Review: Specialized Ambush 2 Helmet
Specialized's Ambush helmet has long been a favorite among mountain bikers – the previous version was light, well ventilated, and didn't look too outlandish. Version 2.0 aims to keep that trend going, although this is much more than a slight revision. The Ambush received a complete overhaul, and it's really only the name that's the same.
The overall look isn't that far off from the recently released Tactic helmet – the larger vents on the side of the Ambush are what visually set the two helmets apart. The Ambush's visor is fixed in place on each side and at the top of the helmet, and is designed to break away in the event of a crash. If it does break away, and assuming the rest of the helmet hasn't been damaged, it's easy to pop back into place.
The overall look isn't that far off from the recently released Tactic helmet – the larger vents on the side of the Ambush are what visually set the two helmets apart. The Ambush's visor is fixed in place on each side and at the top of the helmet, and is designed to break away in the event of a crash. If it does break away, and assuming the rest of the helmet hasn't been damaged, it's easy to pop back into place.
Specialized Ambush 2 Details
• MIPS SL low-friction liner
• Dual density EPS foam
• ANGi crash sensor compatible
• Dedicated glasses slots
• Weight: 360 grams (size M, actual)
• Five star Virginia Tech rating, CPSC certified
Colors: black, white, red, deep marine, wild dove grey, white sage
• MSRP: $180 USD
• specialized.com
• MIPS SL low-friction liner
• Dual density EPS foam
• ANGi crash sensor compatible
• Dedicated glasses slots
• Weight: 360 grams (size M, actual)
• Five star Virginia Tech rating, CPSC certified
Colors: black, white, red, deep marine, wild dove grey, white sage
• MSRP: $180 USD
• specialized.com
The Ambush is equipped with MIPS SL, which uses a plastic slip plane on the back of each pad. Rubber bands attach the pads to the inner portion of the helmet with velcro. It's a less bulky, and quieter, solution than the less expensive version that uses a sheet of plastic with pads mounted on top of it. The concept remains the same, though – the plastic is designed to allow the helmet to move more freely during a crash, reducing the amount of rotational forces.
Dual density EPS foam is used to provide the bulk of the helmet's impact protection, and the entire outer portion is covered with a layer of plastic to help keep it from getting damaged by errant branches, or during transport. The Ambush received a 5 star rating from Virginia Tech, the highest rating possible. According to Virginia Tech, their tests are intended to “evaluate a helmet's ability to reduce linear acceleration and rotational velocity of the head resulting from a range of head impacts a cyclist might experience.”
A ratcheting dial that's mounted into the back of the helmet is used to adjust the fit, and there's a 5-position 'Occipital Base Adjustment' that changes where the front of the helmet sits in order to ensure there's enough room for glasses and goggles. Speaking of glasses, the Ambush has one of the most secure sunglasses holding systems around. Flip the glasses upside down, stick the arms in to the outermost vents above the forehead and they'll stay put no matter how rough the trail. Little rubber flaps in each vent increase the security even further, and also keeps the arms from rattling around against the helmet.
The Ambush is available in available in sizes S, M, and L and retails for $180 USD. My size medium helmet weighed in at 360 grams.
The position of the Tri-Fix splitter is adjustable - it can be slid forward or back to keep the strap from digging into a rider's ears.
A ratcheting dial is integrated into the back of the helmet, and can easily be operated with one hand to adjust the fit around the head.
FIT AND ADJUSTMENTS
The previous Ambush sits at the top of my all-time-favorite helmets list, which means the new version had a very high bar to clear. As far as the overall fit goes, it's comfortable, although not quite as invisible as the previous version – that one cradled the back of my head a little better, and it felt a little lighter, even thought this new version isn't that much heavier. If I was going to hand out a report card on comfort, the previous version would get a solid A, and this new one would get a B+. Of course, fit is a subjective thing, and there's a wide range of head shapes. For what it's worth, my head shape is more watermelon than beach ball, and measures 57 cm in circumference.
The adjustment dial at the back of the helmet is easy to use on the fly, and the base adjustment is a quick and easy way to get the helmet sitting in the right place.
The MIPS SL system places the plastic slip plane on the back side of each pad.
The Ambush uses dual density EPS foam.
VENTILATION
Part of my testing took place in Tucson, Arizona, where temperatures hit the mid-80's (29 C). That's about the maximum temperature I can handle before I start to melt, and the Ambush performed well throughout it all. Airflow throught the large front vents was noticeable, and even at slower speeds I never felt like I was overheating, at least not due to the helmet. The brow pad isn't overly thick, but it did its job, and I didn't have any trouble with sweat dripping into my eyes or onto my glasses.
FEATURES
Does the Ambush's visor actually do anything, or is it there purely for fashion's sake? In the name of science, I aimed myself at the sun and removed the visor, and then put it back on again. It turns out, it does block at least some of the glare, although it could obviously block some more if it had downward adjustability. I can see this being a polarizing feature, but for me, I'm fine with where it is – on most helmets I'll raise the visor until it's out of my field of view and never touch it again.
A small plastic flap keeps the sunglass arms from rattling around when they're being stored.
