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THE TEST<br />
Ouch!<br />
Trusting to luck is not an option<br />
when it comes to <strong>gloves</strong>. Are they<br />
strong enough? Will they split if<br />
you come off? Only the strongest<br />
survive RiDE’s tough <strong>test</strong>s…<br />
22 pairs<br />
of <strong>gloves</strong><br />
took on the<br />
most fearsome<br />
set of <strong>test</strong>s<br />
in Europe.<br />
And the<br />
winner is…<br />
Words Tony Hoare<br />
Pictures Mark Manning & Simon Hipperson<br />
Alpinestars GP Plus £100 <strong>BKS</strong> GP2000 £329 (£359) BMW Summer Rain £65 Chequered Flag E Type £33 Dainese Duel £105<br />
Held Ninja 2220 £56 Ixon RS Protect £78 Ixon RS Queen £75 Kushitani GPR-5 Racing £170 Rayven Rapier £25<br />
FT Strike Titanium Sport £80 FT Pro Spectre Sport £60 Hein Gericke Racing Extreme £80 Hein Gericke HGR Racing £75 Hein Gericke Celtic £42<br />
RS Fazer Kangaroo £80 Smug Ruthless £46 Spada Ultima 3 £40 Spyke X-Torsion £105 Triumph Hard Carbon £90<br />
GLOVES TEST<br />
Held Phantom £130<br />
Weise WRG 321 ProRace £50<br />
52 SEPTEMBER 2006<br />
SEPTEMBER 2006 53
THE TEST<br />
The <strong>test</strong>: How we did it<br />
1<br />
We started with three pairs of<br />
each glove. One went off for<br />
road <strong>test</strong>ing (see step 8) and the<br />
other two were <strong>test</strong>ed in the lab. Our<br />
first technical <strong>test</strong> is to see if the<br />
knuckle armour will protect the<br />
wearer from impact injury. A glove<br />
was laid over an anvil and struck<br />
over the first two knuckles with a<br />
force of five joules. Measuring<br />
apparatus inside the anvil recorded<br />
the force transmitted through the<br />
<strong>gloves</strong>. The same strike was<br />
repeated on knuckles three and four.<br />
2<br />
If a glove let through four<br />
kilonewtons or less of energy<br />
we struck the knuckle armour<br />
again, this time with twice as much<br />
force. The aim here was to see if the<br />
glove could keep the transferred<br />
energy below 4kN. The scores are<br />
based on the amount of energy<br />
recorded at the anvil in the second<br />
set of impacts. To score 10 out of 10<br />
a glove needed to transfer less than<br />
2kN in both impacts. Gloves which<br />
failed at the first two impacts<br />
scored zero.<br />
Scoring<br />
Under 2kN 5 marks<br />
Under 3kN 4 marks<br />
Under 4kN 3 marks<br />
Under 5kN 2 marks<br />
Under 6kN 1 mark<br />
Over 6kN 0 marks<br />
3<br />
The burst <strong>test</strong> finds out how<br />
strong the seams are, as they<br />
are vulnerable to bursting in a<br />
crash. We cut a 16cm disc from the<br />
glove, the cut was centred on the<br />
Making<br />
sure your<br />
knuckles<br />
are safe<br />
1-2. Impact Test<br />
SEPTEMBER 2006<br />
A step-by-step guide to <strong>test</strong>ing a glove<br />
outer seam. The disc was clamped<br />
into specialist apparatus that inflates<br />
a high-pressure water balloon under<br />
the seam, increasing the pressure<br />
until the sideseam failed. We<br />
measured the pressure required to<br />
cause the failure and scores were<br />
awarded accordingly.<br />
Scoring<br />
A European safety standard<br />
demands that seams survive a<br />
pressure of 600 kilopascals (kPa).<br />
Gloves which withstood this in our<br />
<strong>test</strong> scored 10 out of 10. The rest<br />
were marked based on how close<br />
