[Closed] Protective gear: where will it end?

Pads + droppers + e-bikes = MAYHEM!

Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone, I've stopped wearing a helmet on short rides. By the time I've put my bag and helmet in the basket there's no room for shopping!

Swings and roundabouts though, I'd probably not have missed two years riding if I'd been wearing knee pads for a bad crash in my second year of uni.

Well ideally in a situation where you can throw yourself off a cliff Josh Bender style and only suffer light grazes when you bin it thanks to your inexpensive protection that’s so light and breathable you forget your wearing it the moment you put it on. Well unless that would take some of the thrill away from it.

Anyway, it’s ebbs and flows, I recall DHers setting off looking like the Defensive Line of the Miami Dolphins with full length pressure suits, knee AND shin pads that meant you look like you were going to Bat against the Windies and those bloody awful 1st Gen Met Parachutes at every TC. (I may have owned all of the above at some point).

The current gen softer more flexible knee and elbow pads are really good and aren’t a bother to wear and the Enduro style XC lids offer good protection for the base of the skull with little or no weight / heat penalty, so why not?

I need to wear it or Mr Stevens, Head of Catering, will kill me with a tray.

I don't wear protection.  Life on the edge.

Didn't used to when I mostly rode in the fairly gentle Chilterns. Now however, on the less than forgiving slopes of Calderfornia I'm pretty much always in at least lightweight knee pads.

I wear what I think is an appropriate amount of protection for what I consider the risk for the riding I I'm doing.

I don't hark back to ye old days when men were real men, women were real women, and an MTB festival was 24 hours of riding round a muddy field 😉

The last big off I had was as <10mph.  Pootling along a trail, front wheel hit a branch hidden under some leaves, only the branch was at 45 degrees to the trail.  Wheel deflected to the right, then dug in, and I had an OTB into a tree.

No amour on upper body where I hit the tree, resulting in 2 cracked ribs which was muckle painful for weeks after.

Bell Super 2R chin guard also hit the tree.  Rather than than my OEM chin.  I haven't actually used the 2R without the chin guard, as the straps need adjusting, but that convinced me it was worth it, even for trail riding.

The thing is having a bit of protection gives you a bit more confidence so you relax and fall off less. In theory anyway...in practice this may be offset by higher speeds...

Where will it end? Round the back of Nat West in Swindon

It stopped for me at anything more than a helmet and gloves as if I wear anything more I feel invincible and do really stupid stuff!  I'll wear a full face helmet for uplift days or if I'm going to somewhere like Windhill or Tidworth as you push up anyway but for everything else it's an Enduro-style lid and gloves.

We are at least moving back form the ridiculousness that P-jay mentions for even a gentle XC pootle that some people went to.  Now there is so much good, lightweight protection like knee and elbow pads around it's much easier to protect yourself without the burden of cooking in the stuff.  It will be interesting to see how the whole E-bike/protection scenario evolves as you can go as fast on the ups as the downs so there's more scope for bouncing off rocks!

Learning to fall is the best way of saving yourself from injury.  I think these days people do tend to pad up, and not think about how to fall more safely.

Padding helps but it isn't going to stop you breaking stuff.

I don't ever wear a helmet on an XC or road ride. Never wear pads on Enderpo tracks and rarely wear any protective gear at all dirt jumping. But wear a full face Downhilling (uplifted)

Nothing against others wearing as much as they want but it's pretty funny the amount of people who try to advise me on what I "should" be wearing. I wouldn't dream of telling anyone what NOT to wear.

Yes but you're like a superhuman geex. Online anyway.

I reckon road is where you most need a helmet.  Not cos you're going to fall off, but because cars might clobber you and A-pillars are hard.

Somebody earlier!!!

Saw a commuter today in office-wear, on a BSO and a full-face helmet, a full-face MOTORBIKE helmet. Not sure whether he had pads underneath his shirt and trousers though.

What makes you think where (and when) I ride my roadbike it's busy with cars?
It's very rare to see as many as 4 or 5 vehicles being driven in an hour on most of my regular local road loops.

