Fox's most technologically advanced leg protection for MTB. The Fox Launch Knee/Shin Guards features Fox patent pending 'X-Up' strapping system. This system locks in on both sides of knee, preventing any twisting or slipping.
Submitted by
powerpantz
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL Date Reviewed: June 8, 2009
Favorite Trail:
TNT
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
foxracing.com
Strengths:
Protects your knee and shin, flexible, x straps make it easy to put on and off with out tangling, adjust the fit once and your good, fairly light weight for full leg armor, durable so far and does not hinder pedaling performance or irritate the leg. They look great and you can easily forget they are on.
Weaknesses:
On the expensive side. Ankle could be a little more comfortable or have a shoe cover. No padding options, washable liners or ventilation options.
Similar Products Used:
carpenter knee pads
Bike Setup:
Motobecane Fantom Elite DS
Bottom Line:
Worth the price, saved my shins and knees from lots of damage. I thought I would only wear them when I knew I was gonna session, but I ride with them all the time now. Easy to use, no pedaling interference, no maintenance required, no problems so far. Haven't tested a lot of others though.
I am 6 foot 240lbs - they fit fine, my riding buddy is 6' 4" and 260lbs with giant legs and he can't use them. If you are taller, they might not cover everything down to the ankle, if you have really thick legs they might be too tight as well.
They definitely help you build confidence. Not sure how hot they will get in mid-late summer, but in 80 degree weather they were OK. 3 chilis on value because for Fox Racing's best and most expensive mtb line, they do leave a little to be desired and I don't think they will last forever. 4 chilis overall because they do their job well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
crazy-canuck
a Downhiller
from Orleans, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: May 12, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Bikes by Dave
Strengths:
Looks good, very light, not as hot as other pads, very stong plastic gaurds
Weaknesses:
It can move durring a crash (this gets better once worn in, but never perfect), top straps dig into the back of my knee a bit, have to be really tight to stay on right
Great price, and decent protection. I've gone down hard several times and have always gotten back up. That said, although they bsorb the intitail impact very well, last time I crashed in a rock garden they moved and I now have a small scar on my knee (no stitches required). If your riding DJ's and slopestyle, they would be great, but are lacking for DH.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bnorthro
a Downhiller
from So Cal Date Reviewed: March 13, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Surf City Cyclery
Strengths:
Quick & easy strap system, flexible knee joint so you can peddle a bit if you need to
Weaknesses:
Knee pad slides down frequently in crashes, buckle sometimes pops open after a crash
Bike Setup:
Intense 6.6
Bottom Line:
These pads are ok. The padding on the inside is really thin, so if you go down and bang a knee, chances are you're still going to get some skin tearing. The knee pad can also slide down during a crash and then you're left with skinned knees.
The strap system is pretty cool and quick to put on & off. I have pretty big legs, so maybe the knee would stay put better on someone smaller.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from SA, TX USA Date Reviewed: March 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Any Jumps
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Action Bikes
Strengths:
Comfort, protection.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
SixSix One
Bike Setup:
Dirt Bag, 66RC
Bottom Line:
Have had these for a couple of years. They fit great, never had one come loose? Anything strapped to your leg is gonna be hot. Best thing for older guys (or anybody) is that they do help keep knees in line, while saving your shins from deep pedal bite or other types of damage. They do fit nicely under riding pants for that one cold day. Will buy a new set before summer time.
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Submitted by
spainsoccerfreak
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio Texas Date Reviewed: February 17, 2009
Favorite Trail:
OP
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
fox racing
Strengths:
you can notice after you start riding that you have it on until you hear a noise if you hit something
Weaknesses:
nothing really the price maybe but I love them
Bike Setup:
GT Avalanche 3.0
Bottom Line:
Great product amazing protection,looks great doesnt slow you down
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
benronpro
a Downhiller
from Australia Date Reviewed: February 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
S/W WA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Strengths:
Well fitted(as long as you purchase the correct size).
Quality workmanship.
Easy on and off.
Adjustable.
Comfortable when broken in.
Weaknesses:
Low strength securing system.
Similar Products Used:
661 Race Guards.
Other Fox pads.
Bike Setup:
Giant Glory 0,Race Face cranks,Mavic 729 rims,Juicy 5's,Sram x9.
Bottom Line:
These are top quality pads,ok to pedal in once broken in and they give good coverage of the knee/shin.Lightweight and easy to take on/off with shoes on.
The main problem is the weak securing clip,it is extremly flimsy and very badly designed.I've had many wrecks where one of the clips has snapped out but my knee has remained luckily protected.This problem unfortunately lets the pads down,otherwise they would be 100%..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
luis79
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburg, CA, USA Date Reviewed: December 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Cinderela, JM
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Offers very good knee & shin protection
Pedal friendly. Easy to strap on and off. Stays put.
Weaknesses:
Like any new product, just have to get use to it.
Similar Products Used:
Troy Lee, 661,
Bike Setup:
Haro Extreme X1
Kona Stinky Deluxe
Bottom Line:
Like any new armor. You have to break-it-in.
On hot days is uncomfortable, on cold days it keeps you warm.
Bottom line it saves your legs when something goes wrong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Strauss
a Downhiller
from Denver, CO, USA Date Reviewed: October 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dominion, Diablo Park
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Beyondbikes
Strengths:
Covers alot and easy to strap on (won't ever have to get new velcro)
Weaknesses:
The material that touches your skin is pretty itchy. They might have fixed this on more current models.
