You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Looking at getting some and elbow and knee guards, mainly for xc and trail centre riding, i've been riding the road mainly for the last few years and just getting back to a bit more mtbing and want something that will offer protection but without being cumbersome to ride in.
thanks
G-form are boss. Forget they're on.
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
Do they offer much protection though? I'm tempted as the elbows look like they'd go under a shirt OK but they look maybe too minimal?
and can you bung them in the washing machine?
If you want to try gform elbows I've got a set you can have for nowt, or whatever donation to charity you feel like doing. I think they're crap frankly which is why I'm giving them away, just as warm or warmer than proper elbow pads and not very protective but they're very convenient for wearing under clothes.
For knees personally I would say don't go minimal, it makes no sense for most people. Arms it's more arguable because of how your arm articularion works and how it works with clothes, but with knees bulk's no real downside and the tradeoff in protection is huge.
Have a look at the bliss minimalist range
I really rate the POC VPD 2 pads, well comfy & good protection IMO. they also do a more minimalist range but not tried them.
[url= http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/14-knee-pads-tested-reviewed/ ]"Pads for Pedalling" group test[/url]
Anything D30 that fits you well FTW.
Anything soft is just cuts and grazes protection at best, a placebo at worst.
Hard pads can offer some impact protection but the bulk adds to the 'heavy feel' of them (none of them weight much really) D30 stuff isn't quite as good but does work IME. They're not full proof, but neither are helmets, they reduce the severity of injuries from impacts. They can make a bone break a bruise and a bruise a mark and a mark a nothing or they can do SFA and leave you broken and bleeding like they were never there.
Northwind - Member
If you want to try gform elbows I've got a set you can have
Who me? After that glowing review 😀 £20 posted do?
Been using Gform knee and elbow pads for a few years and had loads of crashes. I went off the side of a trail in the Alps and bounced a fair way down before I stopped. Wrote a bike and a helmet off but my knees and elbows were fine. Crashed a couple of weeks ago in Verbier. Face was a bloody mess, busted my Oakleys, scrapes and bruises all over but knees and elbows were OK. Will be replacing with the same if mine ever wear out.
Took a tumble down a hill yesterday, bruised ribs, cut leg (pedal pins), broken helmet, knees (POC VPD air) and elbows (Bliss minimalist) ok.
I was more than happy with my g-form knee pads, & if I went for elbow pads, for everyday riding, they'd be my 1st choice. I replaced the knee pads, after several years as the Lycra had torn around the stitching, from pulling on the sleeve not the padded part (& from a load of use). Went for some dianese trailskin (mk1) to get a more substantial/locked in place pad, & basically just to try something different. Happily recommend both for general everyday use, but would personally prefer something more substantial for DH/alps duties
Despite their padded leg warmer looks I had low side last week while wearing my Fox Enduros and they did a great job. Grazing/bruises on lower leg - stopped at the knee pad - grazing/bruises on thigh
I've just got some dainese trail skins 2, I had the original trail skins before. They feel even better than the originals, which is going some. I haven't used them in anger but they feel very comfy so far
Troy Lee Speed knees working very well here