MOTORCROSS ACTION MAGAZINE
Issue# June 2007

PODMX
KNEE BRACE
Carbon fiber, padding and TPU tendons, oh my!

WHAT IS IT? A natural-moving knee brace void of any mechanical parts.

WHAT’S IT COST? $300.00 (sold separately)-(888) 369-7223

WHAT’S IT DO?  There’s a long-running joke among the MXA wrecking crew about knee braces. It goes along the lines of how you don’t know that you’re wearing knee braces unless they hurt you. For riders with torn tendons and bad knees, the pain of the knee brace must be less than the pain of the knee injury to make it worthwhile. MXA has tested lots of knee braces in the past, and found that there are three standout knee braces on the market: the Asterisk Cell, the EVS Web, and the custom-made CTi.

However, there’s a new knee brace in town-the PodMX knee brace. Developed by an orthopedic surgeon in Australia, the PodMX knee brace has been gaining momentum around the world. Recently, Fox Racing signed on to distribute it. With a strong distribution network in the U.S., PodMX wants to put their product on top of the knee brace pile.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the PodMX knee brace.

1. Movement. Unlike many knee braces, the PodMX knee brace uses a space-age technology that incorporates a TPU (thermoplastic urethane) tendon. In layman’s terms, this means that the PodMX brace has a hinged assembly that moves fluidly with the knee’s natural range of motion. Two TPU tendons (one on each side of the brace) reportedly allow the brace to maintain the natural movement of a rider’s knee.
2. Straps. PodMX focused on strategic placement of the four straps. The most important strap on any brace is directly below the knee. Why? This is the strap that binds the knee brace to your leg. Overall, the PodMX’s straps worked great. Riders with smaller legs should cross the lower straps in order to prevent the brace from slipping down their legs. The PodMX has padding on the straps to minimize discomfort.
3. Hinge stops. What’s most intriguing about the PodMX’s hinge stops are the different hinge stops for hyperextension and the medial and lateral protection. Each hinge stop holds the TPU tendon and the brace together. A 15-degree stop comes standard. We recommend the 12.5-degree stop for first-time knee brace wearers (other-wise the knee brace will feel too restrictive). Riders with severe knee problems can go as far as 20-degrees stops.
4. Performance. We hardly noticed that we had the PodMX knee brace on. It felt less mechanical than any brace we’ve ever tried. It was also extremely light (one pound, two ounces) for a knee brace, thanks to its carbon fiber construction and simple design. The PodMX knee brace is the same length as the Asterisk knee brace. The knee guard is removable. Riders with large knees should elect to use the thinner 3mm hinge pads, as opposed to the standard 6mm pads.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK?
The patella guard didn’t have enough of a curve, and riders with bony knee caps would hit the guard in tight corners.

MXA RATING
Knee brace wearers are a finicky bunch, but all of the MXA test riders agreed that the PodMX knee brace was a step in the right direction. It offers high-tech design, innovation, and the lowest price of all the knee braces in our top four. Best of all, it didn’t even feel like we were wearing knee braces.

DIRTRIDER DOWNUNDER
Issue #20

PODMX KNEE BRACE ARRIVES

You've seen these in products and our recent Knobbly Knees competition, well the PodMX Knee brace is finally in NZ, and we've been hard at work testing them.

The difference between the PodMX brace and all the other braces out there is the different hinge arrangement. It uses a flexible TPU hinge rather than a mechanical number, so the brace appears "floppy" when held. PodMX also claim a lighter weight than the current opposition (the medium brace is claimed to weigh just 660g, the large has been tested as 720g), and to be honest they are definitely lighter than the Asterisk braces we've tested in the past. At $499.00 each, the PodMX brace is exceptionally well-prices too.

They are incredibly easy to put on with the four simple Velcro straps; the top and bottom straps have elastic sections for ease and comfort, and the middle two are without, for a clamp-like grip on your legs. With no hinge to move, you don't feel the brace when it's on. In fact, compared to other braces, it feels like the PodMX isn't actually doing anything. But try and bend forward, or sideways, and the brace will hold your knee fully. One of the best things for us was the fact that even after a days riding, they didn't rub or leave any welts on the legs and were still comfy! Highly recommended.

AUSTRALASIAN DIRT BIKE MAGAZINE (ADB)
Issue #330

BRACE YOURSELF

Kneebraces are becoming as essential to riders as helmets. Those who have used them don't feel safe without them - and for good reason. Riding dirt bikes is a knee injury waiting to happen. Originally designed by a windsurfer from Victoria, the PodMX kneebrace is constructed predominantly from carbon fibre. Both the bracing and leg straps are lined with a soft, vented padding which makes them comfortable for all shape legs. Its unique hinge system replicates the pivoting action of your knee via a synthetic version of a human knee tendon that binds the whole join together.

ADB's Adam Riemann has worn out several types of kneebraces over the years, and has become a bit of a connoisseur of the anatomically-correct device. Riemann scored one of the first pair of PodMXs in the country. This is how they've measured up so far.

