Alpinestars Bionic Neck Support Brace And SLC Knee Pads: Safety Check
Better known for their moto gear, Alpinestars also has a full line of mountain bike clothing and protective items. Inside we take a closer look at their Bionic Neck Support brace and the slim fitting SLC knee pads.
Read on...Alpinestars Bionic Neck Support
![photo]()
The Alpinestars Bionic Neck Support is designed to prevent or limit injury to the user's neck by restricting the amount the head can move in the event of a crash. When the rider's helmet comes in contact with the BNS's frame it stops it from moving any further and distributes the load through the brace, or in the event of rearward head movement, down the rear stabilizer. Another feature, albeit less obvious, is the collarbone protection afforded by the BNS's wrap around frame that sits just above the users collarbone. The Bionic Neck Support is hinged at the back and latched up front to allow for easier installation or removal. In the event that the brace needs to be removed without disturbing an injured rider it can actually be separated into three pieces via the BNS's magnesium key found at the rear of the brace. Alpinestars offers two models on the Bionic Neck Support that share the same principles and design, but use different materials. The model shown here is the Special Blend and retails for $425.00 CAD and comes in sizes from XS to XL. If you want to loose some grams and gain some carbon, you can spring for the more expensive Bionic Neck Support, but keep in mind that the high end model is only available in small, medium, and large.
![photo]()
![photo]()
![photo]()
Alpinestars SLC knee pads
![photo]()
The Alpinestars SLC knee pads are deigned to be minimal, but effective pads for riders who are looking for something other than the usual bulky offerings. They are made from a combination of breathable foam and a fabric covered, kevlar patella cup, as well as flexible nylon panels that allow for more freedom than other materials. The slim design of the SLC's should also be ideal for riders who are looking for protection underneath their pants. The fit is adjustable via two Velcro straps and can be put on or removed. Riders who don't put their pads on until reaching the top of the hill will appreciate the fact that they don't have to remove their shoes to do it.
![photo]()
![photo]()
Get in touch with the Canadian Distributor Hans van der Griend at hansvdg@me.com if your shop is looking for a new MTB armor line up.
Visit Alpinestars.com to see their entire lineup of protective goods and clothing, or hit up their on-line mountain bike catalog to see what they offer.
Read on...
Alpinestars Bionic Neck Support
The Alpinestars Bionic Neck Support is designed to prevent or limit injury to the user's neck by restricting the amount the head can move in the event of a crash. When the rider's helmet comes in contact with the BNS's frame it stops it from moving any further and distributes the load through the brace, or in the event of rearward head movement, down the rear stabilizer. Another feature, albeit less obvious, is the collarbone protection afforded by the BNS's wrap around frame that sits just above the users collarbone. The Bionic Neck Support is hinged at the back and latched up front to allow for easier installation or removal. In the event that the brace needs to be removed without disturbing an injured rider it can actually be separated into three pieces via the BNS's magnesium key found at the rear of the brace. Alpinestars offers two models on the Bionic Neck Support that share the same principles and design, but use different materials. The model shown here is the Special Blend and retails for $425.00 CAD and comes in sizes from XS to XL. If you want to loose some grams and gain some carbon, you can spring for the more expensive Bionic Neck Support, but keep in mind that the high end model is only available in small, medium, and large.
The BNS from the side
Alpinestars Bionic Neck Support details
- Pivot Key system: A special magnesium key located at the rear allows the convenient front opening of the device while also allowing it to be dismantled in an emergency.
- Fitting System: Fine adjustment of the shoulder height allows for a more personalized fit – particularly for individuals who have a shorter than normal neck.
- Rear Stabilizer Failure system: In the event of large loads being channeled onto the rear stabilizer (the part that sits on the back) there are a number of deliberate bending and fracture points designed to relieve extreme loads that may be transmitted down the back.
- Collar Bone preservation 1: All parts in contact with the body use an expanded foam compound to distribute the impact force over the widest area yet remain light in weight.
- Collar Bone preservation 2: A continuous frame member runs over the shoulders – this means there are no weak points in a critical part of the frame and that there are no metal pins or screws sitting directly above the shoulders which could be dislodged into the shoulders or collarbone during an accident.
- Choice of Strap Systems: The BNS is supplied with the X-Strap System which allows a small, light strap (worn over or under the jersey) to secure the device to the rider. The larger A-Strap assembly (available as a separate accessory) provides a traditional chest strap for those who like to wear the protector tight to the body.
- MSRP $425.00 CAD
The Bionic Neck Support latches at the front
 | I used to wear a full upper body suit and eventually wore it less and less due to hassle, heavy, hot, all the excuses in the world really. I would often worry about getting hurt and I still do, but since picking up a neck brace I feel a lot more at ease. They've been developed to help reduce the risks of a broken neck in a serious crash and while I may not be an expert rider, I feel that I am highly at risk of regular crashes. My neck brace makes me feel safer. - Tyler Maine |
Rear support on the BNS
Alpinestars SLC knee pads
The Alpinestars SLC knee pads are deigned to be minimal, but effective pads for riders who are looking for something other than the usual bulky offerings. They are made from a combination of breathable foam and a fabric covered, kevlar patella cup, as well as flexible nylon panels that allow for more freedom than other materials. The slim design of the SLC's should also be ideal for riders who are looking for protection underneath their pants. The fit is adjustable via two Velcro straps and can be put on or removed. Riders who don't put their pads on until reaching the top of the hill will appreciate the fact that they don't have to remove their shoes to do it.