they came to the standard. Those<br />
within 90 per cent scored nine, down<br />
to the worst, which scored five<br />
because it only withstood half of the<br />
recommended pressure.<br />
4<br />
The tensile <strong>test</strong>: we started<br />
by cutting a 25mm length of<br />
seam from the forefinger of<br />
each glove. This seam was then<br />
subjected to a direct pulling force.<br />
We pulled until a hole appeared in<br />
the leather or the stitching came<br />
undone. The pulling action used here<br />
was much the same as the effect a<br />
crash would have.<br />
Scoring<br />
The European safety standard used<br />
in the tensile <strong>test</strong> requires that the<br />
seam withstands 15nm of pulling<br />
force. Gloves which reached this<br />
scored a maximum 10/10. The<br />
<strong>gloves</strong> that missed the standard<br />
were awarded marks based on how<br />
close they were, measured on a<br />
percentage basis.<br />
5<br />
Abrasion <strong>test</strong>: a 16cm disc was<br />
cut from the palm of the each<br />
glove, near the wrist. Any<br />
additional layers of material were<br />
included. This disc was then attached<br />
to our abrasion <strong>test</strong> rig, to <strong>test</strong> its<br />
resistance to sliding down the road.<br />
Each sample disc was then dropped<br />
onto a rolling belt of abrasive paper<br />
and left to abrade until the material<br />
was worn through and the belt<br />
activated a copper trip wire placed<br />
between the glove material and the<br />
rig. The time it takes to trip the wire<br />
was measured.<br />
Scoring<br />
Safety standards suggest a glove<br />
should last 2.5 seconds in this <strong>test</strong><br />
before it wears through. In our<br />
experience most <strong>gloves</strong> easily<br />
surpass this standard, so we set<br />
tougher targets. Gloves got five<br />
points for meeting the standard,<br />
then an extra mark for every 1.5<br />
seconds beyond that. Maximums<br />
were awarded to the <strong>gloves</strong> that<br />
made it to 10 seconds and beyond.<br />
6<br />
To double-check for abrasion<br />
resistance we measured the<br />
thickness of the glove on the<br />
finger areas of the palm. We had to<br />
do this because we couldn’t get a<br />
large enough sample from this area<br />
to perform an abrasion <strong>test</strong> like the<br />
one in step 5. Proven research<br />
suggests leather needs to be 0.9mm<br />
thick to last 2.5 seconds in an<br />
abrasion <strong>test</strong>, so marks were<br />
awarded based on thickness of<br />
leather. Scores for step 5 and 6 are<br />
combined to give marks out of 20.<br />
Checking<br />
that seams<br />
won’t burst<br />
early<br />
3 Burst Test<br />
Scoring<br />
Maximum marks were awarded to<br />
the <strong>gloves</strong> that were 0.9mm thick.<br />
Poorer performers scored one mark<br />
for every 0.09mm of thickness.<br />
7<br />
The dye <strong>test</strong>: a 10cm x 6cm<br />
section was cut from the palm<br />
of each glove, and wetted. The<br />
sample was then placed between<br />
filter paper for 30 minutes. If the dye<br />
leaked it would show on the paper<br />
which was then matched against a<br />
colour comparison chart to<br />
determine how much dye had been<br />
lost. We decided not to score this<br />
<strong>test</strong> but we have included an<br />
indication of how much they leaked:<br />
it would be unfair to include a score<br />
as the <strong>gloves</strong> were in several<br />
