We had the opportunity last week to get our hands on some of the products from the brand new Teknic 2011 Gear lineup. We were extremely impressed by the level of features and functionality that Teknic is able to pack into their gear while keeping it reasonably priced. One standout from the new line is the Teknic Xcelerator Race Suit, loaded with features and constructed from the finest materials with extreme attention to detail. It is the only suit we currently stock under the $1000 price point that features Kangaroo leather construction. Kangaroo is sort of a big deal and has come to prominence recently based on the fact that it provides more strength, abrasion and tear resistance than cowhide yet it is 30% lighter. Check out our full video review below and don't miss the details on the rest of the feature set after the video.
As I mentioned before, the big deal here is the Kangaroo construction, keeping you extremely protected but not weighing you down with the heft of cowhide. In terms of armor, the shoulder is protected using Teknic's proprietary Airblade system, a CE rated, replaceable armor system that features vents for airflow. It is backed by shock-absorbing foam to further the protective elements. In the elbow/forearm and knee/shin, you will find CE rated Knox Flexiform armor. Flexiform is Knox's newest armor construction and provides huge upgrades in comfort over previous iterations of their protection. Also, both the knee and elbow armor is a multi-position system meaning that you can adjust the placement of the armor for proper comfort and protection. The elbows also have external aluminum sliders for abrasion resistance in a get-off scenario. To add more protection to the suit, there are pockets in the chest, back, and hips to accommodate CE rated armor.
Further safety elements can be found in the stitching system and safety wrap system from Teknic. The TASC (Teknic Advanced Seam Construction) is used throughout the suit and is essentially multiple rows of safety stitching moved away from impact areas for maximum strength and tear resistance. The Safety Wrap System can be found in the seat, shoulders, elbows, knees, and behind the accordion stretch panel at the small of the back. These areas are dual layers of protection with cowhide panels added to the kangaroo for extraordinary abrasion resistance. A curtain of cowhide is used behind the lower back stretch panel for the same reason. Rounding out the safety elements are the GP spec Speedstar knee sliders, designed for extended puck life and maximum feel when interfacing with the tarmac.
For mobility, airflow and comfort, Stretch Kevlar is used in the inner arms with Stretch Cordura in the inner legs. This forms the Full Motion Arm and Leg System allowing the rider maximum motion and ergonomics when actively riding on the track. This couples with the strategically-placed accordion stretch panels to form a serious range of motion. Meanwhile, the race precurving in the knees and elbows, and the forward rotation of the arms and hips reduces fatigue and allows the body to naturally be in the race position. The Speed Hump is aerodynamic, flows air, and protects in the event of a crash. The suit features a huge perforation scheme for maximum airflow and YKK zippers are used throughout. Finally, the 3M Scotchgard treated mesh liner is moisture-wicking, antibacterial and non-allergenic.
What you're looking at here is a great deal of suit at a very reasonable price. We do a lot of race suit reviews, and this is one of those standout products that combines feature-rich construction and attention to detail at a price that won't break the bank. We're very impressed with the Teknic Xcelerator Race Suit.
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