Can you pedal properly with kneepads on?

Carl170
Carl170 Posts: 99
edited November 2012 in MTB general
I am looking to get some shinpads and kneepads, but I was wondering how much they actually restrict your movement when riding? Having belted my knees a few times, I think they could be handy.

I have seen downhillers use them, but they seem to only pedal a little way on the flat bits.

I would want them for doing a xc ride. Fairly flattish with just a few small uphills and down hills. Mostly 10 miles or so, pedalling all the way.

Any thoughts gratefully received!

Thanks (as always!)

Carl

Comments

  • cat_with_no_tail
    cat_with_no_tail Posts: 12,981
    Depends which ones you go for. Full-on DH ones will almost certainly be too hot. But you can get something like G-form pads which are designed for XC.

    Beware sizing though. The g-form pads I bought don't fit me so they'll live in the drawer forever.

    And anyone doing DH who only pedals on flat bits is doing it wrong.
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  • mcnultycop
    mcnultycop Posts: 2,143
    I've got some fairly hefty O'Neal knee-pads and I don't really notice they are there when pedalling, in 3 hours riding on Friday I had to adjust them once, which I think is fine. I'd suggest you go and try some on though - they are one thing I wouldn't buy mail order.
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  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    Cat With No Tail wrote:
    ....DH....flat bits.

    Eh?! :lol:
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  • warpcow
    warpcow Posts: 1,448
    Yes, regularly do several hours at a time in my Kyle Straits. You have get some with a good fit: either order on line and be prepared to send some back, or use an LBS (or several).
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  • tudj
    tudj Posts: 254
    I use the 661 Riot kneepads and don't notice them now, I did a 25 mile ride today and wasn't at all hindered by the pads. I often do 15-20 mile rides while wearing them and they've never bothered me.
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  • bluechair84
    bluechair84 Posts: 4,352
    My 661 Evo foam knee pads are the bees... umm... knees... They've absorbed plenty of knocks as evidenced by scarring on the vinyl and are fine for pedalling in. Two bad things about them are that the elasticated straps can rub - but that could be a problem on any pad, and they are on the large size. I find they bunch up with a bent knee which is a bit annoying. But they pedal very well. I moved to these from some combined knee and shine pads which kept rotating around my leg when pedalling. The way I got around this was to leave the upper straps unfastened but it wasn't ideal. And I haven't missed having protected shins since moving.
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  • Bishbosh10
    Bishbosh10 Posts: 268
    Fox launch pro here and no problems pedalling. (well, not related to the pads, more to do with my lungs!)
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  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    661 Kyle Straits or Launch Pros are fine for me to pedal in. G Form ones look good too for a lighter more mid weight pad - not as tough I dont think as the other two mentioned but less sweaty and still decent protection.
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  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    As above no problems with Fox Launch Pros. I find them all-day comfortable to the extent that I feel proppa nekkid without them. The only minor issue is that they catch on the end of the handlebars on a couple of Cannock's switchbacks if I'm careless.
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    If your legs are restricted, then they're bad pads, or they're not fitting you right- pretty much all there is to it.

    The other issues can be heat and chafing. I rode up the port de bales with my kyle straits on, and it was a wee bit sweaty :lol: Chafing is more about good design and fit, and keeping them clean.
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  • anj132
    anj132 Posts: 299
    I've got the nukeproof kneepads with shinpads and I usually forget that I'm wearing them. I feel it's a bit OTT for local XC but they are ok for xc.

    edit: typo
  • Thewaylander
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,594
    The Northern Monkey wrote:
    Cat With No Tail wrote:
    ....DH....flat bits.

    Eh?! :lol:

    Wut... Flat?
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    There's often flat bits on dh courses! Sometimes even little climbs.

    Though, they're not the only places you pedal, so.
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  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    Used to wear them for XC but they started irritating me so I stopped using them on pedally bits and had them strapped to rucksack for when needed. Problem is I come to a nice rocky bit bomb down it and realise my pads are still strapped to my rucksack.
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  • RyanCTJ
    RyanCTJ Posts: 16
    +1 Fox Launch Pros, can ride all day in them. Twice now I've got into the car after a ride and forgotten I'm still wearing them, they're so comfy.
  • dusk
    dusk Posts: 583
    another vote for Fox launch pro, I wear them for everything and can't fault them so far :D
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