to pad or not to pad.

Anonymous

i was out at chicksands today (just doing the xc routes, i'm too cowardly for the more technical stuff) and managed to smash my knee and shin with my pedals (V8s).

a couple of weeks ago, i was on the south downs way and have got gash marks all over my other leg from thorns and i dont quite know what else

all this means i have legs covered in scars (and crusty blood at the moment!) so it got me to thinking, is it worth wearing some protection? bear in mind, i dont do any hardcore riding and i'm not a downhiller or anything, i just do normal trail riding, but i'm getting thredders with shins (and now knees) which look like the surface of the moon.

i have seen some lightweight 661 pads which were reviewed by some mag or other as ideal for XC, has anyone any experience or advice?

TomR

If youre smashing your legs up then it'd make sense. Knee and shin pads really are hard to reccommend ot people, one thing that works well for my amte was crap for me, and vice versa. If you're not doing anyhting hardcore than you'll only need basic protection, so aim more at finding a comfy pair of pads, which really means getting down to a shop and trying them on.

ddraver

know exactly what you mean...i need some too

sorry to be unhelpful ...the 661 kyle straight look good but unfortunatly they have a plastic bit which put me off

Amos

I wear some of these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3535 which make me sweat like a bitch, but do keep your legs scar free.

You can get a lighter version: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=2734

Anonymous

cheers amos, the second set are the ones i'm looking at but fom wiggle, with t'other bits i'm getting, they will cost about 23 quid, seem like a good idea i reckon.

i have seen these too

neil_uk

I have a similar dilema with my elbows - a few months ago my front wheel washed out and I wacked my elbow on a rock slab, which left me unable to ride for a fortnight. I've been considering wearing elbow pads, but as no one else seems to wear them a don't want to look like a 'big girls blouse'... but I also don't want to be put out of action again, seeing as though there isn't much Summer left :?

fabienno1

To neil have you considered sixsixone chicken wings? £20 of crc and they are not too obvious but they should do the job.

CitizenLee

Last time I was in Halfords (which admittedly was a while ago) they had loads of 661 gear in, including knee / shin pads, so it might be worth a trip to your local store to test them out. It's always risky ordering things like that online incase you dont like them or they dont fit.

I have the 661 Veggie Wrap Shin Pads but the neoprene makes my skin itch quite badly so I never wear them. As a result my legs are a mess :x

vdubber67

Surely scars are cool?

Anonymous

haha, scars are cool and chicks do dig 'em, however, i reckon ive got enough for now, they should last a good 6 months so seeing as i'm in credit with the scars, ive ordered some of these

ive read a load of reviews which say they are light weight and offer enough protection for pedal attacks even if they are not suitable for more hardcore riding.

i'll let you know what they are like