volume of internal channeling. Goals were to not only have a large amount of intake vents, like their brow cooling vent, but to also allow heat to escape out the back and off the top of the rider’s head. Things which they seem to have achieved in our testing thus far. We’ll have to wait until summer temps ramp up to really quantify these claims.
Although the fairly large visor is fixed in position, the field of view and helmet can be adjusted via the Occipital Base Adjustment system. The helmet did not fit me very well out of the box, but within two minutes of sliding the system around I was able to get the Ambush 2 helmet to feel locked-in and comfortable. It still remains one of the more comfortable helmets in the garage.
One of the neatest features is the glasses storage system. Specialized designed hidden, angled rubber flaps that help guide and retain glasses into the above-brow storage area. It’s easy to push glasses in, even on the move and I kept my darkly-tinted glasses in the helmet for the entire ride as it was just too dark in the woods. Not a single rattle or bit of movement from my casual, lifestyle glasses over a multi-hour shred session.
The Dirt
After just a couple of minutes spent adjusting the helmet’s internal system and straps I was done. I’ve not gone back and needed to make any further tweaks or adjustments to the helmet at all. It’s a rather intuitive and easy to set up helmet and should be comfortable for many head shapes out there.
Further adding to the comfort of the helmet is the 368gram weight, which feels almost scary-light. Granted, I’ve been a full face convert as of late, spending more time riding in pedal-friendly full face helmets that weigh closer to 1,000 grams, but still, this helmet is light. The Ambush 2 offers a lot of coverage, instilling more confidence for those unfortunate moments when your head does come to an abrupt stop. Knowing the helmet has been independently tested by a leader in helmet safety also adds to the peace of mind as we sped down trails that could easily entertain a DH bike.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Although I’ve mostly migrated towards pedal-friendly full face helmets for most of my riding, there are days where a traditional open-face mountain bike helmet will do. While I would like to see an adjustable visor for those low-light situations, I don’t think there are many helmets available that are more comfortable, lighter or give me the safety I want, the way the Specialized Ambush 2 does. It checks off almost every box for me when it comes to a trail to enduro-ready helmet. The weight, ventilation, comfort, safety and glasses retention system all stand out as reasons why I plan to wear this helmet any day I’m not wearing a full-face.
Check out the full review here:
theloamwolf.com/2022/03/08/re...
For the Press Release, click here:
theloamwolf.com/2022/03/08/sp...
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Please do a review on the specialized gambit. Thanks 🤙🏻
It looks good but Fixed visor is a non starter. Smith and others figured out how to do it with eye-where integration. I move the visor so often….full up in burns out flow trails and down low when low sun position comes into field of view.
So, what is the visor for if it cannot shade your eyes? I ride in the mornings here in the Texas heat and need to shade my eyes!
Should I get Ambush 2 or Tatic?
If I don't need the eyeglass rubber flapper area for glasses inserts...
Is Ventilation same for Ambush 2 & Tactic?
Is MIPS same for Ambush 2 & Tactic?
Please advise what advantages there would be to getting Ambush 2 instead of Tactic?
I ride Primarily on road...
Thanks For Video...
Do you guys prefer this over the Troy lee a3?
Will this come in round fit like the Tactic 4 ?
I like that the helmet uses the tech from typical road helmets with being able to store your sunglasses, but what's the point of the visor being that high up? Seems like it would only create unnecessary drag and not able to shield the sun.
I said the same thing. In Texas, we have to ride in the heat when the sun is low!
Looks like I need to update my Ambush 1. I just got my Gambit, amazingly comfortable, and have not used it yet. I got the Tactic for my son. Overall, I have had 5 Specialized helmets. I think they are usually leaps and bounds ahead of the other manufacturers in safety and features. I have looked at other brands, but I seem to always come back to Specialized helmets.
Nice! well, be sure to use our LOAMWOLF15 discount code at the link above to competitive cyclist and you may even get a new lid and save a few bucks!
@@TheLoamWolf discount doesn't apply to anything Specialized...
I need that visor to be adjusted to block the sun!! Haha
Is the ambush comp mips equipped and if not am i comprising safety without it?
The Ambush Comp is Mips equipped, so you're good there. Even if a helmet doesn't have mips, it's still going to be safe as they all have to pass the same safety requirements. MIPS adds just a little more protection.
I love how they talk about the helmets "design language" - i saw it and instantly thought that if you paint it silver, you could use it as a prop in 'The Orvil' tv series! LOL
Ps - if you want a quiet slop free MIPS helmet, I totally LOVE my Bell Super Air R, great air flow, comfortable trail helmet, and with a adable chin guard if you want to a bit more dumb shit! ;)
I'm usually with you Specialized, I've got 4 of your bikes, shopping your ebike fleet now. Lots of Specialized accouterments. Love Mike for getting masks for hospitals at the start of the pandemic.
This helmet...is a no go!😄🤣😂
why a no go?
Loved my fox speed frame pro, do I make the switch? Possibly 😂
Speed frame pro is a sick one!!
@@TheLoamWolf it protected my noggin great, but shattered on Impact as designed. I love specialized products so this one will be on my short list since I'm in the market.
Did "Summer conditions in February..." send chills crawling up anyone else's spine?
Hahaha.... It was bad!
Hey Specialized! Why do most products only come in gross sad colors like black, tan, gray etc? Are the designers depressed or is color too expense now a days?
they are going to have this in Texas A&M Maroon color!
If it’s anything like the Gambit, it will be fucking terrible.
It’s not. We don’t love the Gambit and this thing is pretty sweet.
@@TheLoamWolf what's wrong with the Gambit??
Man! That is one uggly Helmet, the size of a'Motorcykel Helmet and Fixed Visor😝 No No Back to the Drawing Board,smal and light with adjustabel Visor is the way to go!
IMO, it looks awful, fixed visor is a no-go, and quite overpriced.
Fugliest helmet in a Long time
rip off