POC vs Specialized:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, POC had more branded searches than Specialized among cycling helmet brands in New Zealand. POC had about 630 branded searches, while Specialized had 110. POC made up 20.7% of all cycling helmet brand searches we track, and Specialized accounted for 3.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cycling helmet brands, Specialized appeared in four of the five answers and POC in two. Specialized was mentioned before POC in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
POC, about 6 searches for every 1 for Specialized
Who does AI mention more?
Specialized, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, POC in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Specialized, named ahead of POC in every answer
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Top cycling helmet brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Specialized was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. POC was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Specialized was listed before POC in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Giro5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Specialized4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Bell3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- POC2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Lazer2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
MET2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Bontrager2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cycling helmet brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cycling helmet brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cycling helmet brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cycling helmet brand in New Zealand for road riding?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bike helmet nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“road cycling helmet”
- 1Giro
- 1
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is POC or Specialized more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for POC and Specialized by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven cycling helmet brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for POC, Specialized. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Giro | Bell | POC | Lazer | MET | Specialized | Bontrager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 32.6% | 31.1% | 19.1% | 4.1% | 5.2% | 2.6% | 5.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 36% | 26.7% | 23.9% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2.2% | 4.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.8% | 28.8% | 21.1% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 2.3% | 4.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 32.9% | 28.1% | 21.4% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 2.4% | 5.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 29.2% | 38% | 18.6% | 3.3% | 4% | 1.8% | 5.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 30.1% | 35.9% | 17.2% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 2.3% | 5.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 34.8% | 28.9% | 18.1% | 5.9% | 4.9% | 2.4% | 4.9% |
| May 2026 | 32.1% | 28% | 21.6% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 3% | 3.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 30.2% | 31.4% | 20.2% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 2.7% | 3.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 35.3% | 28% | 21.5% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 2.4% | 3.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 37.8% | 25.1% | 20% | 4.4% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.5% | 26% | 20.7% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 3% |
How has the POC and Specialized comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- POC was ahead of Specialized in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, POC’s share of searches among cycling helmet brands in New Zealand moved from 19.1% to 20.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 510 to 630.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Specialized’s share of searches among cycling helmet brands in New Zealand moved from 2.6% to 3.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 70 to 110.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand cycling helmet brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Specialized overtook Bontrager to rank 6th among cycling helmet brands in New Zealand, with 3.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, POC gained share of searches among cycling helmet brands in New Zealand, from 20% to 20.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using POC’s and Specialized’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
POC
2 branded search terms
- poc cycling helmet
- poc helmet
Specialized
1 branded search term
- specialized helmet
Other head-to-heads among cycling helmet brands
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