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To Leatt or not to Leatt?

ultraNoob

Yoshinoya Destroyer
Jan 20, 2007
4,504
1
Hills of Paradise
I'm on the fence about getting one. Funds are ok right now so timing is prime. I'd like to hear some pros and cons if you have them. Any good/bad experiences... say buckles breaking during a crash, durability, etc...

Thanks in advance.

 

frango

Turbo Monkey
Jun 13, 2007
1,454
5
If anything breaks in LB construction during a crash it's good. Otherwise, some part of You body should accumulate the force.
L've ordered one few days ago. Waiting for delivery. I'm gonna use it with 661 Pressure Suit 2008 back armor, only. It seem to sit lower or be shorter that Dainese Wave back armor, so shouldn't interfere with LB's back plate.
 

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
I have one and don't notice it unless I'm trying to throw a quick look behind me while riding.

I figure if I never need it, I'm out a few hundred, but if I ever need it, it'll pay for itself a hundred times over with the first crash.
 

ultraNoob

Yoshinoya Destroyer
Jan 20, 2007
4,504
1
Hills of Paradise
I'm just getting old and fragile. Getting hit by a car 2 months ago really put my breakability into perspective. There's a motoshop not too far from here. I might head down during lunch and check out the Alpinestars version and any other version they may have on the shelf. $400 is a chunk of cash, but it's chump change compared to the pain and suffering of a busted neck right? Thanks for the input so far. Keep it comin. :cheers:
 

Raingauge

Monkey
Apr 3, 2008
692
0
Canadia
I'm just getting old and fragile. Getting hit by a car 2 months ago really put my breakability into perspective. There's a motoshop not too far from here. I might head down during lunch and check out the Alpinestars version and any other version they may have on the shelf. $400 is a chunk of cash, but it's chump change compared to the pain and suffering of a busted neck right? Thanks for the input so far. Keep it comin. :cheers:
I picked my A*'s brace up on Ebay for $289 USD. I bought the A-strap ($50 CDN) to go with it because it felt too loose with the standard X-strap or no strap.
 

Total Heckler

Beer and Bike Enthusiast
Apr 28, 2005
8,171
189
Santa Cruz, CA
I have been riding with my Leatt for just about a year now. I have taken a few spills onto my head since and it was noticeable. I wont ride without it now.

I have the GPX Club as well. I was thinking about the Adventure, but the adjustment of the Club is 100% worth the extra money in my opinion.

I ride with the Leatt and the new TLD D3 helmet (designed to work with the Leatt) and I barely notice its there. Like bdamschen said, I only really notice it when I try to turn and look behind me quickly.

I ride without the straps now after riding for most of the year with them.

100% worth the money for the protection.
 

John P.

Turbo Monkey
Sep 24, 2001
1,170
0
Golden, CO
I used a Leatt GPX Club all last season and am luke-warm on it. I definitely like the safety aspect of it, I just wonder if there isn't a way to accomplish the same goals without the sacrifices:

-Fit is very tricky. Certain helmets work pretty well with it, others do not. For what it's worth, I have not been able to find a moto helmet that will work with the Leatt well enough for DH use. Even wearing a DH helmet and the Leatt adjusted as far down as it can go, it's impossible to get a full range of motion. An example is trying to spot lips on successive jump trails like Dirt Merchant or A-Line. As you're coming down the backside of one jump, you simply can't crane your neck back far enough to see ahead.

-Compatibility with armor is a pain in the ass. Even with an over-the-jersey type roost guard, putting the Leatt on is diffiuclt at best. With under-the-jersey armor, you can wear the Leatt, but you've got to have a modified jersey to make it work (huge neck hole or slits cut into it).

-In crashes, it limits your ability to tuck and roll out of a problem. This is an excellent feature in some respects, as there's almost no way to hyperextend your spinal cord or break your neck coming forward, but on more pedestrian crashes you're forced to sort of turn your shoulder and try to roll sideways. I know of at least a couple of guys who've suffered collarbone injuries because of this. [and before the kids go off on me, OF COURSE I'd rather injur my collar bone than my neck, but the type of crashes I'm referring to would likely not hurt either if the rider could roll out of them]

Anyway, long-story-short, I think the Leatt is a fantastic invention, but I think there is definite room for improvement.

--JP
 
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haromtnbiker

Turbo Monkey
Oct 3, 2004
1,461
0
Cary, NC
I've had my leatt club for about a year and a half now. Once I got it set up right, I've had absolutely no problems with it. Sometimes it makes me not want to wear armor as it is a pain at times, but when I wear the brace with my armor I don't need to wear the straps. I would recommend it, it is fairly expensive but a great investment!!

