Knee straps - can they be improved?

[PaulH]

Hi, I just got some new ProJumps.  The foot-straps are fine (the heavy plastic ratchet-type ones), but the knee straps are not so good.  There's a black nylon tape that runs between two metal rings and then doubles back into a plastic buckle.

Whatever I do, these straps work loose, giving about an inch of "wobble" at the knee.  For a newbie at least, this is disconcerting as it makes the stilts less stable.

I've seen ProJumps with the ratchet-style straps (similar to the foot straps) at the knee, and these look much better.  Has anyone encountered a similar problem, and is it possible to mod the knee straps?

Thanks!
Paul

[sprog]

There's quite a few options:

Take a look in your PJ manual and there should be a bit about using cloth webbing to secure your leg in the kneebars.

You can also get Pinhead Straps, but I think he's currently not making any, could be worth sending him a PM though (Pinhead69).

Your other option is calf cuffs, which replace the entire kneebar with a section that fits much more securely to your leg.

I've only seen ratchet straps on kneebars about 3 times, it's quite a good idea but a bit of a pain to implement and apparently not exactly comfortable.

[PaulH]

Hi Sprog, and thanks for the suggestions.  Tapes sound like a not-great option; likewise the ratchet-straps if their not comfy.

Can you tell me what pinhead-straps are, or give me a link?  Likewise the calf-cuffs?  Can I get them from any suppliers in the UK>

Thanks again for your advice!
Paul

[Brendan (NeoNinja)]

I'd like to see pics of ratchet straps on the knees. I thought that was just the kids model. Any links or pics Sprog or PaulH?

[sprog]

Buried deep in the depths of the "other forum", in topics 3 years old






Pinhead straps are a custom design that fit to the kneebar, and pull your leg in towards it to prevent movement. You can take a look at them here:
http://www.projumpforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=1070.0

Just send the guy a PM and see if you get a response, Pinny works on them very sporadically due to health and finances so you might not get a reply for a while. They're damn good and worth the price though.

Calf Cuffs you can get from ProJump, at this link:
http://www.pro-jump.co.uk/pp/ProJump-Spare-Parts/Adult-ProJump-Parts/Pro-Jump-Calf-Cuffs.html

Just to check though, your bocks ARE ProJumps? If they are you'll be fine, if not I wouldn't recommend ProJump cuffs with them as they have been proven to be a bit unstable on other brands of stilts due to differences in sizes of the bars and the brackets that hold them.

[PaulH]

Hi Sprog,
Many thanks again.  Yes, mine are ProJumps.  I've just found the Calf Cuffs on the projump site; they look like an improvement, and they're cheap so I'll order a pair and see how it goes.  Another option would be to run a 1/2-inch diameter stainless steel bolt through my knee, but I can see there might be issues with that.

Blimey, if Douglas Bader had been fitted with a pair of these....

[PaulH]

Hi again, Noobie here :-)

Just got my calf cuffs and test-drove them.  So far so good - they seem more comfortable and more stable than the old braces.  Main issue seems to be getting the two independent metal brackets set at the right angle (ie, turned in/out correctly).  I also wonder if, in time, these brackets will tend to rotate. Also, I don't entirely understand the arrangement of the velcro - it doesn't seem to be set up very well for holding the "tail" of the strap, but I may be being dumb.  Again.

The whole knee-brace business seems to be not well thought out, given that it's critical for stability and comfort....

[darfgarf]

The whole knee-brace business seems to be not well thought out, given that it's critical for stability and comfort....

it's actually quite a good system, once it's set up properly.  kneebars generally need more padding and cuffs generally need more adjustment to get them nice.  and there's not really any other method that could be used, needs to have a lot of support for the ankle however it's done

[PaulH]

//it's actually quite a good system, once it's set up properly.//

You mean the cuffs?  I still disagree, I'm afraid.  The knee brace that's supplied with the ProJumps (the metal hoop that you put your knee through) is bad because (a) the straps that pull your knee forward against the front are no good and work loose easily and (b) if you fall on your knees, you're kneeling down hard on a metal bar, which is not a good thing.    The cuffs are better, but they lack some stability because the two metal uprights are independent and hence tend to rotate with prolonged use.

There's got to be a better way.  For example:  take a standard knee brace (the once-piece-of-metal hoop).  Now imagine caving it in from the front so that the frontmost part curves in and goes *behind* the knee.  Then have straps to pull your knee back against this bar; this would have the advantages of calf cuffs plus the stability of the brace.

[sprog]

//it's actually quite a good system, once it's set up properly.//

You mean the cuffs?  I still disagree, I'm afraid.  The knee brace that's supplied with the ProJumps (the metal hoop that you put your knee through) is bad because (a) the straps that pull your knee forward against the front are no good and work loose easily and (b) if you fall on your knees, you're kneeling down hard on a metal bar, which is not a good thing.

That's why you get pinhead straps
A lot of people will argue your point on falling onto the bar - they believe it gives more protection. However, I agree with you, it is not designed to be fallen on to, even if it looks like it.

The cuffs are better, but they lack some stability because the two metal uprights are independent and hence tend to rotate with prolonged use.

Screw them in tighter then, or get some 7Leagues or PoweriSer cuffs, which use a metal bracket and hold a lot tighter. Sadly you can't get the metal brackets separate

[TheBockingWizard]

I have found that tying your knee to the knee bar with some electrical car wire works a treat, it's just a bit hard untying the knot.