Knee Brace Options and Carbon Fiber Durability

Kyle978
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Kyle978
Edited Date/Time 12/4/2013 10:12pm
I've had ACL reconstructions on both of my knees, so knee braces have always been an important piece of gear to me to try to prevent as much further damage as possible. My first set of high end knee braces were the EVS Web's about 5+ years ago. They lasted about 3 months before I cracked the carbon fiber. Since then I've bought 4 sets of Asterisk at full price, and they last a year or less before the carbon fiber breaks, making the braces useless. Early this year I bought the Alpinestar B2 Braces on closeout, and sure enough this weekend I broke the carbon on the left brace.

So here I am researching my options, and I'm learning that the of the mid-level braces are not Carbon, and I'm thinking I may want to try a cheaper option than the $700 I've been spending yearly or bi-yearly on carbon "premium" braces. The ones that caught my eye are the EVS RS8. They look supportive and relatively comfy, has anyone tried these? All I want is good protection, and a moderate amount of comfort, and I understand these braces will weigh more. I generally am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for", but I also know that companies are threading the needle between performance and durability.

If anyone can shed some light with some first hand experience, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
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MXATC
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MXATC 11/18/2013 9:21am
11/18/2013 9:21am
Go with the custom fitted CTi knee braces. You won't break those. I still have mine from several years ago and no breaks or problems with them whatsoever. Don't spend less money on your knees. Like you said, you've had ACL reconstructions on both knees. Don't scrimp on spending less money on a cheaper set of braces. Spend some well earned money on the best.....CTi's. JMO
Kyle978
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Kyle978 11/18/2013 9:33am
11/18/2013 9:33am
MXATC wrote:
Go with the custom fitted CTi knee braces. You won't break those. I still have mine from several years ago and no breaks or problems with...
Go with the custom fitted CTi knee braces. You won't break those. I still have mine from several years ago and no breaks or problems with them whatsoever. Don't spend less money on your knees. Like you said, you've had ACL reconstructions on both knees. Don't scrimp on spending less money on a cheaper set of braces. Spend some well earned money on the best.....CTi's. JMO
I like everything about the CTi braces, and my insurance will even pay for them, but I have 2 close friends that have snapped their femurs right where the top of their brace sits. Apparently they lack a mechanism that will allow the other braces to break apart in severe crashes to prevent femur breaks.
Mxracer24
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Mxracer24 11/18/2013 11:53am
11/18/2013 11:53am
I have had the EVS web for 3 years now. They have held up really well with some hard hits.
Johnston1
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Johnston1 11/18/2013 12:45pm
11/18/2013 12:45pm
I have had 2 sets of asterisk braces and they last about 6 moths before they break but they fixed them for free 4 times and one time it cost like 75 bucks because I new everything for one of them. and the issue with the CTi braces breaking you femur I think I would rather do that then blow my knee out because the brace broke.

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Kyle978
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Kyle978 11/18/2013 2:10pm
11/18/2013 2:10pm
Johnston1 wrote:
I have had 2 sets of asterisk braces and they last about 6 moths before they break but they fixed them for free 4 times and...
I have had 2 sets of asterisk braces and they last about 6 moths before they break but they fixed them for free 4 times and one time it cost like 75 bucks because I new everything for one of them. and the issue with the CTi braces breaking you femur I think I would rather do that then blow my knee out because the brace broke.
I had 1 pair fixed, but ended up breaking the other size 3 weeks after receiving them back and just bought a new pair.

As far as the femur goes, usually you are required to be taken out by helicopter when you break your femur due to the risk of severing your femoral artery, or at least that's what I'm told. Heli rides aren't cheap, and I've walked into the Doc office both times with my torn ACL.
kgmx856
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kgmx856 11/18/2013 2:35pm
11/18/2013 2:35pm
I've had my asterisks for over 10 years. How do you guys break them!?
Kyle978
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Kyle978 11/18/2013 2:45pm
11/18/2013 2:45pm
kgmx856 wrote:
I've had my asterisks for over 10 years. How do you guys break them!?
I'm a local pro turned weekend warrior, and I only ride 2-3 times a month, so it's definitely not from wear. I'm a MX mechanic by trade who is very meticulous, and I have a very good idea the value of a dollar so I'm nothing but gentle as I can be, they just break. Although I haven't tried the new Asterisk model that came out, has anyone had better luck with those?
njracer46
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njracer46 11/18/2013 2:48pm
11/18/2013 2:48pm
kgmx856 wrote:
I've had my asterisks for over 10 years. How do you guys break them!?
exactly. i've had my one asterisk for over two years and still works fine. even the leach thing as still good. i have a custom cti for my left knee and i like it but i hate the straps. it will start to slide down after a practice or two. the last few times i went i ended up duct taping the top and bottom straps so it couldn't move. i like it and it fits better then the other one. i would call some shops and see who carries them and go try on as many brands as possible. i tried on the evs web and i was in between sizes and it didn't fit good. plus you can't really get them online any cheaper unless it's a sale so support your local shop too. that is all
PPS Moto
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PPS Moto 11/18/2013 4:15pm
11/18/2013 4:15pm
Kyle978 wrote:
I've had ACL reconstructions on both of my knees, so knee braces have always been an important piece of gear to me to try to prevent...
I've had ACL reconstructions on both of my knees, so knee braces have always been an important piece of gear to me to try to prevent as much further damage as possible. My first set of high end knee braces were the EVS Web's about 5+ years ago. They lasted about 3 months before I cracked the carbon fiber. Since then I've bought 4 sets of Asterisk at full price, and they last a year or less before the carbon fiber breaks, making the braces useless. Early this year I bought the Alpinestar B2 Braces on closeout, and sure enough this weekend I broke the carbon on the left brace.

