Giro’s new Xar helmet

We showed you a sneak peak of Giro’s new Xar mountain bike helmet at the Downieville Classic earlier this month, and now we’ve got detailed pics, information and UK prices.

Available in February 2011 in the UK, the £114.99 Xar takes all the good stuff from Giro’s popular Xen and, as far as we can see, makes it a whole lot better- with additional vents, an updated retention system, adjustable visor, X-static ‘antimicrobial’ padding and outboard strapping.

The Roc Loc 5 retention system – which is also being used on selected lids in Giro’s 2011 range – has been more than two-years in development, and claims to offer a fit system with an unmatched level of comfort, stability, adjustability and weight saving.

Using the Roc Loc 5 dial, you can adjust the tension of the head strap and adjust its vertical position with a single hand.

Giro claims that the new system is 40-percent lighter than its predecessor, Roc Loc 4.

Here’s the Matte Neon Green/Titanium Bars Xar. Colourful.

The new helmet will sit alongside the Xen for 2011, after which we expect the Xen to be phased out. Colours available are matte orange/blue/yellow lines, black/cyan/lime lines, matte metallic brown/orange bars, matte neon green/titanium bars, matte black/grey bars, matte white/grey bars.

For an in-depth look at the R&D behind the new Xar, check out issue 113 of What Mountain Bike magazine, on sale 25 August.