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Leatt brace for biking?

BORN FREE

Chimp
Jan 25, 2008
20
0
i saw that cedric has a partnership with them. i was wondering what other peoples thoughts were on wearing the brace for dh or just mountain bikes in general?
 

lukebikes

Chimp
Dec 30, 2007
72
0
bay area
im most likly gunna be running one for the 08 dh season. they are super light and cant even tell they are on after a wile. i havent been wearing it on my dh bike only moto but my parents are gunna make me wear it for dh i think
 
Oct 8, 2003
202
0
Im planning on getting one for moto and after I get use to it I would consider wearing it for DH racing if it really is not that noticeable. Only problem I have with it is it breaks your collar bone easier and since mine is still healing from breaking I don't want to wear it till it is fully healed. Of course I would rather break my collar bone then my neck but with mine still healing I would be pissed if I fall over in a turn and it breaks my collar bone because it is still weak.
 

BORN FREE

Chimp
Jan 25, 2008
20
0
i personally think its a great idea. sure there expensive, but defenatly worth $300-$500 depending on if you get the carbon one or not
 

Poindexter

Chimp
Dec 25, 2007
48
0
I've been using one since spring of 07, I race moto but used it for downhill and have'nt took it off since. It will take some time to properly fit one but once you start using it I SWEAR TO GOD IT BUILDS CONFIDENCE and you'll feel naked without it.
 

BORN FREE

Chimp
Jan 25, 2008
20
0
I've been using one since spring of 07, I race moto but used it for downhill and have'nt took it off since. It will take some time to properly fit one but once you start using it I SWEAR TO GOD IT BUILDS CONFIDENCE and you'll feel naked without it.
what helmet do you wear? because i was also wondering if my d2 will work the same with it
 

TomBo

Monkey
Jan 13, 2004
300
0
Calgary,Alberta
Im planning on getting one for moto and after I get use to it I would consider wearing it for DH racing if it really is not that noticeable. Only problem I have with it is it breaks your collar bone easier and since mine is still healing from breaking I don't want to wear it till it is fully healed. Of course I would rather break my collar bone then my neck but with mine still healing I would be pissed if I fall over in a turn and it breaks my collar bone because it is still weak.
Really, it makes your collar bone more susceptible to helmet related breaks? I thought that was one of its selling points that it spreads out the load. Rather then just having the edge of your lid loading up at one point.

Please do share, your thoughts or information. On how it may make things worse.
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
I Talked to the guy who wears one at fontana, He is sending me more info on them, entryline runs about 400. He tells me you cant even tell tis there when your riding, doesnt block your veiw or obstruct your mobility at all, I will be saving up and getting one myself.


Edit..... When I was talking to teh guy, he told me they will work with most any helmet there is, unless its like an aero helmet of something like that
 

BORN FREE

Chimp
Jan 25, 2008
20
0
Really, it makes your collar bone more susceptible to helmet related breaks? I thought that was one of its selling points that it spreads out the load. Rather then just having the edge of your lid loading up at one point.

Please do share, your thoughts or information. On how it may make things worse.
i have heard that to, i think it ture, at least for most people the side of the brace ends on your collar bone. so if you hit your head just right, it pushed the edge of the brace into your collar bone, and its the same as having your helmet hit it. but this is just my thoughts, dont take my word for it.
 

jcook90

Turbo Monkey
Mar 3, 2006
1,211
1
Connecticut
Really, it makes your collar bone more susceptible to helmet related breaks? I thought that was one of its selling points that it spreads out the load. Rather then just having the edge of your lid loading up at one point.

Please do share, your thoughts or information. On how it may make things worse.
Rather than have your head/neck just bend sideways/forward/back, any force in those directions will be stopped by the leatt brace and pushed down into your shoulders/collarbone. I'm considering one. I know if I don't the next time I'm flying head over heals I'll be thinking "damn, that was stupid."
 
