Mo’Cycle Airbag Pants Overview

Overview Abstract

• Increasing (!) on their airbag vests, Helite has partnered with Mo’Cycle to develop an industry-first airbag pant
• Just like the Helite airbag vests, these denims could be reactivated by the proprietor just by changing the CO2 canister
• Pants are supplied in two totally different types, three CE rankings starting from A to AAA, and two totally different colours
• Totally different lengths are supplied (Hallelujah!)
• Armalith material is used which is extra abrasion resistant than Kevlar

Introduction

Helite has partnered with Mo’Cycle to develop the primary airbag pants for bike riders. I’ve reviewed two Helite merchandise, the Helite Turtle 2 Airbag Vest, their tethered model, and the Helite eTurtle 2 Airbag vest, their electronically triggered vest. I’ve written an article Why I Put on Security Gear which explains why I select to put on security gear, so I’m not going to reiterate what I’ve beforehand said.

Each single crash is totally different. The pace is totally different, angles are totally different, single individual crashes differ by terrain and physique sort. What I’m saying isn’t any two accidents are alike. I’ve had three racetrack crashes, all at over 100 MPH, and have by no means damaged a hip or suffered a nasty bruise. However my leathers had degree 3 armor and there weren’t vehicles/poles/vans/hearth hydrants/guard rails/and so on. to hit. I do know most of us suppose (at the very least me) about higher physique safety, so we spend cash on jackets. And once we do take into account pants, it’s usually about knee and hip armor.

Many people merely journey in denims which we put on day by day. They’re comfy and funky. After studying concerning the material used within the Mo’Cycle airbag pants I needed to analysis the material Armalith, I’d by no means heard of it. I doubted the safety worth of the A-rated denims I used to be despatched to check because the denim feels skinny and comfy. Simply as comfy as my Levi 501s.

So after my regular analysis, I’m blissful to have found Armalith and educated myself about its properties. After all, you are able to do your analysis, here’s a brief video about how the fabric was examined in actual life. Mo’Cycle plans to promote their airbag pants within the A, AA, and AAA ranges of Armalith. The pants I’m evaluating are A degree and the relaxed match…what I name “Dad Denims”

Development

Earlier than moving into the pants inflated, I’m going over how these denims are constructed.

Let’s begin with how they give the impression of being. The Mo’Cycle (MC) pants despatched to me are 35 waist and a 34-inch inseam, so I’ve rolled up the hems as I did in my youth. I said earlier that these are the relaxed match and MC will supply an everyday match which is extra tapered within the leg. I discovered that the 35s are too dishevelled for my tastes and would order my common dimension of 34/30 which is my most popular dimension in Levi 501s.

Like Levi 501s, the MC denims fly is a button fly, not zippered.

I also needs to point out that I washed these denims after eradicating the airbag as I do my regular denims. I ignored the recommendation I used to be given to dry them by hanging, to not be a dick, however since I by no means dangle dry my denims. They got here out advantageous. I attempt to assess gear in a real-world approach. Now if utilizing a dryer impacts the Armalith, then I’d dangle dry them. However after doing fairly a little bit of analysis, I couldn’t discover any reference as to whether Armalith is adversely affected by dryer warmth. I’m certain Mo’Cycle or Helite will admonish me if I’ve F’d up. Imagine me, they might NOT be the primary people to scold me, or the final. Listed here are the denims with the airbag eliminated and turned inside out so I may examine the standard of the seams.

As a result of my day job usually includes wardrobe employees (you’d by no means know that by MY wardrobe!) I’m fortunate to have entry to people who’re consultants within the discipline of materials and stitching. So after I confirmed them the stitching of the MC pants, their response was; “They’ve executed a great job right here Mark. When you evaluate the stitching and ending to Levis they’re comparable and in some methods higher. BTW why are you continue to carrying that very same t-shirt!?” Hey, that’s adequate for me and I LOVE this t-shirt!

Evaluating the MC stitching to my very own Levis.

Every leg incorporates a velcro and a small snap seam that enables the denims to broaden as soon as the airbag is deployed. The velcro is under the small snaps.

On the appropriate leg, there’s a rectangular cut-out that enables the CO2 canister and tethered set off mechanism to exit from the inside of the pant leg. This permits the wearer to switch the CO2 cartridge with none hassles.

Now let’s check out the airbag. The airbag is zipped into the waist of the MC denims. I measured the “35” inch denims. The precise waist circumference is 37” as measured from the waist button eyelet to the waist button and the zipper size of the airbag is 31”, so it covers 84% of the waist. Now I’m actually glad that the denims are too massive on the waist! In any other case, I’d have to surrender donuts and sweet. No effing approach I’m doing that. I’m hoping that MC presents an correct sizing chart for the pants when ordering. Proper now they’re in a crowdfunding interval.

The MC airbags should are available varied sizes as indicated by the tag on the one I’m testing. The airbag panel in entrance of the fly is mesh netting. Tends to ‘get in the way in which’ at a urinal in case you don’t keep in mind to seize it along with your underwear whereas pulling it down. Don’t ask me how I do know or why I washed the denims…..