GLASSES RETENTION
I may not be a visor fiddler, but I do constantly remove my sunglasses (well, they're more like safety glasses in the Pacific Northwest) before a big climb to keep them from fogging up. The Ambush's storage system is hands down the most secure that set up that I've encountered It sometimes took a couple tries to get the glasses into the right slots, but once in place they're not going anywhere. I made sure to do some aggressive headbanging (thank you, Pantera), and the glasses never budged. It's a clever feature, and one that so many other helmets don't get right.
WEIGHT & PRICE
The Ambush's weight is in line with other helmets in this category, and in some cases is a fair bit lighter. The same goes for the $180 price tag - it's not the most expensive, or the least expensive high-end helmet out there. At 360 grams, the Ambush's weight is the same as the recently released Giro Merit helmet ($220), 20 grams lighter than a Fox Speedframe Pro ($170), and 55 grams lighter than a Troy Lee Designs A3 ($220).
Pros
+ Well ventilated
+ Wide range of fit adjustments
+ Impressively secure sunglasses storage
Cons
- Non-adjustable visor won't be for everyone.
- Not as light as the previous version
Pinkbike's Take
 | The new Ambush has all the traits you'd hope to find in a modern, high-end trail helmet. There's a wide range of adjustability, good safety features, plenty of ventilation, and the best sunglasses retention around. Its level of comfort doesn't surpass that of the original, but it comes close enough that I'm okay with retiring my well-used (and sort of smelly) Ambush 1 and letting version 2.0 take over. |
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That is textbook design without consideration of use. Actually a lot of bike helmets have that issue, they might look great sitting on a shelf, or while spinning the 3D model around. But once on somebodies head... UGH!
Especially the visor. Being blinded by the sun could cause a crash, at which point that would make a non-adjustable helmet less safe.
I admittedly don't love the look of the non-adjustable visor on the new one.
That said, the new one's visor is at least as effective as the old one IMO, and the new one has a lot more coverage down the back of your head. My totally unscientific guess is that in a bad crash I'd fare better in the new one, even after a good experience with the previous one.
Moreover- what does it matter if you think it’s ugly?! You’re not looking at it and best of all, you can enrage the purists at the trail head wearing it! They’ll be cussing you as you ride past them, whilst they adjust with the seat post length on their 1992 klein hardtail, dripping sweat into their eyes from their Giro switchblade helmet.
You do you champ and we’ll all just chuckle at your silly little ideology of ‘no change perfection’…………
Realistically, I have to believe 1 thru 10 (arbitrary number) all have roughly the same level of protection. As in, if you got a concussion with #10, you almost certainly would have with #1. So then fit/comfort, ventilation, price and yes, even aesthetics will play a part in selecting one of those helmets.
In addition, while I understand that there are structural shapes for the helmet's safety will have a bearing on how it looks...to some degree - like the freakin' visor are arbitrary and design choices unrelated directly to the safety part.
The system consists of a star and numeric rating. There are 77 5 star rated bicycle helmets with a numeric rating from 8.55 for the best to 13.99 for the worst. We have already seen people saying that the Tactic 4 is the "safest" or the "best" helmet. How big is the actual difference between 5 star number 1 and 5 star number 77 and outside of personal fit, is there any reason to look at anything other than say, the top 5 helmets?
I think it’s kind of lame for people to judge products without actually trying them. I like the Tactic better than my A2s, A3, and Sweet Protection Bushwhacker II Carbon. Those are all really nice, feature rich helmets. No, this is not the Tactic, but it’s significantly similar.
As a point of reference: The FOX Speedframe Pro has the same safety rating by Virginia Tech, is also made from dual-density foam, has MIPS and FidLock, looks a lot better and is roughly 50% cheaper.
If this 2.0 fits then the 15% coupon at Speci's site would be nice cuz my LBS ain't budging off MSRP (as they shouldn't).
Sincerely,
Giro Manifest via eBay deal guy
Thank you for including this, and also for the tester info panel that’s appearing in the bike reviews now.
Seems like a great deal. Naaaat
The "old" Ambush is functional, comfortable and saved my noggin countless times. I'll keep buying them.
bicicletta.cc/products/specialized-ambush-with-angi
Smith Convoy, Lazer Chiru ($55 USD with MIPS!!!), Kali Pace, Giant Roost, etc.
Not true. All helmets must meet the same safety standards. Expensive helmets are lighter, better ventilated, fit better and look better. A 20$ walmart helmet is just as safe as any other helmet, not taking into account features like MIPS.
www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html#0
There's also a $65 helmet at #5, and a $50 helmet at #8
Anecdotal as it may be, I find myself opting for these "inexpensive" options for my half shell and having them break down inside of a year through "normal wear and tear" aka the pads break down and in at least two instances the adjustment dial has failed. I've stuck with name brands, and meanwhile I did not price shop for my full face, both of them lasted much longer to the wear and tear, only becoming unusable after crashing. I wear both helmets at about the same rate, and I'd argue that my FF has more exposure to sweat, so the durability exists but is not often considered for less expensive options. As such I and others that may not be able or willing to shell out for an expensive option have a higher burden of cost over the long run as we end up replacing more regularly.
In fact, a high end helmet may be a bit less safe in some ways, if they have iterated the design, added more vents, used less foam, cut weight; to get to the point where it *just* passes the standard, but they get to claim it is the lightest in class or has the most vent holes.
Walmart/decathalon/halfords budget line makes a design, checks it passes and sells it. It could be massively overly strong.