So here I am researching my options, and I'm learning that the of the mid-level braces are not Carbon, and I'm thinking I may want to try a cheaper option than the $700 I've been spending yearly or bi-yearly on carbon "premium" braces. The ones that caught my eye are the EVS RS8. They look supportive and relatively comfy, has anyone tried these? All I want is good protection, and a moderate amount of comfort, and I understand these braces will weigh more. I generally am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for", but I also know that companies are threading the needle between performance and durability.

If anyone can shed some light with some first hand experience, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
With your prior knee injuries, you will probably want more support than the EVS RS8 offers.
Griff.747
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Griff.747 11/18/2013 6:43pm
11/18/2013 6:43pm
I use the pod knee braces after I tore my acl and mcl. (Not the carbon ones) I brought them to my surgeon after I got them and he was absolutely amazed that those come off the shelf. I figure if it's enough to impress a surgeon it's good enough for me haha
tomcat
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tomcat 11/19/2013 4:24am
11/19/2013 4:24am
DonJoy,nuff said
TazMichaels360 11/19/2013 7:08am
11/19/2013 7:08am
I also have had reconstruction on both of my knees. I've always worn CTi2 Customs. I have extremely odd shaped legs thus the customs. As far as the femur thing, it has always scared me but not enough to switch. Like I said, I have always had fitment issues with anything other than customs. Until recently. I've been wearing the EVS Axis Sport knee braces. They are the next level down from the Axis Pro, which is there Carbon model. The Sport is an injection molded hard plastic top and bottom cuff instead of Carbon. The main difference between the Pro and Sport is cost of course then rigidity. My sports are more flexible (which makes the femur thing way less of a possibility) then the Carbon pros and are cheaper, 479 a pair as opposed to 695 for the Pros. The biggest thing I like about them is the full patella coverage, even when my knee is bent the brace provides protection for every spot of my knee. My customs did NOT do that. I always took the handlebar to the bottom portion of my thigh right above my knee because there was no protection there. Also the Axis sport is super lightweight and low profile which makes wearing them super comfortable. The RS8s are a great brace for sure but I agree with PPS Moto, with you being post op like me don't take a chance. My experience with wearing knee braces (13+ years racing) is that they all break in certain circumstances. EVS has been around forever and always take care of their customers. Worth a shot.
Kyle978
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Kyle978 11/19/2013 7:40pm
11/19/2013 7:40pm
TazMichaels360 wrote:
I also have had reconstruction on both of my knees. I've always worn CTi2 Customs. I have extremely odd shaped legs thus the customs. As far...
I also have had reconstruction on both of my knees. I've always worn CTi2 Customs. I have extremely odd shaped legs thus the customs. As far as the femur thing, it has always scared me but not enough to switch. Like I said, I have always had fitment issues with anything other than customs. Until recently. I've been wearing the EVS Axis Sport knee braces. They are the next level down from the Axis Pro, which is there Carbon model. The Sport is an injection molded hard plastic top and bottom cuff instead of Carbon. The main difference between the Pro and Sport is cost of course then rigidity. My sports are more flexible (which makes the femur thing way less of a possibility) then the Carbon pros and are cheaper, 479 a pair as opposed to 695 for the Pros. The biggest thing I like about them is the full patella coverage, even when my knee is bent the brace provides protection for every spot of my knee. My customs did NOT do that. I always took the handlebar to the bottom portion of my thigh right above my knee because there was no protection there. Also the Axis sport is super lightweight and low profile which makes wearing them super comfortable. The RS8s are a great brace for sure but I agree with PPS Moto, with you being post op like me don't take a chance. My experience with wearing knee braces (13+ years racing) is that they all break in certain circumstances. EVS has been around forever and always take care of their customers. Worth a shot.
I actually came across the Axis Sport braces today and was going to post up about them asking if anyone had any experience. I think I'm going to give a pair a shot, I appreciate your input very much.
txgoon
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txgoon 12/4/2013 10:12pm
12/4/2013 10:12pm
Hate to bring this up but I just broke my femur, collarbone, and wrist while I was wearing Pod K300's. I'm making the switch to asterisk.

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