WE LIKED

Fit: While the PodMXs are an off-the-shelf product (that come in four sizes), you can literally pull a set out of the packet and comfortably moto for hours. They fit snug, leave no chafing and stay well positioned once you've found the right tension. You can even wear them on bare skin if you've forgotten to wash your undersocks - for the third time.

Protection: "When it counts, the PodMX kneebraces support your leg like it's been splinted to a piece of wood," said Riemann after jagging his foot on a tree root, and forcing his leg to lift the whole bike out of a rutted turn. Until you get tangled with the bike, you won't appreciate how well these things work to help prevent injury.
Symmetry: The moulded design of the PodMX is very friendly to your nylons and won't leave your tank and shrouds looking like they've been attacked with an angle grinder. The hinge covers are a well-formed plastic buffer that doesn't break away from the hinge after a few rides.

WE DIDN'T LIKE

Velcro Fasteners: The one annoying thing about the PodMX is the tedious procedure of fumbling with velcro straps to get them on and off. Not only is it time-consuming but you also have to guess the right tension every time you wear them. Set-and-forget clips are far better.
Knee Cups: When they're in place, the patella guards give great protection. However, they are too easily dislodged when your legs are shunted into the handlebars or snag the bike during a crash. While they are easily popped back into place, it's a frustrating thing to have to dig them out of your nylons on the side of the track.

VERDICT

At $499.95 each, the PodMX kneebraces are $100 cheaper per pair than the Asterisk, and $340 cheaper per pair than the Morph. Great value when compared with custom-fitted CTi-2 braces, which start at nearly double the price each, and will arguably offer the same protection. If you're used to wearing kneebraces, you'll find there is literally no bed­in time with these things as they're comfortable from the first ride. When we see the PodMX fitted with clip-lock straps in the near future, you could say that they'll be leading the way in off-the-shelf kneebrace design.

POD SPAWNING

Mud, dust and torn heart muscles: the PodMX knee brace launch was a wild ride

When an industry trailride is called, the anticipation is always mixed with nervous anxiety. Moto journalist and associated industry people don’t often meet in one place all at the same time, so it’s always a struggle of ego, trash talk and jittery throttle hands. Pre-ride festivities bring plenty of trash talking, about who can ride what and who’ll be showing who the roost the following day.

The guest list at the PodMX knee brace launch was littered with riding talent such as Motorex Shift KTM enduro team rider Jehi Willis and his nemesis Blake Hore of Christensen’s Yamaha. Expert rider Mark Portbury was also in the mix, as were regular expert riders who make up the Otway Off-Road Motorcycles Adventure staff.

SNIPER ATTACK
All in attendance were keen to test the new Pod knee brace. PodMX inventor Geoff Maloney gave an in-depth and open presentation about the brace right after breakfast then invited all the guests to try on a pair and leave them on for the entire day’s ride.

With the braces strapped on and the bikes fired up, it was time to roost. It became apparent early on that Alpinestars guru Jarrod Runciman is a master of standup wheelies and his brother Scott’s not too far behind. As the trails progressed into the sublime rainforest tracks with plenty of wet spots, Scott’s secondary skill of drowning other riders came to the fore. A massive game of cat and mouse erupted as Scott stalked the trails, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce on unsuspecting victims and drown them in steaming, festering puddles of bog. I rode scared for most of the day.

I can’t be certain whether it’s the excellent fit of the PodMX braces or that I was riding on high alert and avoiding a fill-in, but I completely forgot I was testing braces. I figure that’s a good thing. The PodMX braces stayed in place perfectly and caused me no discomfort and, though I didn’t take the opportunity to hurl myself down the trail to test the safety features, I was happy with the level of protection.

The wide straps and ample inner padding give the braces an excellent feel and the actual size of the brace means you get protection from your shin up to your thigh. They’re super-light, too, so you don’t end up walking like a robot when you’re off the bike.

What was even more rewarding then the Pod braces was finally getting a pesky Runciman off my tail. I felt like Maverick from Top Gun with a double bogie on my tail. He finally got bored with me and moved on to bigger targets. I soon learnt through Scott’s mistakes that you should never play games with pro riders.

As I rounded a corner, there was Mr Runciman wiping filthy water from his goggles and dripping from head to toe with brown water and forest-floor debris. Just ahead of him, Blake Hore was roosting off into the distance, barely able to control his bike as he unsuccessfully tried to suppress his joy at showering Scott in crud. It was on!

Jehi Willis was next to draw blood as he gave Blake a taste of his own medicine. Karma quickly caught up with Jehi, however, as a hungry bug found its way inside his jersey and began feasting on his chest. Oh, there was action everywhere – and I haven’t yet began to describe the carnage the unfolded on Heartbreak Hill.

