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SAS-TEC SC-1/KA and SC-1/EA
The PU foams from Sas-Tec consist of small foam bubbles in which air is trapped. Each bubble has an opening through which air is exchanged under mechanical stress. In the event of a rapid impact, the air cannot escape quickly enough - the protector hardens. The new Sas-Tec foams used in Seven IDP and Ion are only six millimetres high, but still easily meet the requirements of protection level 1.
AMPLIFI MKX Knee
The sock for the new MKX Knee is knitted seamlessly in a similar way to functional underwear. As a result, the protector should sit particularly comfortably and stably on the knee. The open-pored construction of the protector not only saves weight. It is designed to allow good ventilation of the knee and at the same time adapt better to movements when pedalling. Amplifi's new knee protector also achieved level 1 of EN1621-1 in the laboratory. Price: 65 euros instead of 89 euros at Bergfreunde.
SEVEN IDP Project Knee Pad
A knitted sock with different elasticated zones provides support and comfort with the Project Knee Pad. A Velcro fastener also secures the protector to the thigh. A particularly thin Sas-Tec pad sits on the knitted sock, which also protects the surrounding areas around the knee. In size L, the Seven-IDP protector weighs just 210 grams and easily fulfils level 1 of the protector standard. Currently the Protectors on offer at Bikeinn for 99 euros instead of 130 euros.
ION K-Traze
Although Ion continues to use neoprene as the base material, the perforated structure should still allow a lot of heat to escape. A Sas-Tec pad sits under a hard plastic protective cap, which can reduce the impact by 0.94 kN and therefore achieves protection level 1. Its predecessor, the K-Lite, only achieved 0.77 kN. Despite the wide Velcro strap, which is designed to hold the protector reliably in position, the K-Traze pair in size L weighs just 360 grams. The price is 89.95 euros >> e.g. currently available from Liquid Life for 67 euros.
RACER Flexair Knee / Elbow
The French have spent two years working on their new lightweight protectors to give bikers as much comfort and mobility as possible. The knee and elbow protectors consist of an airy Lycra stocking, which is designed to fit securely thanks to silicone straps. A structured Sas-Tec pad is applied to the carrier material, which is designed to fulfil level 2 of the safety standard and which makes the enormous mobility possible in the first place.
POC VPD System Lite
Ventilation slits at the front and mesh inserts at the back are designed to allow sweat and warm air to escape through the new VPD System Lite protector. The new material is designed to adapt better to movement and thus provide more comfort. Thin Lycra on the back is designed to prevent the protector from cutting in when pedalling. The new Poc protectors achieve protection level 1 and cost 140 euros >> e.g. at Bikeinn currently available for 100 euros.
You can find this article in BIKE 11/2018. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
Stefan Frey
Editor
