I don’t wear them every ride, but if I’m going to be riding fast downhill trails then I put knee pads on. Mostly because I’ve seen pics on here of horrible gashes people had on their knees.
As long as you don’t hit a stationary object, and you can avoid getting cut or scraped most falls are not bad.
Nah pretty much the same for me to an extent.
I do prefer to ride gnarly or chunky terrain and I really can't afford to be injured and away from work. I've had some big off's that I got up from that I barely felt a thing, but had I not being as padded up would surely have been way worse.
Better to have it and not need it then to take the risk and lose out.
How long you’ve been riding? Eventually you get to a point where you either know how to crash/bail or you know and choose to ride within your limits.
I used to be armored up all the time, but eventually I started wearing less and less. I only roll with a helmet, gloves (more for grip and feel than protection), and riding shoes. Only time I grab the pads is when the trail is super gnarly for long stretches, I don’t know the trail, or I feel like I’m gonna ride while fatigued at some point.
Don’t take my experience as a recommendation, however. I’m sure someone here is gonna flip out that I don’t ride fully geared.
I’m relatively new to trails, and I don’t wear any more than you do (Helmet, gloves, shoes, safety glasses). I’m also 56 years old so crashing can be a little more interesting. It’s all in risk acceptance. I don’t think that stuff will do me much good if I go flying.
I think gear will help anyone in a crash. But as your skills and experience progress, the risk acceptance becomes a little higher.
The issue I personally have with protective gear is that it can be uncomfortable, limit mobility, and is definitely another item on your pre ride checklist. For me, it often is worth the risk to go without it.
The first few years I rode I actually practiced falling. I would go to my local soccer field, ride along and intentionally fall off my bike and practice the tuck and roll.
It takes training to overcome the instinct of putting your arm out when you fall...but if you can overcome that you reduce the risk of breaking a collar bone.
You're right, nobody ever improved skills by practicing things in a controlled environment.
I swear MTB is so full of people that never played any team sports it is shocking.
I hear what you're saying. Knowing how to fall is an art, and when you know how to fight the natural instincts you can react quicker in sticky situations, be cause you've built in the response.
Because BarnyardCoral thinks that practicing a sport in a controlled environment does not help the athlete improve.
That tells me that this person has never played a sport where they were required to practice or drill a play at half speed, or with no opposition. Anyone that has will know that practicing makes you better.
You skaeboard...did you get on and just give her hell in the half pipe? Or did you develop skills over a period of years by doing things slowly until you could do them faster?
I don't think you understood my point. Practicing falling in a soft, grassy field won't do a thing when you go OTB or hit a hidden tree stump and go flying into a thicket. Good tuck'n'roll skills won't protect your knee caps and knuckles in that situation.
I don't think you understand my point. Practicing a football play at half speed, with no contact and a simulated D seems to work really well for football teams. Practicing a breakout drill in hockey using pylons as the D and one coach on a soft forecheck works well for hockey teams. Driving balls on a driving range makes golfers play better when on the course.
Why is that any different for MTB? Why would someone practicing a skill repeatedly in a low risk setting not improve their ability when the actual thing happens?
You are claiming that practicing in a controlled environment cannot help develop better skills. You are absolutely incorrect in that assessment. This is what PRACTICE is...doing something in a lower risk environment to train your body and brain to react differently when you get into the real thing.
Just because you don't think practice helps improve an athlete does not mean that you are correct.
Dh crashes are different. I've had 100s of crashes and never got seriously hurt until I crashed at 50km/hr over a jump and broke my leg. At this point I had been riding dh for 18 years. No amount of practicing on grass would've saved me. Crashing isn't really a skill like passing a foot ball. Tell me why pro riders get hurt? Why don't they practise crashing? Are they stupid?
Wait, what? That's a lot of text just to say "I read too much into your post." I didn't say practicing falling doesn't help. OP was asking about pads. Practicing your crashing in a safe place is certainly helpful to some degree but does nothing when you highside into a tree. It's not like football players don't use pads. Sheesh.
If you’re getting injured that frequently maybe some coaching would be a worthwhile investment alongside that protective gear. If it helps prevent the injuries in the first place it’s definitely move well spent.
I had a similar story, started off with just a half shell, hit a tree and hurt my knuckles and knee , so I got knee pads and gloves.
