Knee/shin pads

hastings
hastings Posts: 206
edited June 2008 in MTB buying advice
Hi well as the topic heading explains, I am on the look out for some pads for a trip to wales in the summer and I was wondering out of this lot what people would recommend (any other suggestions are helpful too but I don't really want to spend over 40quid)

Intended use: I am a DHer who has shunned the dual suspension ways and has reverted to hardtails. Also a bit of dirt jumping thrown in but only to keep my airborne skills OK so I don't kill myself on landings due to lack of suspension

any comments are gratefully accepted as are other suggestions

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3535 - 661 Race Knee and Shin Guards
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3539 - 661 Tomcat Knees
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=28241 - 661 Kyle Strait Earth Knees
http://www.stif.co.uk/gear/select_optio ... uctid=5162 - Fox Systems Leg Armour

thanks

Tom

Comments

  • Chaka Ping
    Chaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    Are you riding up a lot of hills?

    If not, the 661 Race would be an excellent choice.

    They're big, comfy and don't impede pedalling. They're just too hot on long climbs and you'd want to carry them and put them on at the top.
  • Turrican
    Turrican Posts: 755
    Hey, well i got the 661 Race lite knee/ shin Pads and there good protection for jumping and dh but for trails then id say no the others will do, im also ordering 661 Kyle Straits knee and veggie shin as well as elbow for variation and feel bit more movable. I want the other pads as i think there more versatile and their seperate plus i know there also good tried them on but wrong size didnt have my size in stock . So if its DH then the Race will be good as there next one up from racelite i think.
    I don't have a bike addiction problem.....bikes seems to have a problem with me.....it just can't seem to stay on.

    http://www.moredirt.co.uk/users/FlowRideR661/
    http://flowrider661.pinkbike.com/
  • hastings
    hastings Posts: 206
    I don't intent to be riding up many hills at all as I dont think that my legs can manage to haul my single chain-ring bike back up the hills
  • NikB
    NikB Posts: 243
    Will the veggie shins fit with Kyle Straits? I thought the Straits couldn't run with a shin pad.
    <a><img></a>
  • papasmurf.
    papasmurf. Posts: 2,382
    if you want proper leg and arm armour then the race face FR stuff is meant to be pretty good, but warm and heavy.

    I use 661 race light. The fox stuff is meant to be crap.

    if you just want light knee and elbow, then the Kyle Strait ones are great. If you got money to splash, maybe try the new 661 EVO knee and elbow stuff with that impact memory foam..

    oh if you can try them on in a shop..sizing can vary and so can fit...and theres nothing worse then rubbing baddly fitting slipping pads
  • NikB
    NikB Posts: 243
    Does anyone know the difference between the Patriot and standard Kyle Straits? All I can see is that the logo is a different colour, the rest appears to be the same but the Patriots cost more.
    <a><img></a>
  • papasmurf.
    papasmurf. Posts: 2,382
    same price on crc aren't they.
  • hastings
    hastings Posts: 206
    same price but even if the patriots are more expensive it is worth it to show your suppost for Britain and the queen :lol: (and I am being serious)
  • NikB
    NikB Posts: 243
    Some places charge more, some the same. Just wondered if there was an actual difference.
    <a><img></a>
  • hastings
    hastings Posts: 206
    no there isnt
  • Turrican
    Turrican Posts: 755
    Regarding a posting, can you use the veggie shin with Kyle Straits knee pads or do i have to get the Veggie knee as well i would rather have the Kyles.
    QUOTE:
    " Will the veggie shins fit with Kyle Straits? I thought the Straits couldn't run with a shin pad"
    I don't have a bike addiction problem.....bikes seems to have a problem with me.....it just can't seem to stay on.

    http://www.moredirt.co.uk/users/FlowRideR661/
    http://flowrider661.pinkbike.com/
  • NikB
    NikB Posts: 243
    Capt Yeti wrote:
    Regarding a posting, can you use the veggie shin with Kyle Straits knee pads or do i have to get the Veggie knee as well i would rather have the Kyles.
    QUOTE:
    " Will the veggie shins fit with Kyle Straits? I thought the Straits couldn't run with a shin pad"

    Did that actually answer the question or just ask the same question in different words? :?
    <a><img></a>
  • Turrican
    Turrican Posts: 755
    I suppose it did ask same question :D oh well, ill get em all any way for different riding tysles thanks
    I don't have a bike addiction problem.....bikes seems to have a problem with me.....it just can't seem to stay on.

    http://www.moredirt.co.uk/users/FlowRideR661/
    http://flowrider661.pinkbike.com/
  • rob cole
    rob cole Posts: 706
    the Patriot and Kyle Strait is the same pad, with a different screenprinted graphic

    the Race Face knee/shin offers the highest level of protection of any armour on the market, and i have never found mine hot, but it is somewhat bulky which can make you feel less fluid on the bike - however for somewhere like a holiday in Whistler its well worth using it due to all the rocks and big drops..

    you can use the Kyle Strait with the Veggie shin, i have tried this on my BMX, but found the veggie shin way too hot and sticky (being neoprene) and got rid of them

    the Kyle Strait / Patriot is a fantastic pad, but it won't offer the same level of impact protection (especially hitting rocks or woodwork) as the Race Face FR / DH or 661 Race Lite or Race pads

    I've never found Fox's leg armour to stay put, and the buckles normally snap too easily, i also found Dianese's leg armour (freestyle) to be complete rubbish - never stayed put either when riding or especially in crashes, and did not cover the lower leg like the RF or 661 pads do
    check out my riding - www.robcole.co.uk Banshee Factory Team rider, Da Kine UK Team rider, www.freeborn.co.uk www.eshershore.com
  • zero303
    zero303 Posts: 1,162
    I have the 661s they do the job great but I did a whole lap of CwmCarn in them and they do wander and chafe a little. They're hot too!!
  • hastings
    hastings Posts: 206
    How come doddy seems to have some funky red/green/yellow Kyle Strait Knees. Can you buy them?
  • Atz
    Atz Posts: 1,383
    Anyone tried the 661 Evos? They seem pricy but in the US they're around the same price as the Kyle Straits here so if they're worth it I might pick a pair up.