Neck Braces

[Digga]

for downhill mtb. What's the verdict here?

A lot of guys riding locally, including the (presumably cash-strapped) kids have shelled-out for them and wear them even if they don't all bother with gloves or elbow pads.

Leatts seem ruinously expensive and even the cheapest seem to be near £200 mark, so I wondered whether people had any experience of how good or not these things are? I have spoken to a few of the guys I ride with who have them, but suspect it's one of those things that, once you've parted with £*** you sort of have to find a way to justify it, whether or not it's a load of cock.

[SkinnyBoy]

I read an interesting article about Whistler and what people were riding the other day, and one of the mentions was the lack of people wearing neckbraces.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/What-folks-are-riding...

pinkbike said:

Neck Braces (wearing one or not):
No 77%
Yes 23%

I don't go fast enough to warrant buying one!

[olly-robinson]

As with everything to do with DH "its all about the look"

[Digga]

SkinnyBoy said:

I don't go fast enough to warrant buying one!

I don't go fast enough (to clear the gaps with certainty) to ignore the possibility of needing one!

Good link. Neck braces not fashionable in Whistler then.

[R.P.M]

Hi digga, long time no see, will have to fix that.

Why do i wear one?

Simples. All the people I ride with have one, and when riding the same stuff I had a feeling of being less protected. Stupid I know, and probably not the right reason to buy one.
It doesn't feel right wearing a full face without one now.

Do they work?
I don't know. I'm convinced in some crash situations they will definitely limit the injury (Cervical), but have seen them cause injury in other situations (Clavicle).

Why Leatt?
Preferred the fit over an alpine stars and they seemed to be the pioneers, so stumped up the extra, although you can get them a little cheaper than you would think.


On another note, the wearing of a neck brace throws up some problems with armour, as they have to sit next to your skin. I saw the new leatt made, neck brace compatible armour over the weekend, and whilst a little on the stormtrooper side, it looks to offer very good protection with amazing fit/compatibility.

http://www.leatt-brace.com/index.php/choose-your-s...


HTH

[Digga]

R.P.M said:

Hi digga, long time no see, will have to fix that.

Yes, I'd love to hear about Revolution & Antur Stiniog mate. Will be on 'gentle' riding only for a few weeks as the plate is being whipped out in a few days time and the screw holes need a good few weeks to ossify.

R.P.M said:

Do they work?
I don't know. I'm convinced in some crash situations they will definitely limit the injury (Cervical), but have seen them cause injury in other situations (Clavicle).

Clavicles - as I know - can and do heal, whereas haed and necks are a bit trickier, so I guess the compromise is pretty straightforward. I have spoken to other people who've had [i[very[/i] near misses with head first or even inverted landings.

[joema]

Nope. Never felt the need.

I think people seriously misunderestimate the neck. It is a shock absorber. So those forces just end up on your skull? So that makes me think There's not enough research into their effectiveness. Crashes occur in numerous variations so it is impossible to test.


Look at how many pro's wear them... Not a lot.

Personally speaking, I've fractured vertebrae in my back. I don't know if the brace would have stopped it but I got over it.

Everyone who advocates them seems to think it has saved their neck. This could be true and I'm pleased, but do it again without the brace? I've been racing for a long time, over 10 years now and know very few people who have hurt their necks. So why the sudden rise in supposed neck injuries?

If it's on your mind then it may only resolve itself by buying one. I'd encourage you to focus on riding and get the thoughts out of your head.