Now Finished: Ask Us Anything with Giro

 @robmsul Thanks for the thoughtful questions!
1. That’s a great idea. We have looked into textile recycling and that is what I consider the next big step the industry needs to move towards…how to take these garments made from recycled materials and recycle them again into raw materials for new product. Unfortunately, the solutions there are under-developed but we are keeping our eye on it for the future. Keeping product in use as long as possible is the best solution for now, and a repair program is a great idea. We certainly encourage that so product can be used as long as possible. One of the biggest environmental issues with apparel is that generally people are buying more and using them for shorter periods of time. According to an article by Mckinsey, the average consumer bought 60% more apparel products in 2014 than 2000 and used them half as long…we encourage people to only buy apparel that they need and use them as long as possible. Our renew series is the “reuse” and “recycle”, but we need consumers to “reduce” for the full picture to improve. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”.
2. This is something that we have to earn over time. We are committed to making our line more sustainable every year and informing consumers about what we are doing to improve. This Q&A is a big part of that…we want to talk directly to people about this and answer any questions. I think the main thing we can do is provide metrics…for example, 79% of the mountain bike jerseys we sold last year were part of the Renew series and contained recycled material. That’s real, that’s not marketing and that’s a significant change from where we were 2 years ago (0%).
3. I definitely look to Patagonia as inspiration. Their leadership in sustainability is a major reason that there are more sustainable material options today.
-ME

 @GiroSportDesign: Sounds like yall are really making big moves at Giro. Thanks so much! So no job openings?

 @GiroSportDesign: your D'Wool gloves I bought a couple days after Christmas looked years old after a month of commuting.

Not making $30 disposable gloves that fall apart in a matter of weeks would be a good place to start if you really care about the environment.

 @reverend27: Thanks for taking time to share some feedback on those. Could you please share a little more detail with our Customer Service team and let them know they can contact me as well. I'd like to know more. Thanks!

 @GiroSportDesign: I've still got them I can put them on and take pictures if you like.
I stopped wearing them after 2 months because they look like something a homeless person would wear.

Also never run thru the wash because I could tell they wouldn't hold up.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I know it's just gloves but this was the first and only Giro product purchased by me.

 @reverend27: I've had two pairs of Giro gloves (DND and Rivet) and found the fit fantastic but the stitching quality not so much. Stitching came apart in places much earlier than it should have

 @mrmatt: yep the look feel and fit I loved.
The stitching were the top meets the bottom pretty much fell apart.

I have a pair of Bell walmart gloves that have been washed 20 times and are 5 years old and the stitching is still perfect.

 @TannerValhouli Have you checked out our Havoc Pants, Havoc Shorts and Roust LS Jerseys? Definitely not an xc/road vibe, but also not the typical DH look. The Havoc Short has a 14” inseam, perfect with knee pads and avoids gaper gap. I keep my Dyna plug in the secure zip pocket on the side during rides & races for quick and easy access. -ME

 ER: The Switchblade vents pretty well. The Tyrant might be an option if you're not riding with the chinbar all the time. As for the fit of our shoes - every foot is unique, and we do offer options for several models in our HV fit, which covers an "E" width as well as higher insteps. Thanks for the questions.

 @GiroSportDesign: Thank you for the reply. I'm looking for something that does indeed have a chin bar when I'm riding the rougher downhill sections, but want to be able to remove it when I'm riding the XC loops on the plateau. Sounds like I may need to give the Switchblade a try.

 I have/like the Switchblade, but I agree that it is not the coolest helmet. I wear it a lot in shoulder season just because it keeps my head notably warmer than other helmets, even with the chin bar off. I too would be interested in an even better vented version when I wear/dent this one out.

 ER: In addition to the apparel line, almost all of our packaging is made from recycled content with an emphasis on post-consumer content (has been for several years now) and we continue to look for ways to optimize it. Old helmets can’t be recycled or composted yet, unfortunately.

 @GiroSportDesign: "Old helmets can’t be recycled or composted yet, unfortunately." - Except from the Giro Silo, the worlds first Compostable, Recyclable Helmet' www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a20046129/giros-silo-is-the-world-s-first-compostable-recyclable-helmet

 Giro's clothes; riding shorts, pants, socks... even... do I dare admit... their chamois... best fit / value / durability I have found. Started with a helmet and figured I would try what else they make. I am taller and prefer more fitted clothes and they have nailed it. Completely unsolicited-solicited response but I think what is special is that it isn't anything THAT special, it is simple and well done. I have tried / had most other major brands over the years and I don't think I would look elsewhere for riding clothes.

 @kfilenda: ER: Thanks! Stoked to hear this and we appreciate your feedback and support.

 Great question… The crew at Giro all rides and everything that we produce starts with us seeing an opportunity to improve what’s in the market. We’re proud of the product line and if you’ve ridden in our shoes or apparel, hopefully you see the value in what we’re doing. We know there are a lot of great options, but Giro is quickly gaining momentum in footwear and apparel because of our designs and value. Not to mention, today’s feature on Renew Apparel highlights something that we’re doing that we believe is making a difference.-DZ

 I've been super happy with all their clothes. They were among the first to put pockets on the back of their bibs. I have bib liners that must be 5+ years old by now and are still in the weekly rotation.

