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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

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