The SLC uses a soft patella cup and breathable materials that make it perfect for warm days
Alpinestars SLC knee pad details
- Made using breathable, laminated impact foam and flexible nylon panels
- Kevlar fabric covered soft shell patella protection
- Dual density inner liner
- Quick release buckles on elastic straps
- Sizes: S-XL
- MSRP $75.00 CAD
Silicone grippers on the inside edges help to keep the SLC in place
| At first glance the SLC knee pads look at lot like 95% of the current knee protection offerings. But it was the lack of a full back or "sock" like fit that won me over. Two straps mean that I can put these on / take them off with out removing my shoes and that alone is worth picking them up. The interior knee area is shaped to cup your knee and stay in place during a day of riding. I have even worn them under my jeans for a few bike park laps. - Tyler Maine |
Get in touch with the Canadian Distributor Hans van der Griend at hansvdg@me.com if your shop is looking for a new MTB armor line up.
Visit Alpinestars.com to see their entire lineup of protective goods and clothing, or hit up their on-line mountain bike catalog to see what they offer.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
The difference in quality is outstanding! The alpinestars was awful, half of it didn't even line up! Also it has no adjustment - sizing comes up big as a size small was too big for me and im not a small guy!
The thing about it that I do like though is the range of movement over the Leatt, thats a given. Though you do get used to it and don't notice it after a few rides (however obtrusive a leatt is to begin with).
I've never actually tried a leatt but having watched Ryan Dungeys Leatt come undown of its own acord half way through a race it didnt really give me a good image of the Leatt.
It may allow more range of motion than your Leatt, but the point of these devices is to significantly REDUCE that range so that you do not move into an excessive range of motion that would cause serious injury during a bad crash.
The quality on them is shite.
When riding downhill, I find that the back of my (D2) helmet hit the back of the brace. With the D3 helmet I feel even safer and the 'gap' is even more reduced.
Its a Brilliant brace.
Finally, I doubt they would sell the brace if the chance of it being more dangerous to wear one compared to not wearing one was greater...
Depends on the individual size wise, what has been generally found is they come up large compared to a leatt etc. There's no independent studies to show if these braces really do help or not as far as im aware. Yeah it limits your neck movement - but could that do more damage?
I love the brace anyway, so we will see if have an injury as time goes by.
Peace
Read up on both and decide which you consider more important and choose between the two. They are intended to both protect against two different types of injury.
APS says they designed it to protect against compression, sure.
Now, what requirements do you suppose validate this? Well, to stop compression, you need to minimize the distance the neck can physically compress. That means, the brace must stand considerably higher around your neck area to decrease the area of travel the neck has. This ALSO must be complemented by how far down your helmet will extend around your head. When helmet meets brace, you reach your stopping point. Slimmer brace, higher helmet = more travel = BAD. Taller brace, lower helmet, = less travel = good. And the length of one persons neck to anothers will also affect effectiveness, yes?
So, if the APS sits more flush around the shoulders - ie it sits lower, than the leatt - and it does, because I tried both on before I bought a brace - how do you suppose sitting lower is more effective in reducing the amount your neck can compress? Doesn't make sense, sir. Don't buy into the hype.
I would suggest wearing a moto helmet myself...if wearing either brace. And I believe more in the Leatt. But that's only my own personal evaluation based on trying on several braces with several helmets. I'm in no way going to tell you I am 100% right. But I think it's very sound logic, myself.
Whatever brand of model you buy, IT'S ALL ABOUT FIT. This is not armour, it's an orthopaedic device (look up cervical collars on Google for Pete's sake) designed to control range of motion in the cervical region of your spinal cord. If the brace does not have a snug, dare I say tight, fit then the device is limited in effect.
Plain and simple.
On a side note, a compressed disc or a compression fracture of a vertebra is not as life-threatening as a very serious hyper-extension or hyper-flexion injury to the spinal cord.
As for the review. It's terrible. Why? Because he didn't research it at all. He gave no background info on the type of injury this brace looks to defend against. And he made no mention of the setup he ran other than a photo. That brace has two different height settings controlled by pads. Is he wearing it in the high position or the low position? Did he check with Alpinestars to see if the helmet he's wearing is even compatible with the brace and the height setting he has it on?
Better context next time brother.
In my research I have come to the conclusion that the a-star unit is not much more than a pretty necklace and I bought a Leatt. IMO the leatt is the only neck brace that was engineered to protect the neck and collarbones. The others were marketed to compete with the leatt.
I know that may be a hassle, heavy, and hot. But it may still be a good idea to wear one, and it would be really cool if the neck brace was compatible with the body armor.
Part 1
www.cyclenews.com/articles/in...alk-about-it/1
Part 2
www.cyclenews.com/articles/in...k-about-it-2/1
the first links do not work. Its a long read but has a lot of info.
One over your head, under your armpit, same with the other but opposite armpit. So you have an X going in front of you.
The two bits of strap that are then around your neck slot onto two little catches on the neck brace, pulling it down.
That make sense?
-KT