 ER: There are a lot of apparel options in the world but none of the established cycling apparel brands were stepping up to make positive changes when we started this a couple of years ago. We simply feel it’s the right thing to do and it’s doable, so why not do the work and give riders a better option? Our gear is made by riders and for riders. It's made well And it's made with textiles that reduce impact on the planet compared to most of the other options out there. We also strive to offer parity in the number of styles and colors for both men and women, which isn't something all brands do.

 @NoahColorado: Thanks for the feedback Noah! Stoked you're happy with the clothes you've gotten from us...we definitely work hard to try to get it right! -ME

 @kfilenda: So happy to hear your positive experience with the clothes! -ME

 @nouseforaname Personally, I wasn’t satisfied with the options out there and at Giro there were many people who felt the same way even in a saturated market. We wanted to make product that we wanted to wear. Using sustainable materials in cycling apparel is special today, there aren’t many brands that have started doing this yet. We have great materials, fit and high quality product that you can expect from any Giro product. I would agree with what @kfilenda says below...we try not to over build the product but focus on keeping it "simple and well done". -ME

 @GiroSportDesign: Thanks for answering this - I didn't know about your sustainable materials approach, I will look into that. Honestly the rest of the answers are about what I expected, thanks for taking the time to answer my Q in such depth.

 @NoahColorado: While I am a @GiroSportDesign fan and agree they've been doing bib pockets for a long time (I bought one of their early pairs of knicker liners), they've been doing them wrong IMO. Flush against the body just doesn't work anywhere near as well as when its hanging off the body. This is actually one thing Specialized has done very well with their SWAT bibs (who arguably was the first to implement this idea). On my Giros, items don't stay in as well and I can fit way more in SWATs. Even my Sombrio pair isn't as well executed. Admittedly the chamois in the Spec sucks.

 We appreciate Virginia Tech’s efforts to help riders make informed choices with a rating system based on their unique testing. However, it’s only one test methodology, and as we’ve said before, lab results cannot correlate exactly to your results from a real-world crash.

We are confident in our work, and we look at the results of technologies like Spherical, which achieve very consistent 5-star results across Road, Trail and Full-cut designs, as evidence that we’re on the right path. Not to mention there are so many important factors in choosing the right helmet for you. We've always argued that you should never compromise comfort and ultimately the right helmet for me might not be the right fit for your head shape or your riding style. -DZ

 ER: Glad you asked. As Dain said, Virginia Tech’s efforts help riders make informed choices is appreciated.

Their work has been both praised and questioned by many, but their growing list of results does give the indication that rotational mitigation technology is performing as intended, as brands drive the use of that technology forward. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when thinking about test results:

Cost: spending more money doesn't automatically equate to better impact management. Cost is driven by the complexity of molds, materials, labor and so on that define the final product. If you want the most ventilated helmet for instance, it’s going to cost more because the molds are a lot more complex, there are internal reinforcements required, it takes more labor and time to manufacture, etc.

Performance: inexpensive helmets can be made to be very effective at reducing impact. But basic physics will tell you there are trade-offs you make. You may get a bulkier helmet. It won’t offer the same kind of ventilation. It may not fit as well, Etc.

Test Results: VT is only one test methodology of many that we work with, and as we’ve said before, lab results cannot correlate exactly to your results from a real-world crash.

 That stuff happens more often than you'd think. At least the loose stem bolts can provide a valid excuse! -DZ

 @kdiff Absolutely! I love the Venture jersey because it is a merino/polyester blend so all the benefits of merino with the quick drying performance of polyester (FYI, we have new colors that launched last month in case you’re interested). I think there is room for more merino product, not only because of the performance benefits, but the styling is really nice and more casual than the typical riding apparel out there. Additionally, wool is a very environmentally friendly fiber to use, which aligns with our goals for the apparel line. Thanks for your feedback, merino is a great material for all the reasons you listed! -ME

 Giro - whoever doesn’t enter Merino market for MTB is a fool. These things cost a lot and when used as outer layer get torn near instantly. Especially those “modern” thin ones. There are eggs of different bugs in the dirt, they eat Merino so even if someone saves it for rides in the open, the thing will get screwed. Merino outer layers for MTB is better than planned obsolescence. It is inevitable short longevity

 ER: You may be able to repair those Terraduros (hard to make a determination without more info and photos than we can dive into here). We’d recommend checking with a boot repair outfit. As far as another option - the Ventana has replaced Terraduro in the line and the outsole on those is co-molded to the plate, so they can’t delaminate. This co-molded construction is bomber, and it’s found on most of our stiff-soled MTB shoes now.

 @GiroSportDesign: Thank you for the reply. I'm looking for something that does indeed have a chin bar when I'm riding the rougher downhill sections, but want to be able to remove it when I'm riding the XC loops on the plateau. Sounds like I may need to give the Switchblade a try.

