Touring
the Plant:
Marshall Matthews, Product Manager of XO was kind
enough to show me around their plant so I got to see
all the steps involved in the making of the Rage.
The brace is made of 7076-T6 aircraft aluminum. It
is extremely strong material that allows the brace
to be so thin without compromising strength. All of
the parts and assembly is done at the plant. XO-Skeleton
is a division of Bledsoe Brace Systems, which is one
of the largest medical brace manufacturers in the
world so they are pulling years of technology and
experience into making the Rage. The Bledsoe and XO
guys are also avid motocrossers and have a vested
interests in providing their sport with a quality
brace.
Initial
Concerns:
Not a rigid brace in comparison to the others. Marshall
explained that the brace is designed to flex with
the soft tissue of the leg to stay conformed to the
muscle. XO's theory behind the flex is that "if
the brace frame is so strong that it does not give
under high stress situations then something else may.
A good brace design will have energy absorption similar
to the give a helmet has under high impact".
I am torn on the flex theory... I understand that
it works like a helmet absorbing the impact and distributing
it across a larger area (the surface contact), it
is just such a different feel, it will take a few
more rides to get used to.
Weight
lifting and running:
During
leg workouts and running the Rage feels great. The
brace must stay properly positioned to maintain correct
function. If the brace hinge center drops even 3/4"
below your knee center then the brace is not offering
the rider the function that it could. If the brace
drops it could cause problems by loading the knee
in a way that could be stressful to knee ligaments.
I can assure you that the Rage does NOT migrate down
the knee. Smooth fluid motion in the hinges and the
Velcro straps feel very nice and have not hinted of
fraying.
Riding:
The brace fits well under normal riding gear (2000
MSR Rage pants) the most slim and compact of all the
braces I tested. Pinching the tank with the brace
feels like I was just wearing knee guards, SUPER slim.
The brace does NOT tear up tank or shroud graphics
with the hinge wrap kit, not even a dull smudge. Range
of motion was very good even when I try to start the
bike. The knee cup is the Hummer of knee cups. It
is not the prettiest but it feels great and offers
great impact protection and there is only a small
gap on the thigh that is left unprotected. The straps
pinched my leg on the upper thigh between the strap
and the frame a few times while riding but not often
and never while wearing the knee sleeve.
Support:
The brace felt like it was shrink wrapped to my leg.
Made from 7076-T6 aluminum and 301 full hard stainless
steel hinge plates that are stronger than titanium
make the brace extremely strong, yet it is still flexible.
If you are recovering from an injury you will rebuild
muscle that has atrophied and the flex in the thigh
and calf will accommodate this growth. Even though
the brace is flexible when it locks at full extension
with a snap you know it is not going any further.
This is a very high quality brace that would have
saved my knee from surgery.
Maintenance:
Wash with mild detergent let air dry. Water sport
friendly.
Likes:
• Super slim design
• Smooth action
• Crisp extension locks
• Fast putting on and taking off
• Fits well under riding gear
• Very comfortable
• Application video ensures proper fit
• Great knee cup protection
• Powder coating is very durable
• Zero migration
• Hinge wrap kit is easy on graphics
• Flexing makes a shrink wrap like fit
Dislikes:
• Hard to adjust extension stops
• Flexing makes me nervous but I am jsut coming
off of a surgery and riding makes me nervous.
Contacts:
XO-Skeleton Braces
2601 Pinewood Dr.
Grand Prairie, TX. 75051
Tel:972-647-0884 ext. 150
Toll Free: 800-527-3666 ext. 150
E-mail: mmatthews@bledsoebrace.net
www.bledsoebrace.com