different colours and so contained<br />
differing amounts of dye.<br />
8<br />
RiDE staff <strong>test</strong>ed the <strong>gloves</strong><br />
out on the road for six weeks,<br />
covering hundreds of miles in<br />
each pair. This <strong>test</strong> was too<br />
subjective to score, as one man’s<br />
wonder glove is another’s horror<br />
show, but we have included the<br />
findings as comments, so you can<br />
decide what is relevant to you. Major<br />
problems in road <strong>test</strong>ing will stop a<br />
high-scoring glove collecting a Best<br />
Buy or Recommended triangle.<br />
9<br />
The results were collated<br />
using code numbers against<br />
each glove, rather than the<br />
brand. This was done to avoid any<br />
subconcious, or concious,<br />
preferences for a specific make.<br />
Rolling<br />
road wears<br />
leather<br />
away<br />
5. Abrasion Test<br />
4. Tensile Test<br />
Can the<br />
seams be<br />
wrenched<br />
open?<br />
Glove<br />
attached<br />
here<br />
7. Dye Test<br />
GLOVES TEST<br />
RiDE’s bearded <strong>test</strong> guru<br />
Dr Roderick Woods’ research work became the<br />
basis of the European safety standard in 1996<br />
and he has been independently <strong>test</strong>ing bike kit<br />
ever since. Dr Woods is also a consultant for<br />
manufacturers looking to improve their gear.<br />
54 SEPTEMBER 2006 55<br />
Vacuum<br />
sucks up<br />
waste<br />
Seeing if<br />
dye will<br />
stain<br />
fingers
THE TEST<br />
1. <strong>BKS</strong> GP2000<br />
THE ultimate in protection, but it<br />
comes with a £300+ price tag,<br />
which is enough for three pairs of<br />
the next best option.<br />
The GP2000s scored well in all<br />
the <strong>test</strong>s, despite having soft, rather<br />
than hard, armour on the knuckles.<br />
The road <strong>test</strong>er said they took a<br />
while to break in, but were great<br />
once that had happened.<br />
Sizes: 6-10 (XS-XL)<br />
Colours: Black (£329) or your<br />
choice of colours (£359)<br />
Contact: 01395 278861<br />
3. Spada Ultima 3<br />
Sizes: S-XXL<br />
Colours: Blue, red,<br />
grey and silver<br />
Contact: 01384<br />
413841<br />
THE pair we <strong>test</strong>ed in the lab were<br />
brilliant, but the pair we used on the<br />
road fared less well. The road <strong>test</strong>er<br />
praised comfort and feel, but seams<br />
started coming apart in general use.<br />
We have returned the faulty <strong>gloves</strong><br />
to Feridax, who own the Spada<br />
brand, and will <strong>test</strong> further pairs to<br />
see if they were a rogue pair.<br />
SEPTEMBER 2006<br />
ABRASION 18/20<br />
IMPACT 7/10<br />
BURST 8/10<br />
TENSILE 6/10<br />
TOTAL 39/50<br />
£40<br />
DYE: POOR<br />
4. Triumph Hard Carbon<br />
Sizes: Ladies S-L,<br />
Mens XS-XXL<br />
Colours: Black<br />
Contact: 01455<br />
453182<br />
LAST year’s Best Buy slips up on our<br />
newly-introduced tensile <strong>test</strong>. A<br />
slightly higher score here would<br />
have earned them a second<br />
consecutive triangle, but it’s still a<br />
strong finish. They remain good<br />
<strong>gloves</strong> and impressed our road<br />
<strong>test</strong>er, it’s just that our standards<br />
are tougher this year.<br />
ABRASION 17/20<br />
IMPACT 8/10<br />
BURST 10/10<br />
TENSILE 10/10<br />
TOTAL 45/50<br />
ABRASION 15/20<br />
IMPACT 8/10<br />
BURST 10/10<br />
TENSILE 5/10<br />
TOTAL 38/50<br />