Similar Products Used:
Dianese, Fox shorties, Roach armour, 661 race knee/shin
Bike Setup:
Demo 8 with a fox 40, DHX 5.0 and code brakes
Bottom Line:
Good coverage of the leg, but the material is not to comfy. Strapping system is good and stayed in place. The top part of the pad stuck out and my shorts got caught on them which was annoying. stayed in place for the most part.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J-Bone
a Weekend Warrior
from MI Date Reviewed: September 30, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
comfort. I got the shorty style so some of my leg does get some airflow.
Weaknesses:
x up straps don't stay on. always popping off when something hits the knee pad making them useless. My knee and shin are pretty shredded due to strap failure causing the entire knee-shin pad to slide to the side of my leg. Its okay, only took an hour to pick the gravel out of the wound. I bought them off pricepoint.com and the would only take them back if they were in original unused condition. Fox Racing has yet to respond-2 weeks now.
Bottom Line:
better off finding something with some sort of binding-velcro or other strap. x-up sucks. they are expensive
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bryan123
a Cross Country Rider
from Sonoma Date Reviewed: July 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Rockville
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Sport Chalet
Strengths:
Stay in place, even when sweaty. Good Coverage
Weaknesses:
Bottom of shin guard could paddile could use a little ergonomic design to prevent the rubs on the front of the ankle
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight
Bottom Line:
I have enough scars to give me "character", any more and I'd be pushing "disfigured", and these pads have done their job numerous times now, Primarily a cross country man, but will carry these so I can throw them on when I want to hit the rock gardens. Easy to put on. Stow nicely on the hydra pack.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
taylor hoffman
a Downhiller
from boise id usa Date Reviewed: May 20, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Strengths:
very light, do not move up or down on leg, cover all of leg
Weaknesses:
a little hot
Bike Setup:
kona coiler
Bottom Line:
these are the best pads i have ever used they stay on my leg and do not slide down or twist. they move with my leg. great for down hill and great for trails
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
A DOWNHHILLER
a Weekend Warrior
from adelaide, sa, australia Date Reviewed: September 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
FOX CREEK
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
JT's
Strengths:
it is very strong, no doubts as to if it will protect u. does not slip and slide around your leg. barely restricts pedaling efficiency. pretty good air flow too.
Weaknesses:
back of the knee hurts on long rides because of the tight 'X - up' straps. not very gd for dirt jumping, restricts leg movement for tricks, not pedaling tho.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
2007 bighit 1 stock. soon with new mavic rim!
Bottom Line:
it is a quality and very durable piece of equipment. i have definitely put it through some fairly bad crashes and it holds up fine.
if u are going to use this armour for dh mainly or dh only then definitely grab it is really strong and pretty comfy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ewan O'Brien
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane QLD Australia Date Reviewed: August 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Daisy Hill
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Great coverage & generally stay put no matter how far you slide.
Weaknesses:
Not particularly comfortable. The cross strap setup while good for security can chew the back of your knee on extended rides. Had a big off and strap mounting fractured. Pad fell off, result, one mangled leg.
Similar Products Used:
Fox standard Knee/Shin. 661 Race Lite.
Bike Setup:
05 Black Diamond, X7 driveline, Sherman Sliders
Bottom Line:
Overall a good quality pad. I was happy with mine till they broke and cost me a knee. The mounting points for the straps need to be more substantial. I probably won't buy another set, not because they broke but due to the lack of even medium ride comfort. Would suit downhillers and freeriders, people who only want to wear them downhill for four minutes at a time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a Downhiller
from Los Gatos, CA,USA Date Reviewed: July 15, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
great coverage, easy on/off, secure strap system
Weaknesses:
pricey. NOT COMFORTABLE!
Similar Products Used:
lots of others
Bike Setup:
'02 Turner rfx & '05 heckler- the heckler's fr. der. cable guide is a problem- it constanly catches & unhooks the strap/ buckle on these pads! considering grinding it off & using full housing w/ zip ties- not really the pad's problem though.
Bottom Line:
used these for 3 days at northstar. Great coverage with a nice, secure strap system. however, I was disappointed in how uncomfortable they are, especially for the price. wearing crew socks helped from getting a rash on the bottom of my shin, and I had to put duct tape on the top of my knees to help with that hot spot. any dirt that gets inside will grind ya a raw spot. I hate to think of doing any amount of pedaling in these, so they are best used where you don't have to. the elbow pads, on the other hand, freak'n rock! very comfortable, and they DO NOT MOVE at all- providing you get the right size. I got S/M elbows and the L/XL shins. I only wish they were as comfy as the elbows, which is the only reason I will rate at a 3.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento Date Reviewed: June 15, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Downieville
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Plus
Strengths:
protects the leg well, good coverage on the knee/shin, easy to install and remove. Pretty light. Cool aesthetics
Weaknesses:
Pretty stiff on the inside... rubs a lot of your skin causing blisters especially on long climbs. Protect your skin with anti-chafing cream to reduce blisters. Sizes are pretty vague in ranges. The velcro should have been longer. Needs break in time.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
SANTA CRUZ BLUR Classic Red XT/ XTRs. FOX Talas RLC/ Fox R,
Bottom Line:
If you are an aggressive rider or will go to trails with aggressive terrain please get one of these products. $70 is worth compared to busting your knee or elbow etc. When doing superfast downhill this is a must.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eugene Black
a Downhiller
from Wellington, New Zealand Date Reviewed: June 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
National DH, Rotorua NZ
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Private Seller
Strengths:
Long Leg protection, doesnt slide down or around your leg, articulates with ur knee somewhat
Weaknesses:
The fabric on the back is quite harsh i found if dirt gets behind it rubs a bit, shorts get caught under the top of the pads- not a huge issue. Pretty expensive
Really solid pads that cover a lot of your leg and stay on when you crash, but as with anything go to a shop and try them on first to get size right etc, even if you are going to buy online!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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