Mountain Biking - Knee/Shin guards for XC, All-Mtn

Hello all,

I tore a 13cm x 2cm gash in my middle shin 4 weeks ago. I'm stitches out and ready to rumble yet again.

About me: 6'3" 175 race rarely. ride XC/All mtn (with "aggressive DH") 3 or so times a week in Denver (HOT!) I'm looking for some lightweight protection that'll save my skin in the next crash. I love to climb and I earn my turns. I'd like something that's either unobstructive on the climbs (prefer) or easy to get on/off without removing shoes. I'm not a huge hucker or DHer so I think I don't necessarily need plastic.

I'm looking at the 661 4x4 (good MTBR reviews):
http://www.sixsixone.com/catalog.aspx?id=b28d7c14-b415-4522-ab48-d1083034d1dc&pl=BIKE

And the veggie wraps:
http://www.sixsixone.com/catalog.aspx?id=06bf1192-38c1-403f-b2b7-bca757d6c3dd&pl=BIKE

As well as the race model (assuming that it's made to be light and unobstructive)
http://www.sixsixone.com/catalog.aspx?id=2d6d01b2-ff42-450f-9e23-3f6f2f58c858&pl=BIKE

Does anyone have any opinions on the above or other suggestions for a lightweight, breathable, unobstructive, knee/shin combo?

TIA
-L

You are on the right track looking at 661 :D; but there might be better choices:

4x4s are 'soft-sided', but somewhat hot. They do a full wrap. Also, they do have plastic - - it's in strips embedded inside the fabric.

The Veggie Wraps you linked to are knee-only. If you want to save your shins from abuse, you'll want the Veggie Wrap Shin guards:
http://www.sixsixone.com/catalog.aspx?id=7b5dcd49-7bc7-4378-9705-70c812486b7e&pl=BIKE

If you're looking at the Race, consider instead the Race-Lites
http://www.sixsixone.com/catalog.aspx?id=4b64d392-b2c7-4b14-a746-7f8554c9dc14&pl=BIKE
They are lower-profile, thinner and more ventilated than the full-on Race model. Also, they are all-strap, so you can leave your shoes on. The Race have a wrap-around "sock" that goes over the knee.

Hope this helps.

Sounds like the Veggie Shins will work well for you .

you can get a great deal on the sixsixone 4X4 combo (includes the 2x4 elbow pads) for $36.98 at blue sky cycling

http://www.blueskycycling.com/product2130_COMBOKIT_-2006-661-4X4-Knee-Shin-Guards-&-2x4-Elbow-Guards-Combo-Kit-This-Week-Only.htm

661 Race lites are the best of the bunch. VERY light and breathable. Feel like they aren't even there. I tried the 4X4's and the were heavier and hotter, as well as more restrictive.

why don't you just get some cheap soccer shin gaurds from walmart. if we can run around like idiots chasing a ball wearing them surely you could tolerate pedaling in them.

you did catch the part of the thread title where he was looking for knee/shin guards right? So soccer shin guards wouldn't be the best for his application. (yes he could buy cheap knee pads as well, but why not get something that works better?)

why do you need shingaurds guys? i can understand because of brush and such, but why would you need it to be so hard?

i missed that:D

well i ride aggressively, DJ and stuff, on platforms....if you slip, the pedals will eat your shins/calves alive. Shinguards will save them from being extremely scarred up.

this is why you need shin guards:
http://www.syncros.com/images/pedal_stainless_sm.jpg

this is why you need shin guards:
http://www.syncros.com/images/pedal_stainless_sm.jpg

I have been looking for some new pedals and saw thoughs beasts. Do you know how good they are.

And for the shin pad disscusion, I love my Fox Launch Shin Gaurds, I am not to sure if they would be good for XC, but you could try them on at a LBS.

Ahhh - Syncros Mentals! I have the Alloys; they're going on my ASX this week (thank you Nate & Syncros!) Wished I could have sprung for the stainless, but . . . .

I have permanently dinged shins from numerous rat-trap pedals that didn't quite hold my feet, but seemed to be magnetically attracted to my shins :eek:

I have the six six one 4x4s and they are hot as BALLS. They have a "sheet" that wraps around the back of your leg that does nothing so i just cut the b**ch out, It did something but not much. As for protection they are fine for xc/ all mnt., they will stop all pedal bite, but not to great aganst hard impacts.

All in all I would not recomand them my friend just ordered the race lites, and I think those would be a better choice.

Thanks for all the input. I definately need a knee/shin combo. I'll try the race lites and see how it goes. Thanks again!

Why don't you try some soccer shinguards, they are extremely, comfortable and breathable (come on now, they are SOCCER shinguards) and they protect well since shins get a lot of punishment in soccer, for knee guards you can use a separate piece but then again 661 Race Lites might just be what you are looking for.

And THIS is why we use shinguards, behold, the terror of every shin:
http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/images/parts_pedals.jpg

Why don't you try some soccer shinguards, they are extremely, comfortable and breathable (come on now, they are SOCCER shinguards) and they protect well since shins get a lot of punishment in soccer, for knee guards you can use a separate piece but then again 661 Race Lites might just be what you are looking for.

Soccer shinguards are a great option. Mine are Sondico Coolmax, and they're so comfortable I wear them every time I ride. If I'm out and about and lock the bike up somewhere and go for a wander, I just keep the guards on. They hide nicely under my jeans and no-one even knows I'm wearing them. If I'm doing something a bit more adventurous and want knee protection as well I wear my 661 Riccochet knee/shinguards.

Soccer shinguards are amazingly strong. A while ago I did an experiment with an old pair of guards where I repeatedly rammed the pedal into my shins while wearing my guards to see just how much stick they could take. After about 10 minutes of actually trying to hurt myself I gave up because the guards totally prevented me from even coming close to damaging my shins. They just had a few dents in them but took EVERYTHING I could throw at them. The Riccochet's have taken a lot of abuse as well and never let me down.

If you want shinguards with which you can actually pedal to places I'd suggest forgetting about the 4x4s and looking into Dainese knee+shinguard combo, they're amazing, really good fit, comfy, easy to pedal in. Not hot.

why don't you just get some cheap soccer shin gaurds

I actually did this for a lot of years. No knee protection, but if the primary risk is the pedal-shin conflict, they do the job and are pretty much unnoticeable when pedaling.

A while ago I did an experiment with an old pair of guards where I repeatedly rammed the pedal into my shins while wearing my guards to see just how much stick they could take. After about 10 minutes of actually trying to hurt myself I gave up because the guards totally prevented me from even coming close to damaging my shins.
a heart felt thank you for jeopardizing your own well being that a group larger than yourself will live on and flourish for generations to come.

truly altruistic.

I actually did this for a lot of years. No knee protection, but if the primary risk is the pedal-shin conflict, they do the job and are pretty much unnoticeable when pedaling.I, too, used to use soccer shin guards; and they were a good, cheap solution at the time (I borrowed them from my son :D). Then I got sponsored by 661, so I could get what I really wanted.

And for the people who always gush about Dainese: If you have more money than good sense, well, good for you I guess . . . .

I have been looking for some new pedals and saw thoughs beasts. Do you know how good they are.

And for the shin pad disscusion, I love my Fox Launch Shin Gaurds, I am not to sure if they would be good for XC, but you could try them on at a LBS.
sorry wannagetgood, i just noticed your question about the syncros pedals. i have in fact used mine and love them. they are very big and offer a lot of support for your feet. they are also very sharp. i would get another pair. they seem to be built to last very long. they also have more bearings and bushings than any other pedal i have read about....whether that is a plus or not i will leave to your discretion.