Just a few weeks ago, Giro unveiled their new RocLoc5 retention system that’ll be on their 2011 Ionos (tested), Atmos, Advantage 2, Saros, Athlon and Hex.
I received a medium Ionos just as I was heading out for the GT Press Camp in Les Deux Alps, France, so it got put to good use quickly. The trails around the press event were very much gravity oriented, with declines in the neighborhood of 15% to 20% full of rocks and braking bumps, which rattle both bike and brain thoroughly.
The first thing you notice when putting on the new RocLoc5 is the ease of adjustment. The dial on the back cinches it closely to your head, and the height adjustment gives you three positions so you can set it right under the base of your skull. When I reviewed Giro’s ProLight helmet, I said its non-adjustable headband-style retention system set the standard for both comfort and functionality, and I think it’s still better in terms of lightweight and comfort, but the new RocLoc5 is pretty darn close on both counts while adding a ton of adjustability.
Check out more photos, weight and more after the break…
The retention mech is pretty slim, but large pad sections keep pressure points from digging in.
Our test helmet weighed in at 207g, a hair lighter than the claimed weight of 308g.
The entire piece adjusts through three clicks of vertical movement.
