Body Armour

[tattiefritter]

Pebble,

they do look super bulky but not bad when looking at yourself in a photo, I found the same thing!

I got quite a bad rubbing above one of my knees on the first outing as I wore the top straps a bit looser for pedalling up hill - big mistake, it allowed them to rub. I put some bodyglide round my knees next time I wore them but since then tightening the upper straps properly was enough to stop them rubbing when I was on holiday - though I didn't wear them on long climbs.

The elbows are very comfortable if a little warm because of the solid black stretchy bit you put your arm through (sorry my descriptive powers are a little lacking) and I found them really hot, like I was riding wearing long sleeves. I was wearing them in Spain though and us Scottish people are not designed for the heat so that probably had something to do with it!

[Pebble]

If I do end up looking into elbows I'll probably hunt around for just an elbow (no forearm protection).

Bodyglide - I've heard of that a few times on forums - is it like Vaseline?

[madisongrrl]

If I do end up looking into elbows I'll probably hunt around for just an elbow (no forearm protection).

Bodyglide - I've heard of that a few times on forums - is it like Vaseline?

It's not greasy like vasoline.

[sandy45]

ok.. so i am glad i ran across this thread. i am about to start more of the freeride/downhill stuff. i have been watching this show on encore wam it is called drop-in and it is about a group of guys in canada doing a tour of canada and just riding this narly stuff. so i have the urge...needless to say DH is excited.

anyway. i have found a pair of fox knee and shin pads and some forearm and elbow pads. i havent bought them yet, but they are the ones that fit the best for my knees. does anyone use ankle pads? i use to play softball and have some old injuries that make it easy for them to twist and sprain. also we are looking at chest protection. but i have a large chest...d cup. would the roast be better or would the jackets? any info would be great!

i get my new full face helmet next week! silver and black...

[Pebble]

Sorry I can't really help you with the upper body armour - maybe look at stuff from rockgardn?

Also check out the womens (essential gear for women) thread on Farkin:

FARKIN FORUMS

Never worn an ankle pad at all, I used to sprain or twist my ankles all the time (well still do on occasion) but I think they're pretty used to it. However I have never found it to be a problem with mountainbiking.

And if you don't already know of this site:

Womens Lounge - MTBR Forums

and yet another source of info.... seems pretty Dh/Fr oriented

RideMonkey Forums

[wavedancer]

Anyone who has the Rally shin guards, would you be willing to take some measurements off them? I have wicked short legs, 13" from mid patella to the ankle. I got a pair for my BF (XL) and I really like the way they wrap around and hug your leg. I have only seen a size medium, not small, and they don't give any actual measurements. Pebble, Tattiefritter: what size do you have?

Thanks!
Linda

[Pebble]

Mine are medium, have worn them on a few rides now (probably about 5 one to two hour rides) and they're nice and comfy. I did get some rubbing from the stitching on the top inside corner, but it seems to have gone away now so just a wear in issue I guess. I do lots of pedalling - no big dh sections in this town!

Some measurements as requested:

My height 169cm
Guard length from botoom of pad to top of lower shell 29cm (11.42")
Lower hard shell lenght 26.5cm (10.43")
Bottom to top (overall lenght including knee shell and bottom to top of padding) about 52cm (20.47")
Bottom of knee shell to top of top padding 21.5cm (8.46")

Leg bent: my ankle to top of knee cap is about 40cm (15.75") - measure along front of leg
Inseam about 79cm (31")
Leg bent: floor to top of knee 50cm (19.68") - this one was measured along side of leg

Hope you can make sense of the above measurements and they help.

[wavedancer]

Hope you can make sense of the above measurements and they help.

Thank you so much! Yes the measurements are very helpful and confirm what I thought: My legs are too short They list a size small on the packaging, but I have not seen them offered on any of the online sites that sell them. I have sent off an email to see if they are in fact making them in a small.

I did get a pair of the Rockgardn pads in a small, but they don't have that snug wrap-around feeling and I am afraid they may be more prone to chafing and moving around. I may give them a try while pedaling on my trainer to see if there are any potential chafing issues.

[Pebble]

I've heard a few recommendations for Rockgardn armour from female mountain bikers. If you already have a set then give them a go.

I have founds chafing is mostly to do with stitching, and with the race face pads the first ride was great, 2nd ride was a longer one (2.5hours or something) and the rubbing developed, a ride or two after that & all was fine again - I have found havint the top straps pretty tight works best.

