Neck Brace input
- Thread starter PEB
- Start date
SpeedyManiac
New member
I got the base model Leatt brace (club or sport or whatever) last year, and I can't imagine riding without one now. I don't even notice it riding, unless I crash since my head is kept from moving around too much. It is annoying at the ISDE during work periods/at checkpoints, but I just took it off for my work period at the end of the day.
I recommend everyone that rides gets one of these.
I recommend everyone that rides gets one of these.
2 strokes 4 life
New member
I just bought a EVS RC@ collar that is just a roll with some better attaching. It works well for the money but safety is not somewhere you want to cheap out but it is better than nothing.
I am getting a leatt for this year and some Astricks knee braces as well.
I am getting a leatt for this year and some Astricks knee braces as well.
GMP
Active member
I'm looking for input as well. I'm concerned with the fit on the shoulder, particularly over my plated right clavicle, that is slightly more prominent. Also, where is the main energy transfer? Even if the Leatt is the best, if it knaws on my right shoulder I'm not going to like wearing it.
First off, I have a large neck with fairly prominent traps.
The EVS RC-Evolution Neck Brace (X-Large) was too tight on my neck. It offered little protection against forward rotation of the head. It does not push up against the throat. My 6 year old son (91 lbs & adult size medium helmet) uses the EVS RC-Evolution neck brace. He hates putting it on. He doesn’t notice it when riding.
I used the Leatt Adventure Neck Brace on one ride. It is comfortable to wear once I got it adjusted. I looks like it would offer good prevention of over rotation in any direction. I have not done any serious crash testing yet. The load path is on the traps at the base of the neck (compression), the upper spine (rear rotation) and sternum (forward rotation). It doesn't press much on the clavicles.
The downsides to the Leatt are:
1) difficult to rotate my head to look to the side (looking for trails)
2) unable to look down at anything immediately in front of me (map, GPS) without leaning way forward,
3) If the brace gets pushed back, it goes right up against the throat (this may cause a serious throat injury). I am mixed on whether it is more potential harm than good for trail riding.
On knee braces, I used the Asterix knee braces for years. I now have the EVS Web knee braces. The EVS Web braces provide substantially better knee protection than the Asterix for twisting motion and lateral loading. The downside is the EVS are bulkier. The POD knee braces are reportedly less bulky and comparable to EVS Web for protection.
The EVS RC-Evolution Neck Brace (X-Large) was too tight on my neck. It offered little protection against forward rotation of the head. It does not push up against the throat. My 6 year old son (91 lbs & adult size medium helmet) uses the EVS RC-Evolution neck brace. He hates putting it on. He doesn’t notice it when riding.
I used the Leatt Adventure Neck Brace on one ride. It is comfortable to wear once I got it adjusted. I looks like it would offer good prevention of over rotation in any direction. I have not done any serious crash testing yet. The load path is on the traps at the base of the neck (compression), the upper spine (rear rotation) and sternum (forward rotation). It doesn't press much on the clavicles.
The downsides to the Leatt are:
1) difficult to rotate my head to look to the side (looking for trails)
2) unable to look down at anything immediately in front of me (map, GPS) without leaning way forward,
3) If the brace gets pushed back, it goes right up against the throat (this may cause a serious throat injury). I am mixed on whether it is more potential harm than good for trail riding.
On knee braces, I used the Asterix knee braces for years. I now have the EVS Web knee braces. The EVS Web braces provide substantially better knee protection than the Asterix for twisting motion and lateral loading. The downside is the EVS are bulkier. The POD knee braces are reportedly less bulky and comparable to EVS Web for protection.
GMP
Active member
Eric,
Damn, thats a big 6-yr old!
People say the EVS runs small, so an average size guy like me would want the XL, and a bigger guy like you might have an issue. The construction seems like it would offer a more "progressive" support, the Leatt more rigid.
Very good point about the Leatt pulling into the throat. Not common in MX but in the woods vines, briars, etc snag you regularly.
Likely the Leatt is better for a warp speed getoff, but for average woods speeds perhaps the EVS is good protection, and at the price more people will tend to buy one. Basially what concerns me with the Leatt is another broken clavicle, especially the right where there is the end of the plate and 3 screws near the sternum. There seems to be a high incedence of broken clavicles with the Leatt. Now, of course a broken clavicle is better than a broken neck, but can it be broken in a moderate crash that would otherwise not result in a neck injury without the brace? I guess only time and data will tell.
Damn, thats a big 6-yr old!
People say the EVS runs small, so an average size guy like me would want the XL, and a bigger guy like you might have an issue. The construction seems like it would offer a more "progressive" support, the Leatt more rigid.
Very good point about the Leatt pulling into the throat. Not common in MX but in the woods vines, briars, etc snag you regularly.
Likely the Leatt is better for a warp speed getoff, but for average woods speeds perhaps the EVS is good protection, and at the price more people will tend to buy one. Basially what concerns me with the Leatt is another broken clavicle, especially the right where there is the end of the plate and 3 screws near the sternum. There seems to be a high incedence of broken clavicles with the Leatt. Now, of course a broken clavicle is better than a broken neck, but can it be broken in a moderate crash that would otherwise not result in a neck injury without the brace? I guess only time and data will tell.
SpeedyManiac
New member
I haven't had any issues with the Leatt getting pushed forward, but maybe the adventure model is a little different than the more expensive ones?
My 6 year old is a BIG eater! He is one stout dude. I remind his older brothers to be nice to him as we will pass them up some day.
