Padding up

[sndmn2]

So after falling a couple of times and forearm checking a few I have come to the conclusion its time for some protection. I wear full protection when doing enduro dirt rides , chest ,forearm,shin/knee,neck brace and of course full face helmet so I"m use to it. I have yet to see another rider with any of this. Sooo, How much of a geek will I look like if I wear my moto helmet, forearm pads and some sort of shin/knee guards?
P.S. Can anyone recommend shin and knee pads? My moto ones would not work here. I have 17 inch calves so they cant be designed for kids.
Thanks.

[iamkickstand]

How much of a dork? Like on a 1-10 scale? Or like will people point and laugh?

A motor helmet is gonna be way too fricken hot.

Pads are gonna look funny over your spandex and matching bell's jersey.

I like 661 stuff, it fits me well, I only where knee pads, and only when I don't have to pedal.

[b_b]

I also raced enduros. You can probably get away with forearm pads, but I wouldn't want to wear a moto helmet or knee pads since legs are always moving. DH bike helmet might be good compromise, but I think a regular bike helmet is plenty.

[pharus]

I've torn up my elbows frequently over the years, so I got some G-form elbow pads for Christmas, and wear them every time (as long as I remember to put them on). I got the all black ones, so it doesn't look so much like a superhero costume. Of course, I have yet to take a significant fall while wearing them, so I can't tell you (yet) how well they work.

[iamkickstand]

You couldn't pay me to ride Xc with a Dh helmet on.

[mtbfree]

Yeah, you might think you're "used to it" because you wear all that stuff while riding moto, but XC mountain biking is not the same. You will absolutely sweat your ass off wearing a moto helmet on anything longer than a 2 mile ride, which is the only reason you don't see other XC riders wearing them. An ultra-light DH or BMX helmet might work, but it will still get HOT.

You could probably get away with some light elbow/forearm guards (the G-forms mentioned above are a good option), but there is not a full knee/shin protector on the market that will be comfortable for any sort of distance on an XC ride. The G-form knee guards would probably be OK for your knees on long rides, but shin guards are notorious for not staying in place very well and chafing pretty bad.

[utabintarbo]

There's always the option of applying a different paradigm to your riding style and just not falling down. This may require a mitigation of speed in certain situations, and it will require attention to your situation at all times, but it seems to work, and doesn't look nearly as "dorky".

[mtbfree]

There's always the option of applying a different paradigm to your riding style and just not falling down. This may require a mitigation of speed in certain situations, and it will require attention to your situation at all times, but it seems to work, and doesn't look nearly as "dorky".

That's no fun.

[sndmn2]

O.K. Thanks for the input. Sounds like the helmet is a no,no, due to heat and the shin pads won't stay in place. However , tonight I will run with my elbow pads and see how they feel.

[iamkickstand]

There's always the option of applying a different paradigm to your riding style and just not falling down. This may require a mitigation of speed in certain situations, and it will require attention to your situation at all times, but it seems to work, and doesn't look nearly as "dorky".

Yeah, I mean, you could just take the fun out of riding and walkover all the "bumps" , and use your brakes going down all the hills, or even walk ..... oh wait....

[ArcticRobot]

This season I started wearing Fox Launch Pro knee and elbow guards and Fox Unabomber padded gloves on a regular basis and I don't care how dorky I look. These knee pads are nice and not restrictive. Also got fullface TLD D2 helmet for the lift-assisted rides up north on my long travel bike and some jumps over here.
Bad picture of the setup in action.


plus some cartoon

[kyleRIG29er]

I guess coming from racing motorcycles for years, but I feel like mountain biking isn't ever that fast, and most crashes aren't that bad.

[jfactor!]

I wear my full face when riding downhill, but it definitely comes off when it's time for hike-a-bike. WAY too hot.

[pfox90]

661 evo light pads and 661 recon helmet for a little more protection in the rear of the head.

[sndmn2]

I wear these on my elbows. A Stars. http://www.alpinestars.com/shop/categories/moto/protection/reflex-elbow-guard/ Pretty comfy.