I need to point out one thing right here which may be a slight design flaw. After eradicating the airbag from the denims and reinstalling it, I discovered it not possible to stretch the oblong cutout far sufficient by hand to reinsert the triggering mechanism. I discovered that sliding the cylinder previous the opening after which inserting the highest of the cylinder first labored significantly better than making an attempt to insert the underside finish earlier than the highest. I ended up utilizing a flat-end screwdriver to lever the underside of the material away from the underside of the cylinder the place the CO2 canister will get inserted.

Might my choice to dry the pants within the dryer have precipitated this? Maybe. But when the oblong gap is simply ⅛ of an inch longer within the up/down measurement, the cylinder would go in with no downside. This definitely isn’t one thing you’ll know except you take away the airbag to launder the denims. Using put on will get filthy, so washing the denims often is a real-world factor. Except you identical to to stink.

One small tidbit for many who dangle round folks like me. If I noticed the set off tether hanging out of the facet of anybody’s denims, I ‘could’ give it a yank and ask “Hey what’s this for?” as I’m pulling it. So I tuck it into the jean seam behind the velcro simply in case I’m round different a-holes like me.

Though no directions have been included from Mo’Cycle concerning the tether connected to the bike, I connected the included tether to the subframe of my Ducati Multistrada V4S on the appropriate facet of the subframe nearest to the entrance.

Right here is the airbag faraway from the MC denims.

And I’ve eliminated the extent 1 knee armor, which is the KNOX model.

That is the airbag inflated. I used to be involved that the knee armor was too low and with out the flexibility to regulate it till I activated the airbag. As soon as that occurs, the knee armor strikes up and is situated excellent for my knees. I nonetheless really feel including extra velcro on the airbag would permit higher positioning for varied physique sizes.

Activating the Airbag

See additionally

The deployment of the MC airbag may be very even and as instantaneous as any of the Helite airbags I’ve examined. Listed here are some nonetheless photos of the totally different angles of the pants after deployment.

The protection of the hips, knees, and tailbone areas is great. My preliminary fear that the knee armor was too low is eradicated when the airbag is deployed. It raises the knee armor to simply the appropriate spot for my knees.

If you want to see methods to substitute the CO2 canister within the MC set off, you’ll be able to view the process I’ve outlined in my evaluate of the Helite Turtle 2 Airbag Vest, in my Putting in the CO2 Canister part. The process is identical since Helite provides Mo’Cycle with the set off system.

Match and Consolation

I didn’t know what to anticipate from the MC airbag denims after they arrived. I used to be pleasantly stunned at simply how comfy they felt, the material and the match. Granted the denims aren’t my dimension, too massive, however contemplating that they really feel very near my Levis. I can not really feel the triggering cylinder or CO2 cartridge as I stroll. The one indication that I’m carrying one thing aside from my regular denims is the knee armor pads. Since they dangle a bit low when in stride they swing a bit within the relaxed-fit legs. Not troublesome, simply noticeable. They aren’t noticeably heavy both. I made a decision to weigh the pair despatched to me, 4.16 kilos. I didn’t trouble to weigh my Levis, I merely weighed the MC denims so in case you want to evaluate the burden to your denims or using pants you’ll be able to.

Conclusion

I’m going to qualify my conclusion concerning the MC airbag denims by making the next assumptions. If MC doesn’t embrace or take into account these factors it might have an effect on my choice to buy a pair.

• An correct measuring methodology to find out the proper dimension for American dimension pants
• Enlarging or bettering the cutout portion that enables simpler reinstallation of the triggering cylinder into the denims
• Growing a tethering system that doesn’t require two tethers onto the bike body if utilizing a tethered vest with the MC denims
• Choice of degree 2 knee armor included
• Pricing of A, AA, and AAA variations

I really feel that MC denims are a worthwhile funding for the way and the place I journey. Any security gadget that reduces my probabilities of hospitalization is a tool I’m blissful to put on, PROVIDED that it doesn’t contain many inconvenient hoops to leap by way of or ridiculous add-ons. The MC denims appear to do neither of these issues.

I applaud Mo’Cycle for investing the time, power, and sources to develop and convey to market a well-executed product. Like something new, persons are hesitant to undertake one thing that’s not been executed nicely earlier than. Primarily based on my factors above and the way they’re addressed, I’ll be a purchaser of the MC product.

Essential Hyperlinks / The place to Purchase

Professionals

• Glorious airbag protection for hips and tailbone space. Knee armor is nicely positioned as soon as the airbag is deployed
• Increasing gussets are straightforward to position into their authentic positions after deployment
• The seams are sewn with no fraying
• Snug and funky as common denims
• Mechanically cleanable after eradicating the airbag
• Provided in A, AA, and AAA abrasion ranking
• Totally different inseam lengths supplied
• Cheap CO2 cartridge replacements and user-serviceable
• Pants have belt loops
• Pockets are deep and nicely made
• Provided in a relaxed and common match

Cons

• Sizing could also be a difficulty
• Reinsertion of the cylinder set off is troublesome as a result of undersized cutout