Leg armour

Mrs Toast
Mrs Toast Posts: 636
edited August 2009 in MTB buying advice
Right, I know there's been a few threads on this, but I'm sure another won't hurt (much).

I want to get some knee and shin protection - I don't do owt too mental, just cross-country and trail riding. However, I've got dodgy knees that I'd like to protect from further damage, and I'd also seem to smack my shins with my pedals (normally when stationary! :lol: ).

Given that I don't want anything too heavy, I was thinking of something like the Kyle Strait knee pads/Veggie shin pads. However, I'm not sure if they fit well together, or even if they're meant to be used one or the other, and I'd be better off with combined knee/shin armour.

I have rather short legs, so I'd be worried about the top of the shin pads interfering with the bottom of the knee pads. The other plus side of combined armour is that I have the potential to look more like a stormtrooper.

Armour related thoughts?
The Mountain Biking Missadventures of Missus Toast

The Professor

Cletus

Comments

  • Flenser
    Flenser Posts: 372
    Mrs Toast wrote:
    The other plus side of combined armour is that I have the potential to look more like a stormtrooper.

    Armour related thoughts?

    The Dark Side rules?

    Probably not what you wanted to hear... :lol:
    Claud Bulter Cape Wrath D27 (2009)
    Raleigh MaxLite FS1 (2001)
  • nwmlarge
    nwmlarge Posts: 778
    i have some troy lee designs ones that only strap to the calf not to the knee but still have the protection there. makes them very light to wear and very cool.
    2013 Saracen Ariel 162
    2010 Specialized Allez in Matt Silver
  • bomberesque
    bomberesque Posts: 1,701
    I had the veggies plus the knee things that went with them (were they kyles, i don't remember tbh)

    they're OK but I had the following experiences with them;

    neoprene makes your legs sweaty and clammy
    the knees are a tube design so a bit of a cow to get on and off, especially after a muddy ride
    The tube design also tends to pinch behind the knee
    if you have short legs, do you also have ... erm .... "stout" calves? it's a tough combo to find a fit for, you need to try them on for exactly the reason you state, the shin section tends to be too long

    I gave up with them eventually and just tend the injuries when they happen

    I have since got some Fox ones, which are great for DH and don't pinch behind the knee but I wouldn't ride trails on them, they don't like being straight at the knee much
    Everything in moderation ... except beer
    Beer in moderation ... is a waste of beer

    If riding an XC race bike is like touching the trail,
    then riding a rigid singlespeed is like licking it
    ... or being punched by it, depending on the day
  • ExeterSimon
    ExeterSimon Posts: 830
    If it's the stormtrooper look you are after and the budget allows try some POC Bones leg armour.

    Very light and very good...had my first major off wearing them and the only parts of my body that escaped breaks, scratches, cuts or brusing was my lovely legs.

    Highly recommended and well worth the cash.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/articl ... %2Farticle

    Shop around and you can get a pair for around 60 squids.
    Whyte 905 (2009)
    Trek 1.5 (2009)
    Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp (2007)

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