 @GiroSportDesign: thanks for the tips! Cheers!

 I wanna know this answer as well, it seems to me like using a rubber coated high friction test head lead to the creation of mips to claim that a slip plane is increasing safety....which seems to me like a way to make a claim that isn’t useful in real world situations...but I’m an idiot with opinions. (Also this year I won’t be buying a Giro because I don’t want a MIPS Helmet).

 The Dome test lab (our in-house facility shared with Bell) has conducted an abundance of testing over the years including the use of stockings to imitate the human scalp and even wigs for hair simulation over the standard slick, magnesium headforms. We have tested these modified headforms with rotational technologies. These additional modifications in test headforms have not been compelling in making rotational technology obsolete. We are looking forward to the new Working Group 11 headform that incorporates accurate scalp coefficient of friction as part of the headform itself. That headform is likely to be adopted for testing in the European standards, which will include rotation, in the near future. -DZ

 @GiroSportDesign: that's good news, thanks for replying.

 ER: Unfortunately this isn't in the plans at the moment, but noted. We do offer the Disciple MIPS in an XS if full-coverage is important.

 Check out the Arc shorts, I'm 6'4" and skinny, they fit me great.

 @dthomp325 Our Havoc Shorts have a 14” inseam and the most tailored/slim fit in the line, but with 4 way stretch so they are really comfortable for riding in. I would recommend trying that one. The Truant short could be another one to try – it also has a 14” inseam, but not as “tailored” fit as the Havoc Short. The Arc Short is great, but with a 13” inseam I think you would get the knee pad gap if you’re tall & skinny. -ME

 @naisemaj: Stoked you like the Arc Shorts! -ME

 @GiroSportDesign: thanks!

 Glad you're digging the EWS stuff and Switchblade (at least for part of the year). Giro has a long legacy of innovation and we never want to come to market with a helmet that lacks unique features and benefits. Although we acknowledge that there are plenty of riders that prefer lightweight full face helmets for trail riding, we’re currently prioritizing other categories. Our full face, Disciple MIPS makes no compromises in terms of protection. We’re proud of MIPS Spherical (the ball-and-socket design) found on Tyrant MIPS, we’re proud of the Switchblade MIPS’ adaptability, we’re proud of Fixture MIPS (an incredible helmet for the money) and we believe Montaro MIPS is still the best trail riding helmet out there. These projects demand a lot of attention and we’ll have to be patient before some of Giro’s new innovations see the light of day.

Point is... we're open to bribes, especially if your bribe can cover the cost related to accelerating a couple of years of development! -DZ

 ER: Please contact customer service if you haven't already. We'll pass the feedback directly to the PM following this as well. Glove fit and construction takes a lot of care, and we want to get that right for you and everyone here. It's a great glove, and it should hold up to reasonable use.

 www.amazon.com/3100L-DZ-Gloves-Textured-Construction-12-Pairs/dp/B001YJHEDW/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=dipped+gloves&qid=1587580509&sr=8-2

You're welcome. Dipped gloves last far longer and are far cheaper than anything stitched. Try them, I love them for trail building. I purchased this pack 2 years ago and still have like 6-7 pairs left and have gifted a few pairs to buddies. $1 per pair and better than any other stitched glove I've ever used.

 ER: My choice would be Sector or Empire VR. But the new Privateer Lace is pretty nice as well if you're budget-conscious.

 And if you're looking for a new kit, I'd suggest the following depending on your style:
Trail/Relaxed Fit: Roust Jersey (Renew Series) and Havoc Short (or Arc Short if you don't want the long inseam)
Gravel/Slimmer Fit than above with shorter inseam, more casual than the formfitting stuff below: Venture Jersey and Venture Short
Race/Formfitting: Chrono Expert Jersey & Bibs (All Renew Series products).
Also, The New Road Jersey is a nice option for a more casual look that is formfitting if you don't want bold colors/graphics.
-ME

 We work with Virginia Tech directly to help them determine which helmet models to test and make sure they get what they need to perform that testing. In the end, Virginia Tech chooses the models and we merely provide input. -DZ

 @GiroSportDesign: Hmm, okay.

Know that we as consumers appreciated what Virginia Tech is doing and would truly appreciate if more helmets were included. It doesn't even have to be VT, but some third party testing group is really needed as right now it often feels like a crapshoot when trying to purchase a helmet that is actually safer rather than looking like it is.

Case in point, look at how many road helmets scored better in VT ratings than mountain bike helmets with much more robust coverage.

