Protectors in the test: Fuse Delta & Alpha Pro - classics for rough terrain

When BMXers talk about protectors, they usually mean models from Fuse. The German company has built up a solid name for itself in the world of 20-inch bikes. Although Fuse now also has lightweight knee and shin protectors specifically for mountain bikers in its programme, they are still a rarity on the trail. We wanted to get to the bottom of Fuse's roots and took a closer look at the further development of the classic street, dirt and park protectors with the combination of Delta and Alpha Pro.

Fuse Delta knee protectors in detail

With Duratex neoprene and an airplush lining, the Fuse Delta is designed to be particularly robust, breathable and comfortable. A two-layer Lycra material on the back promises a comfortable fit and durability. If the knee in the Fuse protectors hits an obstacle, it is protected by a polyamide cap and the DFS foam underneath. The surrounding padding is designed to cushion additional impacts. Special, antibacterial neoprene materials with a grid structure reminiscent of sharkskin are designed to keep the protector in place. The pair weighs 484 grams and is e.g. available here.

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Fuse Alpha Pro shin protectors in detail

Also with the Alpha Pro Fuse's Airplush lining is used in the boot. This is sewn into an outer skin made of perforated neoprene. Particularly stretchy neoprene straps with Velcro fasteners hold the shin guards in place. A nylon hard guard sits in front of the shin to protect the body from injuries caused by the pedals. An additional layer of foam provides shock absorption. To ensure that the Alpha Pro still holds up after many pedal contacts, an extra-durable Ripstop 1100 D Cordura material is used at the front. Additional side pads on the inner leg are designed to protect against tailwhips.

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How the Fuse protectors perform in practice

The Fuse protector combination is larger and heavier than most other mountain bike protectors. However, the protectors are not made for long tours anyway. The thick padding gets in the way when pedalling and the neoprene rubs on the back of the knee. The Fuse Delta and Alpha Pro are clearly intended for use on BMX or dirt bikes. There is hardly any pedalling here and leg protection with good damping properties is an advantage.

The Fuse protectors fulfil this criterion with flying colours. If your knees hit the ground, the frame hits your leg or a pedal hits your shin, your lower extremities are perfectly protected. Thumbs up for the high protection factor in street use and when visiting a skate park!

The all-round neoprene makes the protectors comfortable to wear, but they can get sweaty on hot days. Whilst the knee protectors fit perfectly, we had to pull the shin guards up from time to time during the test. Our tip: pull long socks over the protectors.

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BIK conclusion

I've always been a fan of the Fuse protectors for use in the skate park and for street tricks. Although the Delta and Alpha Pro have a classic look, they have been significantly improved compared to my old BMX protectors. The protection is extremely high in the right places, the neoprene fits comfortably and the durability is unrivalled. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

Pro

• exemplary protection for knees and shins
• Comfortable seat on dirt bike and BMX
• Easy to wash

Contra

• Limited pedalling
• Sweaty on hot days
• Shin guards tend to slip

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