CHICKEN AND ROOSTERS
As the trail posse progressed toward Wye River for the lunch stop, we encountered two particularly nasty obstacles. The Top Gun trail games were settles via an unofficial ceasefire, as all riders pitched in to help each other reach the top of Heartbreak Hill. A few of us took the chicken route to the top while the brave – or silly, perhaps – launched an assault on the hill.

With all riders finally at the top and again hammering down the trail, all seemed well and it looked like smooth sailing into Wye River. That is, until Oakley’s main man, Craig Thompson, half buried his Yamaha in a thickshake-like bog.

The Wye River Hotel counter meal put everyone in their place and as the eyelids began to fall victim to gravity it was decided the group would split in two for the return leg to Deans Marsh – the majority of the group took the shorter run home…

Despite the extreme conditions, we snuck through the day with no major crashes, no flat tyres and big smiles all round. The PodMX knee braces received glowing reports and trail justice was served. What a great day.

FRO DADDY [INSERT]
Geoff Maloney’s passion for riding dirtbikes and playing with fiberglass and associated materials as a professional surfboard manufacturer has proven a successful combination. Unsatisfied with knee braces already on the market, Geoff decided he could make one better. Geoff set about designing and manufacturing the PodMX brace right here in Australia and when the time came to get this new brace out into the world, he sought a meeting with Fox Racing. Fox Racing must get hundreds of entrepreneurs every month, beating a path to the door in hope Fox likes the idea and make them millions. So when Fox actually takes a look at you concept and then requests a meeting, you know you’re onto something. This is precisely what happened with Geoff and the PodMX knee brace. Expect to see the PodMX knee brace everywhere.

AUSTRALASIAN DIRT BIKE MAGAZINE (ADB)
January 2007 (No. 328)
Page 169

WE’RE TESTING

PODMX KNEEBRACES

There’s a revolution going on with the lunch of the new PodMX kneebraces. With a radically different hinge arrangement to the other products out there (it uses a flexible TPU hinge rather than a mechanical number), the brace appears “floppy” when held. Add to hat a lighter weight than the current opposition (the medium brace is claimed to weigh just 660g, the large has been tested as 720g), and a leading price of $499.95 each, and you have all the ingredients of a winning product. Putting one on can be done in four simple Velcro steps; the top and bottom straps have elastic sections for ease and comfort, and the middle two are without, for a clamp-like grip on your legs. With no hinge to move, you don’t feel the brace when it’s on. In fact, compared to other braces, it feels like the PodMX isn’t actually doing anything. But try and bend forward, or sideways, and the brace will hold you knee fully, satisfying the design brief to a tee. With a couple of pairs on our testing schedule, it won’t be too long before we have more info on their durability and performance. So far, it’s looking rosy for these braces.

AUSTRALASIAN DIRT BIKE MAGAZINE (ADB)
Issue #327

BRACE YOURSELF

The newly developed Pod MX kneebrace had its Australian launch recently, with a technical presso followed by a day’s “product testing” by 25 media and dealer personnel in Victoria’s Otway region.
The brainchild of sailboard designer Geoff Maloney, the Pod MX brace is unique thanks to the use of a urethane hinge, which acts like a body’s tendon. This offers full range and free movement in the desired direction, while the fibre inside the hinge stops any hyper-extention.
Also unique is the patella cup being mounted to the brace’s frame and hence being held away from the knee.
At 660g each, they’re lighter than any of the other orthopaedic kneebraces currently on the market. And at $499.95 each, they’re lighter on the pocket, too.
Initial reaction is that the braces are set to shake up the market with their out-the-box comfort and lack of intrusion while riding. We grabbed a set from the launch and they’re already on our test schedule.
More details on www.podmx.com.

DIRT ACTION MAGAZINE
Issue #91 December 2006

After many years of abuse through various sports and the inheritance of genetic failures, my knees are basically stuffed. They hurt constantly and make high-impact exercise like riding dirtbikes a sometimes unbearably painful affair. If it doesn’t hurt straightaway, I know I’ll pay for it later. I’ve never worn knee braces, so the new PODMX braces at first felt cumbersome. What I quickly found that my range of movement wasn’t restricted in any way and the fact I had them on slipped my mind after about half an hour. This is due in part to the fact they weigh a measly 660 grams each and are secured by four very wide, soft and comfortable straps that are far better quality than those on my old knee guards. While guards protect you from an initial impact, the force of the blow is still transferred onto your patella. The PODMX braces have a ‘floating’ patella guard that absorbs any impact and transfers it to the brace itself, so you feel no loading on your knee cap. The brace is designed basically to be a stronger version of your knee. It guards, strengthens through load bearing and resists damaging movement such as hyperextension. After a solid day of testing in 38 degree heat, my knees felt remarkably good. They certainly didn’t feel like I’d been riding all day and gave me no grief later. You only get one set of knees, so you should take care of them. An excellent way to do that is to with these PODMX braces; at a cost substantially less than the price of much of the competition, they’re easily the best things in my gear bag.

Damien Ashenhurst