It’s very rare to see as many as 4 or 5 vehicles being driven in an hour on most of my regular local road loops.

Given how high and far you are gapping not surprised at all!!

I see someone's left the mikewsmith drivel generator on again.

🙄

I see someone’s left the mikewsmith drivel generator on again.

Aw princess, just leap higher 😉 I thought you would be in Switzerland this weekend

Somebody please switch it off.

red button near the power switch or just select mega awesome there, whichever is easier!!

Wow if that is your promo vid you need to work on it a bit

Do you even jump bro?

@ mikeswsmith - Them shorts are all kinds of wrong though arn't thee?

I've got to the age (47) where a rock to the knee has longer lasting consequences so I'll wear knee pads at places like the Widowmaker descent on Dartmouth.  I've also just invested in a Bell 3R for BPW type weekends after my mate smashed his face in there last year.  It's my first year with this sort of protection and the lightness/convenience of modern kit means it's not too much of a faff.

I reckon if it gives me a few more years of riding, even if I have an off or two, then it'll be worth it.

I’ll have the penné al arabiata.

Here in Hong Kong, the temperature and humidity makes wearing a load of protection desperately uncomfortable for much of the year. I wear knee-pads, padded gloves and a MET Parachute when I'm being all #enduro, but otherwise it's just a lightweight lid and trying not to fall off. Mostly OK.

🙂

Normal trails it’s a giro chronicle enduro style lid most of the time - then gloves and lightweight knee pads. I always used to think knee pads were a bit much until I had a fairly innocuous off at Cwmcarn and hit my knee on my dropper lever. Snapped the lever and ended up with knee bursitis and cellulitis- cue a week in hospital on iv antibiotics to kill the infection. So I now always wear knee pads!

Uplift / push up days I’m in a full face with heavier knee/shin pads and forearm/elbow pads.

Knee pads were added after working in a hospital for a while and finding out how hard it is to fix knees. With the modern lightweight ones so good its a no brainer for me, Full face is only for uplift days and the alps.

The only thing I have done is added a bag with a built in back protector

I’ll have the penné al arabiata.

You'll need a tray.

Did you dry these in a rainforest?

I reckon road is where you most need a helmet. Not cos you’re going to fall off, but because cars might clobber you and A-pillars are hard.

I think you may be misguided if you think a bicycle helmet is going to much use in protecting you from direct hits from a car.

What makes you think where (and when) I ride my roadbike it’s busy with cars?

I said road as in road generally.  I've no idea where you ride.  But point stands as a general statement.  Your head, your rules.

Lid, helmet and knee pads. I spend my time at work crawling about so best to try and save my knees.

knees are so fragile that you would have to be pretty stupid to not wear pads when they are so lightweight nowadays.

not wearing a helmet or appropriate padding is fine as long as your don't expect anyone else to stop and help you if you have an accident...

Each to their own. I ride with lots f guys who wear loads of armour - knees, elbows and convertibel full face at a minimum, -  in places where I'd wear just knee pads, or none at all. I find the amount of armour folks wear stongly depends on their ob - guys who work for themselves and can't afford to get injured because it means missing work tend to take a bit more care to cpver themselves.

I cope by doing what suits me, and letting them do what suits them

Can't stand knee pads. Makes me stupid I guess. *insert appropriate rolly eyes*

Plenty of offs, never damaged knees, except a bit of grazing. I'd rather wear rib and shoulder protection as that's what I actually hurt when I crash, but you can't get that.

not wearing a helmet or appropriate padding is fine as long as your don’t expect anyone else to stop and help you if you have an accident…

probably trolly, but I'm going to say eff off anyway. horrible sentiment.

probably trolly, but I’m going to say eff off anyway. horrible sentiment.

only as selfish as the person who decides to not wear appropriate protection.

It's a bit like going up a mountain without appropriate gear and then expecting mountain rescue to pick up the pieces.

but everybodies massively entitled these days...

I do not need a tray.

The food is hot,

Would you like peas?

Pour my peas in Turner guys lap. It's his own fault if the water scalds him for being too stupid and not wearing the highest level of protection at the table.