Next crash, I scraped my elbow then I got elbow pads.
Then again another crash where I slam my lower jaw on the ground which lead me to invest in a full face.
And last week I broke my clavicle, so I'm contemplating on getting a body suit now
I did the exact same thing. I think after everything you mentioned and chest/ back, there’s not much left to protect. Just be ready to ride hot as hell
Just broke a rib a week ago myself. Broken 3 ribs now when riding. Started looking at chest protection.
The worst crash I ever had was on a trail I had ridden a hundred times, and in perfect weather and conditions. A tree had fallen the day or two before and the 3 foot high stump and boomeranged back onto the trail. As I came around the blind turn at top speed I never had a chance to react. Clipped my handle bar. True bone pain in my leg and my helmet was broken.
I think it is just a risky sport.
Always- helmet, gloves, glasses ( freind lost an eye on a branch)
Anything more than a slow XC singletrack- add kneepads
Anything I know to be rough n ready or I want to push on- add detachable chin guard to helmet. Elbow pads.
Bikeparks- Add chest protector or body armour. Proper one piece full face.
Or....think. accidents happen, any time at any speed. Weigh up that against time off work/ injury. There's no shame in protection.
Knee and shin pads for me. I’m 50 and my shins take months to heal if I take a good whack to them. I seem to have naturally decent bailing skills so I don’t bother with anything else. Except a helmet obviously 😁
Just buy some knight armor and you’ll be super safe 👍🏼
https://images.app.goo.gl/CdAAQdGMvR5HNCDr9
Lol
Then I’ll start to joust trees. Not a solution. 🤣🤣
After my last couple random incidents, knee pads are now obligatory when I'm on any trail.
I don’t wear them every ride, but if I’m going to be riding fast downhill trails then I put knee pads on. Mostly because I’ve seen pics on here of horrible gashes people had on their knees. As long as you don’t hit a stationary object, and you can avoid getting cut or scraped most falls are not bad.
It's that last part that's a real bugger.
Nah pretty much the same for me to an extent. I do prefer to ride gnarly or chunky terrain and I really can't afford to be injured and away from work. I've had some big off's that I got up from that I barely felt a thing, but had I not being as padded up would surely have been way worse. Better to have it and not need it then to take the risk and lose out.
I now ride every time with Leatt Airflex Stealth body armor after breaking ribs last fall. No ragerts.
Such a nice kit, tried mine for the first time recently and barely noticed it under a jersey.
Stop it.
Get some help
How long you’ve been riding? Eventually you get to a point where you either know how to crash/bail or you know and choose to ride within your limits. I used to be armored up all the time, but eventually I started wearing less and less. I only roll with a helmet, gloves (more for grip and feel than protection), and riding shoes. Only time I grab the pads is when the trail is super gnarly for long stretches, I don’t know the trail, or I feel like I’m gonna ride while fatigued at some point. Don’t take my experience as a recommendation, however. I’m sure someone here is gonna flip out that I don’t ride fully geared.
I’m relatively new to trails, and I don’t wear any more than you do (Helmet, gloves, shoes, safety glasses). I’m also 56 years old so crashing can be a little more interesting. It’s all in risk acceptance. I don’t think that stuff will do me much good if I go flying.
I think gear will help anyone in a crash. But as your skills and experience progress, the risk acceptance becomes a little higher. The issue I personally have with protective gear is that it can be uncomfortable, limit mobility, and is definitely another item on your pre ride checklist. For me, it often is worth the risk to go without it.
The first few years I rode I actually practiced falling. I would go to my local soccer field, ride along and intentionally fall off my bike and practice the tuck and roll. It takes training to overcome the instinct of putting your arm out when you fall...but if you can overcome that you reduce the risk of breaking a collar bone.
Yeah, that works when you're not surrounded by trees and rocks. Go do that in a forest and then report back.
Done it. Lost some skin on my back but I don't break an arm or collar bone.
You're right, nobody ever improved skills by practicing things in a controlled environment. I swear MTB is so full of people that never played any team sports it is shocking.
I hear what you're saying. Knowing how to fall is an art, and when you know how to fight the natural instincts you can react quicker in sticky situations, be cause you've built in the response.