 @heatproofgenie: We support Virginia Tech’s efforts to help riders make informed choices with a rating system based on their unique testing. Their work has been both praised and questioned by many, but their list of helmets does give the indication that rotational mitigation technology is performing as intended as brands drive the use of that technology forward. However, one key thing to consider when thinking about test results:

VT is only one test methodology of many that we work with, and as we’ve said before, lab results cannot correlate exactly to your results from a real-world crash. We always recommend choosing the right style of helmet for the type of riding that you do. -Dz

 The Remedy CF was a great helmet and, as you mention, still passes the test of time. We have to look up the exact date that we introduced that helmet, but it was more than 12 years ago. Helmet technology has come a long way in that period. Our current full face, the Disciple MIPS, has an impressive list of features at a great value. We understand that many riders prefer a carbon fiber shell… but when we do the cost to weight savings equation it’s really hard to justify the added expense. Honestly, if our pro riders were more outspoken this project might have a better chance. But riders like Richie Rude, Aggy, Kurt Sorge, Reed Boggs and Carston Storch all love that Disciple MIPS and they’re not complaining about a few extra grams.-DZ

 ER: Thanks for the comment. We'd say that we are more oval than round but every head is unique and fit preference is super subjective. So we always recommend trying on before buying and making sure that the fit is both comfortable and secure before riding.

 You bring up a great point. Giro’s fit generally accommodates riders with “oval” heads, like you. Conversely, Bell helmets tend to be a rounder fit. We often hear riders say I have a “Giro shaped head” but of course you never know if a helmet will fit or not until you try it on for yourself.

There is certainly room for improvement in how we communicate sizing. We have some ideas that we’ll be pursuing in the next several months to help riders achieve the best fit. For now we encourage people to try a helmet on at a dealer before they buy it. We understand that’s not always possible (especially right now with many people Sheltering in Place), which is why Giro has a great return policy on Giro.com and most of our dealers offer great return policies as well. -DZ

 ER: Vista still owns us, but has divested itself of some brands including brands you're referring to. Might be worth a look and let us know if we can answer any other questions. Appreciate your past support and hope you'll come back. Best, -e

 (from last year, unless there's something we don't know about from this year).

 @iliveonnitro: I’m not going to sugarcoat this… it SUCKS anytime someone loses a job because of a budget reduction. Like most bike industry brands, we’re a tight group here. There are lots of close friendships, we ride together, hang out together. But from my perspective, the one good thing to come out of times like that… you can learn from the experience. This job is a lot of fun at times, but ultimately this is a business and businesses can’t last if they’re not making money. We were forced to take a hard look at this business and address everything from the number of SKUs to our new product development cycles. The position that we’re in now is more sustainable. I can honestly say two things here: there’s no place I’d rather work and Giro’s brightest days are still ahead of us.-DZ

 ER: The fit last (3D form that determines the shape and fit of a shoe) for the Chamber is slightly wider than Sector, but there are other differences: the heel cup shape is different and Chamber also has a setback cleat placement compared to the Sector, for instance. Since every foot is unique and you’re gonna spend some long hours in your riding shoes, I’d say you need to try the Sector on to know for sure. With the new Synchwire uppers on a lot of our XC and Road shoes, and some very subtle adjustments to how we’re making the shoes, they’re a touch roomier than before.

 @GiroSportDesign: Thanks, really helpful!

 must be a quality control issue or something. I had a montaro for almost two years and only retired it because I broke my fall with it on a hefty crash, never had any issues with the pads or retention system.

 We go out of our way to test not helmets’ protective capabilities as well as durability. It’s heartbreaking to read your comment here, and I encourage you to contact Giro’s customer service team (if you haven’t already). We acknowledge the brow pads on the first generation Montaro helmets weren’t very durable. We used a new hydrophilic material that’s capable of absorbing 10x more sweat. But, as you mentioned, it was prone to bursting at the main seam. We made a running change to Montaro to address that. Personally, I’ve had three Montaros in four years and I ride 4-5 days a week. My current Montaro has the original hydrophilic pad… the seam has come undone, but I still prefer it for it’s sweat absorption. Anyway, I hope you have a better experience with your next helmet. You can contact our customer service team here: www.giro.com/Contact-Us or call 1-800-456-2355 -DZ

 @TannerValhouli: Even for me it's a sad day when I destroy a helmet in a crash. It's easy to get attached to these things! -DZ

 @GiroSportDesign: Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I already threw it away since I couldn't ride with it without being properly adjusted to my head. I'd kept it if it was as simple as replacing the retention system, but the only one I could find didn't come with the mips liner. I would have expected more availability of spares at this price point, instead of essentially being a throw-away helmet if anything broke on it.

 ER: Most helmet models get an update or refresh every 4-6 years. We’re definitely thinking about that part of the line and there will be an update. As for a winter shoe...Yes… in development now. Can’t spill the beans on when you’ll see it, but it’s in the works. We’re focused on ways to cut down the bulky feel that usually comes with a winter shoe, while retaining comfort and most importantly keeping feet warm and dry. Tested in Minnesota this past winter...good reports from what I heard.

 You’ve made some keen observations here… all we can say is please be patient. The right mix of innovation and value take time to get right. -DZ

 @GiroSportDesign: This is the answer I was hoping for!

