Schuberth E2 - what can it do better than the E1?

When it comes to good flip-up helmets, it's hard to get past the German premium brand Schuberth. Since the E1, Schuberth has also had an adventure flip-up helmet in its lineup, based on the C4 Pro but featuring typical adventure characteristics such as the adjustable helmet peak. Much the same applies to the new E2, which is based on the new C5 - even though Schuberth doesn't like to hear that the E2 isn't referred to as a standalone model.

In truth, though, it's an honour to be allowed to build on the excellent C5 anyway, which is why the E2 has made a solid leap forward compared to the E1 in the chapters of comfort, ventilation, safety, operation and equipment. As a rule, you don't want to actually put safety to the test, so it's good news that legal regulations are making helmets even safer - the E2 in any case meets the new ECE 22.06 standard, which requires an even more stable helmet shell. This fundamentally makes helmets heavier, but the shell of the Schuberth E2 is made from carbon-reinforced fiberglass using the patented Direct Fibre Technology and is not significantly heavier than the E1. Instead, the technicians have made even more effort to give the helmet a balanced weight distribution, which actually reduces rider fatigue - the E2 wears really well-balanced. The new positioning of the chin strap also contributes to the increased comfort of the E2.

In the flipped-up state, it naturally tends to react strongly to wind turbulence, but it stays in its flipped-up position even without the locking of the small red lever (which is necessary to market the E2 as a flip-up helmet with P/J homologation). That's obviously very comfortable. Speaking of comfort, the E2 now uses the "Schuberth Individual Concept", just like the C5, where the optimal fit can be found via exchangeable inner padding - because not everyone has the perfect standard head shape! The operation of the chin section opening is functionally unchanged compared to the E1, but the lever is new and the chin section clicks into place much more precisely when closing the E2. Also new is the slider for the sun visor on the lower left edge of the helmet, though the function is largely unchanged, as it already worked flawlessly on the E1.

The adjustable helmet peak and, above all, the ventilation are now better on the E2 than on the E1. The triple adjustment of the peak already existed on the E1, but thanks to extensive wind tunnel testing, the E2 sits better in the wind than the E1 and produces less noise. That said, the E2 generally has very pleasant aeroacoustics anyway and, like the E1, can be classed among the quieter examples for such an adventure helmet with its many attachments. However, ventilation has really improved a lot compared to the E1. The still two-part chin ventilation is more efficiently directed at the visor, and the upper, closable ventilation now shovels even more cooling air into the upper area of the helmet, which on the E2 can now once again effectively exit at the back of the helmet.

Brand new on the E2 is the modern communication system, which is actually already built into the helmet from the factory. For an adventure flip-up helmet, which is used for long tours a very high percentage of the time, this is certainly an important and correct step by Schuberth, especially since the systems are not only getting better from generation to generation, but also more user-friendly. At Schuberth, the system is called SC2; as already mentioned, the required hardware is pre-installed and contains, besides the HD speakers, three antennas for Bluetooth intercom, mesh intercom and FM radio. For actual use, you therefore only need to plug in the microphone, remove the covers at the back and side of the E2 to insert the remote control into the corresponding mount, and install the main unit at the back - and off you go. Even the biggest technophobes should manage that. Personally, I was thrilled at how little effort is needed to connect with other participants - the Mesh 2.0 technology really opens up unexpectedly versatile possibilities.