Following a year-long study into Asian head sizes, Italian helmet brand Kask has launched the Mojito XL – a larger version of the helmet used by Chris Froome and Team Sky.
Unveiled at this year’s Taipei International Cycle Show, the Mojito XL comes as the result of a 12-month study by Kask’s R&D department into head size and shape in Asian cyclists, including those from Japan, China, Korea and Thailand.
The study was prompted by a growing Asian market, fuelled in part by new professional races in the region, and greater media access at European races. It showed that the Mojito provided a suitably round shape for Asian cyclists, but that a larger size was needed to cater for the increased maximum head size compared to European and US athletes.
The Mojito XL therefore boasts a massive head-size range of up to 64cm, to give those of more ample crown the chance to wear the helmet used by Froome during his 2013 Tour victory. It will be available globally this summer.
Twenty-six air vents keep the head cool while the CoolMax padding, eco-leather chinstrap and double-pivot adjustment system are designed to allow a comfortable, secure fit.
The helmet will be available in five colourways: black; white; white/black; white/red; and black/red. A white/green option will be added for the 2016 collection. Pricing is yet to be announced.
Kask Cycling Sales Manager, Ylenia Battistello, said: “If you looked at a group ride in the US or Europe a few years ago, you’d have seen very little diversity among the riders. This is starting to change, and having a well-fitting, comfortable helmet means it’s worn properly.
“We worked with our R&D department to take measurements all over Asia, focusing on Japan, China, Korea and Thailand, to better understand the normal distribution and the populations' standard deviations in head size and shape. We then created a range of designs and worked with our local distribution partners to test these over many months, constantly refining it to make them as comfortable and well-fitting as possible.
“The wide normal distribution within these markets meant an additional helmet was needed to cater for all of it. The existing Mojito is one of the most adjustable and comfortable helmets on the market and we believe that, with the addition of the Mojito XL, we will be able to ensure the majority of the Asian market will be able to ride with a Kask helmet that is properly fitted and comfortable.”
Our own AngryAsian, James Huang, will be getting his head into a Mojito XL very soon. Until then, check out his thoughts on things you should never say to your bike shop mechanic.