 Have you seen the Giro Fixture MIPS? That’s an incredible value at $65! Overall Giro has a reputation for offering incredible value. In some ways it’s been to our own detriment. We don’t make as much money as you might expect (there’s a reference to layoffs somewhere in this comment thread)

The retail price of a helmet is directly related to the amount of engineering and resources put toward it. Plus other factors like the small features that make a good helmet a great one. Things like goggle grippers, eyewear docking grippers, adjustable POV visors, and the adjustability to get the fit dialed. Can you go out and have the ride of your life with a $40 helmet? Yeah, for sure. But for riders that demand attention to the details and more comfort and ventilation without sacrificing protection -- that stuff adds up. -DZ

 @GiroSportDesign: Really appreciate this reply. In general I've definitely found Giro's prices for value (and fit to my head!) to be better than most other brands. I'm not saying that I expect a ton of money is made from helmets, more so that the helmet market might be a good place to offer a cheaper option since "Things like goggle grippers, eyewear docking grippers, adjustable POV visors, and the adjustability to get the fit dialed." aren't exactly necessary, while protection is. Sure, people (except some POC helmet buyers) don't want to look like eggs, but it would appear that making a small margin on a safe helmet that gets rid of the frills would be an appealing option to the consumer. At least it would for me. I'd rather not keep buying even $65 helmets when I drop on on the ground every year. I'd rather pay just for the safety, and it seems like the jury is still out on whether some r&d is even worth it. That's all. Still really impressed with Giro's products compared to the rest of the market.

 Glad to hear that you like your Switchblade. I like mine too! Just like you I lost one of those pads and actually managed to find it on the trail the next day. In your case, since you're in Germany, you should go through this site www.giro-sports.com/de. The nice folks at Grofa (our distributor in Germany) operate this site. You can contact their customer service department here: Telefon: +49 (0) 6434 - 2008 890 / info@giro-sports.com - DZ

 ER: Check out the new XNetic Gloves we make, which are made with a knit one-piece upper...https://www.giro.com/p/xnetic-trail-mountain-bike-gloves/350020000200000032.html

 We got our soft goods product manager/master, Joshua Rebol, to answer this one:
"Inverting the seams on a glove is a great idea in the correct application. We mostly think about using that technique on winter styles that use thicker insulated fabrics. On a summer style glove inverting all the seams could make the excess fabric rub between your fingers but it is something to look into. If we do it @ismasan gets the credit.-JR"

 @GiroSportDesign: Do it@Rebol

 @GiroSportDesign: This glove looks interesting, I'm going to buy a pair to try. Palms that bunch up are my biggest pet peeve. Fox moto gloves from the '90s somehow had a pre-curved fit that took care of this very well. Then I remember the first Gen sixsixone Raji glove (tan fingertips) was so damn stretchy and slim that it managed to have even more of a snug, no-bunch fit. Still my favorite glove ever. Modern minimalists gloves seem to use a thin, flat, one-piece palm. I've never had these work very well though. I'm not sure why.

For the past several seasons, My midweight Giro waterproof gloves have been the comfiest and some thermal Pearls are 2nd place. When I find that perfect glove, I'll buy a skid qty and keep them in a vault.

 @hkluge Thanks for the positive feedback...It's so rewarding to hear from people that have tried the product for themselves! Working with Cody on his unique colors & graphics was such a blast. -ME

 @GiroSportDesign: soooo that's a no?

 @hkluge: Which ones do you mean exactly? The yellow & olive one was in the line last year on the Roust jersey, the blue & black one we did special for him...no firm plans to add it right now, but maybe this thread will change that -ME

 @GiroSportDesign:

Here's a pic:

www.pinkbike.com/photo/18010733

I spoke with someone at the Giro distributor in Canada and he said the blue one and yellow version would be coming this spring. Is that still happening? They look so good.

 @hkluge: That one was special for him and we don't currently have plans to add it. The yellow one we did have in the line last year but it looks like it's sold out now. -ME

 @GiroSportDesign: thanks for checking. that's a shame. I bought my Montaro to match that for racing this year (pre-COVID). Maybe consider adding it back in? The blue is so rad and it still matches a lot of your 2020 colourways.....just sayin

 @hkluge: Well, you've made a strong case for it! I'll see what I can do... -ME

 @dontcoast Absolutely, we are proud of the New Road line and have kept the Venture Jersey and Venture Short, which still have a similar look and feel.

I think you kind of nailed it - there were some major wins in the line (5M overshort, button up shorts), then there were some flops...whether because of material, price, etc. Ultimately, the style and materials were awesome but we may have been a bit ahead of our time. We still feel there is a place for the merino and semi-casual product and will continue to expand on the "Venture" line we have now. -ME

 ER: I'd say check out the Venture stuff. The shorts have useful pockets now, they fit great and hold up well, and they're good off-the-bike as well. And the jersey is a nice merino-blend tech tee that fits great.

 @GiroSportDesign: Ah yes it was the button up shorts with pockets - still have a pair.

I'll check the Venture stuff out! Thanks n' happy riding.

