New Air Bag Vest
I wear this now:
2016 Hit-Ait Air Bag Vest. Approx $550.00 delivered.
http://www.bikebone.com/
There's two other manufacturers: Dainese, who makes a high-end model that leashes electronically to the cycle, and Helite. I wore the Helite vest, and at 4 lbs, it was almost twice as heavy as the Hit-Air (at 2.5 lbs). When it's on you, you can really feel the weight difference.
Supposedly, the airbag inflates in under 250 milliseconds. That's prett fast. Like this: If it activates, and you're launching over a car hood, it will inflate before you reach the other side of the car hood. An eye blink is about 30 milliseconds. Thats fast.
This vest physically ties into the cycle frame via a lanyard with a quick disconnect. It takes alot of pulling force on the lantard to active the vest. I've forgotten to disconnect before dismount many times now, and have not (yet) caused the vest to pop.
Thats the hardest feature for me: Remembering to "tie in" to the bike before riding away, and remembering to disconnect before dismounting.
But, I do enjoy the extra safety of airbag tech.
I feel safer already :)
* Last updated by: mebgardner on 12/16/2016 @ 4:53 PM *