New Stuff Lust!

[STP]

It is amazing. Every year, the industry comes out with new stuff that you almost, absolutely gotta have! If you handle the goods, then it's even worse.

Case in point; I drop by my local LBS and sponsor, The Block Shop in Lancaster to pick up some supplies. The owner Rich Bartlett, is there with the Specialized Rep, Bob Meeker. They both race, so the passion is there.

On the counter, I see a bright red helmet, that looks like it's been demolished, but that's not the case. It's a demo that has been cut away to show the internal structure. A brand new identical helmet is in the box underneath. It is the 2008 S-Works helmet.

It is beautiful. I take the shiny, blood red helmet and I try it on. It weighs nearly nothing. It fits my noggin perfectly. Bob comes over, picks up the demo-cut away and starts telling me about the double-density foam body, which is super dense, but incredibly thin. There aren't any individual pads in the helmet. Instead a full padded lattice covers all of the inner foam.

The cutaway reveals a kevlar skeleton, imbedded in the foam. The light weight, white straps are super thin and to save weight, Specialized S-Works engineers, even put lightening holes in the petite connectors! The air flow has been reworked again. Bob tells me, that this is the lightest helmet on the market. Period.

I put the box under my arm. I'm taking it. But I can't! It's his dealer demo. It's the only one! It's $229! But it feels so perfect and light. I pull out a handgun and wave them back. No, I'm taking this with me! You can't stop me! Bahawaaahhaa. But I put that thought away.

The attention to detail and engineering on this helmet are unbelievable. Typical S-Works. Just like the new S-Works Carbon FSR Stumpjumper. This sport is bad. I did walk out with the new $90 Specialized sneakers, because they come with a real MTB shoe insert, which I needed for my ancient SIDI's. BTW, the helmet is not even on the Specialized website yet. But if you get a chance, try one on.

[tkblazer]

you're telling me.... i want a new bike every week

some of the guys buy a new bike every month! (pacman, genus, guero)

[BrewMaster]

I just got into MTBing but I already feel it. I have to limit the number of trips to my LBS or I will be in the poor house.

[xhuskr]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

I have to limit the number of trips to my LBS or I will be in the poor house.

u said it brother