 Hey thanks for the props! Trail days are a great way to meet other riders! I size up slightly when I know I’m going to be spending more time hiking than pedaling. With my VR90 I prefer it snug (and my toes touch the front when I walk), but I’m not generally hiking much in those. As for Chamber II and Ventana, I wear those for the adventure rides that will require more time off the bike, so I go a half size larger. -DZ

 ER: Try on a pair that's a 1/2 size up to see how it feels. The difference in length will be approximately +/- 2mm so that could be all you need.

 ER: Please contact Customer Service regarding the gloves, thanks! As for Merino vs. Recycled - we are still learning. But here are a lot of factors that define environmental burden of a textile or product and everything makes an impact. Among other things, Merino has a very long transit loop (coming from NZ) and it takes a lot of water to feed sheep... in the end, we think Recycled content helps make a positive impact by reducing waste, reducing burden on natural resources and in some cases it improves the natural world (the nylon in our Renew Bibs is made from reclaimed fishing nets that otherwise do a lot of damage to coral and kill a lot of sea life). We keep learning as we go, and doing our best to find the best balance. Thanks for a great question.

 We'll pass the comments along to our glove PM. Can you tell us which model you've had trouble with and when you purchased them?

 I was in a similar boat, went from Codes to Empires - honestly, laces are really easy and work well. I kept stripping ratchets or breaking the buckle mechanisms. The velcro would start to give up after a couple seasons, too. I think they made the right call.

 ER: We've moved away from ratcheting buckles because more and more riders prefer a dial adjustment - it's faster and easier in many cases. We're also able to get a lacing pattern with Boa dials and cables that creates a very similar fit and feel with our laced shoes.

 Secret trails are always open... -DZ

 This is a big day for Margaux. She's going to take a quick break after this to eat some lunch, then she'll be going live on our Instagram account at 2pm Pacific time. www.instagram.com/girocycling

 That's right! I'll be on Giro's Instagram live at 2PM PST to answer more apparel renew series and sustainability questions! -ME

 Aaron Gwin is not just an amazing rider, he’s just as competent in giving us technical feedback. He’s helped immensely in the development of our Chamber and Chamber II shoes (we’re currently working on another project with him, by the way). The entire Yeti team is dialed in their feedback of our helmets and we regularly solicit feedback from our freeriders. As far as the dream rider… that’s probably going to vary depending on who you ask here in the office. My favorite riders are all Giro riders, of course! But outside of who we sponsor, Greg Minnaar and Kate Courtney are real standout riders. Those two are so inspiring to me, from race results to charisma. And since you mentioned PAST and present, I have to give a shout out to Nico Vouilloz. I idolized him growing up and had the opportunity to work with him at the end of his career. The way his mind works and the way he can handle a bike… just incredible.-DZ

 Outside of Giro riders, I would love to work with Ed Masters. Lots of love and thanks to the athletes and rad people who help test sample product with me, especially Cody Kelley, Katie Holden & Zephyr Sylvester...every product person needs people who will beat up the samples in testing! -ME

 @GiroSportDesign: The Chamber is the perfect enduro and DH shoe. Period.

 ER: In some cases, our global distributors do not import out full line, so certain colors or styles may not be available at your local dealers. It's the downside of having a broad line with so many good options...! I'd recommend you check online, or contact our new distributor in Italy (Bonin). Thank you.

 The colorway that you’re referencing is the gloss black “Bicycle Nightmares x Giro” edition. We did a limited run of those globally and they sold fast. You should check out the official Bicycle Nightmares web store at bicyclenightmares.com, there’s a chance that there might be some inventory left… -DZ

 I came to ask this. My old boss pronounced it G-ee-ro, I say G-eye-ro.

 I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is pronounced Jee-row.

 It's "he-ro" like the Enrique Iglesias song "I can be your heeero, baaaaaby"

 In Itslian it is Gee-rr-o, with a slight roll of the r...but I’m an American, and it is our god given right to mis-pronounce words from dirty foreign countries. so I say Gyro.

 We kinda wanted to just leave this one alone and let people decide for themselves... but this is our chance to set the record straight once and for all! It's G-EE-RO. Although we're an American brand, based in Santa Cruz since we were founded in 1985, the word Giro is Italian for route or circuit. The Giro d'Italia road race is the most familiar use of the word for most people. But we're not an Italian road cycling brand and never were!

 @NoahColorado: exactly!

 Our current full face, Disciple MIPS, makes no compromises in terms of protection. We’re proud of that helmet and our athletes love and trust it. If/when we introduce a new full face we’re going to make sure that it leads the way in terms of protection, performance and value. In short… game changing innovations take time to get right, hang in there. -DZ

 ER: You can try using a shoe stretcher to gently form the shoe to address the issue.

 @GiroSportDesign: Should I use heat and/or water to help?

 @3riders: It shouldn't require heat or water. Heat especially could lead to damage, which you don't want...