The only time I find it annoying is when I'm sitting on the lift and try looking around. I can't really move very well, but while riding the lift up after a long day of riding it provides a nice platform to rest my helmet on and take a nap!! :thumb:
 

Biffff

Monkey
Jan 10, 2006
913
0
I'm about to pull the trigger and get a Leatt club GPX. Just trying to find the best deal right now. I have a 2009 TLD SE-2 helmet, anybody have any experience with this helmet and the leatt???
 

rigidhack

Turbo Monkey
Aug 16, 2004
1,206
1
In a Van(couver) down by the river
I just picked up an Omega brace. It is both cheaper and more comfortable than the Leatt. I am giving it its first trial run this weekend.



Apparently the chief designer of it was employed by Leatt for a time, but had some disagreements with the biomechanics of the Leatt design. I personally like the open front. The brace catches the sides of the jaw protection on a full face helmet, so it is just as effective as the Leatt in stopping the head from going too far forward. I also like the fact the impact forces are transferred to the shoulder blades rather than the thoracic spine.
 

Covenasty

Chimp
Mar 10, 2005
78
0
Altadena
I've been wearing mine for almost 3 years now, and have no compaint's... a little extra weight is nothing, you will get used to it....but I guess over time you would get used to your wheelchair too....
 

ultraNoob

Yoshinoya Destroyer
Jan 20, 2007
4,504
1
Hills of Paradise
I just picked up an Omega brace. It is both cheaper and more comfortable than the Leatt. I am giving it its first trial run this weekend.



Apparently the chief designer of it was employed by Leatt for a time, but had some disagreements with the biomechanics of the Leatt design. I personally like the open front. The brace catches the sides of the jaw protection on a full face helmet, so it is just as effective as the Leatt in stopping the head from going too far forward. I also like the fact the impact forces are transferred to the shoulder blades rather than the thoracic spine.
I tried that on today and it felt less constrictive. I actually felt a little closterphobic in the leatt... guess it takes getting used too.


I'd like to get one, however I'm not sure how it will fit with armor.
I'm gonna go there tomorrow with my helmet and armor to see which one is more to my liking. Gonna look wierd in the store but hey, if i'm gonna drop 4 bills on something, it better be what I want right?
 

vtminuteman

Monkey
Nov 29, 2004
166
0
Sharon VT
I own one and the cons for me are the velcro pieces are cheap and come unstuck and don't hold the padding in places. And for me it limited my vision down the trail too much. Every helmet and neck length combo is different, its just does not work for mine. I think I will try the cheaper alpine stars brace once I get my new helmet. Its has more clearance than the leatt.
 

yetihenry

Monkey
Aug 9, 2009
241
1
Whistler, BC
I got one at christmas so have been out 6times, I dont notice it, but know its there, and am glad its there.

You may want to work on your come backs though, as all the little bitches come out the wookwork so you need to shut them down.
 

davec113

Monkey
May 24, 2009
419
0
I used a Leatt GPX Club all last season and am luke-warm on it. I definitely like the safety aspect of it, I just wonder if there isn't a way to accomplish the same goals without the sacrifices:

-Fit is very tricky. Certain helmets work pretty well with it, others do not. For what it's worth, I have not been able to find a moto helmet that will work with the Leatt well enough for DH use. Even wearing a DH helmet and the Leatt adjusted as far down as it can go, it's impossible to get a full range of motion. An example is trying to spot lips on successive jump trails like Dirt Merchant or A-Line. As you're coming down the backside of one jump, you simply can't crane your neck back far enough to see ahead.
-Compatibility with armor is a pain in the ass. Even with an over-the-jersey type roost guard, putting the Leatt on is diffiuclt at best. With under-the-jersey armor, you can wear the Leatt, but you've got to have a modified jersey to make it work (huge neck hole or slits cut into it).
-In crashes, it limits your ability to tuck and roll out of a problem. This is an excellent feature in some respects, as there's almost no way to hyperextend your spinal cord or break your neck coming forward, but on more pedestrian crashes you're forced to sort of turn your shoulder and try to roll sideways. I know of at least a couple of guys who've suffered collarbone injuries because of this. [and before the kids go off on me, OF COURSE I'd rather injur my collar bone than my neck, but the type of crashes I'm referring to would likely not hurt either if the rider could roll out of them]

Anyway, long-story-short, I think the Leatt is a fantastic invention, but I think there is definite room for improvement.

--JP
Thanks.

The issue with not being able to tuck and roll, lack of compatibility with spine protection and moto helmets has turned me off to the Leatt so far. The concept is good, but it limits range of motion too much, IMO. I'd like to check out the A* or Omega brace, they may allow more rom...
 