Interested to know how you go with the rockgardn pads though. If you can, go out for a 30min to 1hr ride with them, if they're fine then you can try a longer ride. But going for up to an hour if there's any real bad chafing you'll make it home before it gets too bad.

The place where I purhcased mine seems to sell the Small size: (it's in Australia though)

http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/prod...7&cat=0&page=2

[tattiefritter]

Anyone who has the Rally shin guards, would you be willing to take some measurements off them? I have wicked short legs, 13" from mid patella to the ankle. I got a pair for my BF (XL) and I really like the way they wrap around and hug your leg. I have only seen a size medium, not small, and they don't give any actual measurements. Pebble, Tattiefritter: what size do you have?

Thanks!
Linda

I have small as I'm a shortie but its the newer FR2 pads I have not the FR, the FR only went down to a medium. I got the from ChainReactionCycles here in the UK. The smalls are basically the mediums with the bottom plastic cut off, hopefully you can get an idea from this pic here:

http://www.jeznewsome.pwp.blueyonder.../target47.html

A link to the CRC site for reference:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=11141

The pads are at home but I can rescue them from the back of the wardrobe and give you the measurements of them if you like. I'm 5ft 4 (about 163 cm) with a 30" inside leg (I think)

[wavedancer]

Great Picture!

I contacted Race Face and they said the small shin plate is 10". It seems like the knee guard and padding are probably the same in all sizes. I might JUST fit the smalls. (I have a 28" inseam). I will probably give the Rockgardn's a go for now. They are actually made for motocross, but the shin guards are shorter, though they are not as form-fitting as the FR.

[tattiefritter]

Hi Wavedancer, I must admit the Small FR2 only just fit my shin lengthwise, the bottom of the padding sits right on top of my shoe (stops them sliding down though), I'm not sure what length my shin is though but I have slightly longer legs than you.

That pink armour looks wild though!

[snowtulip]

Sandy,
The dainese jackets work very well, a bit pricey, but if you're going to be pushing the envelope it's well worth it.

Hubby dh races and originally had an Azonic jacket, broke his ribs on a race in AZ and went with Dainese after that because of pad placement and overall comfort.

Have fun with it, there's a few videos (dirt divas) that show some women freeriding. If you're ever in CO in the summer, there's a freeride/dh event in Silverton that a few pro women seem to attend. It's great seeing what they can do and aspiring to be able to do some of that.

Enjoy!

[nerdgirl]

It is really not necessary to buy body gear for standard mountain biking. I think it just gets in the way, its heavy, expensive and hot. The only thing that has ever given me confidence is riding more singletrack, riding with people who are better than me (watching them do difficult sections) and learning more about the techniques used in mountain biking.

Examine the situations when you hit the dirt. Think about what happended, why did it happen and how could you have approached it differently? And if your not sure of something, dismount and walk it. Then you can determine if you want to ride it or move on to the next thing. Good luck.

That's exactly how I ride. Great advice! Last crash, I knew it was going to happen right before it did, and at the time, there was nothing I could do to prevent it. I actually laughed afterwards simply because I knew what I did to cause it, even though I ended up with a bloody arm and a bruised rib. However, I see it as all part of the learning process. I ignored the bruised rib and rode again a couple days later, and that time, I went right through that spot no problem, because I knew what needed to be done.

I exclusively ride singletrack with my boyfriend, who is an advanced rider. It's very hilly, winding, and rocky. I always have him go in front of me and watch what he does and where he goes. I feel like I'm getting lessons, and also I know what hazards, if any, are coming because I see him do it first!

Gravity is a harsh mistress, though, and now that I am nursing a horribly painful bruised rib, I am somewhat considering some body armor, especially since I am doing some challenging dowhill. Only trouble is, I'm rather well-endowed but have a narrow waist, so finding the right size seems impossible. I'm considering trying mens. As smart as I try to ride, a little extra padding might prevent another bruised rib. I am realistic and know that if I continue to challenge myself so I can progress, there will always be crashes from time to time

[Aggie_Ama]

This is an old thread but maybe someone will comment.

How well does this protect against bruising? I now have a more professional job and would like to stop going to work looking like I have been in a fight. A few weeks ago I bruised my wrist ridiculously bad. It is too hot to wear long sleeves but those buises were terrible. I think this is really hurting my confidence because no one likes falling but when you bruise extremely easy it is embarassing to explain later.