This is a topic that you know can go on forever. I've had 4 total knee replacements, 2 on each leg within the past 10 years. Wore CTI braces after I damaged my right knee and to this day wouldn't think about riding without them. They add alot of support to the knee area not only when you stick your leg out, but also in a squat position. My Doctor is a beleiver in them, some aren't. Rather bust a femur than a knee. Knee replacements aren't even close to a real knee, I sure miss them.
plenty of people tear ligaments (especially acl) while wearing knee braces. I also know 2 people who tore acl's purely from normal movements, where knee braces would not have helped in the slightest. They just overloaded an out-of-shape leg. If i had healthy knees (I do), i would be less concerned about paying a bunch of money for a product to make me feel better and more concerned about staying in shape, staying flexible, keeping my weight down, and learning to ride better so as to avoid crashes. These things are all proven to be beneficial for your knees.
I had some EVS Web braces and could not deal with them. They really restricted leg movement and I felt unsafe being unable to quickly react with my legs/feet. They really effected me in a bad way and we're always at the forefront of my mind, which took my mind off the task at hand.... riding. For MX I could probably cope with them, but when foot dabbing on a high country trail with a 1k ft death drop, no way. I need my cat-like reflexes in full effect.
I wear the Asterisk and really like them. Had a knee operation and wanted to help avoid another. I took a lot of time setting them up so that they are comfortable and do not restricted my motion. I find they really help in a lot of situation. They do not allow my knee to hyper extend and they stop my knee from getting a hard twist tweak. They should not stop your leg from moving, just from going too far past an unnatural point. I can hardly tell I am wearing them. To be fair, I am not a racer, so maybe if you ride very hard it would be different.
I busted my knee up on a downhill when i lost control & hit a tree sideways. I had a real good set of full coverage kneepads on. The problem was there was no protection on the sides like knee braces have. I have ridden a lot of years & I'm telling you that one day you will wish you had knee braces. Don't wait for this to happen. They are a pain at first but like everything else you get use to them. I know it's hard to wear them when your knees are healthy but I wish I had. Takes awhile to recover.
Well, I have tried to fit these Asterisks up with no luck. I have worn them on a short commute twice, and one day trip. They just aren't fitting me correctly. Mine will be up for sale soon. I'm going out of town from 7/15-7/26 and will wait until I return to list them. So, if anyone is shopping for Asterisks and wants a good deal, here they are. They're pretty much brand new. Size M
I thought these might be relevant. http://www.easterndirt.com/?p=843 http://www.easterndirt.com/?p=850
I don't know. I mean, I want these things to fit. I might try them out around town again after I make some adjustments. I might be wearing them too tight.
I broke my tibula plateau on left leg at Mid Ohip Vintage days back in 2004- very painful and long recovery. Been wearing EVS Web carbon fiber braces since. Didn't crash but left leg stuck in mud as bike continued forward- something had to give- bones in my case. I don't ride without them
They are too tight around my shins. The lower part of the brace digs into my shin bone something fierce. It totally makes me miserable when I ride.
Most guys I know who have braces have had an injury or issues with their knee/s. They got the orthopedic doctor to write a prescription for braces. There is a company in town that makes custom CTi braces with molds of your knees. Nice carbon fiber stuff that the equipment company charges your insurance for. Some insurances will pay for a device such as a knee brace. My buddy destroyed a set 4 years after knee surgery, got a new script & for a $300.00 copay got another set of custom CTi's. These new one have not been fitting as well, he took them back to the equipment company & let them make some adjustments. Now they are perfect. Maybe the same thing can be down in your town if you've had surgery or issues with your knees. Seems like a cheaper way to do it.
