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May 23, 2012, 05:34:44 PM

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[RAFChris]

Hi guys,

Been looking around at neck braces after a couple of close shaves and seeing some of the horrible injuries recently and reading this article on pinkbike http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Leatt-neck-brace-review-2009.html.

I think everyone has heard of the Leatt braces but unfortunately the cost is horrific for what is probably one of the biggest life saving bits of protection to come out in recent years.  SO, while looking around at what else was out there i came across this (also on pinkbike) http://www.pinkbike.com/news/rc-evolution-neck-brace-2008.html.  It does what, to my mind at least, is the same job as the Leatt brace but is a HELL of a lot less expensive at £130 http://www.dirtbikebitz.com/evs-rc-evolution-neck-brace-red-p-5415.html.

I'm going to try and get hold of one before doing the Fort Bill DH Enduro so I'll let you know what they're like.

Anyone else got one/used one or got any thoughts on neck braces in general?

Cheers guys,

Chris

[domino0]

I think the Leatt Braces are most peoples best bet, they may be more expensive but they are ridden more by DHers than any other brace in excistance. I dont even know of any top riders who use a bace that is NOT a Leatt.

Lookiing at this other one Chris, it looks befier, heavier, and will give you overall less movement which is good in the fact it prevents your headmoving even more, but there is a limit. I believ there is too little movement especially side to side. Even DH rider find there is too little movement in the rear of the Leatt and that is why Needles (andrew Neethling) has one with a DH SPECIFIC pad kit, which should be available soon, (call Si Paton on tht one and let me know what he says // Office 0121 422 1032 // Mobile 07968 229 359)

I personally really want a Leatt Brace and believe that this simple device tht is not uncomfortable and restrictive is going to be better than a full body armour suit, which cant stop you from breaking your neck or in fact any bone in your body.

I would buy one but i do not have the money, and my parents cant fork out for me either (just had to get new BB and cranks too so...........) So even though everyone says just go buy it and fork out the money, its not as simplpe as tht!

Let me know wat Si says if you phone him.
 PS he also has a spare which you can try out and take for a spin at races and the British DH champs r at Inners this year so you could go to him then

[RAFChris]

I see where you're coming from, but from the reviews on the web it seems like the evs brace is actually less restrictive than the leatt (allowing better rearward movement so not restricting your view when in attack position) and doesn't seem to be that much heavier. I wish I could afford the Leatt brace, but the cost jump to the adjustable model (which is the one you need for mtb) is a good couple of hundred quid and I just can't afford it.

I'll give Si a call (probably next month) and see what he can do and if i can get to the races at inners I'll give it a try and let you know. 

There are a couple of other makers who are moving into the neck brace arena now that leatt have paved the way which should mean the prices start coming down (fingers crossed!). As for all the pro's wearing Leatt braces, the company pulled off an awesome PR move by giving them all free braces a couple of years ago when they first came out!

[domino0]

It doesnt look asthough it would be ligheter or just a tny bit heavier, thts a deseving brace.
FRO systesms do one too

[Freerider21]

I must say, I do agree with the use of neck braces in DH. I also agree with the cost issue! I wear full body armour but would get a neck brace if I could afford it! Can't ever be too safe...

I was wondering can you wear armour and a neck brace together or is it one or the other? Ive never really looked into it and just trust my spine plate in my body armour at the moment 

[RAFChris]

There's no-one offering a combined unit at the moment and to be honest I can't see it happening for a while to say the least... pretty much all the full body suits and upper body vests have a gap between the spine protector and the foam below which is where these braces slot into and it seems to work great.

All this technology is filtering down from the world of MTX and as yet they have no integrated systems but who knows!

I would love to have a Leatt, as i said above, but the cost is astronomical! From the reviews I've read about the EVS I think it's going to do just the same job but I'll go to my local MX store and have a and a try to see!

[domino0]

Yuo can use both together, but u need to do some modification first
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Leatt-neck-brace-review-2009.html
I wouldnt wear both, too uncomfortable and restricting, i hate body armour even though i have it and wear it for certain things, eg lesson and soon racing

[Hwulex]

Depends on the armour.  I bought the RockGardn Flak Jacket as it's Leatt Brace compatible (amongst other reasons, like general coverage including ribs).  The armour was purchased when I first started tinkering with the whole DH/FR domain and now I'm healthy again after a four month hiatus (broken knee) I'm hitting lines and speeds greater than before and that worry me if I were to bin it big time.  I'm tempted to get a brace now, but in four weeks I'll be in Whistler for a three-month stint so might wait to see what $CAD prices are like.

Chris and domino0 replied whilst I was writing....

I honestly forget I'm wearing my body armour (after the furore of getting it on in the first place that is) just like my shin pads, lid, gloves: all make no difference to me whilst I'm riding.  Think the only things that can hamper me a little are goggles.  Great for keeping crap out your eyes but they do restrict vision more and aren't that comfy.

[domino0]

Well i suppose everyone is deifferent, i dont notice my goggles, lid or pads but i know my body armour is there

[bong69uk]

After reading that pinkbike article i reckon i would get one when i start racing again, it expensve but im sure a ventillator or a wheelchair will cost a load more(not to mention being a hec of a lot more restrictive...oh and permanent)!
I will be doing a fair bit of research on them b4 buying one,so i'd get one that fits best,dont really care bout cost,saftey 1st guys!!

[domino0]

You say safety firt but as i said not everyone can afford one as it is, we cant afford much, the best holiday we could have was a weekd in my uncles house in myjorca, all we pay is flights and a bit to him

Oh and tell me how your research goes and if you get one, might be good to meet as your local and see wat its like.

[RAFChris]

Depends on the armour.  I bought the RockGardn Flak Jacket as it's Leatt Brace compatible (amongst other reasons, like general coverage including ribs).  The armour was purchased when I first started tinkering with the whole DH/FR domain and now I'm healthy again after a four month hiatus (broken knee) I'm hitting lines and speeds greater than before and that worry me if I were to bin it big time.  I'm tempted to get a brace now, but in four weeks I'll be in Whistler for a three-month stint so might wait to see what $CAD prices are like.

Chris and domino0 replied whilst I was writing....

I honestly forget I'm wearing my body armour (after the furore of getting it on in the first place that is) just like my shin pads, lid, gloves: all make no difference to me whilst I'm riding.  Think the only things that can hamper me a little are goggles.  Great for keeping crap out your eyes but they do restrict vision more and aren't that comfy.

My body armour only bothers me when I'm riding uphill (the back protector can restrict my neck a tad) but that's because I'm mad and pedal to the top of the local ups!

I've seen a couple of huge offs and come close myself and especially as my job depends on me being fully fit at all times I think the brace is going to be my next essential purchase!

[domino0]

You wont regret it, you must be fit, the thing tht puts me off armor most is a boil like an egg, which in its own way can cause problems (dehydration) Wats your job chris?

[Hwulex]

The vest-waist on mine sometimes rides up a bit which gets a bit annoying but it's not that bad and doesn't affect the function.

dom: Yeah okay I know what you mean.  I was pushing up at Hindhead at the weekend (Brendog's stomping ground) and the sweat it was pouring off me.

[bong69uk]

You wont regret it, you must be fit, the thing tht puts me off armor most is a boil like an egg, which in its own way can cause problems (dehydration) Wats your job chris?

He is in the RAF,the clue is in his name