Thu, 17 Oct 2002, 23:16:30 UTC-08:00
Open the pod bay doors...
After searching all over for a new Giro E2 (I really wanted a 2002 or 2003 model in carbon... big surprise) and failing horribly (for various reasons), I decided to take my LBS up on their offer to sell me a Special Edition "Blue Flame" 2002 E2 they were trying to get rid of on closeout. Seems everyone else was out of stock on bike helmets since the season's wound down and new helmets had yet to be received. Most shops told me they wouldn't be getting new helmets in for up to 3 months. Let me tell you, October is a bad time to smash up your helmet... But then again, is there ever a good time to crash?
My LBS said they would order a new 2003 E2 in carbon but couldn't promise when they would take delivery. I originally had them place the order but called them back a couple of days later and told them I'd take the "Blue Flame" model they had. It originally sold for $175. They had it marked down to $145 and sold it to me for $120.
The main differences from my old 2001 model E2 is a RocLoc-4 (old one was RocLoc-3) and an improved visor-clip system. The sidestraps of the RocLoc are now molded into the helmet rather than being attached via glued on velcro strips like in the previous year's model. This is an immense improvement in my eyes since I had just recently repaired my old helmet by regluing the velcro strips which had come loose from a season's worth of sweat.
At first I thought I would hate the blue flame colour scheme but I've actually grown to like it. It doesn't match my bikes quite as well as the carbon but then again that may not be a bad thing. The special edition model also differs from the other models in that it comes with a "helmet pod" which is basically a hard-shell carrying-case with a clip-handle, vents on the bottom to air/dry out the helmet and a little extra internal space for things like gloves and sunglasses.
Here are some pictures of my new skidlid...
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Posted by khuon on Thu, 17 Oct 2002, 23:16:30 UTC-08:00