 @nonk I get that...velcro is polarizing. The benefits for velcro are that it lays flat, doesn't have any hardware to crash on, and is lightweight and flexible so as your body moves you don't typically feel it. I try to make sure the adjustment is secure before putting in the wash, but sometimes it will still come loose. Is there an adjustment you have used on other shorts that you prefer? -ME

 @GiroSportDesign: There are a few on ski pants that are really low profile. Better solution would be to have a 31 waist!
And thanks for the NICA helmet, most appreciated

 Our Switchblade makes no compromises in terms of protection and our athletes love and trust that helmet. With that said everything helmet model has a lifespan. If/when we update Switchblade we'll make sure that it's another game changer and that stuff takes time.-DZ

 @JasperLyons Great question!! Water bottles are the standard for recycled polyester, used in our jerseys. But for the Nylon used in our bibs and shorts, fishing nets are only part of the equation...other common sources for recycled nylon are carpet and discarded waste at factories (like sewing thread scraps). -ME

 No, Zephyr, Margaux is MY hero! - DZ

 Hi Zephyr!! -ME

 Stop trolling Macca -ME

 @macca208 But for real though, we'll pass your comments on to the Softgoods team! -ME

 I believe it means Tour in Italian, like the famous Giro De Italia race.

 @unrooted: makes sense, cheers

 ER: We're competitive by nature, and we typically update helmets every 4-6 years, so yeah, we're working on some things! Every time we introduce a full face, it's innovative and that's a trend I don't expect to break from.

 Disciple MIPS makes no compromises in terms of protection or value. We’re proud of that helmet and our athletes love and trust it. If/when we introduce a new full face we’re going to make sure that it leads the way in terms of protection, performance and value. In short… game changing innovations take time to get right, hang in there. -DZ

 ER: EE is pretty wide! I'd say our best options for you might be Chamber or Ventana, and Riddance. Definitely recommend that you try some things on to see what feels right.

 We have some things in the works... and we usually update colors at least once a year. Thanks!

 @GiroSportDesign: Do another Jimbo collab.

 The Giro d'Italia is normally the first grand tour of the season... and the most beautiful of the three grand tours if you ask me. -DZ

 @GiroSportDesign: grazie

 @Shred-BC All our Giro x EWS have launched! This collection was incredible to work on and put together. The collection includes: Men's Roust Jersey (short sleeve & long sleeve), Women's Roust Jersey (short sleeve & 3/4), Men's and Women's tshirts, DND glove, Seasonal Merino Wool Sock, Chamber shoe, Montaro and Switchblade -ME

 Oh man, how I wish I could just be completely transparent and post a google doc to our annual, global ad plans! Of course you know the reasons why we can’t share that info, but I can say that it’s all relative. We don’t spend as much as we’d like to and we spend a lot less than some of our key competitors. We complain about limited resources, but our boss here tends to remind us that “all brands say the same thing about not enough marketing resources” and he says, “Coca-Cola complains that they don’t have enough of an advertising budget.”

It’s an age old debate about media and credibility. I have a media background (I worked as an editor at Bike Magazine for four years), so I’m as conscious of that stuff as anyone else, and I’d argue that Pinkbike is as fair and ethical as any media outlet in the bike world. Probably the best thing, however, is the comment section. For real, I love PB’s comment section. There are some radicals in the mix, of course, that just want to stir up trouble, but for the most part, this comment section offers a real barometer of what’s working and what isn’t. There have been times that Giro has been ravaged in comments about certain products… and when that happens we have to acknowledge the reasons.

As for Vista and MIPS… we’re a customer to MIPS like so many other helmet brands. When Giro was owned by BRG Sports, our parent company had a minority investment share in MIPS. Since we were acquired by Vista in 2016 we have had no ties to MIPS other than as a customer. Giro has a great relationship with MIPS, and we worked hand-in-hand developing MIPS Spherical (the Giro/Bell proprietary ball-and-socket design), but MIPS cannot show Giro any preferential treatment or they would lose their other customers. (Just like PB can’t show any preferential treatment to Giro without losing other advertisers).

It’s also worth noting that Giro has no obligation to utilize the MIPS Brain Protection System. If we find a better technology, we’ll feel an obligation to incorporate it into our helmets. Providing the best protection isn’t just good for business, the Giro team is motivated to keep our friends and families as safe as possible.-DZ

 @Mntneer For sure...are you looking for formfitting or relaxed fit shorts that just aren't super baggy? For formfitting, our Chrono Expert and Chrono Sport Bibs and Shorts are part of the Renew collection - the Expert is a bit more compressive than the Sport with a thicker chamois. The Sport is our best seller. For relaxed fit shorts that aren't super baggy, I would suggest either the Venture short which has our shortest inseam (11") and a slim fit or the Arc Short which is a bit longer (13" inseam) but more tailored than a lot of other mountain bike shorts out there. - ME

 ER: Thanks for the compliment...we use good materials, we work hard to create a good fit and the factory does a great job. The 3-panel palm design is something that we invented that also helps to improve fit when your hand is wrapped around the bar. It's more complex to make, since it's tailored for each size (like a shirt) but it works.