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
The issue with not being able to tuck and roll, lack of compatibility with spine protection and moto helmets has turned me off to the Leatt so far.
I've wadded a couple times with my Leatt on and never had a problem with the ol tuck and roll...

I also am rocking the 661 evolution, which seems to have better clearance with the leatt compared to lots of other helmets.

Going to be switching to a moto helmet soon though, hope it's not as bad as everyone says...
 

davec113

Monkey
May 24, 2009
419
0
Going to be switching to a moto helmet soon though, hope it's not as bad as everyone says...
I just did. My D2 has it's place, but if I'm going to hit my head hard a moto helmet is going to work out a lot better. For high speed and rough dh riding I feel safer.
 

soul-skier

Monkey
May 18, 2009
322
0
Mother Nature
Got my carbon Leatt last year, mid season after tweaking my neck in a slam at Windham. Very easy to get used to. I rock a moto helmet, leatt, no straps, and no upper armour. With the moto helmet you just gotta remove all the pads to make the most of what little rear adjustment there is. Then put the pads back on after adjustment....of course. I am pretty sure the Leatt saved my life late last season. I overshot a gap at Platty, missed the next turn, and flew into the woods head first. WEAR A NECK BRACE.
 

Trekrules

Turbo Monkey
Apr 12, 2007
1,226
148
I almost ended up into a wheel chair 3 years back on a serious crash on my neck,but got away with a very sore neck.Rocking the Leatt Brace club since 2008 and it's all been good to me,i don't whanna ride with out wearing one.

Better spending loads of money on a leatt brace than breaking a neck
 
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illflip

Monkey
Aug 20, 2007
548
0
Newark, NJ
got mine last year. wouldn't ride with out it. definitely taken some spills where id be worse off with out one.

it'd be worth trying one on first, since fit is one of the most important aspects to getting the most out the brace.
 
Oct 23, 2009
73
0
Hillsboro
The A-star Bionic is leaps and bounds ahead of the Leatt. I've wore all the neck braces on the market while riding moto and would have to say the Bionic is the best on the market...and the most expensive.

You can always go with a lower grade Leatt Adventure if money is a concern. It doesn't have the same customer fit features as the Club or Sport, but still does offers the same protection. Stay away from the EVS stuff, nothing but a neck roll with some padding and very uncomfortable.
 

aj-monkey

Monkey
Oct 11, 2007
225
0
Squampton, BC
As mentioned on here already, they don't take long to get used to the claustrophobic feeling that you have. In all honesty mine took about half a dozen rides before I started to get used to it. I am very interested to try it with the D3 with the design being compatible with the use of a neck brace. As for the problems with the velcro, I've never had any issues. May be a couple of lemons?
Seriously once you get used to it you will not ride without it.
 

Leppah

Turbo Monkey
Mar 12, 2008
2,294
3
Utar
I have a helmet that i think is way too big for a Leatt brace. I'm thinking that i'll have to get a different helmet if i ever get a brace.
 

chup29

Chimp
Sep 9, 2009
70
3
Ashland
ive only needed to use mine a handful of times but i wear it for anything that requires a full face, i use a d2 helmet and a gpx club brace with the rear end fully slammed and the bolt mod so the rear gets even lower and the front fully slammed, i dont notice it at all when i ride real trails and it holds up really well in the steeps - i ride with it down some pretty steep stuff in ashland and i dont notice it at all, only time i notice it is when im sitting down and pedalling on flat fireroad types of things - 100% worth the money to me, once i got it i actually started riding much faster because i "feel" much much safer while wearing it and that gave me loads of confidence, one of the best uses for 400$ that i can find...
 

Rideforfun

Monkey
Nov 23, 2009
286
0
I have one and don't notice it unless I'm trying to throw a quick look behind me while riding.

I figure if I never need it, I'm out a few hundred, but if I ever need it, it'll pay for itself a hundred times over with the first crash.
This, buy one, use it. Its not going to prevent anything bad from ever happening while you ride. But it will help A LOT!
 

spocomptonrider

sportin' the CROCS
Nov 30, 2007
1,412
118
spokanistan
I am real glad I have mine, some argue that it gives a false sense of security but to me its just relatively cheap insurance. It took me maybe half a run to get used to and with my D2 I didn't even have to slam the rear shelf to its lowest position. I think a lot of noticing it or not has to do with your riding style. The hardest thing for me to get used to was (as someone else already mentioned) not being able to do quick look backs to see whos behind you. Occasionally on real steep stuff it does limit your vision a bit but as I said the rear of the brace isn't even in its lowest position I'm sure moving it down a bit would solve this.

Also I have heard good things from a few people who have run both the Leatt and the Alpinestars brace apparently the AStars brace is more comfortable and a little less cumbersome fwiw.