Originally Posted by
Maelochs
Weight, comfort, style, and efficacy.
One could wear knee- and elbow-pads ... but how often does one crash hard on a knee or elbow? Skid pads on the hips and sides of the knees might help---but how effective would they be? Zero for padding--enough to make a difference would inhibit movement---so the real need is to prevent road rash, but would the heat of friction and the sliding fabric still cause abrasions?
Also, mobility is really important in the hips and knees, and no one wants to wear pads which slow one down.
Only way to prevent fractured collarbones would be NFL-style shoulder pads. The impact of a 20-30-mph fall isn't going to be mitigated by a little padding. But imagine trying to ride in NFL shoulder pads.
Plus ... people simply don't crash that much and keep riding. Either they learn or quit or are forced to quit.
Plus, people would feel stupid riding a bike in a suit of armor.
Actually, I occasionally don a pair of Storelli goalie shorts and shirt for sketchy downhill.
The shorts have the same Lycra as road cycling shorts, but with strategically placed Poron hip pads.
The shirt is like a 3/4 sleeve Lycra skinsuit with thin Poron elbow and shoulder pads.
Normally, I pack it to the top of a climb, then put it over the cycling stuff.
Added benefit, keeps me warm and looks totally super hero.
I haven't found the need to use it for clipless falls, though.