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I have been looking at getting some knee pads and have considered the main contenders recommended i.e. 661 , Fox and Endura. None of these is designed to be put on without taking your shoes off however and would like a set that I could carry in my pack and put on quickly at the top of a technical descent.
Any suggestions?
kyle straits work for me
endura make knee pads?
tbh, you'd be better getting a set you can wear for the whole ride and not bother with the faff at the top and bottom of every downhill bit.
You can almost guarantee you'll fall off on a flat bit and bash your knee too.
kyle straits work for me
Do they fit without taking your shoes off? i.e. just wrap around the knee and fix with the velcro straps?
No, you put your foot through. They are comfy enough for longer rides though.
just wear them for the entire ride - TLD are good as are 661s
^^ thisyou'd be better getting a set you can wear for the whole ride
Fox Launch Pro. You know you're wearing them but only in the same way you know you're wearing undercrackers
Kyle Straits - worn em for up to 10 hour bike rides. Occasionally rub
Usually don't
Side protection aswell as front protection
Don't tend to rotate as much on initial impact as others I have used
Don't slide down your legs
I've been considering the TLD ones as an alternative - not sure why though as the KSs have served me well. I'm on my second pair. Reasonably long lasting (for 661 stuff)
scott grenade pads = bestest
fluff i just bought some TLDs, they have a slightly flatter profile than the 661s but seem just as comfy. Better made, definitely.
jedi for the win
For reference, my O'Neal Sinner pads fell apart on the first ride. 14kms of trail centre mincing and the stitching on the right pad had blown apart. Didn't even crash in them.
Now to find out how good Actionsports.de is at returns.
Excellent - The flatter (less bulky) profile was what was attracting me to them. I was also fairly confident that they would last longer than 661 gear
You may be able to answer a question for me then. What's the sizing like? Currently using med Kyle Straits which are a good fit on fairly skinny legs
randomjeremy,
Are the Troy Lee pads you are talking about these ones?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=59945
As they have no velcro straps do they stay in place okay and do you think they may stretch and slip over time?
My mates reckon these troy lee ones are the nuts, i may get some myself
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25232
lots of talk for the POC knee as well though pricey.
@Fluff66 - I use large kyle straits and went for large TLDs - the TLDs are a bit snugger - but this could be because they're new and not shagged out like my 661s 🙂 If you can try before you buy I would.
@forzafkawi - no they're the ones xcgb posted, TLD t-bones
randomjeremy,
There seem to be two types of TLD T-Bones that I have come across, the CRC ones and these:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Troy%20Lee-Troy-Lee-T-Bone-Knee-Guard_16411.htm
What is the difference?
They look the same to me, one just has a grey logo, one black
Having worn the 661s and tried on the TLDs, I'd have no hesitation recommending the Kyle Straits. Far comfier, in my humble opinion.
None of these is designed to be put on without taking your shoes off however and would like a set that I could carry in my pack and put on quickly at the top of a technical descent.
For this I have some Dianese (sp?) 4X pads, that velcro round the back. Roachs look good too, and have the benefit that they cover all of your shin - good when riding in places with loads of loose rock.
Thanks randomjeremy
@ridingscared
I tried the POC ones on at sleepless and to me they seemed to have very poor side protection - compared the Troy Lee T bones or the Kyle Straits which seem to be better designed in that respect
(& like you said, the price is a bit OTT )
Several people have commented that the TLD pads come up small. I'm 6' 4" of average build but not massive legs. Anyone else this sort of size got the TLD T-Bones and have an opinion on the fit?
Got some POC knee/shin pads, I have to say not very impressed with comfort as they tend to wear bits of me away with chaffing on long rides.
Ming- sell those pads to me then please- I don't do long rides!!
POC!!! end of topic!!
simply the best better than all the rest
got some large POC Joint VPD Knees available if anyone wants them- see my classified listing 😉
you've been let down a few times on those pocs vinnyeh- I'll try them for £25 payapl gift? email in profile.
POC knee isn't up to the standard of the Kyle Straits IMO- better made and better materials but not as well designed, coverage isn't as good but enclosure is greater making them sweatier. They're a lot slimmer though and harder wearing. I love POC's hard kit but the soft stuff isn't up to the same standard IMO.
Kyle Straits are bulky, that's their only downside but otherwise they're great- inexpensive, good protection (not just front but side also) and all-day wearable- I've worn mine for XC racing, and for 6 days out of 7 in france for long long hot rides. The bulk's only an issue if you want to wear them under trousers and that's a bit weird 😉
northwind, kyle straits are emant for wearing under jeans. thye're a dj pad
Aye, but they're crap for it unless you wear massive jeans and even then they're draggy. The POCs are about half as thick.
coverage isn't as good but enclosure is greater making them sweatier.
i have both,the poc padded bit is a good 3rd bigger than the KS, both in length and width. the KS is an inch longer over all. the KS has more side padding than the poc. imo the poc raps around the knee better negating the need for the extra side padding. i agree they're a bit sweatier. found the KS to pinch a little at the back of the knee, where the poc's don't.
had a big otb on a steep rock section at mt. creek. (where the US open is held) front wheel got jammed between two rocks and pole vaulted me into the air 😀 landed on one knee in the rocks from a long way up. the poc pads worked great and i was glad i had them on over the KS.
i guess it's like most things, personal preference...
Anyone running 661 Evos? Any thoughts?
The EVO stuff doesn't work well for high speed impacts as it takes a short time for the material to react. I've also heard it's not as effective against sharp objects
Have seen people wear the kyle straits pushed down and round to the side of their shins whilst pedalling then pull them into place at the top of the downhill bits, I just leave them on all the time, occasionally get a bit of chafing on the lower inner lobe of my quads just by my knee cap but only rarely.
kyle straight offers significantly less impact protection that tld t bone IMO.
comfier to wear, and thats because they use a less dense foam on the sides, and a thinner, more flexible plastic on the front.
fine for xc, but if you're seriously wanting protection then in my experience no good. at all.
(still having serious knee issues following shattered patella in 2009 - wearing kyle straights at the time...)