Shin/Knee/Elbow Protection- WWMD?

So I got the big traveller- Gemini 900 (for $900 no less), and while I can't really do anything with it for a couple months (shoulder's healing), I figure I can start getting gear for late summer/early fall action trying to keep up with mildbill, basom and friends.

So, what kind of protective gear do y'all recommend? I don't really want hella burly stuff, but I'm thinking only 12mm of EVA padding (and no hard shell) is not really gonna protect the knees and elbows (?).

Thoughts? Also don't wanna break the bank. Thanks.

Roach.....

roach knee/shin gaurds are great. love mine

the fox elbow pads are nice although i don't like the fit and movement quite as much as the roach shin guards, not sure if it is a design difference or just cause it is a different body part, as i have never had anything else.

Mucho Thanxo.

Roach it is. Indy DH looks like enough/not too much.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by biggins

Mucho Thanxo.

Roach it is. Indy DH looks like enough/not too much.

---

I personally would recommend the Freeride. The DH are bulkier and have a mesh on the rear section that make things hot.

I ride in 661 upper body armor and Roach knee and shin... if I had to buy the armor over again I would put out the money for Dainese. It is way more comfortable.

If you get cheaper armor that isnt comfortable is it really worth it?

Get whatever is comfortable. If it isn't, you won't wear it and you'll get hurt.

That being said, the Roach freeride pads seem to fit most people the best (and, I think, much better than the Indy) -- so if you can't try anything on, they're your best bet. ride-this and universalcycles seem to have the best price unless you can find them at your local Supergo.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spats

Get whatever is comfortable. If it isn't, you won't wear it and you'll get hurt.

---

Couldn't agree more. I sport the jeans and tshirt these days since my pads were so damn uncomfortable.

Just bought some Fox Launch knee/shin pads with the new X-up design for the straps... these blow away my Roach pads. Perfect fit, feel like they will never slip, and straps that don't rub. I would definitely check these out if you are in the market.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by funkendrenchman

Just bought some Fox Launch knee/shin pads with the new X-up design for the straps... these blow away my Roach pads. Perfect fit, feel like they will never slip, and straps that don't rub. I would definitely check these out if you are in the market.

---

Give up my Roach?? NEVER!!

Better eh? Hmmmm.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bagtagley

Give up my Roach?? NEVER!!

Better eh? Hmmmm.

---

Pfffft.

Turner homer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CS

Pfffft.

Turner homer.

---

SC fo life, Beeeaaattch!

Though, I did spend about 10 straight minutes staring at the Highline on Go-Ride's website.

Wait, what does Turner lust have to do w/ knee/shin pads?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bagtagley

SC fo life, Beeeaaattch!

Though, I did spend about 10 straight minutes staring at the Highline on Go-Ride's website.

Wait, what does Turner lust have to do w/ knee/shin pads?

---

I have no idea. I just thought it sounded funny after your Roach bandwagon response.

Speaking of the Highline, I can't blame you for drooling. In fact, I had determined that was my next bike. Until I was introduced to the Transition Gran Mal. Ooooohhhh baby.


Back on topic, I'm needing some new knee/shinnies since mine are falling apart. I think I'm going to give those new Fox's a go that funken mentioned. I've heard good things about them.

I sport the 661 upper body armour, it fits me well and feels pretty damn comfortable. I've actually skied with it on 2 or 3 days this year and hardly noticed it. As for knee protection I bought the cheapo fox crap for $20, everytime I needed knee protection the kneecap thing would slip to one side, I still have scars from last year. I think I will try out the roach or 661 knee/shin protection this year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SLSki

I sport the 661 upper body armour, it fits me well and feels pretty damn comfortable. I've actually skied with it on 2 or 3 days this year and hardly noticed it. As for knee protection I bought the cheapo fox crap for $20, everytime I needed knee protection the kneecap thing would slip to one side, I still have scars from last year. I think I will try out the roach or 661 knee/shin protection this year.

---

The fox launch is not cheapo Fox crap. I really doubt these will be slipping anytime soon... but you never know.

If you've got an old pair of shin/knee gaurds that slip around, these work really well to keep em in place, and are cheaper than a new set of gaurds: http://www.blueskycycling.com/produc...-Knee-Wrap.htm

I have an older pair of Fox 911 Knee/Shin guards and absolutely love them. The hard plastic they use is absolutely bombproof. It makes the Roaches look cheap.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arty50

I have an older pair of Fox 911 Knee/Shin guards and absolutely love them. The hard plastic they use is absolutely bombproof. It makes the Roaches look cheap.

---

You talking about the nylon wrap-around Roaches? Cause the hard plastic Roaches are completely different. They've got a plastic shell, with a reinforced shin area, and are worlds ahead of the old pads.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Pads/Roa..._Leg_Armor.jpg

OK, I'll cunt this thread up with a sales pitch. Right before I sold my DJ, I bought some 661 knee/shin guards and used them twice. They fit well but they use neoprene with velcro and then elastic velcro straps so they get pretty warm. Hard shell caps for knees and shins. Shipping + a sixer if anyone wants them. They are a large.

[/hijack]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bagtagley

SC fo life, Beeeaaattch!

Though, I did spend about 10 straight minutes staring at the Highline on Go-Ride's website.

Wait, what does Turner lust have to do w/ knee/shin pads?

---

I rode a highline a few weeks ago and spent a fair bit of time chatting about it with Steve Wentz and Elliot Hoover, 2 Turner riders. It is an impressive bike for sure. It felt incredibly flickable and nimble for an 8" bike. Definately something to consider.

Oh, and as my one and only sponsor....I like 661. :D The fit of Roaches is great, but I've seen a lot of stitching blow out of them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flowtron

I rode a highline a few weeks ago and spent a fair bit of time chatting about it with Steve Wentz and Elliot Hoover, 2 Turner riders. It is an impressive bike for sure. It felt incredibly flickable and nimble for an 8" bike. Definately something to consider.

---

Seeing as how I can't afford one, I'm gonna have to ask you to keep such information to yourself. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flowtron

Oh, and as my one and only sponsor....I like 661. :D The fit of Roaches is great, but I've seen a lot of stitching blow out of them.

---

My Roaches' stitches lasted about 50 days of DH. The straps rubbed the back of my knee from day 1 -50.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bagtagley

You talking about the nylon wrap-around Roaches? Cause the hard plastic Roaches are completely different. They've got a plastic shell, with a reinforced shin area, and are worlds ahead of the old pads.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Pads/Roa..._Leg_Armor.jpg

---

Yeah, that plastic is kinda flimsy compared to the Fox's. If there's something behind the plastic also then I'll shut up and profess that I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about.

Frizzo had a problem w/ the stitching too. I've got 2 chafe-less years on mine without so much as a sign of them unstitching, so I'll stick w/ them...gotta go w/ what works for you though.

Interestingly, I've only seen the Roach versions of the pads falling apart, not so w/ the RaceFace versions. Probably a coincidence.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bagtagley

Frizzo had a problem w/ the stitching too. I've got 2 chafe-less years on mine without so much as a sign of them unstitching, so I'll stick w/ them...gotta go w/ what works for you though.

Interestingly, I've only seen the Roach versions of the pads falling apart, not so w/ the RaceFace versions. Probably a coincidence.

---

Yea, I actually have the RaceFace ones.