2012 Specialized Dissident

CLIENT

PROJECT NAME

Jun

2012

2012 Specialized Dissident – Team Carbon

6/11/2012 : sicklines

During Crankworx last year Specialized unveiled their new full face DH helmet called the Dissident. They’re available now and inside we take a look at some of the production features of the helmet.

Specialized’s goal with Dissident was to make the lightest, safest and most technologically advanced full-face, DH race/gravity helmet in the world. Previously they’ve made many helmets and with over 100 years of combined helmet experience within their team, they are trying to raise the DH helmet benchmark.

We shot a quick video with Kevin on the Dissident that runs through a lot of the details to the helmet and its development.

Dissident - Team Carbon

Key Features

The Dissident complies with one or more of the following safety standards for bicycle helmets: CPSC, SNELL B-95, CE and ASTM 1952 (standard for downhill mountain bike racing helmets)
Engineered to protect World Cup DH and gravity riders – ASTM DH
Lightweight Carbon Matrix shell – target weight 1000g
4th Dimension Cooling
Helmet EJECT™ system compatible
Leatt™ brace compatible
Speaker compatible

Out of the box, our Team Carbon Dissident came with a nice helmet bag for storage / transportation. The Dissident is also available two color options (Team Carbon / Dragboat Black) that are subtly Specialized branded.

Dissident Box and Helmet Bag

No extra visor, but the visor in general is fairly flexible so damage should be fairly limited in the event of a crash.

The Dissident has a focus on cooling as well and has internal channels that direct airflow from the front vents to the rear vents. On hot days and comfort in general, this helps riders.

internal venting detail (click to enlarge)

The front venting is quite big and Specialized included a piece of moto-foam in the mouthpiece that is removable should you want to open the venting up even more.

moto foam removed

The Dissident is also Eject compatible that allows a paramedic to remove the helmet from a downed rider a bit easier and safer.

Eject air bag detail

Eject air bag action detail

cheek pad removed (click to enlarge)

He helmet also is quite light and Specialized hit their sub 1000g goal quite easily. Our large helmet rang in at 973g. Lightweight and all day-comfort.