Knee pads

Corners R Us
Corners R Us Posts: 214
edited September 2014 in MTB general
I've been thinking about purchasing some knee pads for a while but as I mostly do XC I've been put off by their bulky look. That said we've been seeking out more and more downhill runs amongst our single track fun so some added protection would probably be a good idea! I had 10-mins to kill before a mid-week shop ride so I tried some IXS Flows and was pleasantly surprised. Good fit, didn't restrict my movement and light - all positive.

This weekend I did the MadOrc organised mtb ride which turned into a 100km all-dayer and I ran into my dreaded knee problems towards the end that I've suffered with in the past when riding longer distances. Will knee pads give me a bit of support as well as added protection?

Any thoughts, experiences appreciated.

Corners

Comments

  • lostboysaint
    lostboysaint Posts: 4,250
    If you're getting knee problems then you don't need support, you need to work on your position on the bike.

    Endura pads are good allrounders and the new Fox Enduro pads are excellent.
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
    Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
    Allround - Cotic Solaris
  • Corners R Us
    Corners R Us Posts: 214
    lostboysaint wrote:
    If you're getting knee problems then you don't need support, you need to work on your position on the bike.

    Endura pads are good allrounders and the new Fox Enduro pads are excellent.

    My knee pain appears once I ride over 50/60km, fine up til then. Any pointers as to what is amiss with my position?

    Thanks
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    A knee brace will give you support but most pads I've used or seen will only give protection in a crash.

    I'd try adapting my position or pedalling style first rather than getting a brace. There could be a few factors causing your pain. Have a search on the web regarding threads about knee pain and try out some of the suggestions listed. Or speak to a professional like a Physio who specialises in cycling.
  • Angus Young
    Angus Young Posts: 3,063
    Knee pads are not the solution to knee problems. As a general rule of thumb, if the pain is in the front of your knee your seat is too low, if the pain is in the back, your seat is too high.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • Corners R Us
    Corners R Us Posts: 214
    Angus Young wrote:
    Knee pads are not the solution to knee problems. As a general rule of thumb, if the pain is in the front of your knee your seat is too low, if the pain is in the back, your seat is too high.

    Pain is to the front of the knee.I have recently changed saddles from an SMP (well padded) to a Charge Spoon (less padding) but haven't raised my saddle. Placing my heel on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke didn't suggest I needed to but perhaps I'll try another 2mm of height and see how I go. Thanks.
  • benjrush
    benjrush Posts: 35
    I suffer from the similar knee problems and mine is due to one of the quad muscles (vastus medialis) being weaker and tiring quicker than the others. This causes my patella to be pulled incorrectly causing pain when my knee is flexed repetitively (like when cycling). This patella alignment is also exacerbated by tight IT bands. I would go and see a decent physio and get them to check you out. (that is if the seat height adjustment doesnt sort it out.)

    Hope you find out what is wrong. A visit to the physio and some excercises for a month or so have really helped me to kick the issue.

    I got the Fox Launch pro's and while they don't offer any support don't give me any issues when doing a long ride.
  • Angus Young
    Angus Young Posts: 3,063
    Corners R Us wrote:
    Angus Young wrote:
    Knee pads are not the solution to knee problems. As a general rule of thumb, if the pain is in the front of your knee your seat is too low, if the pain is in the back, your seat is too high.

    Pain is to the front of the knee.I have recently changed saddles from an SMP (well padded) to a Charge Spoon (less padding) but haven't raised my saddle. Placing my heel on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke didn't suggest I needed to but perhaps I'll try another 2mm of height and see how I go. Thanks.

    My knees are quite sensitive to both under and over extending my seat so it's worth having a play to see if it makes a difference. Whichever way it goes, though, you do need to track what the problem is on a fundamental level rather than hoping something like pads might help.
    All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
    Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
  • Corners R Us
    Corners R Us Posts: 214
    Pads was a stab at something additional rather than a fix. I'm optimistic the recent saddle change might be the underlying cause as I've not had knee probs for some time now. Sometimes tinkering doesn't improve things......

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