First big off, ouch - armour recomendations!?
Discussion
Enthusiasm outlasted talent and i had a proper off on sunday - landed very heavy and the bike slid out from under me. Major gravel rash down my left side and just had operation to stitch my elbow back together.
Didnt look too bad but hurting now and can hardly walk! Managed to crack a newish Giro helmet too so must of been quite a bump!
Looking into armour now - ideally some knee-shin pads and some elbow pads.
I know they will be sweaty and probably uncomfortable but I dont want to risk it again! Oh suppose i need a new lid too!
Didnt look too bad but hurting now and can hardly walk! Managed to crack a newish Giro helmet too so must of been quite a bump!
Looking into armour now - ideally some knee-shin pads and some elbow pads.
I know they will be sweaty and probably uncomfortable but I dont want to risk it again! Oh suppose i need a new lid too!
If you've scraped your side, nothing but complete coverage would've protected you from that. I wear kneepads all the time (ecxcept for riding to work) on the MTB & BMX and after a couple of wears , you forget they're there, but will probably notice if you forget them after that as your knees get cold ;-).
My current kneepads are a pair of 661s I got 2nd hand of ebay (might sound a bit minging but they were clean and I didn't want to shell out £50+ if I couldn't get on with them) buit I've got a shiny new set of Bluegrass D3s and matching elbow pads. They are soft to the touch but stiffen on impact. Having said that though, I went over the bars on Friday and none of the protection I was wearing was impacted. Just my hands.
Hope you're back on the bike soon.
My current kneepads are a pair of 661s I got 2nd hand of ebay (might sound a bit minging but they were clean and I didn't want to shell out £50+ if I couldn't get on with them) buit I've got a shiny new set of Bluegrass D3s and matching elbow pads. They are soft to the touch but stiffen on impact. Having said that though, I went over the bars on Friday and none of the protection I was wearing was impacted. Just my hands.
Hope you're back on the bike soon.
The Best armour on the market uses teh latest version of a flexible/ goes hard when hit armour moving the D30 on...its called Armour Gel or ARG for short and is incorporated into this-- BLISS Protection http://www.madison.co.uk/products/?brand=bliss-pro...
I'm a bit dubious about the custard-tech stuff, but I've seen it in action and it does seem to work, but I still fancy a combination of a hard plastic cover and soft core would perform better in a really big one.
As someone said, you can't really protect your side, even the old-school DH suits only cover front and back and I know from bitter experience you can still bruise and brake ribs with them on.
I wear Dainese Knee pads, the knees are hinged so don't slide down, yeah I lose some Trail Centre fashion points, but pedal strike in the shin are horrible. I also wear some ancient 661 elbow pads, there's not much too them, and should replace them really - I lose the tip of my elbow and about 40% of movement in that arm a few years ago so I should really go mad on some POC stuff really.
As someone said, you can't really protect your side, even the old-school DH suits only cover front and back and I know from bitter experience you can still bruise and brake ribs with them on.
I wear Dainese Knee pads, the knees are hinged so don't slide down, yeah I lose some Trail Centre fashion points, but pedal strike in the shin are horrible. I also wear some ancient 661 elbow pads, there's not much too them, and should replace them really - I lose the tip of my elbow and about 40% of movement in that arm a few years ago so I should really go mad on some POC stuff really.
When it comes to padding up I left that to the DH mob and people who need to MTFU. Now I've smashed my knee up and will be off the bike till probably next year I will be buying knee pads. I tried them before years ago when riding the alps but hated the way the ruffled up behind the knee. What are the new ones Luke, do they still ruffle up?
A good topic this - worthy of discussion.
Timely too - a mate who is a very handy DH and Enduro racers was out on a leisure ride yesterday and minced up both his knees because, as it wasn't a race or training ride, he'd not bothered with pads. I've also experience and know others, who've been suckered into a similar cul de sac.
For XC and AM where it's pedally (and generally less gnar) I run 661 D30 knee and elbow pads. The knees are very comfortable, even all day (whereas some mates with cheaper pads get sores) but I find the elbows need you to get a bit sweaty before they stay put, but then I don't exactly have Popeye arms.
I have seen (and had it happen to me) pads slip on impact to expose knees, but they still minimise and on other direct impacts are incredibly effective. Knee/shin soft pads would be something I'd look into in future as a replacement.
Timely too - a mate who is a very handy DH and Enduro racers was out on a leisure ride yesterday and minced up both his knees because, as it wasn't a race or training ride, he'd not bothered with pads. I've also experience and know others, who've been suckered into a similar cul de sac.
For XC and AM where it's pedally (and generally less gnar) I run 661 D30 knee and elbow pads. The knees are very comfortable, even all day (whereas some mates with cheaper pads get sores) but I find the elbows need you to get a bit sweaty before they stay put, but then I don't exactly have Popeye arms.
I have seen (and had it happen to me) pads slip on impact to expose knees, but they still minimise and on other direct impacts are incredibly effective. Knee/shin soft pads would be something I'd look into in future as a replacement.