 ER: We do offer replacement pad sets for some models. Please check in with our Customer Service team for more information. Thanks!

 Today has been a harsh reality check for me. I've been a longtime observer here, but I'm no expert in filtering or navigating this platform. -DZ

 @GiroSportDesign: with these “ask us anything” type of things, people who have the slightest problems with a brand will express all their anger at you, even though you might not be the right person for the criticism. Sorry that this has happened!

 @GiroSportDesign: I doubt it helps, but I’ve had two horrible crashes in the last two years, and I’ve destroyed two helmets. Both times, the doctors in the ICU told me that my helmet saved my life.

 @JacobyDH: I'm obligated to do the same here. I got lazy at the end of a flow trail and went off a tabletop leaning to the right. With wind and my original trajectory I landed wonky enough to go from tires touching the ground to sliding out to the left, sprawled on the dirt and wondering where i was, literally in what felt like the blink of an eye. When i got up i knew I'd hit my head pretty good and was quite scared I would put my hand up there and feel blood. When i didnt, I took my giro helmet off and saw the deep dent the helmet had taken for me I was pretty unsettled, but grateful that the mips and helmet padding had done its job. I'm guessing here because I'm no trauma doctor, but seeing as the impacted dent was right around my temple, I really believe that helmet doing its job saved my life. Thank you for your guys' dedication.

 Is that why there aren't any vicious trolls among us here? I haven't noticed any questions disappear, but to be honest, it's hard to keep up - DZ

 Ketchup and mustard just doesn't seem appropriate - DZ

 @GiroSportDesign: street vendors in Athens. I was floored. But it’s surprisingly good. A gyro with side fries all wrapped in one!

 ER: There are limiting factors to how far back we can go. The bottom profile of a clip-in shoe is not flat, and when designing the shoe you have to consider fit, consistent pedal engagement and ability to walk without grinding on the cleat. We experimented with the cleat position through several rounds of development on the Chamber II and pushed it as far back as we could while making sure the other factors weren't compromised. So far, people seem pretty stoked on the result.

 Giro’s headforms are based on 35 years of research and fit studies. Giro tends to fit more “oval” heads (compared to Bell, that tend to fit more round). As the global leader in bke and snow helmets, we’re confident that we’re on the right path. For us, fit is essential, it’s like the secret recipe at Kentucky Fried Chicken (maybe that’s a bad example, I’m vegetarian, so what do I know about fried chicken). Point is, Giro’s fit is beloved by people around the world. We do make modifications now and then, and break from our normal fit. Specifically, we offer Asian Fit on some of our models. That alternative fit has been embraced in places like Japan. Unfortunately those helmets are only designed around the CE standard right now, so they cannot be sold into North America. If we have enough demand for an alternative fit in other countries we’ll absolutely pursue it. -DZ

 How were the sales of the black leather hipster line?
I’m guessing you mean the Bicycle Nightmare collection, because that stuff is really pretty hip. It’s done really well. It was a limited collection, so key sizes went really fast. There’s been a lot of demand for styles like that because a lot of riders are turned off by bright colors. Different strokes for different folks, as they say. Personally, the gloss black Tyrant from that collection and the BN jersey have become my favorites. I don’t wear a black leather jacket, but I have a few friends that do and I’m often jealous of their sense of style -DZ

 @GiroSportDesign: thanks

 ER: Let's do something better!

 There is a shoe called the Scott Volt that has boa. I just bought a pair. They are nice quality and the rubber feels like its going to be grippy enough for aggressively pinned pedals. I have not done an actual ride yet due to being stuck at home....

 ER: That's something we've been discussing...

 Italia.

 @unrooted:

They're based in Santa Cruz.

 ER: Cycling shoes are meant to be a little more formfitting than a sneaker, in order to provide better support to the foot and ankle through the pedaling cycle. That said, a flat pedal shoe is different than an XC shoe, and they're made with different fit lasts. Which models have you tried?

 ER: Jee-ro. Like the race in Italy... it's a word that translates as "ciruit" or "loop".

 ER: No plans...

 ER: Not in the near future...

 ER: We just launched a limited collection with the EWS that you might want to check out.

 ER: Hmmm... what color do you want?

 There's a long thread on this above, but we'll say it again because it's easy to miss in this thread: G-EE-RO. We don't mind or correct people that say GUY-RO.

 ER: There are a few variables than can lead to color fade. If you feel that the helmet faded prematurely or because of a defect, please contact customer service.

The process for putting colors and graphics on in-molded shells is something that Giro invented and that every other brand uses now. It's a silkscreen process, and while we use inks formulated for this purpose and even clearcoat to help increase durability, some inks like florescent colors can more sensitive to UV degradation than others. Light at high altitude can also be more intense which can have an affect on color. And the amount of time a helmet is outside can also lead to fade, just as it does with almost any colored object.

 Hi Christopher! Been meaning to drop you a line... the Broken and Coastal stuff has been looking SO GOOD lately. Keep it up! - DZ