DYE: ACCEPTABLE<br />
DYE: BORDERLINE<br />
2. Alpinestars GP Plus<br />
OUR best bet if you don’t want to<br />
spend a fortune on your <strong>gloves</strong>. The<br />
abrasion scores are within a whisker<br />
of the maximum, the impact scores<br />
are best on <strong>test</strong> and the tensile <strong>test</strong><br />
is above average. Our road <strong>test</strong>er<br />
praised the comfort so it’s a good<br />
enough all-round score for a RiDE<br />
Recommended tag.<br />
Sizes: S-XXXL<br />
Colours: Black, black/grey, black/<br />
red, black/blue<br />
Contact: www.alpinestars.com<br />
LITTLE-known Smug scored well in every<br />
technical <strong>test</strong>, are well-priced and collect<br />
a Recommended triangle. Our road<br />
<strong>test</strong>er said they were comfortable but<br />
commented on the lack of venting to<br />
keep hands cool on very hot days. But<br />
how many of those do we get in Britain?<br />
5. Smug Ruthless<br />
Sizes: XS-XXL<br />
Colours: Black, black/red, black/<br />
blue, black/yellow, black/green<br />
Contact: 0870 421 4025<br />
ABRASION 15/20<br />
IMPACT 8/10<br />
BURST 7/10<br />
TENSILE 7/10<br />
TOTAL 37/50<br />
£46<br />
DYE: POOR<br />
A LOWER abrasion score stands between<br />
these waterproof <strong>gloves</strong> and a triangle.<br />
The abrasion time is passable but many<br />
of the other <strong>gloves</strong> scored higher. Other<br />
technical <strong>test</strong> results were good. On the<br />
road our <strong>test</strong>er had no complaints, but<br />
didn’t get to find out if the waterproof<br />
membrane worked.<br />
ABRASION 18/20<br />
IMPACT 9/10<br />
BURST 8/10<br />
TENSILE 6/10<br />
TOTAL 41/50<br />
DYE: ACCEPTABLE<br />
£329GLOVES TEST<br />
£359<br />
colours<br />
£90<br />
A LOW abrasion <strong>test</strong> score keeps Hein<br />
Gericke’s la<strong>test</strong> race <strong>gloves</strong> out of the top<br />
bracket. The thinnest piece of leather on<br />
the palm is 0.4mm thick, which is less<br />
than half the recommended thickness.<br />
Our road <strong>test</strong>er also criticised “pointless”<br />
elasticated panels on fingers.<br />
7. Hein Gericke Racing Extreme<br />
Sizes: XS-XXL<br />
Colours: Black<br />
Contact: 0800 165165<br />
ABRASION 11/20<br />
IMPACT 8/10<br />
BURST 7/10<br />
TENSILE 9/10<br />
TOTAL 35/50<br />
£80<br />
DYE: POOR<br />
£100<br />
LOW scores for impact resistance stop<br />
these challenging for a RiDE triangle.<br />
Abrasion resistance, burst and tensile<br />
scores were all good, but the knuckle<br />
armour let too much energy pass<br />
through to the anvil in both of our<br />
strikes. The road <strong>test</strong>er praised comfort,<br />
but was alarmed that some stitching<br />
started opening in general use.<br />
6. Weise WRG 321 ProRace<br />
Sizes: XS-XXL<br />
Colours: Black<br />
Contact: 0800 369 537<br />
ABRASION 12/20<br />
IMPACT 7/10<br />
BURST 8/10<br />
TENSILE 8/10<br />
TOTAL 35/50<br />
£50<br />
DYE: BORDERLINE<br />
8. Ixon RS Protect<br />
Sizes: XS-XXXL<br />
Colours: Black/white/blue,<br />
black/blue, black/silver, silver/red,<br />
black/grey/white/yellow<br />
Contact: 01923 772273<br />
56 SEPTEMBER 2006 57<br />
ABRASION 16/20<br />
IMPACT 3/10<br />
BURST 8/10<br />
TENSILE 7/10<br />
TOTAL 34/50<br />
£78<br />
DYE: POOR
THE TEST<br />
POOR scores in the burst and tensile<br />
<strong>test</strong>s let these <strong>gloves</strong> down. The outer<br />