Well I am still limping, bleeding and generally quite sore. Having my first day off today though so taking it a bit easier...
Went to my local lbs and tried on quite a few - I have settled on the fox launch pro knee/shin guards and fox launch pro elbow guards. They seemed the comfiest and they let me wear around the shop and have a gentle peddle and they did not seem too noticeable.
Luckily I hope I have big calves so the rear strap sits nicely and should help prevent slippage.
I have possible gone a bit over the top, but this gravel rash is a lot more painful than I thought and being self employed I can't really afford too much time off to injury, I would rather look a bit of a tit and be a bit sweaty than suffer this again!
Just need to settle on a new lid - fox flux or giro phase are on the short list.
Went to my local lbs and tried on quite a few - I have settled on the fox launch pro knee/shin guards and fox launch pro elbow guards. They seemed the comfiest and they let me wear around the shop and have a gentle peddle and they did not seem too noticeable.
Luckily I hope I have big calves so the rear strap sits nicely and should help prevent slippage.
I have possible gone a bit over the top, but this gravel rash is a lot more painful than I thought and being self employed I can't really afford too much time off to injury, I would rather look a bit of a tit and be a bit sweaty than suffer this again!
Just need to settle on a new lid - fox flux or giro phase are on the short list.
I wear Race Face D3O knee and shin pads: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/race-face-flank...
They also have elbow versions: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/race-face-ambus...
They also have elbow versions: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/race-face-ambus...
Crippo said:
The Best armour on the market uses teh latest version of a flexible/ goes hard when hit armour moving the D30 on...its called Armour Gel or ARG for short and is incorporated into this-- BLISS Protection http://www.madison.co.uk/products/?brand=bliss-pro...
Cheers for this link. I don't want shin and knee just knee and this stuff looks just the job.Digga said:
...a mate who is a very handy DH and Enduro racers was out on a leisure ride yesterday and minced up both his knees because, as it wasn't a race or training ride, he'd not bothered with pads. I've also experience and know others, who've been suckered into a similar cul de sac...
A different sport, I know, but similar experience playing Hockey. An after work training session, which was just meant to be 'skills and drills' saw me leaving my mouthguard on the sidelines. Then at the end of the session, an impromptu 'match' developed. I didn't bother with the trip to the sideline for my gumshield, and ended up with my two front teeth completely shattered when a good mate drew back his stick to shoot at goal, as I closed in to tackle him. It's too late for me and my teeth, but now, if I own safety kit, be it pads, gloves, glasses, helmet, mouthguard, whatever is appropriate for an activity, then I damned well wear it. I also recommend to others that they wear theirs too. It's too late when you get clunked - Sod's Law states that wherever you are most vulnerable is where disaster will strike
yellowjack said:
Digga said:
...a mate who is a very handy DH and Enduro racers was out on a leisure ride yesterday and minced up both his knees because, as it wasn't a race or training ride, he'd not bothered with pads. I've also experience and know others, who've been suckered into a similar cul de sac...
A different sport, I know, but similar experience playing Hockey. An after work training session, which was just meant to be 'skills and drills' saw me leaving my mouthguard on the sidelines. Then at the end of the session, an impromptu 'match' developed. I didn't bother with the trip to the sideline for my gumshield, and ended up with my two front teeth completely shattered when a good mate drew back his stick to shoot at goal, as I closed in to tackle him. It's too late for me and my teeth, but now, if I own safety kit, be it pads, gloves, glasses, helmet, mouthguard, whatever is appropriate for an activity, then I damned well wear it. I also recommend to others that they wear theirs too. It's too late when you get clunked - Sod's Law states that wherever you are most vulnerable is where disaster will strike
I've been on a few rides where people have decide/not been arsed to pad up and have then sustained cuts, grazes and bruises that they'd largely have avoided were they wearing the kit they own.
I had a huge off in the Alps a few years back, which was a bit of an arse; we were riding up as well as down, although most up was lift assisted, so the downs were, in place, full-on downhill runs. I'd have been too hot in body armour, but it might have helped reduce the injury I got. Fortunately though, I was wearing knee and elbow pads and a full face lid and all of these items came into play to give excellent protection.
Go to a shop and try some on. I find a lot of knee or knee/shin pads rub really badly especially when wet/sweaty. If you are put off using them on long rides then they're pointless.
goldblum said:
You have an 'off' from a motorbike, not a bleeding pushiron.
Sounds like you are riding your 'pushiron' too slowly then.
What next - high-sided on a muddy footpath?
goldblum said:
You crash a pushbike. It's not such a risky thing thing as coming off a motorbike, hence the terminology.
Ouch BTW. Possible exception in your case.
Oh so the Motorbike fraternity holds copywrite on "having an off"? Well... that seems reasonable. Ouch BTW. Possible exception in your case.
Mountain Bike riders can, and do have massive life changing accidents on their 'pushirons'.
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