While it’s often the products at the top of the tree that make the biggest headlines, it’s the mid-range products that are probably most relevant to most of us. We recently saw Specialized launch the new Evade and Prevail helmets in aero and vent-forward models respectively, and today the company has combined the characteristics of both to create an updated version of his Propero helmet in the second tier. is created. In addition to this, it also takes the form of the S-Works Torch shoes we reviewed in 2022, with the release of the Torch 3.0 and Torch 2.0 shoes for those on a budget.
All-New Propero 4 Helmet
It’s not often that a brand’s less-than-top product outperforms its top-of-the-line product, but that’s exactly the case with the new Propero. Specialized top-level helmets have very different use cases. The Specialized Prevail is more breathable and the Evade is more aerodynamic. The new Propero takes many design cues from the Evade, but adds even more ventilation and what the brand claims is more aerodynamic than his Previal model.
Aerodynamics seems to have been on the design team’s mind, as the press materials rely heavily on new aerodynamic claims. Compared to the current Evade, the new Propero 4 is 4 watts faster and at 45 km/h it takes him 15 seconds to cover 40 km. Naturally, it doesn’t challenge the brand’s aero models, but the form factor is certainly similar. From the front, Propero and Evade look very similar. It is on the side where the two diverge.
Propero is significantly more breathable than Evade. Not quite as much as the Prevail, but trying not to infringe on the USP, there are two large side vents near the rear, and the rear section looks a lot like the Prevail, so there’s certainly some overlap. Just like a motorcycle is more aero in the front and lighter in the rear, this helmet is more aero in the front and lighter in the rear.
Specialized also uses something called “microchanneling” to enhance cooling. It’s hard to tell from the images we’ve seen how it’s achieved, but Specialized says “2mm offset microchannels” create turbulence within the helmet, similar to the behavior of a tumble dryer. It is said that it promotes cooling.
In the case of size M, the total weight has been reduced by 30g compared to the previous model, to 290g. MIPS protection and Virginia Tech’s 5-star rating complete the specs, priced at US$200 / AU$310 / £165 / €190.
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pass the torch
The S-Works Torch shoes were certainly well received here cycling news. A 4.5 star review is actually just a significant decrement in value. At £385 / $450 / €440, it’s a great investment. Since then, nothing notable has happened from the Torch series, except for a lace-up version coming in 2023.
Now, Specialized has taken the same form factor as the S-Works Torch and applied it to two new models in the lower price range: the Specialized Torch 3.0 and the Torch 2.0.
The Torch 3.0 is marketed towards enthusiasts, and visually it’s hard to tell it apart from its S-Works cousin. Rather than the S-Works version of his BOA S3, the twin BOA Li2 dials improve the fit, and the total weight is 288g vs. 220g (this is EU42 vs. EU43, so not a completely direct comparison, but it’s about the same). as found).
Further down, the Torch 2.0 is designed as a more entry-level shoe and features the same foam, last, etc., but swaps out the lower BOA dial for a Velcro strap. The carbon sole is also woven rather than unidirectional, and the outer is a single layer of synthetic material rather than his TPU and mesh construction found on his 3.0 and S-Works models.
The 2.0 model is priced at US$180 / AU$270 / £165 / €200, while the 3.0 model is priced at US$250 / AU$390 / £210 / €250.