seam section burst at only half the<br />
pressure required by safety standards,<br />
as did the finger section in the tensile<br />
<strong>test</strong>. The road <strong>test</strong>er found the comfort<br />
OK, but criticised a bulky cuff in what are<br />
clearly copies of the Held Phantom.<br />
THIS scored highly in the burst <strong>test</strong> but<br />
nowhere else; it picked up 10/10 in that<br />
<strong>test</strong>, but abrasion, impact and tensile<br />
strength were all average or below. The<br />
road <strong>test</strong>er criticised the comfort, saying<br />
the knuckle armour caused pain.<br />
JUST one point for impact protection<br />
seriously affects the total score for these<br />
Held <strong>gloves</strong>. Abrasion resistance was<br />
acceptable, as was the tensile strength,<br />
but burst was on the low side. The road<br />
<strong>test</strong>er liked the <strong>gloves</strong> a lot, praising<br />
them for feel and comfort and also said<br />
they were warm on chilly days.<br />
POOR results in the impact <strong>test</strong>, where<br />
the <strong>gloves</strong> let through three times the<br />
recommended amount of energy, mean<br />
zero marks in that category, which ruins<br />
an otherwise reasonable performance.<br />
The road <strong>test</strong>er wasn’t keen on the<br />
<strong>gloves</strong>, saying the knuckle armour was<br />
too uncomfortable.<br />
SEPTEMBER 2006<br />
9. RS Fazer Kangaroo<br />
Sizes: XS-XXL<br />
Colours: Black/blue/white,<br />
black/red/white<br />
Contact: 0191 232 5700<br />
ABRASION 17/20<br />
IMPACT 7/10<br />
BURST 5/10<br />
TENSILE 5/10<br />
TOTAL 34/50<br />
13. Rayven Rapier<br />
Sizes: S-XXL<br />
Colours: Black<br />
Contact: 01527 574422<br />
ABRASION 12/20<br />
IMPACT 5/10<br />
BURST 10/10<br />
TENSILE 4/10<br />
TOTAL 31/50<br />
£25<br />
DYE: POOR<br />
17. Held Ninja 2220<br />
Sizes: 7-11<br />
Colours: Black, black/red, black/<br />
blue, black/green, black/orange<br />
Contact: 01283 820508<br />
ABRASION 14/20<br />
IMPACT 1/10<br />
BURST 5/10<br />
TENSILE 8/10<br />
TOTAL 28/50<br />
£56<br />
DYE: BORDERLINE<br />
20. Hein Gericke Celtic<br />
Sizes: XS-XL<br />
Colours: Black/white/yellow, black/<br />
white/blue, black/white/silver, black/<br />
white/red, black/white/green<br />
Contact: 0800 165165<br />
ABRASION 15/20<br />
IMPACT 0/10<br />
BURST 7/10<br />
TENSILE 5/10<br />
TOTAL 27/50<br />
£80<br />
DYE:POOR<br />
£42<br />
DYE: POOR<br />
LAST year’s winners come 10th thanks<br />
largely to the new tensile <strong>test</strong>, where the<br />
Phantoms scored lowest – the leather<br />
split under an embroidered logo, which<br />
is known for weakening leather. Impact<br />
results were also worse than last year.<br />
The road <strong>test</strong>er loved them and the<br />
other lab results were good.<br />
MAXIMUM marks in the burst <strong>test</strong> push<br />
the FTs up the finishing order. That said,<br />
it scored low for impact and tensile<br />
strength and the abrasion score was<br />
below average. On the road, our <strong>test</strong>er<br />
was impressed with the comfort and feel<br />
and also praised the knuckle air vents.<br />
A DISAPPOINTING result for Hein<br />
Gericke’s <strong>gloves</strong> which recorded average<br />
or low scores for abrasion, impact and<br />
tensile strength but a reasonable mark<br />
for burst strength. The road <strong>test</strong>er liked<br />
