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I asked my lad if he wanted knee pads for his birthday. “No, they’re gay”.
So that’s the facts of the matter.
Whilst there is something cool when you see sick park edits of guys wearing the mandatory full facer and no other obvious protection (probably a neck brace and back protector hidden away to be fair), I'm more bothered about an ouchie than they probably are.
But let's be realistic, the only break I've had I happened not to be wearing any armour but it wouldn't have helped anyway. I've also had sore ones whilst wearing armour that would've been worse, but it's horses for courses. When I have it, I'll wear it if it's not getting in the way (too hot, rubbing, restrictive). If it's a big inconvenience, it gets left at home/in the car. Sometimes I'm going to get hurt.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">the only break I’ve had I happened not to be wearing any armour but it wouldn’t have helped anyway</span>
Perhaps ???
Speaking for myself I have never hurt my elbow in a MTB fall... HOWEVER I have found that wearing below pads I tend to use them when I do fall. (Or perhaps I'm just getting better at falling)
Nearly all my "serious" falls have been where I least expected it and wouldn't have crashed if I'd been paying 10% attention. (serious meaning a break.,lost teeth or similar)
Well I know wrist protectors exist but they're not comfortable so I wouldn't use them anyway.
And as I put my arm out, broke my wrist, but still smashed my head, I'm pretty sure trying to absorb the impact with an elbow would've gone worse.
I reckon a dropper post (or indeed stopping to lower my saddle beforehand) would've allowed me to get away with it completely though.
I think a lot of my falls are similar, but usually not serious so far thankfully!
Well I know wrist protectors exist but they’re not comfortable so I wouldn’t use them anyway.
And as I put my arm out, broke my wrist, but still smashed my head, I’m pretty sure trying to absorb the impact with an elbow would’ve gone worse.
Its not absorbing it on the elbow so much as rolling.... (at least for me)...
I find I have a natural aversion to hitting my elbows (which is quite possibly why I never hurt them riding 😀
I can't say this is entirely conscious ... but I have found that when wearing elbow protection I end up tucking and rolling not sticking out my hands and catching the back of my head but in a light way.
The one time in ages I took them off 5-6 wks ago I came off in a totally unexpected place. (AFTER the real part of the trail).. I can't actually remember the crash itself but did something bad to my wrist... and when I came to/remember I was lying face down and from the marks on my helmet and bruising and missing skin must have skid along on my chin and stomach.
I still can't ride without a wrist brace and they are bloody uncomfortable!!! (TBH can't even hold a pen)
I can't say for sure (especially due to losing my memory of the actual crash) .. but I believe had I been wearing elbow pads I'd probably have rolled like to 20 falls before????
I find I have a natural aversion to hitting my elbows (which is quite possibly why I never hurt them riding
I can’t say this is entirely conscious … but I have found that when wearing elbow protection I end up tucking and rolling not sticking out my hands and catching the back of my head but in a light way.
I remember one crash where I quite deeply grazed an elbow, and the main reason was I had a new helmet on I didn't want to have to replace, and was therefore quite determined to keep my head off the deck...
So I don't think I share your aversion to hitting my elbows! 😀
Landing on elbows and f.o.o.s.h. are the best ways to snap that thin old clavicle and ain't no protection on the market preventing that.
i ride naked. its the purist way.
It's pink body armour, honest!
Haro elbow pads and underpants??? 😀 😀 😀
Is this radster from STW crewgang???