Knee Braces

so what your actually after is a set of knee guards rather than knee braces?

ive gotten on well with some evs ones, not anything fancy, they're just hard plastic with padded back and a strap around your calf, and have also used dianese and fox mountain bike guards too good effect.

One thing to watch out for when getting new knee pads, most the new knee pads are like knee braces in they go deeper in your boot with padding. Double check that your boot has enough adjustment at the top before you order your plush knee pad.
I like the EVS strata or the Thor Force. I wear EVS web knee braces they are not good impacts but ever time you break one EVS send you replacement parts for free you just pay postage.

Bundu,
I second Husahoff on Thor Force. $90.00 us, and they are real nice. Not perfect, but nice. They do have a long shin guard, as Husahoff said, and I could not get it into my boot, so I cut off the part I did not need with a hack saw, so that now, the bottom of the shin guard rests right on top of my boot, which of course has shin guard also, so it gives maximum protection. Best 90.00 I ever spent, and I will get another pair just like them when these wear out, which will be after about 1 more season...that makes over 3 years I have worn them. Wash them off with the water hose after use, hang to dry, and ready to go.....dang, that sounded like a commercial, didn't it....lol.....

You can't really get decent knee braces cheap, knee guards yes but not proper braces. If you buy cheap you will get cheap ones which don't bend in the right place or rub your legs to death in a race, tried them and a waste of your money. Knee braces are designed to be strong, often with steel or carbon hinged side braces, to prevent the bottom of your leg turning a different direction to the top. I can reccommend six six one braces, cost around £330, not cheap but stood the test of a 24 hour enduro this year without abrasions and more importantly without knee injuries. I have no choice, I have to use braces due to a previous knee injury, no probs since using them though.

I didnt have a knee problem and used to wear guards; had a bad 'twist' on a H&H and now wish I was wearing braces at the time. Think it would have limited (if not stopped) the knee injury that I now carry. I wear a set of asterix braces which at £400 or so are very pricey but they have held my leg in place a few times the last few months when needed.

Bundubasher - I'm in pompey too; there are a few of us who regularly go green laning over the winter when there are not many events on - give me a shout if you want to get out and about some time.

I have done research into knee braces for healthy knees and they are NOT recommended. Several orthopedic's have said wearing a knee brace on a healthy knee can actually weaken the knee as it is not being used properly. They advocate better exercise to strengthen the muscles around the knee to prevent the injury to begin with. As for the injury above that may have been prevent by wearing knee braces, knee braces do NOT prevent the knee from twisting. They prevent the knee from over extending and sometimes can prevent mis-alignment injuries. The lower leg will still twist inside a knee brace and allow a twist type injury. I have used the EVS Vision braces but found them too bulky and restrictive.

bundubasher said:

Cypher, Husahoff, mkcurtiss and Freaky, many thanks for your
The Thor Force sounds good and durable so am going to consider. I checked them out on the web but can you please tell me if they have suitable knee cap protection as the guard seems open at that point? I do have a dodgy knee cap and will go through the roof if kneel in the wrong postion so protection here would be good but does not warrant a brace.

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Bundu,
My Thor Force are 3 years old, but the knee cap protection is outstanding. No way to get a kneecap injury unless something were to enter from the side, through a very small opening between hinge and side of knee cap shell...not likely. I have landed right on rocks before, and absolutely no pain or discomfort...I am 6'2", 215 lbs.

Ted

CrazyTed said:

I have done research into knee braces for healthy knees and they are NOT recommended. Several orthopedic's have said wearing a knee brace on a healthy knee can actually weaken the knee as it is not being used properly. They advocate better exercise to strengthen the muscles around the knee to prevent the injury to begin with. As for the injury above that may have been prevent by wearing knee braces, knee braces do NOT prevent the knee from twisting. They prevent the knee from over extending and sometimes can prevent mis-alignment injuries. The lower leg will still twist inside a knee brace and allow a twist type injury. I have used the EVS Vision braces but found them too bulky and restrictive.

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This is very interesting Ted, about knee braces on healthy knees actually creating a vulnerability.....I really am not surprised, but you would think if some is good, more must be better,.....but not in this case......hhmmmmm..........

I'm old and my body is worn out from years of abuse!. I decided to do some preventative maintenance a few years ago and purchased a pair of Pods. 6 months after my third right knee arthroscope and advice from the surgeon that there was nothing left inside to work with I had 100 ml or so of fluid drained off it and a shot of cortisone which made it feel like new. One week later I dislocated it, making a horrible mess including snapping the acl. This occurred wearing the braces, they do not stop twists. 6 months of healing and exercises before more surgery. After much debate I got a reconstruction rather than a replacement and after another 12 months of rehab I'm now back on the bike regularly.

After research and discussion it seems that the cortisone 'inflates' and weakens the joint while it makes it feel better, and was probably the 'cause' of my problem on the day. I was on the bike, but did not crash or interact with anything, and have witnesses to that effect too!

Braces might help, but they also transfer forces further up the leg to the hip. I'm still wearing mine when riding as they fit well and I'm now used to them. Hard at first, bit like new boots, as when you grip the bike all you can feel is the brace and not the bike.

Steve

bundubasher said:

Hi all, I need some decent advice please :shock:

I have so cheapo knee guards that are OK but decided to upgrade so bought a pair of pinestar double hinge items...arrived and what a load of "$%$*!! for £75.00! I am really not impressed and would feel safer with my other items.

I have no major knee problems but would like the added protection so now decided possibly spend a bit more and get EVS Vision type which are around £100.00 and more braces than guards.

Q: Can any of you recommend these or know of another type that are not OTT android type at decent price?

Much appreciated

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Try AXO pivot ive been wearing them for 10 years and each new model gets better, the good thing about AXO is most of there stuff is made in their own factory and not outsourced to the chingalings. i find whats left of the AXO range is well made, years ago i wore it from head to toe.
they sell for around $80 aussie dollars.

RE: Re: Knee Braces

About to enter my third season of enduros using EVS Vision knee braces and they're spot on for me. They are a bit bulky but I wouldn't say restrictive. They did rub a bit at first but this is solved with the EVS under sleeves. I've took some extreme knocks racing with these and have come out fine. Great protection, well worth it for the price!