Surely it’s the sitting on the uplift that tips the balance? You can’t carry your warm layers back down the hill so you’ve got to wear them.
Trousers if I’m gonna get muddy, shorts if I’m not. Just makes getting changed at the van or when I get home easier
I run hot so used to be shorts and short sleeves all year round. However now kit is so light and breathable it's trousers and l/s for when it's colder/muddy (so generally mid autumn - spring), shorts for when it's hot and dry. Just taking off trousers and l/s top before getting into the car after a muddy ride is worth it alone.
I do tend to wear trousers for DH / Park whenever though for the extra layer of protection on lower legs.
i always wore shorts year round, in recent years, the fit of trousers has got so much better (slim fitting / stretchy / perfect leg length) and they actually stop the water getting in that hole where your ankle slots in to the shoe.
warm dry legs tend to keep feet warm in winter, as opposed cold wet legs with wet feet..
in summer its a DH enduro mtb'er thing
Good answer Clubby, and who could have guessed the uci would have a daft rule for htis?
Doesn’t France have a rule where you need long sleeves/legs, gloves, elbow pads and back protection? I’m sure there was a problem years ago with all the Kiwi’s and some brits fashioning elbow and back protection out of cardboard to get around it.
I think they have that rule for junior races across France.
Doesn’t France have a rule where you need long sleeves/legs, gloves, elbow pads and back protection?
think its knee, back and gloves for all competitive "gravity" racing. Hence the adventure/multiday enduro format led to the creation of backpacks with spine boards
someone said above that UCI DH now requires either shin pads, or covering the shins with trousers.
they didnt always
heres Sam Hill's (2013) worlds in shorts (which must be for boys)
Rachels perfect season, in shorts
in fact, just by searching for mens world champs winning runs, looks like 2016 was the last year of the shorts, here's Danny's pale legs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtKWTsBlO-0
Enduro seems weather dependent. here's a sloppy zermatt where most riders are in longs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCnv7nIpFWE
Bernard Kerr and quite a few of the other Pivot riders seem to hate elbow pads. and wear short sleeves and bare arms whenever allowed, which I've always found ironic when they are sponsored by a protection company - Leatt
I can’t ride in long trousers at any time of year. Just get sweaty legs and it feels wrong. With shorts and knee pads it’s only ever a bit of shin that’s exposed to the elements and I’ve never thought “ooh my shins are cold”
As for the Enduro and DH thing. Fashion and following the latest trends I reckon.
I pretty much wear any kind of shorts I can at any given time from April till October unless I HAVE to wear trousers
Why on earth would I choose to go mtb'ing in trousers, in summer? 🤣
I can’t ride in long trousers at any time of year. Just get sweaty legs and it feels wrong. With shorts and knee pads it’s only ever a bit of shin that’s exposed to the elements and I’ve never thought “ooh my shins are cold”
for the last 2 years I've been the opposite. Trousers are my default, only hot weather sees me switching to shorts - which happened about a month or so ago.
avoidance of scratches, mud, puddle splashes on my shins is lovely. if there is any chance of puddles I'll be in trousers, it keeps your shoes and socks far dryer too.
my knees get hot with my "big kneepads" underneath, but they are quite tight over the pads so I'm guessing that prevents any airflow.
avoidance of scratches
If anything is the mtbers uniform its scratched up lower legs and inner elbows! 😀
