Armor for "XC" riding?
08-20-10, 12:45 PM
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Armor for "XC" riding?
Hey guys,
This season I've been trail riding for 1-2 hours a day, Mon-Fri. I also commute to and from work on my road bike. Result? I'm much faster and technically more skilled than I have ever been.
I'm starting to really whip through the trails these days. I am attempting the more difficult obstacles (boulders, larger rock gardens). I am really enjoying the speed and difficultly. I haven't tried DH riding yet, but I get this feeling I'd love it. I am thinking of giving it a go this season.
I've been talking to friends and family about how energized it makes me, and they're all freaking out thinking I'm going to kill myself. I've had a few close calls riding the way I ride, but never an accident.
I'm curious to know if there are any riders out there that ride "XC trails" wearing armor?
EDIT: Also left out the question: what should I look for in armor / FF helmets? Any recommendations?
This season I've been trail riding for 1-2 hours a day, Mon-Fri. I also commute to and from work on my road bike. Result? I'm much faster and technically more skilled than I have ever been.
I'm starting to really whip through the trails these days. I am attempting the more difficult obstacles (boulders, larger rock gardens). I am really enjoying the speed and difficultly. I haven't tried DH riding yet, but I get this feeling I'd love it. I am thinking of giving it a go this season.
I've been talking to friends and family about how energized it makes me, and they're all freaking out thinking I'm going to kill myself. I've had a few close calls riding the way I ride, but never an accident.
I'm curious to know if there are any riders out there that ride "XC trails" wearing armor?
EDIT: Also left out the question: what should I look for in armor / FF helmets? Any recommendations?
Last edited by Zan; 08-20-10 at 12:51 PM.
08-20-10, 12:52 PM
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Yeah, there are...but, let me warn you - I feel that the guy with the armor on is the first guy to head out on a stretcher. The reason for that is that the person with armor on is the one who is either not comfortable with the stunts or is pushing their skill level and thus risking injury. Wearing the armor can up your "risk taking" beyond what it should be as defined by your skill, so.. that is the warning!
08-20-10, 01:12 PM
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If you are regularly doing descending trails at consistently high speeds, a full-face and a pair of shin guards might give you some extra piece of mind but anything beyond that is overkill.
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08-20-10, 01:45 PM
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That's kind of the point.
I see what you're getting at but I think you worded it rather harshly. Sometimes I wear knee-shin and FF in the Don Trails. Sometimes I don't. I'm more likely to crash wearing the gear because I'm more likely to be attempting stunts. That's the whole idea of crash gear.
But I haven't left on a stretcher yet. All things in moderation.
I see what you're getting at but I think you worded it rather harshly. Sometimes I wear knee-shin and FF in the Don Trails. Sometimes I don't. I'm more likely to crash wearing the gear because I'm more likely to be attempting stunts. That's the whole idea of crash gear.
But I haven't left on a stretcher yet. All things in moderation.
08-20-10, 04:29 PM
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08-21-10, 11:54 AM
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That's kind of the point.
I see what you're getting at but I think you worded it rather harshly. Sometimes I wear knee-shin and FF in the Don Trails. Sometimes I don't. I'm more likely to crash wearing the gear because I'm more likely to be attempting stunts. That's the whole idea of crash gear.
But I haven't left on a stretcher yet. All things in moderation.
I see what you're getting at but I think you worded it rather harshly. Sometimes I wear knee-shin and FF in the Don Trails. Sometimes I don't. I'm more likely to crash wearing the gear because I'm more likely to be attempting stunts. That's the whole idea of crash gear.
But I haven't left on a stretcher yet. All things in moderation.
