Neck protection

[Rupe]

High sided the bike Sat and managed to ram my head into the ground. As a result my neck is buggered and feels like harsh whiplash. So reckon I'll get some neck protection as 2nd time i've done it. Trouble is don't know much about the different ones so any advice on what to get, price, effectiveness, etc would be great.

Do some need to clip to roost protecters as only have a preasure suit?

[vazza]

Buy a leatt. Either adventure model or GPX. /close thread :P

[Ktmboy]

I personally don't wear them (too old, too slow) Logan has the EVS one and he hasn't complained about it. It can clip to armour if needed but he now just uses under body soft armour.
The top of the range Leatt would be the chose if money was no problem.
Best take your helmet into a shop and try a couple out.

[CRF119]

Buy a leatt dont waste time with others. Get the GPX i have one they are great alot more adjustment. Go into the store with helmet and armour to sort it out. Dont even look at the rest!

[SpikedPunch]

Everyone says good things about the leatt. I have an EVS and it's pretty good, I hit my head quite often so it's a good investment. I had my first head-whacking off since getting the brace at Christmas last Sunday, I smashed my visor but barely even noticed that I'd whacked my head, normally that kinda crash would result in a week of neck pain. So I rate my EVS! It's worth it not to feel in pain, or worse.

[krad_nz]

Got an EVS too. I got it before the leatt adventure was available. If I was buying now I would get a Leatt. Marginally more expensive from memory but they appear to be the name-brand to get. My EVS sits on my shoulders fine but I had to remove my shoulder protection from my EVS pressure suit to accommodate it.

Haven't had to try it out yet. *touch wood*. Biggest thing I noticed with wearing one was not being able to turn my head to look behind me. Also I feel hotter wearing one. Only really a problem when you stop though.

There is actually an article on neck braces in a rider magazine. Can't remember which one. DRD, Kiwirider or something else.

[fergie]

My Leatt adventure is a tight fit with my body suit but fits ok on my chest protectors, when i first tried it on i thought it would feel uncomfortable to ride with but it was/is not an issue,would not ride without it,have also decided to wear it when im on the road bike as well.can't be too carefull.

[scott411]

there is a good article written by broxy in the latest DRD, abotu fitting of neck braces, like a helmet a ill fitting brace can be worse than no brace, try a few on and see what you think of each,

we stock and sell EVS, both A stars braces and both Leatts, adventure and GPX, plus the normal old neck roll, the astars and evs come in 4 or 5 sizes, the leatt comes in 2 sizes but is a lot more adjustable in those sizes,

you need to remember that a neck brace is not a magic bullet, they will not stop every possible neck injury, just like every knee brace will not stop every knee injury, or any helmet will nto every concussion, i choose not to wear one at the moment, but the boys here were EVS and Leatts,

[Reckless]

Hey Rupe
I have a neck injury from a road bike prang. I'd rather not have to have any neck brace but I bought an EVS when the adventure wasn't available and the Leatt where nearly a grand. The EVS is good brace that does the job but a few weeks ago torpedo 7 where specialing the Leatt Adventure so I grabbed one for $300. The Evs was ok but when you put it on under a pressure suit it stayed on all day even when resting, to much hassle to take off. The bottom of my helmet kept rubbing on the padding even though I had all the spacers out, and it felt hot and restrictive. So I bought the leatt Adventure when it was going cheap as it looked removable between rides and smaller and less sweaty and restrictive.
Mate it took me two rides and an hour or so of fiddling in front of the mirror to get it adjusted correctly. Then the back armour on my Fox pressure was pushing it up two high under my helmet when I put that on. So I cut half the top shell off and took it down to the bootmakers to trim the padding which stuck up etc. This cost me $40 bucks and they did a nice job (Luckily the Fox pressure suit only cost me $89USD from BTO). So after a couple of rides and a bit of altering to make things all fit together nicely, I really like the Leatt much better. I can strip it off between rides and slip it on real quick when going out again, the little bit of mucking around to make things work well together for the next couple of years riding was well worth it I reckon! My choice would be the Adventure, Club or maybe the Alpinstars as its similar.

Cheers mate!

[Rupe]

Thanks for the advise guys, I'll go try a them on with my gear.

[Reckless]

Hey Rupe Just received a flyer from BTO looks lke there is a new brace on the market.
http://www.btosports.com/p/OMEGANECKBRACE

U tube review here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFHjInz7HuI

Looks very cool (air flow) to ride with, with the open front. Looks like doing up the straps are a must though where the Leatt Just sits there.
If it does the job ok looks light and open to use!
Maybe Scott can give us more info on when it may come to NZ??

