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Specialized adds MIPS and crash detection technology to 2019 helmets

The helmet that calls for help if you have a crash

Specialized wants to take safety seriously with the introduction of crash detection sensors on its 2019 helmets and the rollout of MIPS for the first time.

From 2019 many of the helmets sold by Specialized will feature ANGi (Angular and G-Force indicator), a crash detection technology that can alert emergency contacts in the event of a crash.

ANGi is a helmet-mounted sensor using an accelerometer and gyroscope to measure the forces transmitted through the helmet in a crash. It’s small, fixing to the back of the helmet, and doesn’t add much weight to the helmet.

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Specialized_Tyler_Roemer_hires-010-squashed

Once you’ve started the app and your ride, the ANGi will check in every 5 minutes throughout the ride. If the worse happens and you have a crash, and a sufficient force is detected, the sensor will trigger the Ride App to start a countdown and sound an alarm.

If hopefully, it’s a false alarm, you can stop the countdown. If you’re not okay, the app will eventually alert your emergency contacts with your GPS coordinates. By default, the countdown duration is 30 seconds, but you can configure this in the Ride App.

Specialized_Tyler_Roemer_hires-008-squashed

When you finish your ride, turning off the app puts the sensor to sleep. To wake the sensor before a new ride you need to give it a vigorous shake to wake it and reconnect to the app.

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The app also allows your ride plans to be shared with friends and family with an optional live tracking link so they can follow you on your ride.

Specialize Evade ANGi MIPS-2

While a smartphone and reception is required for general use, Specialized says it offers an option if you’re heading into the remote countryside where there might not be any reception. You can set your estimated ride time before you set off and if you don’t complete your ride within the allotted time, ANGi will send a notification to your contacts with your last uploaded location whether you have reception or not, claims Specialized.

If at this point you’re thinking this technology sounds familiar and wondering if we haven’t previously tested something very similar? Well, yes, a few years ago we tested the ICEdot sensor and the similarities are no coincidence: Specialized acquired the company in 2017 and the ICEdot founder Chris Zenthoefer now works for Specialized leading the development of ANGi as it is now called.

Specialize Evade ANGi MIPS-7

Stu concluded in his review of ICEdot that it was brilliant for solo riders and well worth the investment.

Specialized is packaging the new ANGi sensor with lots of its helmets for 2019, including the aero Evade II, the Prevail II and the Propero, as well as four mountain bike and one youth helmet. All other 2019 helmets will feature a specifically designed attachment point to which you can attach an aftermarket ANGi sensor.

As well as the sensor-equipped helmet you’ll also need a suitable smartphone to run the Ride App. You get the first year subscription for free, but if you decide you can’t live without ANGi you’ll have to pay a small yearly fee.

Specialize Evade ANGi MIPS-4

As well as the ANGi tech, Specialized is also jumping on the MIPS bandwagon, offering the anti-rotational impact technology to every helmet in its range.

It was only a matter of time really, every other helmet brand appears to now offer a MIPS helmet. Specialized has gone a step further, working with the Swedish company that developed MIPS to produced a brand new MIPS SL for its range-topping helmets, like the Evade and Prevail.

Specialize Evade ANGi MIPS-6

It comprises rows of small rectangular strips that are integrated into the helmet padding to ensure there’s no impact on the fit and comfort of the helmet. According to the blurb in front of me, MIPS SL provides up to 15mm of rotation in every direction and the same brain protection as other versions of MIPS.

Specialize Evade ANGi MIPS-1

It all sounds very interesting, and we’ve got a new Evade aero helmet in and we’re going to try it out over the next week or two, so watch out for first impressions and a first look video as well.

More at www.specialized.com

 

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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5 comments

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cougie | 5 years ago
0 likes

Some Garmins can send the text alert too.  My mate braked for traffic lights - nothing out of the normal and next thing it was sending alerts off  - so you need to get that dialled in right...

 

The new See Sense lights also do it. 

Avatar
Freddy56 | 5 years ago
1 like

class tech. keeping us safe

Avatar
Simon E replied to Freddy56 | 5 years ago
1 like

Freddy56 wrote:

class tech. keeping us safe

Filed as "shit some cynical bar stewards will sell us by exploiting fear" alongside the indicators, brake lights and other 'clever' shit we don't need.

My wife tries not to worry. This won't make it any better. An app, text or notification from my fancy hat or a GPS toy isn't going to help her - she'd panic and feel helpless if it went off while I was riding to work or wherever. She doesn't drive, she may even be at work (where she can't just walk out when she wants). What is she supposed to do? And - worst case scenario - if I'm dead then it's too late, there's f..k all anyone can do anyway.

I feel sorry for my friend who runs an LBS and has to not just sell but actually promote this crap.

"Yeah, honestly, cycling is really safe... but, just in case, here are some products to help you feel that it isn't".

Avatar
ConcordeCX | 5 years ago
1 like

I have, or had, an emergency call set-up activated in the Apple Health app on my phone so my next of kin can contact the probate lawyers at the earliest opportunity. For some unknown reason it alerted them during a ride a couple of weeks ago and I'm very gratified that two out of three of them got in touch almost immediately.

However it was also apparently supposed to call the emergency services in my jurisdiction (i didn't realise this until afterwards), but if it did, none of them responded.

since then I've switched it off as it was very worrying for my contacts, but definitely something to think about when you venture into remoter areas.

 

Avatar
Hirsute | 5 years ago
1 like

If you are that fussed you can just set a tracker on your phone permanently or in srava.

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