I looked at the Leatt Adventure and Leatt Club side by side. The core is nearly identical. The Leatt Adventure has the same neck size adjustments as the Leatt club - replaceable spacers. The part that contacts the upper spine has a slightly different adjustment system.
I have the Adventure adjusted as large as it will go. Under normal orientation it does not touch my neck. If it gets pushed back, it comes directly into contact with my throat. This is the part that makes me nervous.
I looked at the Leatt Adventure and Leatt Club side by side. The core is nearly identical. The Leatt Adventure has the same neck size adjustments as the Leatt club - replaceable spacers. The part that contacts the upper spine has a slightly different adjustment system.
I have the Adventure adjusted as large as it will go. Under normal orientation it does not touch my neck. If it gets pushed back, it comes directly into contact with my throat. This is the part that makes me nervous.
SpeedyManiac
New member
Oops, morning slip up in my typing. I bent I've never had the brace pushed backward, into my throat even when doing some bushwacking (a regular occurence out here). In fact, I found I quite like the neck brace for that stuff as before I would get clotheslined by lots of branches, cutting up my neck on a regular basis (always fun explaining at work).
Eric, do you where a chest protector?
Eric, do you where a chest protector?
I have ridden them both in some seriously tight woods, and the Leatt is hands down a better choice. I really don't notice it unless I'm trying to look straight down at my boots or something. I really doubt that you need to worry about your clavicle, I've crashed a few times, and so far I haven't ever said "ouch! my collarbone hurts" but, there's always a first time! There has never been a time when going under fallen trees or through the bush that the Leatt has affected me in a negative way... Just buy it and don't look back. Safety is not something to cheap out on...
I do not wear a chest protector. I overheat far too much with one on.
Fortunately, my upper body is able to take abuse without breaking (knock on wood).
A year ago I hit the cut off end of an overhanging 6" limb with my right shoulder at about 15 to 20 MPH. I didn't even see it. It stopped me instantly while my trusty GasGas slid up hill for about 15 feet. What is most interesting is my left shoulder hurt far worse than my right shoulder. I expect it was due to my left shoulder getting yanked hard when my left hand continued to hang on to the bar while the MC continued forward. Nothing broke. I rode out 15 miles without too much trouble. My right shoulder was in good shape about 2 weeks later. My left shoulder took a few months before it had full strength back and the pain was gone.
Unfortunately, my body overheats way too much to wear a chest protector. I lose coordination and fatigue to the point of making mistakes and crashing frequently. For reference I wear Moose Sahara vented pants and vented jersey down to about 40F. Riding 20F to 40F I wear vented pants and 1 sweatshirt - no coat.
For me, a chest protector has more downsides than upsides.
My sons all wear chest protectors.
A year ago I hit the cut off end of an overhanging 6" limb with my right shoulder at about 15 to 20 MPH. I didn't even see it. It stopped me instantly while my trusty GasGas slid up hill for about 15 feet. What is most interesting is my left shoulder hurt far worse than my right shoulder. I expect it was due to my left shoulder getting yanked hard when my left hand continued to hang on to the bar while the MC continued forward. Nothing broke. I rode out 15 miles without too much trouble. My right shoulder was in good shape about 2 weeks later. My left shoulder took a few months before it had full strength back and the pain was gone.
Unfortunately, my body overheats way too much to wear a chest protector. I lose coordination and fatigue to the point of making mistakes and crashing frequently. For reference I wear Moose Sahara vented pants and vented jersey down to about 40F. Riding 20F to 40F I wear vented pants and 1 sweatshirt - no coat.
For me, a chest protector has more downsides than upsides.
My sons all wear chest protectors.
LAWMAN
Platinum Level Site Supporter
I tried the EVS & the Leatt Club & posted a review & started a thread on KTMTalk (I know, I know) in the riding gear section. long story short, I could not get comfy with the EVS & if I had it to over, I'd try the Leatt Adventure 1st. for Glenn's clavicle, I don't think anything will work but to try them out.
I wear the HRP LT c/p, the 1 made for the Leatt brace. it works fine, & I will not ride w/o it.
I did have 1 of those Leatt brace-in-the-throat moments last Sunday; I was hauling pretty good when I unexpectedly hit a soft spot which grabbed the bike & almost stopped it, very suddenly, which flung me forward (but not off the bike). the brace yanked on my throat pretty good, & it hurt some, but I still would not ride w/o the brace.
I wear the HRP LT c/p, the 1 made for the Leatt brace. it works fine, & I will not ride w/o it.
I did have 1 of those Leatt brace-in-the-throat moments last Sunday; I was hauling pretty good when I unexpectedly hit a soft spot which grabbed the bike & almost stopped it, very suddenly, which flung me forward (but not off the bike). the brace yanked on my throat pretty good, & it hurt some, but I still would not ride w/o the brace.
GMP
Active member
Just looking at the Leatt, you can see that the shoulder contact area is smaller, therefore higher energy for the same impact. The EVS shoulder contact seems more spread out. The other guy on KTMTalk that reviewed it said it was very comfortable on the clavicle area. What possibly makes some people more uncomfortable with the EVS is the closer fit and foam collar on top of the frame. I'm looking at this like I'll likely have to mod whatever I get to be comfortable.
After watching Anaheim 3 today and seeing Villapoto auger in I'm more convinced than ever its a good thing.
After watching Anaheim 3 today and seeing Villapoto auger in I'm more convinced than ever its a good thing.
SpeedyManiac
New member
Most chest protectors work fine with a neck brace. Both my Fox airframe and MSR Impact CPs work great.
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