661 Sub Gear - any good?

welshkev

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... tedKingdom

this any good as basic level of protection? does it have any protection on the back?

felix.london

I wear the LS version on every ride from XC to DH

Basic protection from scrapes & grazes and would possibly prevent some minor bruising. Wicks sweat away very well. Not too hot for huge all day climbs during Alpine summers and works well as a base layer this time of year too.

Works as a compression top as well.

Like I say - I wear mine on every ride.

...no, no back protection...that's what my Camelbak & bladder are for

welshkev

felix.london wrote:

I wear the LS version on every ride from XC to DH

Basic protection from scrapes & grazes and would possibly prevent some minor bruising. Wicks sweat away very well. Not too hot for huge all day climbs during Alpine summers and works well as a base layer this time of year too.

Works as a compression top as well.

Like I say - I wear mine on every ride.

...no, no back protection...that's what my Camelbak & bladder are for

cheers mate, what's the sizing like? is it best to buy the size you would be in base layers/t-shirts or get a smaller one so it's tight?

.blitz

Have got a ss and a ls and as felix says they are pretty good at fending off trail rash etc. The long sleeve is especially good if you tend to use your elbows as brakes.

Sizing is pretty much spot on imo they are snug like lycra but it helps keep the armour in place. I wouldn't go too big they stretch over time anyway.

Also they are not 'warm' by any means they wick like mad and cool down surprisingly quickly.

felix.london

Re. sizing. Mine (M) seems to be long in the arms but short in the body/torso - which is weird cos if anything, medium tops are usually the other way 'round on me.

It's close fitting gear but like blitz says - you don't want it too big or the pads will move around so I'd get the right size...it's good fun getting it off after a sweaty ride...

felix.london

I might try the Nukeproof version next year to see if there's any difference between that and the Subgear;

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=68912

.blitz

felix.london wrote:

Re. sizing. Mine (M) seems to be long in the arms but short in the body/torso

The arms are freakily long on the XL as well. I was told it was to provide a kind of cuff that would stop the elbow armour from moving. Not sure how true that is but it seems to work quite well.

As you say taking it off after a ride is something of a challenge

rockmonkeysc

I bought one. Used it for a couple xc rides and it was too hot in the summer, might be ok in winter. I doubt very much that it will prevent any more than minor cuts & bruises.
I would rather take the cuts and bruises than sweat like a fat bird in a sauna on every ride.

felix.london

.blitz wrote:

I was told it was to provide a kind of cuff that would stop the elbow armour from moving. Not sure how true that is but it seems to work quite well

Yeah, right - that kinda makes sense I guess and like ya say, seems to work

bennett_346

Never seen the point in them myself, can't see them protecting against anything other than very light bruising and scrapes in non critical areas which we should be able to tolerate if we're in this sport...

welshkev

bennett_346 wrote:

Never seen the point in them myself, can't see them protecting against anything other than very light bruising and scrapes in non critical areas which we should be able to tolerate if we're in this sport...

I'm just starting to get into DH and some of the lads wear full on armour. i wear full face and knee pads. i don't really fancy full on armour but did want some level of protection, because coming off at 30mph on a DH track hurts

.blitz

Having tested them once or twice they are pretty good at totally absorbing those niggling kind of accidents that might make you call it a day or maybe feel too sore to ride again the next day e.g. otb and shoulder charge the ground or lose the front end and plough a furrow with your elbow you really don't feel a thing

But obv not much good at absorbing proper impacts with trees/rocks etc

tbh I'm not entirely convinced about the whole protection thing. Have seen a few people ambulanced off from Stile Cop the injuries vary wildly. Some are fully stormtroopered up some in just Ts it seems to make little difference if you hit something solid and immovable