Flex-On Safe-On - Ultra-Grip

Hang the stirrups on the right side: because of the angled leather slot, one belongs on the left and the other on the right, so that they turn under your foot. They work with single and with double stirrup leathers. The pins of the Ultra-Grip insert are deliberately a wear part: they wear down themselves rather than attacking the sole of your boot, and after a year or two of riding they can be gone completely. Flex-On supplies a separate insert kit for that, which you swap yourself with a cross-head screwdriver. Clean the stirrups with a soft brush to take off sand and soil, then go over them with a wet sponge and soap.

This stirrup suits riders from 40 kg upwards who want a release outer arm and plenty of grip under the foot at the same time. It is not tied to one discipline: dressage, showjumping, cross-country, hacking and everyday work are all possible. If you often ride in the rain or on wet ground, the Ultra-Grip insert gives more grip than the regular Grip insert. If the rider weighs less than 40 kg, choose the Flex-On Safe-On Junior: its arm is tuned to a lighter weight. If you want to put the frame, tread, elastomers and arms together yourself, or would rather have the softer Grip insert, then the Flex-On Safe-On Custom is the better fit. If you already have a Safe-On and only want a different accent, the Flex-On Safe-On Glitter Stickers are enough.

Slide the stirrup leather through the offset slot and hang each stirrup on its own side, so that it turns under your foot. Before every ride, check that the safety arm sits fully in its holder and that the screws of the insert are tight. If the arm has opened at the bottom, click it back; if it has broken at the top, replace it with an arm kit. Take off sand and soil with a soft brush, then wipe down with a wet sponge and soap.

How does the Safe-On mechanism work?

The outer arm is a supple elastomer arm with two safety fuses. Once there is enough pressure on it, the arm opens at the bottom and the foot comes free. You then click the arm back yourself. In a heavier fall it can give way at the top; a separate arm kit exists for that.

Does the arm open in every fall?

Flex-On is clear about this itself: as with any mechanical system, the arm opening in 100 percent of situations cannot be assured. At least 40 kg of pressure on the arm is needed, so in a fall at a standstill or at very low speed the arm will probably not open.

What is the difference between Inclined and Flat?

Inclined is the sloped tread and follows the natural drop of the heel. Flat sits level. Flex-On recommends the level tread for riders with very mobile ankles.

What is the difference between Grip and Ultra-Grip?

Both are inserts in the tread. Ultra-Grip has pins and gives more grip; Grip is the quieter version. This stirrup has the Ultra-Grip insert.

Will the pins damage my boots?

Flex-On designs the inserts as a wear part: they wear down themselves instead of attacking the sole. After a year or two of riding the pins can be gone, and you then swap the insert with a cross-head screwdriver.

Can I change the elastomers later?

No. Once the stirrup is assembled, the elastomers, the frame and the tread are fixed. Stickers, insert and safety arm can be replaced.

Is there a left and a right stirrup?

Yes. The stirrup leather slot is offset and angled, so that each stirrup turns under the correct foot. So do not hang them the wrong way round.

How do I clean the stirrups?

First take off sand and soil with a soft brush, then wipe them down with a wet sponge and soap.

• Flex-On safety stirrup, per pair, for riders from 40 kg upwards
• Elastomer outer arm with two safety fuses, opens from 40 kg of pressure
• Frame in forged spring steel overmoulded with polyamide, 1 kg per pair
• Wide tread with the pinned Ultra-Grip insert
• A choice between Inclined (sloped) and Flat (level)
• Two elastomer blocks under the tread absorb shocks and vibrations
• Insert, stickers and arm replaceable separately; elastomers not
• Suitable for dressage, showjumping, cross-country and hacking