Are elbow pads necessary for trail/xc riding?

After a big off and an elbow break in October I can't not wear elbow pads any more. I'm pretty sure wearing them at the time would've saved my elbow, or reduced the damage from a displaced break. As the metalwork has been working its way out over the last couple of days I'm particularly regretting not padding up back in October! I was supposed to be at Grizedale today, but I'm on the sofa sulking instead.

I was on local (but rocky!) trails that I know well when I fell off. It was just one of those things, potentially over familiarity.

I can understand why people don't wear pads, and ultimately it's their own choice to wear pads (or helmets). I'd recommend everyone find some comfortable pads that don't annoy when just bumbling along.

What do you classify as xc? I did see a guy at afan in a full Lycra skin suit with knee/shin, elbow pads and a full face before wouldn't like to do that climb from glyncorrwg in a f.f!

I was actually thinking this week, I'm most likely to injure myself xc racing as by lap 3 or 4 I'm so knackered that I don't always trust myself, for example last Sunday there was one tech(ish) drop and on lap 4 I took a chicken line through the bushes because I didn't think I could hold it. Clearly for a race, pads would be a nightmare so I guess it's just a cost benefit decision every ride.

in all the years you've been in a car, how many crashes have you had?

RockmonkeySC wrote:

How many years of ridimg with no problems before that nasty gash?
The way I look at it is that I tend to break something every four of five years xc riding so I can just accept that rather than wear slightly uncomfortable pads.
I always wear armour for downhill but crashes are bigger, nastier and more frequent so its more worth while.

POAH wrote:

where as my bro in law who falls off frequently won't even consider the parachute.

Is that because he doesn't think it offers enough protection (lots of people thinking the new parachute is the same as the old parachute) or because he thinks it's too much helmet?

POAH wrote:

all down to personal choice, some people wear gloves some people don't

I think anyone who rides without gloves hasn't fallen off enough.

POAH wrote:

in all the years you've been in a car, how many crashes have you had?

RockmonkeySC wrote:

How many years of ridimg with no problems before that nasty gash?
The way I look at it is that I tend to break something every four of five years xc riding so I can just accept that rather than wear slightly uncomfortable pads.
I always wear armour for downhill but crashes are bigger, nastier and more frequent so its more worth while.

Only one in 16 years and yes I still wear a seat belt but car crashes are a lot more likely to kill than falling off a bicycle. I know my abilities on a bike and cycling accidents will be only my fault, a car crash could be anyones fault so seat belt and full face & pads comparison doesnt really work.
Personally I wouldnt consider a full face for anything other than downhill or feeeride.

Full finger gloves are the extent of my extra trail protection. I have considered knee pads for the summer months where the ground is harder and padding may limit swelling and bruising when hitting the deck. Can't say I'd ever go with elbow pads and chin guard lids with maybe the exception of the Bell Super 2R for if I were having a particularly bad day.

Why? You're infinitely more likely to suffer a serious head injury in the car driving to the trails than when you're riding. It's all just calculated risk. You don't wear a helmet walking down the street either, I imagine?

You crashed at Cathkin Braes, but I didnt see anyone wearing any body armour other than a helmet at the Commonwealth Games.

POAH wrote:

I can't tell if you are taking the wee-wee or are actually a moron?

Herdwick wrote:

well, you don't wear the MET while driving to the trail or bike park do you?

next time someone plunges your car on its side, you'll have a side pillar on your head, regardless of having a seatbelt or not.
My point is you do not need a fullface riding around trails, driving around in a car is more likely you end up needing it.

Is this thread really still going?

All you need for xc trail riding is a bike. I wear a helmet because I've smashed enough of them to think they're worthwhile. I wear gloves because you use your hands to stop yourself if you fall. And I wear riding glasses because I need glasses.

If you feel more confident with knee or elbow pads then go ahead and wear them. Same goes for full face, body armor and gum shield. Wear whatever you're comfortable riding in, no-one else really cares.

oodboo wrote:

no-one else really cares.

And yet you'll regularly see comments about "The tosser in a FF riding XC." or "The prat in body armour on the red trail."

njee20 wrote:

Why? You're infinitely more likely to suffer a serious head injury in the car driving to the trails than when you're riding. It's all just calculated risk. You don't wear a helmet walking down the street either, I imagine?

You crashed at Cathkin Braes, but I didnt see anyone wearing any body armour other than a helmet at the Commonwealth Games.

yes but the ones that did fall got scraped and bruised etc - I choose to wear pads because when I fall I do it hard. I don't care what anyone else wears but the point I'm making is that even if you do ride round a XC course you can still fall and hurt yourself. There have been few people that have seriously hurt themselves at cathkin so its up to you if you want to wear pads or not.

Being a Real Man™ I ride naked.

You bored with the last lot I sent you already?