Hopefully his injuries won't require mountain rescue getting all the way up to his high horse.

only as selfish as the person who decides to not wear appropriate protection.

appropriate protection or taking inappropriate risks?  What if they were riding a red run, but only had an xc helmet on?

What if someone attempted a jump, but they weren't very good?  There goes Turnerguy, riding past someone with a broken ankle, tutting, because they weren't wearing knee pads.  Don't worry, someone else will help.  Mountain Rescue always do but, at a trail centre or the Surrey Hills, there'll be someone else along shortly.

I doubt you'd ride past, to be honest, you'd help.  You might be judgemental and hand out a lecture while you did it, but I would be surprised if you'd ride past without stopping.  I don't think anyone's that much of a ****.

 You might be judgemental and hand out a lecture while you did it,

If I was lying there he could keep on going. Nothing would be worth that. I'd take my chances on the next passer by 😉

not wearing a helmet or appropriate padding is fine as long as your don’t expect anyone else to stop and help you if you have an accident…

I totally agree, unless a rider is in full ACU approved MX gear I just leave them to it when they crash. Let them get the slow, painful death they clearly deserve. FFS.

i ride naked. its the purist way.

. Let them get the slow, painful death they clearly deserve. FFS.

I would offer them some water though....

Every single time I have taken my armoured Leatt gloves off, I have nailed my pinkie fingers - one time giving myself an infection.

Ah, I see the food is hot.

Can you get me Jeff's autograph?

Worn knee pads and a trail lid for almost ever. Trail lid didn't stop me breaking my jaw and suffering concussion though, so now wear a Bell Super 2R - started wearing elbow pads recently too.

I do assess whether I think knee pads are worthwhile or not and would err on the side of caution if going somewhere I didn’t know.  I have elbow pads but prefer not to wear them so save them for days I’m expecting rowdy.  I alternate between an open face and light full face again depending upon what I think is appropriate.

I wouldn’t usually bother with knee pads for something like a loop of Ladybower but I may one day regret this.

Agree with various others, push bike helmets are going to be sod all use in a direct collision with a car. It’s not what they’re designed for. They’re designed to cushion the impact of your head hitting the tarmac after the exciting stuff has happened and you’ve finished being a rag doll.  This is still a very important time to protect the head from impact but what makes a helmet good at that isn’t going to work against an a pillar to well.

Troy lee superendurobro helmet and poc whatever they are knee pads. Sometimes wear gloves (depends if I can find the other one).

I had an off and if I wasn’t wearing knee pads It would be a trip in a helicopter. Instead I had massive bruising on my leg a few scrapes but an intact knee cap. Even then I struggled to ride on.

I'm conflicted. I can't deny I think it looks pretty stupid trail riding in a full face. But I'm seeing an orthopaedic consultant tomorrow following breaking a vertebrae in May. I don't think a full face would have helped for that one but who's to say the next one,  if there is one, won't be like that one above^^^? I have an ebike now and with the latest lids like the Fox Proframe or the Bell Super DH with the next gen MIPS as well as the removable chin guard the heat climbing shouldn't be such an issue.

As it stands I'm getting pins and needles spreading through my hand and up my forearm so I'm hoping this isn't the end of riding for me. If it works out OK I think I'd be alright with looking like a dork if it increases my chances of prolonging my riding career

Wow. Didn't realise you were going through such a tough one. Hope things start to improve for you.

I didn't think I was either until the pins and needles started last week and keeps getting worse. Can't deny it's a bit worrying.  And thanks.

On the plus side if this keeps going and I'm indulging in a bit of "gentlemen's relaxation" it will feel like someone else is doing it, won't even have to sit on my hand for half an hour. Every cloud!

I just wear a lid & gloves.

If I fall off I may as well just fall over I'm going that slow.

I could hack across your neck with the thin bit, until the blood flowed across...

No, the food is hot, you'll need a tray.

I wear anything from no lid to full pressure suit. It’s about risk assessment.

I’m more likely to wear a spine guard than a crash helmet.

Full face and knee pads always. Add elbow pads occasionally. Some sort of hip protection would have been useful last weekend...