[Rupe]

Hey Rupe
I have a neck injury from a road bike prang. I'd rather not have to have any neck brace but I bought an EVS when the adventure wasn't available and the Leatt where nearly a grand. The EVS is good brace that does the job but a few weeks ago torpedo 7 where specialing the Leatt Adventure so I grabbed one for $300. The Evs was ok but when you put it on under a pressure suit it stayed on all day even when resting, to much hassle to take off. The bottom of my helmet kept rubbing on the padding even though I had all the spacers out, and it felt hot and restrictive. So I bought the leatt Adventure when it was going cheap as it looked removable between rides and smaller and less sweaty and restrictive.
Mate it took me two rides and an hour or so of fiddling in front of the mirror to get it adjusted correctly. Then the back armour on my Fox pressure was pushing it up two high under my helmet when I put that on. So I cut half the top shell off and took it down to the bootmakers to trim the padding which stuck up etc. This cost me $40 bucks and they did a nice job (Luckily the Fox pressure suit only cost me $89USD from BTO). So after a couple of rides and a bit of altering to make things all fit together nicely, I really like the Leatt much better. I can strip it off between rides and slip it on real quick when going out again, the little bit of mucking around to make things work well together for the next couple of years riding was well worth it I reckon! My choice would be the Adventure, Club or maybe the Alpinstars as its similar.

Cheers mate!


tried the evs one on today with a 661 pressure suit and it didn't seem like it work well together, is the leat one any better?

[crackle]

Hi Rupe, I have worn both the leatt Club and EVS and tried them with my 661 suit. I prefer to wear the full armour suit over my stnd chest armour as was sick of having skinned elbows! The chest armour generally works better with the braces but if I take a little extra time to get the neck braces under the full suit then they can be made to work together ok. I ended up getting the leatt, cause I figure it is cheap insurance against the posiblilty of a major neck injury, but i had to remove the back protector off the suit, as it wanted to push the brace up too high and this kinda defeats the purpose as it leaves my back exposed to getting t-boned by another racer, which is nearly what happened at the Auckland champs on Sunday. I work at Cycletreads and can look after ya if you want to come in and get a brace sized up. We also stock the adventure Leatt if you are on a budget and have the EVS on special at the moment. I might have to sell my 661 suit and go for the EVS suit instead as it has back armour that looks to better suit the neck braces. Or there is the new 661 Droid brace and armour combo on the way soon, might be worth waiting for? See the latest dirt guide for details.
Cheers from craig.

[Buddy L]

My Fro systems neck brace that i brought from Scott a couple of years ago, locks into my armour and is held realy secure. Don't think you can buy this brand anymore though.
I have had to re-glue the brace as well after i snapped it.

[Reckless]

Then the back armour on my Fox pressure was pushing it up two high under my helmet when I put that on. So I cut half the top shell off and took it down to the bootmakers to trim the padding which stuck up etc. This cost me $40 bucks and they did a nice job So after a couple of rides and a bit of altering to make things all fit together nicely, I really like the Leatt much better!


i had to remove the back protector off the suit, as it wanted to push the brace up too high and this kinda defeats the purpose as it leaves my back exposed to getting t-boned by another racer.

Crackle,
Hey Craig did you read my post mate I had the same problem. I cut the top Back Armour shell in half and got the Padding re stitched. Doesn't matter about the armour shell missing because it was so high it didn't do much anyway and the leatt Adventure protects that spot in place of it. Only cost a very small amount to get the padding restiched. Might be worth a look at for you to refit your back protector. The two work really well together now. Very bad pic attached

[Teava]

Hey Rupe Just received a flyer from BTO looks lke there is a new brace on the market.
http://www.btosports.com/p/OMEGANECKBRACE

U tube review here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFHjInz7HuI

Looks very cool (air flow) to ride with, with the open front. Looks like doing up the straps are a must though where the Leatt Just sits there.
If it does the job ok looks light and open to use!
Maybe Scott can give us more info on when it may come to NZ??

Nice find Reckless, seems to be a very easy brace to put on and alows for good airfow. At NZD$345 it a really good price, here is another review i foundhttp://www.motocrossactionmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=EE008CB2DAB14C268C85D1A8664F601E

[Reckless]

Nice find Reckless, seems to be a very easy brace to put on and alows for good airfow. At NZD$345 it a really good price, here is another review i foundhttp://www.motocrossactionmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=EE008CB2DAB14C268C85D1A8664F601E

yeh I liked the general set up till it came to the part where you had to strap yourself in every time you put it on where you don't have to use the straps on the Leatt. OK for a racer getting ready for say five races a day or one 3 hour enduro but us trial riders that have the things off a few times a day I still quite like the Leatt. But there are pros and cons for both me thinks.
I wonder what the safety rating of each would be I sense the Leatt would possibly be a little more protective????

[crackle]

Hey Reckless, that's a great solution and true KIWI mod. I didn't originally understand quite what you meant, but I do now, cheers for the pic bro.
Might have to do the same, as you are right that the thoracic member on the leatt comes a fare way down the spine.
Not sure i like the Omega brace, the rear movement looked minimal and pretty sure the strap setup would not be good with my ballistic suit. There is already so much gear to put on when i just wanna suit up and ride!
I might have to get this sorted by Sat, so I can go out riding with the mind the gap boys and check out their whip comp.
Crackle.