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review

Abus S Force Road helmet

8
£49.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Well made, neutral-styled road lid that's a solid performer for most types of riding
Weight: 
309g
Contact: 
www.abus.com

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Abus are fairly new to the helmet game but they've quickly made a name for themselves as a producer of good quality lids and the S Force Road is no exception: it's a well made mid-range helmet for general purpose riding.

The S Force Road is, as you'd expect, mainly constructed from EPS foam with an in-moulded hard shell which covers most, but not all of the helmet's outer surface: the rear vents have no shell. The retention system is simple and effective with two ratchet clips allowing for a good range of head sizes. Internal padding is well placed and comfortable, though it's not the thickest. There's 24 vents to keep you cool as well as air channels within the shell to move heat away from your head. The buckle has a chin pad included which is a nice touch, as is the reflective on the rear vents. Abus test their lids to the European EN1078 standard.

Overall the helmet is a neutral looking bit of kit. It looks quite slim on the head with a bit less noticeable bulk than others I've tried recently. That's not necessarily reflected in the weight – 309g (Large) isn't super light by any means – but is more to do with the shape. Whether it'll fit you depends on your bonce but I found it very comfortable for all types of riding, and the venting certainly does its job. If you just want a helmet you can wear for all your road riding then the S Force Road won't look out of place at the traffic lights or on the Sportive start line, and at a penny under £50 (less online) it's decent value too

Verdict

Well made, neutral-styled road lid that's a solid performer for most types of riding

road.cc test report

Make and model: Abus S Force Road helmet

Size tested: L

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
6/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 190cm  Weight: 98kg

I usually ride: whatever I\'m testing...  My best bike is: Trek 1.5 with Ultegra 6700

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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