Oct 8, 2003
202
0
From all the moto experience with the brace people will break their collar bones easier wearing the brace than if they were not wearing it. Having broke my collar bone when I wasn't wearing the brace I will say it sucks because you can't ride, but it is way better than breaking your spine. I have a ti plate on my collar bone now though so once it heals I will for sure wear one for moto and I would imagine I will use it for DH as well. It does take a pretty good hit wearing the leatt brace to break you collar bone (mine is not totally healed from the break so mine would break easier right now then someone who has never broken their collar bone which is why I am waiting for it to heal completly to wear one) since it does take a good hit to break your collar bone it is possible that if your collar bone breaks it could have been your spine.

What I plan to do is buy the sixsixone core saver which has some padding in the collar bone area and wear that under my jersey and wear the leatt over top of that so it decreses my chance of a broken neck extremely and by having the core saver it will decrease my chance of a broken collar bone caused by the brace.
 

-C-

Monkey
May 27, 2007
296
10
Is the Leatt compatable with current armour available?

Its something thats starting to be at the forefront of peoples thoughts, due to a lot of recent high profile serious injuries, mine included.

How does it work with the current back protectors?
 

Poindexter

Chimp
Dec 25, 2007
48
0
Is the Leatt compatable with current armour available?

Its something thats starting to be at the forefront of peoples thoughts, due to a lot of recent high profile serious injuries, mine included.

How does it work with the current back protectors?
Yes HRP products http://www.hrpsports.com/MOTOCROSSOFFROAD/tabid/350/List/1/CategoryID/8/Level/a/SortField/0/Default.aspx make a specific chest protector for wearing the brace. As far as a helmet goes what I found out what works best is to get a helmet where the shell of the helmet conforms more to the back of your head example, ONE industries helmet the rear end of the helmet would always hit the back of the brace its shell is somewhat oval. So I went with an ARAI and have'nt had any problems with it so far the shell more round, if I have confused all of you sorry. Go to a moto shop and try on with the brace what helmet fits better. As far as bicycle specific helmets the TLD and THE both look good.
 

ChrisKring

Turbo Monkey
Jan 30, 2002
2,399
6
Grand Haven, MI
I have had my Leatt for about a year now. I always wear it for moto. I don't even notice it's there. I use a Fox Roost guard that is slightly trimmed to work with the Leatt. Both are over the jersey.

For DH, it works pretty good. My 2008 Rockgardn Flak Jacket is Leatt compatible. Basically, the spine protector has enough space to slide the Leatt between the spine guard and your back. Again, you can't tell that you have it on.

There are two issues with using it for DH:

1) due to your body position on the bicycle, you will need to adjust the rear of the Leatt down so that you can look up enough. Not a big deal. It's just different from your optimal setup for moto.

2) All DH'ers like to run under the jersey armor. Therefore, you need to enlarge the neck opening a ton to fit the Leatt through it. Again, not a big deal.

Overall, I think it may have helped to save me a few times. At a minimum, it has reduced the whiplash when I have over jumped some pretty big jumps (75+ feet) to flat. You will never know that it worked. However, I have seen guys wad it up big and break the brace. I am sure that they were helped by the brace. BTW: Leatt has been giving free replacement parts out. I also haven't head of anyone breaking their neck with a Leatt on.
 

FlipFantasia

Turbo Monkey
Oct 4, 2001
1,659
492
Sea to Sky BC
forgive my ignorance, but looking at those pictures, how exactly does it stop a compression fracture from happening? there's still plenty of room between the helmet and the brace.....I'm curious, I had a nice 3 compression fracture accident last spring, and I don't see how this brace could've helped prevent that....
 

TomBo

Monkey
Jan 13, 2004
300
0
Calgary,Alberta
Yah I did a bit of E-digging after making my post. I get it now, how it may increase the odds of breaking your collar bone. It still seems worth it to me. I too drove my lid into my collar bone last year and now have some ti hard wear. Lucky me I didn't have my neck hurt in the process. I ride moto now as well as DH, I am going to invest in one. It seems to balance out the odds of pros and cons, for most crashes. There definitely is some good arguments about it. I'd suggest doing some research and making your own call.
 

-C-

Monkey
May 27, 2007
296
10
I currently wear minimal armour, but am toying with going for something maybe Dainese, so need to check its compatable.