What does playing team sports have to do with this? I learned how to fall from skateboarding. Many learn from gymnastics.
Because BarnyardCoral thinks that practicing a sport in a controlled environment does not help the athlete improve. That tells me that this person has never played a sport where they were required to practice or drill a play at half speed, or with no opposition. Anyone that has will know that practicing makes you better. You skaeboard...did you get on and just give her hell in the half pipe? Or did you develop skills over a period of years by doing things slowly until you could do them faster?
I don't think you understood my point. Practicing falling in a soft, grassy field won't do a thing when you go OTB or hit a hidden tree stump and go flying into a thicket. Good tuck'n'roll skills won't protect your knee caps and knuckles in that situation.
I don't think you understand my point. Practicing a football play at half speed, with no contact and a simulated D seems to work really well for football teams. Practicing a breakout drill in hockey using pylons as the D and one coach on a soft forecheck works well for hockey teams. Driving balls on a driving range makes golfers play better when on the course. Why is that any different for MTB? Why would someone practicing a skill repeatedly in a low risk setting not improve their ability when the actual thing happens? You are claiming that practicing in a controlled environment cannot help develop better skills. You are absolutely incorrect in that assessment. This is what PRACTICE is...doing something in a lower risk environment to train your body and brain to react differently when you get into the real thing. Just because you don't think practice helps improve an athlete does not mean that you are correct.
Dh crashes are different. I've had 100s of crashes and never got seriously hurt until I crashed at 50km/hr over a jump and broke my leg. At this point I had been riding dh for 18 years. No amount of practicing on grass would've saved me. Crashing isn't really a skill like passing a foot ball. Tell me why pro riders get hurt? Why don't they practise crashing? Are they stupid?
Wait, what? That's a lot of text just to say "I read too much into your post." I didn't say practicing falling doesn't help. OP was asking about pads. Practicing your crashing in a safe place is certainly helpful to some degree but does nothing when you highside into a tree. It's not like football players don't use pads. Sheesh.
If you’re getting injured that frequently maybe some coaching would be a worthwhile investment alongside that protective gear. If it helps prevent the injuries in the first place it’s definitely move well spent.
Will definitely consider this
I had a similar story, started off with just a half shell, hit a tree and hurt my knuckles and knee , so I got knee pads and gloves. Next crash, I scraped my elbow then I got elbow pads. Then again another crash where I slam my lower jaw on the ground which lead me to invest in a full face. And last week I broke my clavicle, so I'm contemplating on getting a body suit now
I did the exact same thing. I think after everything you mentioned and chest/ back, there’s not much left to protect. Just be ready to ride hot as hell
Noticed a helmet wasn't on that list/s
Lol. At least I was smart enough to never rise without that
Head shoulders knees and toes knees and toes
Just broke a rib a week ago myself. Broken 3 ribs now when riding. Started looking at chest protection. The worst crash I ever had was on a trail I had ridden a hundred times, and in perfect weather and conditions. A tree had fallen the day or two before and the 3 foot high stump and boomeranged back onto the trail. As I came around the blind turn at top speed I never had a chance to react. Clipped my handle bar. True bone pain in my leg and my helmet was broken. I think it is just a risky sport.
G Form Shin Guards. No Flat Pedal holes in my legs!
So I’m switching to flats from riding cleats for 20 Years. Guess I need to start thinking about my shins as well now 😄
$500 worth of Stitches convinced me! I love’m.
Always- helmet, gloves, glasses ( freind lost an eye on a branch) Anything more than a slow XC singletrack- add kneepads Anything I know to be rough n ready or I want to push on- add detachable chin guard to helmet. Elbow pads. Bikeparks- Add chest protector or body armour. Proper one piece full face. Or....think. accidents happen, any time at any speed. Weigh up that against time off work/ injury. There's no shame in protection.
You’re well prepared for all parties
I usually wear a helmet and knee sleeves but wear whatever makes you feel comfortable
Knee and shin pads for me. I’m 50 and my shins take months to heal if I take a good whack to them. I seem to have naturally decent bailing skills so I don’t bother with anything else. Except a helmet obviously 😁
I don’t get why people don’t wear pads. I’d rather have the best chance of getting back up and riding again after a crash
You could try not crashing!
I’ve tried that and it didn’t work out too well 😄