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2nd gen Leatt Brace Proto

Trekrules

Turbo Monkey
Apr 12, 2007
1,226
148
Seen this on Vitalmx:

It's been a while since we've seen much more than small running changes on the Leatt Brace, and it's generally worked well. But we spotted Leatt's Kristin Cunningham assembling a new prototype brace for Ryan Dungey this afternoon


Apparently there are only two of these in the country at the moment. Some of the highlights? See the diamond-shaped sections? Those are now air vents, but they also double as pad mounts. The rubber edges grip the brace pieces. You can see on the left side how the edge of the brace would slip inside the rubber at the edge for mounting


You'll also find a new longer closure lever


The new thoracic member (below) is wider than before. You can see the new rear vents, and it looks like they've done away with the height adjustment in the rear.


Ryan heading out onto the track for press day at Pala. This was Ryan Dungey's first time seeing the new brace, and he mentioned that this version was much lighter than before (reportedly a half-pound less than the current one), and also fit more snugly front-to-rear, which he said helps prevent it from floating around


The brace will now come with this cool molded bag.


It sounds like these won't be available to the public for a couple more months, and there's no word on pricing.
 

FlyinPolack

Monkey
Jul 16, 2007
371
0
Looks good.
why isn't this stuff being incorporated into the DH gear yet?
Oh yah, they'll just release it once they milk us all for these. Just watch...
 

RUFUS

e-douche of the year
Dec 1, 2006
3,480
1
Denver, CO
This is probably the only thing for dh that I couldn't care less about weight. To point out that it is a 1/2lb isn't a selling point for me. Safety is key. Plus, I have never worn the strap and barely had a problem with floating and movement.
Looks cool but I'll stick with the Leatt that I have now.
 

RayB

Monkey
Jan 31, 2008
744
95
Seattle
Not sure why anybody is being negative about it...

It's an obvious improvement (fit, materials, finish, etc.) over the existing model. It's clearly undergoing "real world testing". Obviously no word on price yet, but just think about it... the next-generation model is probably going depress prices for the current one, which makes it more affordable for those out there that place a price-tag on their necks.

And let's face it. It LOOKS sick (since that's what all the gapers care about nowadays).
 

FlyinPolack

Monkey
Jul 16, 2007
371
0
I"m not trying to be negative but, one of those braces costs more than my helmet, armor, kneepads & gloves combined.
Armor isn't made to work with it, & the braces arent made to work with the armor..
So now you have a bunch of clowns like me with armor only, & another bunch of clowns with braces & no armor. Either setup leaves a lot to be desired.. seriously.
 

bizutch

Delicate CUSTOM flower
Dec 11, 2001
15,928
24
Over your shoulder whispering
This is probably the only thing for dh that I couldn't care less about weight. To point out that it is a 1/2lb isn't a selling point for me. Safety is key. Plus, I have never worn the strap and barely had a problem with floating and movement.
Looks cool but I'll stick with the Leatt that I have now.
You are obviously not a moto father who just dropped several grand on the entire 2011 NoFear/TLD/Scott/Oneal, etc clothing and gear lineup to make sure your 11 year old has one of each colorway.

This would be an afterthought to pops and his toughest assignment is to color match the custom sticker kit on the Leatt to each jersey so that it stands out.:thumb:
 

Total Heckler

Beer and Bike Enthusiast
Apr 28, 2005
8,171
189
Santa Cruz, CA
Plenty of companies have armor that work with Leatt braces. In fact, TLD has a few:

If you wanted to go a little more classic with the armor, the TLD Rincon Jacket - listed at $250

(I have persnoally ridden and used this armor setup with my Leatt and it was amazing protection combined)



And then the new gear that isn't online yet, but you can see in their catalog in the Protection section (starting on page 104 through 110). The new armor is really nice in person. Super light weight and comfortable. All work with Leatt braces. Starting as low at $80.

Check them out here:
http://www.troyleedesigns.com/2011_collection/

 
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redride

Monkey
Sep 23, 2007
215
0
Kuala Lumpur
I"m not trying to be negative but, one of those braces costs more than my helmet, armor, kneepads & gloves combined.
Armor isn't made to work with it, & the braces arent made to work with the armor..
So now you have a bunch of clowns like me with armor only, & another bunch of clowns with braces & no armor. Either setup leaves a lot to be desired.. seriously.
Im waiting for my KALI Astra back protector that works well with the leatt brace... stay tuned.
 

Bikael Molton

goofy for life
Jun 9, 2003
4,022
1,154
El Lay
I have a Dainese top and the rear Leatt support fits nicely under the spine protector. The spine protector helps to keep the Leatt in place, obviating any need for the Leatt straps.

In fact, I'm having trouble visualizing how any body armor would conflict with the Leatt. One friend's Rockgardn works fine; another friend's 661 Pro suit works fine.
 