Or the other option is something 661/D3O related, but no-one seems to make a more comprehensive upper armour with D3O built in.

I don't want to look like an American Footballer riding my bike, I like the freedom of no armour. I'm prepared to compromise for my own benefit, but not to current hard shell options :(

Any ideas?
 

ChrisKring

Turbo Monkey
Jan 30, 2002
2,399
6
Grand Haven, MI
where did you get a price from? they are like $595 or $395 for each model.
the club is $395

sport: $595

Pro: $995

The difference is the weight and the amount of carbonfiber used.

And no, you will not find a deal since Leatt suspends acounts for any dealer selling below retail.
 

Poindexter

Chimp
Dec 25, 2007
48
0
the club is $395

sport: $595

Pro: $995

The difference is the weight and the amount of carbonfiber used.

And no, you will not find a deal since Leatt suspends acounts for any dealer selling below retail.
I bought the club I just can't justify the extra moola to save a few ounces, the carbon fiber model is just bling.
 

leprechaun

Turbo Monkey
Apr 17, 2004
1,009
0
SLC,Ut
I posted up some pics of the brace and how well it sets up with a TLD D2 helmet on MTBR a little while back,

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=365757

I've got one now as well and am liking it so far. I tend to ride kinda crouched down and the brace is just up against my helmet but not too bad. I might try to trim my visor a bit for better vision.
 

slothy

Monkey
Sep 21, 2007
259
0
Ireland
I compressed a vertebra in February so I decided to get one.....I picked up the sport Carbon Fibre model on eBay for $400, its only a few grams lighter than the club version. I havent ridden with it yet, but like leprochaun, I ride scruched up as Im quite tall. I can feel the helmet chin guard rubbing of the front, (I have a 2007 661 carbon pro bravo) I will test it more this weekend, but I would say definantly prevents hyper extension in all directions.
 

Poindexter

Chimp
Dec 25, 2007
48
0
I compressed a vertebra in February so I decided to get one.....I picked up the sport Carbon Fibre model on eBay for $400, its only a few grams lighter than the club version. I havent ridden with it yet, but like leprochaun, I ride scruched up as Im quite tall. I can feel the helmet chin guard rubbing of the front, (I have a 2007 661 carbon pro bravo) I will test it more this weekend, but I would say definantly prevents hyper extension in all directions.

Homes don't even bother brother, I have the exact same helmet and no **** I got pitched right over the bars over a drop because I could'nt put my head back the back of the helmet stoped the movement. That helmet is really ovalized, but what the hay try it anyway.
 

ChrisKring

Turbo Monkey
Jan 30, 2002
2,399
6
Grand Haven, MI
Not sure if you adjusted the brace. however, there is a height adjustment in the back. If you lower it down all the way it makes it much better for a DH stance. You might have to loosen up the cover to get it to move.

That said, I know some helmets cause issues. Reed was running a modified thor helmet last year to make his work for moto. Thor didn't like him using a cut up helmet so he only wore the brace in practice until they got him a better helmet.

My Troy Lee SE2 and my Fox Pro Pilot work well with it. A guy I know has a Shark that works good too.
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Now...what does the Leat do that this won't do for $34? I was just getting ready to add this to my list.
I understand that this might move or compress a little, but it should do more than not having one..
It was designed to attach to a roost guard, so that would help keep the rear of the guard in place...
I'm not defending this thing, I'm asking if it;s gonna do the job. I'm assuming most of you will say no simply because it doesn't cost as much as a new frame...
http://www.oneal.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=393
 

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
I understand the mechanics and for $500 they SHOULD have more words on their website. But if the donut will do an adequate job(enough people use them, that's for sure), then I'm good with $34.
Call this ignorant or whatever you will, but I'm nowhere near WC speeds or on equivelant courses, and YES, I understand I can break my neck stepping off a curb. But I'm not going to the store in a $500 brace either.
Basically, I, too, am annoyed with the cost. It shouldn't matter if "my neck is worth $500" because apparently it is to the manufacturer. My wife disagrees....