First ride review: Specialized S-Works Evade 2018 – is this the new benchmark for aero helmets?
For the 2018 season the Specialized S-Works Evade Aero helmet has undergone a thorough facelift. We took it to the freezing snowstorms and tested its aero-credentials and gonna explain the most important features.
According to Specialized their 2018 S-Works Evade aero-helmet has been entirely revised. In order to optimise aerodynamics and ventilation the new version of the Evade spent a great deal of time in the wind tunnel. The improved sweat-pad absorbs the sweat and transports it to the side to ensure clear visibility. The new magnetic fastening system is easy to operate even with one hand and the wide range of adjustments help you achieve a perfect fit. Like the previous model the new Evade will be available in small, medium and large sizes; according to the manufacturer a size M helmet weighs 240 g. Our test model in Large weighs 284 g and therefore is in the same league as the Abus GameChanger. As a reference the HJC Furion with its very compact design weighs only 240 g in Large.
Straight away we were impressed with the many adjustment-options of the Evade. The trademark Specialized-shape is typically elongated and narrowly cut. In comparison with the HJC Furion and the Abus GameChanger the Evade appears to be significantly bigger in an equivalent sizing which is due to the larger rear-end of the helmet. Specialized has taken the ventilation issue extremely seriously! With a temperature of – 4 degrees this caused a temporary brain freeze on our test ride. Unfortunately the sweat pad test has dramatically failed at those temperatures 🙂
Conclusion
Both the S-Works 7 Rd shoes and the Evade helmet will be available starting from the 9th of February. The Evade helmet comes at a price of € 249.90 and in four different colour options: yellow-orange, black, white and rocket-red.
Also new: What’s Peter Sagan’s favourite racing-shoe capable of? Here you can find our first ride review on the Specialized S-Works 7 Rd 2018.
For more information head to specialized.com
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Words: Photos: Robin Schmitt, Manuel Buck