Steve M

Turbo Monkey
Mar 3, 2007
1,991
45
Whistler
Looks good.
why isn't this stuff being incorporated into the DH gear yet?
Oh yah, they'll just release it once they milk us all for these. Just watch...
Yeah either they're trying to MASSIVELY rip us off (somehow), or MX is a market about 100 times the size of DH... I'm really trying to work out which one it could be.
 

sethimus

neu bizutch
Feb 5, 2006
4,959
2,177
not in Whistler anymore :/
Plenty of companies have armor that work with Leatt braces. In fact, TLD has a few:

If you wanted to go a little more classic with the armor, the TLD Rincon Jacket - listed at $250

(I have persnoally ridden and used this armor setup with my Leatt and it was amazing protection combined)



And then the new gear that isn't online yet, but you can see in their catalog in the Protection section (starting on page 104 through 110). The new armor is really nice in person. Super light weight and comfortable. All work with Leatt braces. Starting as low at $80.

Check them out here:
http://www.troyleedesigns.com/2011_collection/

still 2 separate parts you need to wear -> fail
 

mccdh

Monkey
Sep 9, 2008
181
0
Comox
I"m not trying to be negative but, one of those braces costs more than my helmet, armor, kneepads & gloves combined.
Armor isn't made to work with it, & the braces arent made to work with the armor..
So now you have a bunch of clowns like me with armor only, & another bunch of clowns with braces & no armor. Either setup leaves a lot to be desired.. seriously.
armor can be easily custom made (cut, slashed etc) to make it fit right. i know its not ideal but if you want to run both, a bit of ingenuity goes a long way. There are a few groups out there, Some people reallly dont think they need armor and dont want to wear it, they would rather deal with the bruises and road rash discomfort when it happens (because it will). Then there is that group that has the minimalistic approach of thought but also knows when that big crash happens they dont want to chance not being able to walk again from the more common neck injuries that result. Then there are some people who would rather be padded head to toe, but for their own reasons havent protected their neck. six on one side, half a dozen on the other. everyone has justified their own choices.
 

stringbean

Chimp
Aug 30, 2008
68
0
They have taken away the adjustability, but have made the back lower so its not as much an issue. They may have taken some of the adjustability away from them to stop punters overtightening them and cracking/stressing the carbon. I ride mine with no straps so cant see that being a major issue.

Price is said to be $695USD and will be called the Pro model.
 

iRider

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2008
5,653
3,092
I have a Dainese top and the rear Leatt support fits nicely under the spine protector. The spine protector helps to keep the Leatt in place, obviating any need for the Leatt straps.

In fact, I'm having trouble visualizing how any body armor would conflict with the Leatt. One friend's Rockgardn works fine; another friend's 661 Pro suit works fine.
I tried a Leatt with Dainese upper body armor and the Leatt was pushed up by the armor on steep stuff, restricting how much I could raise my head. Riding steep trails without being able to see far enough ahead is not my favorite thing to do.... :(
 

Raingauge

Monkey
Apr 3, 2008
692
0
Canadia
Then there is that group that has the minimalistic approach of thought but also knows when that big crash happens they dont want to chance not being able to walk again from the more common neck injuries that result.
This is my philosophy. I used to ride in a Dainese suit and it worked good but I found my self willing to ride tired because I knew the armor would save me. I picked up an A*'s brace last winter and now wear only that. I've had less crashes this year because I'm willing to take breaks and I don't want road rash.

Neck injuries scare me the more than any other injury. Being a single dad with two kids I'd like to be able to ride with my kids in the future not watch them from a wheel chair.

I have buddies that run full armor and neck braces ad some that run nothing. We all know what we're willing to lose. $700 bucks is a small price to pay if it saves your a$$.
 

sbabuser

Turbo Monkey
Dec 22, 2004
1,114
55
Golden, CO
Neck injuries scare me the more than any other injury. Being a single dad with two kids I'd like to be able to ride with my kids in the future not watch them from a wheel chair.
There are worse things than ending up in a wheelchair. My wife was in a roadbike crash that resulted in a lacerated liver. She was lucky that it stopped bleeding as quickly as it did. There are a lot of important organs that should be protected along with the neck...
 

-BB-

I broke all the rules, but somehow still became mo
Sep 6, 2001
4,254
28
Livin it up in the O.C.
I tried a Leatt with Dainese upper body armor and the Leatt was pushed up by the armor on steep stuff, restricting how much I could raise my head. Riding steep trails without being able to see far enough ahead is not my favorite thing to do.... :(

My buddy had the same problem with RockGarden armor.
 

sikocycles

Turbo Monkey
Feb 14, 2002
1,530
772
CT
My buddy had the same problem with RockGarden armor.
Same with me but I rather live with not seeing another foot up ahead of me then living with a broken neck. So it slows me down a little. Not trying to win races just trying to make it home in one piece.
 

sbabuser

Turbo Monkey
Dec 22, 2004
1,114
55
Golden, CO
Same with me but I rather live with not seeing another foot up ahead of me then living with a broken neck. So it slows me down a little. Not trying to win races just trying to make it home in one piece.
The best way to survive the accident is to avoid the accident. :thumb:
 
Oct 23, 2009
73
0
Hillsboro
I"m not trying to be negative but, one of those braces costs more than my helmet, armor, kneepads & gloves combined.
Armor isn't made to work with it, & the braces arent made to work with the armor..
So now you have a bunch of clowns like me with armor only, & another bunch of clowns with braces & no armor. Either setup leaves a lot to be desired.. seriously.

You must wore some shi**y low quality gear if one Leatt costs more than all of it combined.