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First Impression: POD MX K-700 – Dirt Rider Magazine

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

<i>DR</i> boss Jimmy Lewis checks out the new brace./></a> <p class="wp-caption-text"><i>DR</i> boss Jimmy Lewis checks out the new brace.</p> </div> <p>We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you just can’t have too much protection for your knees. You may see the local goon at your track doing wheelies in the pits with no knee pads (heck, you may BE that goon!), and we can’t even begin to tell you how bad this is. Your knees are not only one of the main support systems of your body but also a major connector to the bike, and if you don’t take care of them your riding career will undoubtedly suffer. Ask any pro or smart rider who has ridden for over ten years, and they’ll all tell you the same thing: knee protection is key.Many riders are familiar with the POD knee brace, a smart combination of protection and technology that hit the market a few years back. Well, the POD is back, and in a big way. The all-new POD MX K-700 Ligament Knee Brace is the next level of protection from this savvy company, and the brace itself is arguably the most advanced off-the-shelf brace we’ve ever seen. But don’t just take our word for it, check out what POD has to say about the new goods:<i>The all new POD MX K-700 Ligament Knee Brace, is a truly refined blend of structural strength, superior ergonomics and unprecedented comfort – <strong>making it the strongest, lightest and slimmest brace on the market!</strong></i><i>“The team at POD is dedicated to advancing Ligament Knee Brace design through innovation and technology” states President Geoff Maloney.</i><i>Inspired by the human body, POD’s Patented Polymer Hinge System uses Synthetic Ligaments to provide durable and secure natural motion. The POD MX Knee Brace has attracted industry recognition for its non-mechanical feel.</i><i>POD utilizes an advanced molding technique to densely compress multiple layers of carbon composite resulting in a unique structural integrity and ergonomic form in its frames. Coupled with interior strap loops, this frame helps capture the leg and reduce brace rotation and migration.</i><i>POD’s Self-Tracking Patella Guard stays positioned in-front of your knee and is designed to transfer impacts/forces through the hinge and into the frame, providing total coverage.</i><i>At POD our products are lab tested for strength, fatigue, stiffness and safety compliance. Once satisfied, POD’s focus shifts to field testing where prototypes are handed over to team riders for real world testing in grueling conditions. Their feedback helps us continually re-think the way we approach performance and innovation and is reflected in the quality and reliability of our products.</i>Not too shabby, eh? Of course, we here at <i>Dirt Rider</i> don’t just take a manufacturer’s word for granted-we like to get out in the dirt and run products through the ringer until we know them inside out and upside down. And that’s exactly what we are doing with the POD MX K-700. After a successful fitting and introduction of the brace to our staff, POD supplied several of our editors with new braces that we could wear, adjust, tweak, smack, roost and just plain play with in order to get a full opinion. At the moment, we are still gathering data for that opinion which will run in the form of a DR Tested in the magazine. However, we already have a fairly good idea of where the POD stands and how it stacks up in the competitive realm of knee guards and braces. Check out the first impressions below from some of our staffers, and keep your eyes on the magazine for the full first test. And in the meantime, take care of those knees!POD MX K-700 Knee Brace<br />Available: Mid-June 2009<br />Sizes: S – XXL<br />Prices: $749.95 (sold as a pair) or $399.95 per Single Brace<br />Weight: 595 grams (based on large brace with patella guard) <br />Website: <a href="" onclick="javascript:window.open(www.podmx.comDistributed exclusively world-wide by Fox Racing and available off the shelf or with customized options, contact your nearest Authorized Fox Dealer for the June 2009 release or visit us at www.podmx.com.Opinions
“The best thing about these knee braces is that when you first wear them you hardly know they are there. They are light, thin, fit good and move just like they should without restricting any movements that I felt my knees should be able to do. At the same time they limit the stuff I don’t want my knee to do and they seem fairly adjustable. The four straps do a pretty good job of keeping the brace in place and there are not any pinching spots. But after I went to put the braces on the next day I noticed that there were some pressure points where the pads did not protect a protruding bone on the side of my knee and I was a little tender. I need to pad up the hinges and elevate the frame farther off the side of my leg. Also the sticky on some of the pads is taking a beating and is starting to fall off after four uses. The elevated knee pad is great for protection and keeps clear of my knee cap but it is funny if you have to kneel down to work on the bike.” -Jimmy Lewis/ 40 years old/ one knee surgery/ typically wear Asterisk for Moto and EVS knee pads for trails.Continue to page 2 for more opinions from Chris Denison, Karel Kramer and Pete Peterson.
