Body protection brand Alpinestars has updated its motocross-focused back and chest airbag system with a DH mountain bike app profile, designed specifically for the crash and impact profiles experienced in downhill racing.
The system has been launched to the public today, but has already been race-run proved, with Specialized riders Jordan Williams, Loïc Bruni and Rosa Jensen all benefitting from the Tech-Air MX Airbag System in racing and training.
The Alpinestars airbag arrives at a time when motocross-style protection is becoming more and more popular in dowhill, with recent DH helmet launches from POC and iXS coming with motocross safety certifications, reflecting the speeds and impact levels experienced on downhill bikes.
The updated MTB Downhill profile can be added to the Tech-Air app and used in conjunction with a range of other motocross-focused profiles, including MX, MX Race Enduro and Rally.
This MTB-focused system follows those used in road cycling, including Van Rysel's airbag skinsuit.
DH, not MX
The Tech-Air MX Airbag System isn't itself a new product. It is established within the motocross market and draws upon 26 years of airbag technology from Italian brand Alpinestars.
The company has been collecting data from mountain bikers, and modelling their crashes repeatedly since 2022 in order to better understand the differing forces experienced during mountain biking, compared to those on a motocross bike.
This included rider-based data, as well as simulating crashes such as over-the-bars, loss of control and failed jumps with manikins loaded up with sensors, to fully map forces specific to DH riding.
While speeds are generally lower in downhill, and acceleration and braking events less severe, riders are more mobile over the bikes, ride over more varied terrain, and have slower-speed crashes.
All of this means an algorithm designed around motocross crashes would be unlikely to operate correctly on a mountain bike.
When things go wrong
When a crash is detected, the 1.6kg system, built into a Level 1 chest and back protector, deploys airbags around the chest, back, sides and shoulders in under 40 milliseconds.
This is said to be four times more protective than passive impact protectors. Alpinestars claims the airbag "delivers impact absorption equivalent to up to an 82% reduction in transmitted energy compared with conventional passive chest protectors".
The airbag is equipped with six integrated sensors, including a tri-axial accelerometer and tri-axial gyroscope. These sensors monitor what's happening hundreds of times per second.
Once deployed, the airbag can be re-packed up to six times, assuming there's no damage. The system has around a 30-hour ride time battery life. Charging takes around four hours, however one hour's charging should provide up to eight hours' battery life – ideal during a race weekend.
A magnetic switch in the protector's buckle activates the system, while a Bluetooth connection ensures the system can be monitored and updated (and the DH profile loaded).
Already in use
The Specialized Gravity team has been using the system, with a number of inflations already this season.
Williams says: "Tech-Air keeps us riders safe and keeps us winning. I will never race without it.”
Bruni was a little sceptical at first, but said: “The first time I had a proper crash while wearing it and walked away with literally zero damage, I finally understood how important this technology is for our sport. A few months later, I can almost say it saved me during my huge World Cup crash. I’m incredibly thankful for it and glad to see so many World Cup riders now adopting it. Like my mum always says: safety first.”
The Tech-Air MX with Downhill Algorithm airbag system is available in Europe, with limited shipping destinations at present, for £569.99. Other territories, including in North America, should be covered later this year.
