Flame me for being a geek, but what's with all the top tube pads? When I was a kid, we used to take these OFF of our bikes. . .

You will get about 6 billion "it's a hipster trend" replies in approximately 30 seconds.
A lot of people put them on to protect the top tube for locking purposes. I find that a bandanna, some electrical tape or just about anything else serves the purpose, but some people like to color match their bikes and dont mind spending some cash.

From what I can tell, it is a fashion thing back by some really awkward rationalizations.

bike protective jewelry...why else?

I hope no one who replies that they are just fashion accessories matches their clothes EVER. It would be downright hypocritical.

I used to have a top tube pad because one of my brake cable holders was broken and sharp but now its been fixed and the pad hit the road. I didn't want to cut myself on the balls.

I think most people have them because they like the style. If you are the type of person who is going to match your frame, bar tape, wheels, etc adding a matching top tube pad probably seems like a good idea. Lets not forget that outside of the critical eye of this forum that some people might actually think your top tube pad is cool.

Maybe they protect your balls when your doing over exaggerated 30 foot skids up to the local coffee shop? Maybe the protect your new cool dude paint job? Maybe they match your messenger bag? Who knows.

Huh? Calling it a fashion thing isn't an insult.

It seems to be all too commonplace here, as if matching a bike is something to be looked down upon. I dont ride with a TT pad, my bike isnt nice enough to warrant anything but the electrical tape on it now. I was hoping to quell the over abundance of useless animosity that usually erupts when people mention top tube pads.

i run one when it is balls cold, but other than that, not so much.

i got mine as a present. it was hand made.

I made one a while ago, but ended up giving it away as a gift. I think some of the handmade ones I've seen are way rad, the ones i've made have generally sucked, but ah well.

i actually really need one. i brace my knee to the tt when im doing seated skids and it eventually starts to hurt and bruise. so there are practical uses

they're like knee pads for your bike. and you know how cool knee pads can be.

mine is just an 18" piece of pipe insulation stuck on with double stick tape and with a strip of super stylin' lime green 3M masking tape at each end.

I like them for: leaning your ass up against while waiting for stuffs or drinking or eating things.

when I paint the thing I'll use it to protect the finish,...maybe I can get the girlfriend to knit or crochet me a kustom cover