them in general, but said the internal<br />
seams on the fingers caused some<br />
amount of discomfort.<br />
10. Held Phantom<br />
Sizes: 6-10 inc 1 ⁄2 sizes, 11 and 12<br />
Colours: Red/white/blue, black,<br />
green/white, white/blue, white/<br />
red/grey, black/yellow<br />
Contact: 01283 820508<br />
ABRASION 17/20<br />
IMPACT 5/10<br />
BURST 10/10<br />
TENSILE 2/10<br />
TOTAL 34/50<br />
£130<br />
DYE: ACCEPTABLE<br />
18. Hein Gericke HGR Racing<br />
Sizes: S-XL<br />
Colours: Black, black/white,<br />
black/red, black/blue<br />
Contact: 0800 165165<br />
ABRASION 10/20<br />
IMPACT 5/10<br />
BURST 8/10<br />
TENSILE 5/10<br />
TOTAL 28/50<br />
£75<br />
DYE: ACCEPTABLE<br />
21 Frank Thomas Pro-Spectre Sport<br />
THE impact and tensile strength <strong>test</strong>s<br />
knock down the FT <strong>gloves</strong>. The hard<br />
material covering the knuckles split in<br />
both impact <strong>test</strong>s and they recorded low<br />
scores in that department. Abrasion<br />
scores were OK thanks to a good<br />
thickness of leather and the road <strong>test</strong>er<br />
said they offered very good feel.<br />
14.Frank Thomas Strike<br />
Titanium Sport<br />
Sizes: Mens S-XXXL<br />
Colours: Red/black/blue, green/<br />
silver/orange<br />
Contact: 01933 410272<br />
ABRASION 13/20<br />
IMPACT 3/10<br />
BURST 10/10<br />
TENSILE 5/10<br />
TOTAL 31/50<br />
Sizes: Mens S-XXXL,<br />
ladies LS-LM<br />
Colours: Red/blue/silver, black<br />
Contact: 01933 410272<br />
ABRASION 15/20<br />
IMPACT 2/10<br />
BURST 4/10<br />
TENSILE 6/10<br />
TOTAL 27/50<br />
£80<br />
DYE: BORDERLINE<br />
£60<br />
DYE: BORDERLINE<br />
THESE basic <strong>gloves</strong> were described as<br />
bulky and lacking feel by our road <strong>test</strong>er,<br />
but the extra weight didn’t boost<br />
performance in the abrasion or tensile<br />
<strong>test</strong>s, where the <strong>gloves</strong> were either<br />
average or low scorers. The impact and<br />
burst scores were better, but not enough<br />
to salvage a place in the top flight.<br />
THE second most expensive <strong>gloves</strong> on<br />
<strong>test</strong> finished down the order thanks to<br />
low scores in the impact and tensile<br />
strength <strong>test</strong>s. The abrasion score was<br />
average and the burst <strong>test</strong> was 10/10.<br />
The road <strong>test</strong>er loved them, though,<br />
saying they were “superb.”<br />
A LOW impact score and average tensile<br />
strength result drags down these<br />
Dainese <strong>gloves</strong>, which were otherwise<br />
reasonable performers. They let<br />
through just over 5kN of energy in both<br />
impacts, when the maximum for a good<br />
score was 4kN. The road <strong>test</strong>er liked the<br />
<strong>gloves</strong> for comfort and feel.<br />
A LACK of adequate impact protection<br />
around the knuckles means it’s bottom<br />
of the heap for the BMWs. In fact if we<br />
had hit them as hard as we did some of<br />
the better <strong>gloves</strong> it would have broken<br />
our <strong>test</strong> rig. Other than this they were<br />
pretty reasonable but didn’t prove<br />
popular with our road <strong>test</strong>er.<br />
11. Chequered Flag E Type<br />
Sizes: XS-XXL<br />
Colours: Black, black/white/<br />
silver<br />
Contact: 0151 652 4241<br />
ABRASION 15/20<br />
IMPACT 8/10<br />
BURST 7/10<br />
TENSILE 3/10<br />
TOTAL 33/50<br />
15. Kushitani GPR-5 Racing<br />
Sizes: M-XXL<br />
