Mountain Biking - Knee guard?

After taking a spill last weekend, I'm in the market for some knee guards. I'm looking for something lightweight and not too bulky ... in other words, no need for body armor, I guess. I'm also kinda short on cash, so please post your suggestions! :)

How about this?

http://pricepoint.com/product1377.html

Fox Racing makes some knee only guards that are lighter weight and breathable. Relatively affordable as well. Personally, I use knee/shin guards, because I'm always smashing my knee on the stem, or my shin gets killed by the pedals. I use a SIXSIXONE 2x4 (or is it the 4x4?). Whichever is the knee/shin, the other is the elbow/forearm. They do make a "race" version which is smaller and not as bulky.

L8R

What about knee warmers ... do they provide any protection?

I knew I forgot something that day ... shoulda taken some pics. ;)

a2 do you have heat problems wearing those 4x4 deals? I looked on Pricepoint and they look kinda hot ... esp. when it's hot outside, you know what I mean ... ;)

Yes, they are VERY hot, but not nearly as hot nor painful than gauze wrap and an Ace Bandage!

You do get used to it, NOT REALLY! I used to race BMX, and it's not nearly as bad as wearing full length MX pants.

L8R

I have been pounding on my knees for 20 years riding bmx freestyle and skateboarding.

I have used alot of different knee pads.

From what I gathered from your post you are looking for a breathable, small knee pad for minor use/abuse. (your not doing crazy downhill or stunts)

I would suggest going to the sporting good store and look at various other sports pads. volleyball etc.

One pad that we used to use for light use was simply neoprene(sp?). the same stuff that wet suits are made out of and some shin pads. (and knee pads if you can find them)
they are light and small but most don't breath well, depending on how they are contructed.

I currently use a pad made by K2. it pulls on like a sock, offers a good amount of protection, is small enough to wear under my not so baggy jeans and offers good protection. but they don't breath too well.......

you can also go the route of putting the pads on your bike. if you hit your stem, get a stem pad etc..

i've got Dianese knee-shin protectors which are pretty good. they cost about $45 - and are lightweight and ventilated pretty well (you still sweat more than a bare leg, but, duh!). they sell a mesh model and a velcro model - i got the velcro for easy-on-off.


you can also go the route of putting the pads on your bike. if you hit your stem, get a stem pad etc..
hey, is there a cheap place to buy pads for the frame? or is it easy to make your own? i've been meaning to buy some foam padding and just wrape the top tube and headset and then tape it in place but i keep forgetting --- last weekend i hit my knee TWICE on the bar doing technical stuff -- once it was on the inside of where my pads are which was annoying!

hey, is there a cheap place to buy pads for the frame? or is it easy to make your own?

I would make my own.
you have a few choices. you can go to the hardware store (home depo or whatever) and purchase the foam that is used to cover pipes under your house.
it's cheap, fat and instals easily w/ zip ties. you can sew a piece of fabric to cover it and use velcro if you want to change the color.

or you can go to a GOOD fabric store such as an outdoor fabric store and purchase neoprene. the stuff they make wet suits out of (and some shin pads). this stuff is thin, not bulky.
you can zip tie it in place as well. you can put it anywhere you like on your bike.

a cool thing to use instead of zip ties is velcro. use long pieces of it and you can remove your pads at will to wash them or whatever. with zip-ties you have to cut them and replace them.

make your own pads. it's cool and you will be the only one on the trail with custom pads

I also use the 661 4X4 leg pads, mine were a little long so I got them trimmed up a bit. I have some 661 race leg armor for sale, brand new....along with some new race arm pads. Let me know if you want to buy.

Nathank u got a link to a retailer for the one you're referring to?