Neck braces - Yes or No and why?

[Cellar]

Ok, I guess I'm off to get prices.

[Thorn199]

I use one religiously for enduro (motorbike) riding.

 

Key aspect of the brace is the fitment. Each brace comes with a number of different size inserts to adjust the fitment of the brace. After a lot of experimentation, I have now got the brace to the point where I don't even know it is there. Pretty sure poor fitment will aggravate any problems, specifically around the insert running down the back.

 

Also, Leatt braces come with a body strap, designed to keep it in place, ensuring that it works as intended.

 

Yes, there are some crashes that will exceed / expose the limitations of the braces, but having lost a friend in the Dakar rally whose death might have been prevented had he been wearing a neck brace, I will always wear mine.

[dirtrider]

That's the thing. I ride the motorised version daily to work and back and seeing clients, but I'm not convinced that the brace is the right way to go. The voices from the pro camp are just as loud as the voices from the "it may injure you worse" camp. I don't know which way to go

 

Edit: I do wear all the gear. Always.

 

It is a personal thing , I never go anywhere without mine . I also know people who know somebody whose brother swore that if he did not wear his brace when he went into the back of that Sanral bakkie he would have broken his neck . . And it takes the strain of my neck on long rides as the helmet now rests on the brace and I just luv that bit .

[FC&P2C]

I race bmx with a leatt. Have had numerous bad falls and had never even had a stiff neck after a crash. However I do believe wearing a neck brace exposes your head as you cant tuck your head in during a fall. That exactly happened to me while wearing a light weight giro remedy helmet and the front mouth piece snapped and came through my mouth and breaking my nose in 30 odd places. Had i not worn a leatt my helmet would not have taken such a severe impact but who knows what would have happened to my neck? Lesson learnt and now I still always ride with a leatt but only use a dot and snell approved motorbike helmet.

[David D]

Bla Bla Bla Bla Science.

 

I wear a neck brace.

 

I believe that the guy who designed the Leatt and all his testing equipment know what they are doing.

 

No protective equipment is 100% effective, but I like to tilt the odds in my favor and I believe wearing a neck brace does that.

[Cellar]

Ok, I guess I'm off to get prices.

 

I see this one that I would get doesn't have that central piece running down the spine:

http://www.wildatheartadventure.co.za/leatt-stx-road.jpg

[Guest Omega Man]

I see this one that I would get doesn't have that central piece running down the spine:

http://www.wildatheartadventure.co.za/leatt-stx-road.jpg

That's the Roadbike version. It's made to go around the hump on your leathers. The new GPX or whatever it's called also has a split backplate although it's closer together. I also think the backplate thingy is on a hinge system so it folds somewhat flat. The old ones tend to take up quite a lot of room.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Omega Man

[Super_mil]

The new Leatt model is the 5.5

Definitely has a sleeker look and the split back brace section

 

http://www.btosports.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000007/leatt-brace-5-5-gpx-neck-brace.jpg

[Sidewinder.]

Looks nice...nice&expensive

[Cellar]

Looks nice...nice&expensive

 

Around R3.5k. Not too much. I mean that's like half a helmet worth... I shelled out R2.6k last week for new tyres, so I'm used to it.

[Cellar]

That's the Roadbike version. It's made to go around the hump on your leathers. The new GPX or whatever it's called also has a split backplate although it's closer together. I also think the backplate thingy is on a hinge system so it folds somewhat flat. The old ones tend to take up quite a lot of room.

 

Yip. That's the one.

[Google]

I Always ride with a neck brace for DH I used to find it restrictive but with the correct set-up I now don't even know its there.

I have had 2 major crashes onto my head at high speeds with it on the first was into a tree in george while trying to dodge another rider who was on the lip of the landing of a jump and resulted in me ejecting and landing head first into a tree. There were paramedics watching and they took me to hospital on a stretcher after which the doctor told me the Neck Brace saved my neck.

The other was also very high speed but I managed to walk away completely Injury free. I buy into neck braces completely as I think they make a real difference and I would rather break a collarbone than become a quadriplegic.

[Sidewinder.]

Around R3.5k. Not too much. I mean that's like half a helmet worth... I shelled out R2.6k last week for new tyres, so I'm used to it.

 

More like R4k, but aren't you the same bloke who was bragging in another thread how he spends nothing on his bicycles?

[Cellar]

More like R4k, but aren't you the same bloke who was bragging in another thread how he spends nothing on his bicycles?

Online, free shipping, R3600. I lost the link just now, when I find it I'll post here.

I also did mention in that thread if it was about the motorised version, I'd be singing a different tune.

[Glenmx]

I broke both my collar bones in separate mx crashes with a leatte brace on. After the second time the bump on my "collar" prevented my from wearing one. The last break was either side of the brace. Coincidence?

I think it's a little like the arguments aborting knee braces and femur breaks. I'm won't ride with a leatte again but won't ride a mx bike without knee braces.

I suppose whatever gives you the best sense of security and confidence.

[RockCoach]

Worst crash did result in a neck injury from landing on my head. No lasting problems luckily.

 

Physical or mental?