Tuesday 12 April 2011

Kit I trust

Knox Contour back protector and chest protector. I've worn this back protector since I started racing. You could probably boil it and make a nice broth. It's long, and covers the cocyx. I love it. I've just started wearing the chest protector. It feels good. I don't even notice it when it's on. Gericke leathers. Designed by Bjorn Gericke, who is a very cool cat, but doesn't work for them any more. I originally liked them for their style and the over-the-boot, straight legs, but they've proved very tough. I'm not crashing at high speeds, but I have crashed a lot on tracks with a lot of silica content, and the leathers have stood up to it. You've just got to see what they'e tracks do to a bike during a season to know how abrasive they are. The lining's ripped a bit getting in and out of them, though.
Arai RX7. This is an old road helmet relegated to dirt track battering. I much prefer a full-face to an MX lid. When I think of flat track I think full-faces on the miles (even though all the riders now seem to wear MX gear on short tracks I wouldn't).
TCX Speedway boots. Much better than the Styl Martins I bought to start racing in. These have and inner boot though I'm not entirely sure what it's for. These are like modern road race boots, covered in plastic. Not my style, but I feel secure in them.

I've been meaning to do this post for ages. This is the kit I wear to race. I'll be honest and say I manage to get most of it for free or cheap through contacts and friends I've worked with (what am I supposed to do, turn it down?), but I wouldn't wear it if I didn't trust it and certainly wouldn't promote it on the blog. Note the absence of gloves. The ones I'm wearing are yet to prove themselves. G

5 comments:

Garrett302 said...

So, are roadrace boots the ticket? Speedway? I have some 25 year-old MX boots around here somewhere, but there's a chance I might not find them.

Sorry for the dumb question, new to this.

Dr-Ogo said...

Bingo, all my questions answered in one post....

Sideburn Magazine said...

Bob, UK short trackers where all the boots you describe, you've just got to get a hot shoe to fit and make sure you're comfortable with them. A lot of our guy have made their own hot shoes. We race speedway tracks and have a big speedway culture, so speedway boots and hot shoes were easy to get (at Alan Bellham Speedway Service), but most US flat trackers wear MX or heavy modern trials boots. G

Anonymous said...

dont be afraid to show your marigolds wi the pink faux fur on em.
they look cool!!..

Paul said...

Cool post - I love hearing about race kit... everyone has their reason for using the kit they do - I love this and all the different stories. Gotta to a 'Kit I trust' post too. :-)