Colours: Black,<br />
red/white, blue/white<br />
Contact: 01423 797911<br />
ABRASION 13/20<br />
IMPACT 4/10<br />
BURST 10/10<br />
TENSILE 4/10<br />
TOTAL 31/50<br />
22. BMW Summer Rain<br />
Sizes: 6/6.5 - 12/12.5<br />
Colours: Black<br />
Contact: 0800 777 155<br />
ABRASION 14/20<br />
IMPACT 0/10<br />
BURST 6/10<br />
TENSILE 5/10<br />
TOTAL 25/50<br />
£33<br />
DYE: POOR<br />
£170<br />
DYE: ACCEPTABLE<br />
19. Dainese Duel £105<br />
Sizes: S-XXL<br />
Colours: Black/blue,<br />
black/red, black<br />
Contact: www.dainese.com<br />
ABRASION 13/20<br />
IMPACT 2/10<br />
BURST 8/10<br />
TENSILE 5/10<br />
TOTAL 28/50<br />
£105<br />
DYE: ACCEPTABLE<br />
£65<br />
DYE: POOR<br />
THE only ladies-specific <strong>gloves</strong> in our<br />
<strong>test</strong> were praised for comfort and feel,<br />
though they took a little breaking in.<br />
Scores in the protection <strong>test</strong>s were not<br />
enough to help them to a place among<br />
the top finishers. The impact score was<br />
the lowest and they dropped abrasion<br />
marks because of thin palm leather.<br />
SPYKE’S expensive race <strong>gloves</strong> were<br />
unremarkable in all four of our<br />
protection <strong>test</strong>s. The road <strong>test</strong>er praised<br />
them for feel and their ease of use, but<br />
said the knuckle armour dug into<br />
fingers, causing discomfort and was<br />
concerned by thin palm material.<br />
VERDICT<br />
THE <strong>BKS</strong> <strong>gloves</strong> stand out in terms of<br />
protection, but that £330 price tag (£360<br />
if you don’t want all-black) makes them<br />
prohibitive for all but the biggest budget.<br />
High quality certainly comes at a price.<br />
Alpinestars GP Plus are a good bet and<br />
cost a third of the price of <strong>BKS</strong>. We’d be<br />
happy wearing them and any of the <strong>gloves</strong><br />
which feature a triangle. The Triumph<br />
Hard Carbon, last year’s Best Buy,<br />
features strongly again and the Smug<br />
Ruthless is a good buy at just £46.<br />
We’ve withheld a triangle from the<br />
Spada Ultima 3 because of seam failures<br />
in road <strong>test</strong>ing, despite its strong<br />
performance in the <strong>test</strong> lab.<br />
It was also a shame about the Held<br />
Phantom, where an embroidered section<br />
caused a low score in the tensile <strong>test</strong>.<br />
We’d encourage you to spend as much<br />
as you can afford from the selection of<br />
triangle-winning <strong>gloves</strong>, because the<br />
quality of protection increases inline with<br />
what you spend. That said there should<br />
be a choice here for all budgets.<br />
Unfortunately no sensibly priced glove<br />
gets close enough to our performance<br />
target to earn a Best Buy triangle, but the<br />
standards are high and we hope they will<br />
improve still further as a result.<br />
GLOVES TEST<br />
GLOVES TEST<br />
12. Ixon RS Queen (ladies)<br />
Sizes: XS-XXL<br />
Colours: Black/silver/white/blue<br />
Contact: 01923 772273 or www.<br />
thunderchild.co.uk<br />
ABRASION 16/20<br />
IMPACT 5/10<br />
BURST 6/10<br />
TENSILE 6/10<br />
TOTAL 33/50<br />
16. Spyke X-Torsion<br />
Sizes: S-XXL<br />
Colours: Black/blue, black/red,<br />
black/grey<br />
Contact: 01384 413841<br />
58 SEPTEMBER 2006 59<br />
ABRASION 12/20<br />
IMPACT 7/10<br />
BURST 6/10<br />
TENSILE 5/10<br />
TOTAL 30/50<br />
£75<br />
DYE: POOR<br />
£105<br />
DYE: POOR