- This topic has 15 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 14 years ago by ridethelakes.
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661 Evo D30 Knee Pads – Your experiences please
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PacemanFree MemberPosted 15 years ago
I’ve had a circulatory problem in my legs since birth which means my feet and knees struggle in all but warm conditions. My knees also bruise very easily and will bleed for longer than usual if grazed or cut. The specialist I see has suggested some protection might be wise due to the increased risk of serious injury this poses.
I ride cross-country on the South and North Downs, with 4-5 weekends a year at the Welsh trail centres, and occasional longer trips to the Lakes etc.
I’m thinking 661 Evo pads might offer the protection I need without being overly bulky or DH-biased. Have any of you tried them? and in particular, experienced how good their crash protection is?
Although I want some protection, I don’t want to end up looking like Robocop on the South Downs!
Thanks 🙂
cynic-alFree MemberPosted 15 years agoThere was a thread on them recently, they seemed well received IIRC.
atlazFree MemberPosted 15 years agoI like mine and I’ve had them for 9 or so months now. They are lightweight enough but I haven’t really tested the D3o gel “properly” yet.
stilltortoiseFree MemberPosted 15 years agoI’ve been riding 661 Kyle Straits for 18 months or so following a crash which shredded my knee. Fortunately it was cosmetic damage but I wear knee pads for most of my MTBing now. I’ve since moved to the EVO pads purely because I got a pair at the same price as the Straits. The biggest benefit after peace-of-mind is that they keep my knees warm. My knees start to ache in cold wet weather and these really help.
I’ve had a number of “offs” with the Straits and if the EVOs are half as good then they’ll get my thumbs up. They are relatively discrete, comfy enough for long days in the saddle and acceptable in hot weather (I wore knees pads in Spain last summer without any overheating issues).
Early impressions of the new EVOs are that they are a bit warmer around the back of the knee and a bit snugger for the same size. If you can’t get the EVOs for the same price as the Straits then I don’t think there’s much to recommend the extra outlay.
fattatlassesFree MemberPosted 15 years agoBecause of old knee injury, I tried some Kyle Strait pads, but didn’t get on with them – bit restrictive on the dodgy knee for long pedalling sessions, although fine on the good knee! Had a quick try out (only the shop car park!)of EVO version of the KS pads and they did feel a little more comfy, with less pressure on kneecap.
I recently ordered some of 661’s d3O ‘EVO XC Lite’ pads and, according to Parcelfarce, they should be here today.
Unfortunately, I had to order the XC Lite’s from the US, because 661 don’t do this pad in the UK. Main reasons I went for the ‘XC lite’ is because you can take them on & off without removing shoes/boots, they also look even more pliable (& discrete) than the Kyle Strait style EVO pads. It doesn’t sound like putting & taking them on/off mid ride will be a problem for you, so I guess the ‘normal’ EVO’s would be OK.
I posted a similar query to yours a while back and got very positive feedback on the ‘normal’ EVO pads – including some from a guy who’d crash-tested them on Chapel Gate path (ouch!!)
When I’ve had a ride with the XC lite pads, I’ll post a ‘mini-review’ update.
toonsFree MemberPosted 15 years agoI’ve been using the 661 Evo pads for a while and they’re comfy to wear.
Also I’ve ordered some of the XC lite 661 d3O pads, for longer rides and more XC stuff, I’ll report back.
PacemanFree MemberPosted 15 years agoThe Evo ‘Lite’ pads look ideal. Are they stocked anywhere in the UK?
toonsFree MemberPosted 15 years agoDon’t think so.
PM me and I’ll give you my contact in the USofA.
PacemanFree MemberPosted 15 years agoToons,
let us know what they’re like to wear compared with the standard Evo’s, cheers. 😀Reign_ManFree MemberPosted 15 years agoToons
I would be interested in how they are as I’ve been after some of these and been told that I will have to get them from the US as they are not going to be available in the UK, how much did you get them for?
CaptainMainwaringFree MemberPosted 15 years agoI’ve had my Evo pads for both knees and elbows for about 6 months. Don’t use them that often, but have had a couple of fairly monumental pile ups and come out unscathed so they are probably doing something. Don’t really notice I am wearing them.
If you were only looking to prevent scratches rather than actual serious impact protection, neoprene knee supports would be just as good for a lot less dosh
FeenyFree MemberPosted 14 years agoHey! Looking for the 661 evo lite xc knee pads and cant get them anywhere!! Does anyone know where I can get them?
BlurboyFree MemberPosted 14 years agoHad a couple of minor offs with mine. They have required stitching back together in the area between the D3o pad area and the side protection. The perforations in the stretchy material seem to stretch to the point of parting when under pressure. "Build quality" seems a little questionable.
PacemanFree MemberPosted 14 years agoFeeny
I have a pair of 661 Evo Lite XC knee pads in size large. I got a friend to pick up a pair for me when he was over the in states. Unfortunately they're not the right size for me. They're brand new and unused in the original packaging.
£55.00 incl postage if you want them.
Paceman
Same as these: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30872
toonsFree MemberPosted 14 years agoI've just put mine on ebay if anybody is interested.
I never wore the elbow pads!
ridethelakesFree MemberPosted 14 years agoHad mine for nearly a year now and use them every ride. I much prefer them to my old kyle straits mainly becuase they are much more discrete in terms of size and I just don't notice them on the bike. They fit under trousers easily too.
They do rub at the back of the knee a bit but my old ones did too. The hole to allow flex is in the wrong place wierdly but I only notice it after a ride.
No big crashes on them touch wood but would say they offer basic protection when compared to the bigger knee-shin combinations.
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