Adjustable stops allow increased customization of the new POD, while some high-tech internals give the braces a natural, human-like feel of movement./></a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Adjustable stops allow increased customization of the new POD, while some high-tech internals give the braces a natural, human-like feel of movement.</p> </div> <p>“As a strict believer in knee braces, I was stoked to give the POD braces a shot, and much to my delight I was instantly happy with them. The feel of these braces is incredible-we’re talking high-level movement that feels not only natural but also very sturdy. Gone are the days when knee braces felt like rickety hinges that need WD-40, because the PODS feel like an extension of a normal human knee. The second thing I noticed is that they are insanely light (barely 1.3 pounds per brace), and as a result you can’t really feel them on your legs. The construction quality is obviously great and the build is solid, but I did have issues with some of the internal pads (on the back of the straps and the inside of the knee) falling off and not staying in place. More adhesive can and will fix this on my next ride. The patella cup is interesting because it floats above your knee and provides pivoting protection, which is cool because it covers you when you sit down and stand up. I’d personally like to see more armor here, but that would definitely compromise the lightweight and movement of the brace. I had absolutely no problems with pressure points or discomfort from hot spots, and I can firmly state that these off-the-shelf braces feel as solid as any customs I’ve ever worn. We’ll see how they stand up to the test of time, but my first impression is that the PODS are certainly right on par with some of the best knee braces on the market.” -Chris Denison/ Braces typically worn: Cti2 or EVS Bartram Knee Pad”My first impression of the new Pod was shock. How could a knee brace be this light? Larges fit my legs fine with the thinnest pads at the knee. I used the straps without any of the additional pad supplied. At first it seemed odd to have the patella cup sit so high and away from the knee, but it was only a minor glitch when removing riding pants. You just have to make sure the material doesn’t catch at the edge of the cup. And the cup didn’t bother me while riding, or while kneeling and working on bikes changing parts I was testing. I used the Pod for moto and for a five-hour off-road ride. After the initial day – when I wore both braces – I wore my prescription CTi2 brace on the left and the Pod on the right. There were a few places where I notice the pod touching, but no real areas of discomfort. And I am comparing the Pod to a custom brace that I have been wearing for 14 years! Overall I am extremely happy with the brace, and could easily wear them. One problem I had with the original Pod was the brace sliding down out of place on my leg. I had no problems like that with the new one.” -Karel Kramer/ 6’1″/ 216 lb./ Used knee braces full-time on the right since 1986 and on both legs since 1993.”I don’t wear knee braces. They’re not comfortable to me and they really disconnect me from the bike where my knees contact the seat and tank. My previous favorite brace was the first version of the Pod, but really I didn’t wear it because best of the worst is still a worst. After a couple rides with the new brace, it’s definitely my new favorite. The brace feels narrow, almost non-existent between body and bike, and I rode without problems all day as far as feel on the bike. I had the lockouts installed top and bottom on day one, and at the end of the day my shins had paid the price. The bottom of the brace had made its mark on me with a few light but wide bruises. The brace never bothered me once on the bike, but when off the bike, especially when walking, they were uncomfortable. On day two at the track, with the lockouts removed, I did a few short motos and one long one. Just like day one, everything was great on the track. The brace did throw me off a little on some rutted turns, but that’s a case of getting used to a slightly restricted leg movement. It just seemed to take a little more effort to get my leg up and out in a few sharp corners.Otherwise I had a great day and the braces didn’t hinder my riding at all. I got some rubbed-raw skin on the insides of each knee, and one shin had a little bald spot where the brace’s bottom contact had been rubbing. The knee skin was a minor problem and I think I just need to toughen up there. I may look into ways to make the bottom more comfortable on my shin. The floating knee cups don’t seem in the right place, and it’s easy to push through your riding pants and find the bottom of your knee unguarded. But drop down to the ground and they seem to be in the right place. I’m considering adding these to my list of ‘every time’ equipment if they continue not to hamper my riding and if I can improve on the comfort just a bit. For brace wearers, you need to try a set on. For non-brace guys living with the guilt, this updated brace is worth a good, serious look.” -Pete Peterson</p></div> <div class="ngg-galleryoverview" id="ngg-gallery-111651-111651"> <!-- Thumbnails --> <div id="ngg-image-9680" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box" > <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail " > <a href="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/18507022.jpg" title="You know that little spot above your kneecap that always gets dinged by the underside of your perches? Yeah, the POD designers hate that, too." class="shutterset_set_111651" > <img title="18507022.jpg" alt="18507022.jpg" src="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/thumbs/thumbs_18507022.jpg" width="100" height="75" /> </a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-9681" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box" > <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail " > <a href="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/18507025.jpg" title="Retailing for $399.95 per brace, the new PODS are certainly a contender in the ever-critical knee brace market." class="shutterset_set_111651" > <img title="18507025.jpg" alt="18507025.jpg" src="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/thumbs/thumbs_18507025.jpg" width="100" height="75" /> </a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-9682" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box" > <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail " > <a href="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/19074867.jpg" title="<i>DR</i> boss Jimmy Lewis checks out the new brace." class="shutterset_set_111651" > <img title="19074867.jpg" alt="19074867.jpg" src="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/thumbs/thumbs_19074867.jpg" width="100" height="75" /> </a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-9683" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box" > <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail " > <a href="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/18507022.jpg" title="You know that little spot above your kneecap that always gets dinged by the underside of your perches? Yeah, the POD designers hate that, too." class="shutterset_set_111651" > <img title="18507022.jpg" alt="18507022.jpg" src="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/thumbs/thumbs_18507022.jpg" width="100" height="75" /> </a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-9684" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box" > <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail last" > <a href="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/18507025.jpg" title="Retailing for $399.95 per brace, the new PODS are certainly a contender in the ever-critical knee brace market." class="shutterset_set_111651" > <img title="18507025.jpg" alt="18507025.jpg" src="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/thumbs/thumbs_18507025.jpg" width="100" height="75" /> </a> </div> </div> <div id="ngg-image-9685" class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail-box" > <div class="ngg-gallery-thumbnail " > <a href="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/19074867.jpg" title="<i>DR</i> boss Jimmy Lewis checks out the new brace." class="shutterset_set_111651" > <img title="19074867.jpg" alt="19074867.jpg" src="http://stwww.dirtrider.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/15/files/111651/thumbs/thumbs_19074867.jpg" width="100" height="75" /> </a> </div> </div> <!-- Pagination --> <div class=
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