Posts
76
Joined
4/30/2015
Location
Clearwater Beach, FL, USA
I recently bought a pair of Pod K300 braces in size M and rode with them for the time on a supercross track last night. I went into it figuring they'd take some getting used which they did. Simple things such as starting the bike and shifting were awkward and my legs were so much more tired after each session from either reduced blood flow or just additional effort needed for everything. I have strong legs from skiing and MTB but my legs felt a little like my forearms do the first time back riding after a hiatus. I'm sure that's a conditioning thing that I'll get used to but I missed several shifts into 3rd for triples out of corners and had to back off and double it last minute.
However, what I'm not sure I'll get used to is the pain from the braces pressing on the sides of my knees. I measured and I'm right at the upper end of the medium (114 mm width) and I have fairly skinny calves and lower quads so the medium fits good and is comfortable everywhere but where the 2 pads push on the sides of the knees. Pressing the knee brace into place it's tight enough that the braces will stay in place without any straps just by the tight fit of those 2 round pads on sides of my knee.
Should they be that tight? Is that normal and the pads and fiberglass will break in and form to that area so that they aren't as painful? They weren't super painful riding (or at least I didn't notice it as much while intently focused on not crashing) but standing or sitting in the chair between motos, I really wanted to get them off.
I'm a Vet rider and don't race so I'm really weighing the pros of protecting my knees vs the discomfort and concern that missing shifts and being generally less comfortable on the bike could cause me to crash in a situation where I wouldn't without the braces. I'm sure I'll get more comfortable upshifting with the braces but I did have a few close calls where I missed the shift right before a triple and it was sketchy. I've made it though playing football, skiing bumps my whole life and riding dirt bikes without any knee injures so I'm wondering if the added protection of the braces is worth the negatives. I'm really on the fence about returning them since I don't race any more and am never pushing it too hard during practice. Thanks guys!
However, what I'm not sure I'll get used to is the pain from the braces pressing on the sides of my knees. I measured and I'm right at the upper end of the medium (114 mm width) and I have fairly skinny calves and lower quads so the medium fits good and is comfortable everywhere but where the 2 pads push on the sides of the knees. Pressing the knee brace into place it's tight enough that the braces will stay in place without any straps just by the tight fit of those 2 round pads on sides of my knee.
Should they be that tight? Is that normal and the pads and fiberglass will break in and form to that area so that they aren't as painful? They weren't super painful riding (or at least I didn't notice it as much while intently focused on not crashing) but standing or sitting in the chair between motos, I really wanted to get them off.
I'm a Vet rider and don't race so I'm really weighing the pros of protecting my knees vs the discomfort and concern that missing shifts and being generally less comfortable on the bike could cause me to crash in a situation where I wouldn't without the braces. I'm sure I'll get more comfortable upshifting with the braces but I did have a few close calls where I missed the shift right before a triple and it was sketchy. I've made it though playing football, skiing bumps my whole life and riding dirt bikes without any knee injures so I'm wondering if the added protection of the braces is worth the negatives. I'm really on the fence about returning them since I don't race any more and am never pushing it too hard during practice. Thanks guys!
I am a skinny dude and wear Mediums, so like mentioned above, they're probably too tight.
As far as shifting, etc, I much prefer wearing the braces over not, because like RPM68 mentioned above, gripping the bike becomes much more positive. However, I'm standing 90% of the time while riding. If one sat more than stood while riding, I could see how they could be a bit of a hindrance.
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standing accelerating up an incline. This puts my knees on the tank, and its plastic hinge on plastic
tank.
Like ice. So I slide backwards and only have my arms to hang on.
I know I know, don't skip leg day.
Looking to get some soft grip tape from my tank & shrouds.
Just to be sure I went and tried a pair of large braces on and you were right the thigh area felt a bit too big.
Did you wear something under your braces?
Tested them on a supercross track
Vet rider
James Stewart making a comeback on a honda confirmed... Title sponsor- Pod knee braces
I don't get how some of you feel more connected to the bike because I could grip the bike much better without hard plastic rubbing against plastic but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't adjust. Plus I've heard once you get used to braces you feel naked without them. They do make the quads and hamstrings work a lot harder though because my quads are sore today. I guess I just need to grow a pair and get used to them.
Thanks again for the help everyone!
I put the thinnest pads in and they were still tight. After a few rides I don't even notice them. I don't know whether they wore in or I just got used to them.
The only time they annoy me is when I kick start the bike.
Pit Row
I'm currently breaking in a new pair of racing ski boots and it always amazes me how you can go from something so painful that your feet can only handle about 5 minutes in, to something so comfortable after skiing in them a few times, that it would surprise me if the medium are the right size and the braces will be comfortable after a few rides. With ski boots, if they are comfortable the first few times you put them on then they are WAY too big as the shells and liners break in.
I was looking to get the K4 2.0 (latest version of the one the OP refers to) and was at the very upper end of the xs/s size (5mm within the upper size limit), so I ordered both xs/s and m/l so I could try them on and figure which to get. The xs/s I could feel a slight pressure on the sides of the knee that I was concerned would get progressively worse so I dropped POD customer service a line with some questions. I was expecting a generic reply but instead I got an actual call back from Australia, I'm pretty sure it was the guy that actually does the sizing video on YouTube. He mentioned doing fittings so he certainly knows his stuff. Here's a summary of the info he provided:
- The m/l frame is only 10mm wider than the xs/s so going up a size if in doubt will not negatively affect the protection provided.
- You should use the different sized pads provided so the hinge is just comfortably touching the sides of the knee to provide maximum protection. He also suggested using a thicker one on one side than the other if your knee shape required it. There are also velcro shims provided so you can adjust the angle the pads fit on (the pads are thicker at the front than the back to accommodate the triangular shape of the knee)
- The foam in the braces is closed cell foam (so as not to breed bacteria), which means it doesn't break down like open cell foam, and therefore WILL NOT ease up/break in over time - you need to get the fit right from the word go.
- Ensure the strap below the knee is done up so that it rests above (is angled up and over) the calf just below the crease behind the knee - this is what prevents it falling down. The top strap is what prevents hyperextending of the knee.
It was quite reassuring to hear him say definitely to go for the larger size, and to drop them a line if I ever have any further queries. I was pretty impressed with the customer service!
Post a reply to: First ride with Pod knee brace questions