Couldn't be arsed putting my pads on for a local spin on Sunday. Now I've got a sore knee. Fact.

No. no I can’t.

I’m self employed now; anything more than gravel riding and I dress up like a multicoloured stormtrooper.

Ok. I'm 50 now. Been fortunate to get away with just an xc helmet for years, but have been talked into taking decisive knee-pad purchase action.

What's recommended for reasonably lightweight, flexible pads. Ideally under £50ish.

Knee pads and full face are my minimum for some DH runs that I know well .If it's somewhere new that I'm not sure about or somewhere like Antur then I'll don an upper body suit too.

For XC I'll wear lightweight knee pads and a regular helmet.

My knees are fairly shot so I try to keep 'em protected.

I wear kneepads for pretty much all my riding. Only takes a couple of seconds to put them on and I'm not bothered by riding in them. Being 40, self employed and not fancying months / years off my bikes with a stupid avoidable injury leads my thinking.

What’s recommended for reasonably lightweight, flexible pads. Ideally under £50ish.

This month’s MBR has a group test on light weight knee pads, can’t remember which won sorry.

My lad swears by his 7idp ones, my old 661s have lasted years but are a bit warm.

For me:

local loamy forest = Capra + enduro lid and knee pads

Revs & Leogang = Tues + D3, knee pads, Leatt pressure suit & neck brace

I managed without Knee Pads when I was a beginner and didn't have a clue what I was doing and was crashing regularly on any tech. Plus riding a £300 bike.

5+ years later  I crash a lot less often, have got a lot better, and got a £2800 bike, it makes me think If I managed without them back then, why do I need them now ?

Maybe I just got lucky when I was a complete beginner not to break anything. Going straight into trail riding at places like Gisburn without any training or practice and on a cheap hard tail and with no protection other than an XC helmet and gloves.

Maybe I need to try some other knee pads out, the ones I've got aren't comfy.

The ones I've got, I find them uncomfortable for constant hours of pedalling and only use them if Uplifts are involved.

Good luck with your back problems Davosaurus, fingers crossed it’ll all be ok!

I pretty much always wear knee pads after I washed out the front a year or two ago and my right knee put a dent in my top tube. That hurt!

After a bad crash sent me to A&E with a suspected spinal injury (due to some poor decision making on a fairly large drop) I rode with a pack with a back protector all the time. But recently I’ve accepted that I ride better without a pack. I’ll still probably wear it for gnarlier riding or where I need to carry stuff but I’m trying to move everything onto the bike and just go with helmet, gloves, knee pads.

And full-face for uplift days because I can’t see any downside.

<div class="bbp-reply-author">trevmccdonald

I managed without Knee Pads when I was a beginner and didn’t have a clue what I was doing and was crashing regularly on any tech. Plus riding a £300 bike.

5+ years later  I crash a lot less often, have got a lot better, and got a £2800 bike, it makes me think If I managed without them back then, why do I need them now ?

Maybe I just got lucky when I was a complete beginner not to break anything. Going straight into trail riding at places like Gisburn without any training or practice and on a cheap hard tail and with no protection other than an XC helmet and gloves.

</div>

Usually as skill improves so does speed, even if you don’t notice it.

In my experience crashes are rare but can be a lot bigger. That said, lid and gloves are all I’d use at a trail centre.

not wearing a helmet or appropriate padding is fine as long as your don’t expect anyone else to stop and help you if you have an accident…

What's the appropriate level of padding to wear in order to qualify for help, in the event of an accident?

I asked my lad if he wanted knee pads for his birthday. "No, they're gay".

So that's the facts of the matter.

I make sure to be fully kitted out when riding my turbo; pressure suit, full face enduro shlid with MIPs so i can breathe, neckbrace, gloves with those carbon knuckles that actually cut your fingers off when you crash, impact highs, shatter proof goggles

edit: forget my camelbak with full 5L bladder, spine protector, snacks, multitools, deraileur hangers for 5 different frames, shock pump, micro pump, CO2 inflator, spare tube, tyre levers, emergency cash... etc.

@kcr just dont approach MR if you would like some water even though you have a backpack with water in it.