Have always been a bit of minimalist when it comes to wearing pads/protection, though realising carrying on almost avoiding (in my head) the crash issue is probably not the best way to carry on
[I had a bit of a bif off the other day .. ]
Winter knee warmers and long sleeves probably not sufficient .. nor something I normally wear in summer
earlier 661 kyle strait knee pads were awful to pedal in
the newer (now out of production?) 661 knee pads (the ones that were in the mag a few issues ago in black/pruple) I find much better to pedal in, apart from dealing with the sweat/heat, even with loosened straps for each climb [removing/putting on pads + shoes every up/down isnt goign to be realistic]
Do I need to make myself get used to the sweat/heat and live with it?
Are there less warm knee pads out there?
What else do people wear regularly to bike ride with? Elbow pads? Full face?
And what type of riding?
Ill probably still not bother bar helmet/maybe gloves for my local XC stuff
Ive always been a(n open face) helmet wearer (except long/hard sweaty clinbs). Ive recently gone back to gloves for the downs ..
I've been riding for 7 years or so and only bought some pads last year. I got the G-Forms as they are very light and unobtrusive. I guess it all depends on how frequently you think you are going to fall off?
I always wear gloves. Habit as much as anything.
I have eczema and get nasty contact dermatitis from many pads. They're OK for a little while, but any sweat and heat and I'm out in a nasty itchy weepy rash. Not good.
The best pads I've used that are light, airy, and (for me) don't cause any issues are some Dainese ones. Pricey, but WAY much better than the cheapy ones.
Troy Lee KS5400 for knees - nice and llight and unobtrusive.
661 subgear vest for shoulder and elbow protection - just cut the sternum pad out as it is too hot with it.
Or you could just MTFU 😆
I wear 4x4s. They are lightweight, not really for downhillers but OK for taking the sting out of impacts. Easy to put on and not too hot.
I have the IXS Knee./Shin nice pad with PROPER Velcro(TM) not the imitation ***** on some that lasts 2 rides. Fit well protect well and quite light for a full knee/shin.
Riding them in Oz now ok ish to 30c for full on pedalling.
Only wear elbows on harder stuff (lots of sharp rocks)
Used to have a Met Parachute but moved away as I got better.
Don't be put off by people telling you that they are not worth it rocks hurt, friction burns hurt, having wounds scrubbed by a nurse with iodine and a scrubbing brush is not fun even with laughing gas
Hmm, shoulder protection I could have done with the other day, and elbow
MTFU? with the added heat, Ill not be able to see for the sweat in my eyes ..
Im not hoping to fall off much, but thinking back it keeps happening, and not always when doing the most stupid things, okay probably when pushing it a bit, but even 'only' as much as I have before in the same place. Granted some crashes have been Ive maybe been chasing others ..
+1 Dainese. Worn for all day rides in Colorado, Spain, India so 30C the norm. My Pro Airs are just starting to die after 10 years with the lycra mesh losing some tension.
I wouldn't wear my pads if they were at all uncomfortable- I've done a tour de france road climb with my kyle straits on 😉 Fit is everything though, I love my kyle straits and my POC Bone elbows but if they didn't fit they'd be terrible
I wear a sheep carcass over my torso and a collection of assorted rodent bones for head protection.