STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEAT!! I live in Dallas, TX where its been 95-100+ degrees everday this summer (high 80's since January), and I found these to be perfectly comfortable no matter what trail I've been on. All I can say is that the first ride out these things saved my ass; I would've lost the whole side of my right leg to some rocky terrain otherwise. My right arm on the other hand wasnt so lucky; I am now going to purchase the arm/elbow guards from Roach, as I have no skin left on the lower half, and bits of skin missing from underneath my bicep (riding with a hangover = bad falls). Buy yourself a pair; you'll be glad you did!!
Strengths: Amazingly comfortable, don't move around on my legs and provide full leg protection from right above my shoe to above my knees.
Weaknesses: A little hot but so comfortable that you don't need to take these off to hike up.
Bottom Line:
They are the best pads I've bought to date. The Dainese although confortable and easy to take on and off slipped and slided all over the place whether pedalling or not and also during crashes. The initial impact protection was there but after than the pads would just rotate out of the way of the next one.
661 offered better pad stability but some of the fasteners ripped of on my first ever run and they are so uncomfortable (even thought I only used them for shuttling).
Basically, Roach have got this type of pad nailed. The lining inside is super soft and ergonomically padded, the thing doesn't slip at all and you'll find yourself getting in the shower at the end of the day totally having forgotten you are wearing them.
Maybe a little more expensive that other pads but very much worth it.
These are probably more suited to freeriders rather than DH racers, but I'm gonna use mine for both.
Similar Products Used: Dainese Kneeguards, sixsixone 4x4
Bike Setup: big hit DH, Monster T, hayes hfx-9, fox vanilla, platforms, holzfeller two ring setup.
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Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Dorchester, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2003
Strengths: Comfortable and stable. No interference riding. Once I'm on the trail, I forget that I have them on. Full coverage without excess weight.
Weaknesses: The full wrap around strap (under the knee) had to be cut off. It kept coming undone and hanging dangerously close to my drivetrain. This did not have a noticeable affect on the pads' stability on my legs.
Bottom Line:
I bought these based on the reviews. Good choice! I will not be looking for another leg pad for quite awhile. These have saved my knees and shins from some seriously jagged landings. I look at the places I've landed and shiver at the thought of not having THESE pads on. No more scars! They do trap some heat BUT I'd rather endure some sweaty heat on my bike for a few hours than in a cast for 3+ months!
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2003
Strengths: Excellent fit, stays in place, good protection from the handlebar stem over the interior of the knee near the MCL, lightweight, reasonably breathable for armour, smart strapping placement, good articulation at knee joint, looks like part of a stormtrooper's outfit
Weaknesses: Straps can occasionally chafe a bit behind the knees (the price you pay to keep the pads in place while moving), looks like part of a stormtrooper's outfit, can sometimes bind on exposed derailleur cables and hydraulic lines, and expensive at my LBS
Bottom Line:
This review is for the Rally FreeRide Leg armour . . . and they are 'da bomb!!! They have a grey perforated plastic shell for ventilation and impact dissipation. Please don't mix this up with Roach's Indy armour.
*** it's probably a good time for the moderator to create a new product review for the new Rally line of pads - hint hint ***
These pads are stellar in the technical stuff. They're sized well and provide full coverage over and around the knee as well as down by the ankle from the pedal. I've gouged my shins with my Wellgo B-37 studded pedals more times than I'd care to admit and it absolutely sucks! These pads have saved my bacon far more often than I can mention with my recent explorations into wheelie drops and aggressive rocky trail riding / DH. They also stay put all the time. They're a lot cooler riding aggressive XC with lots of climbing than Roach's older solid cloth full-wrap around Indys. The Indys were good fitting pads as well but damn they're hot for urban assault and even worse for trail riding.
My only complaint about these Rally pads is probably a rare situation. I bought a new Santa Cruz Heckler and the front derailleur cabling + hydraulic brake line are routed on the side of the top tube. I don't know why Santa Cruz didn't route it on the top like everybody else's wire cables. The inside edge of plastic shell and foam lining interface creates a catch edge that grabs the cable when my leg swings inward during abrupt weight transfers on uneven terrain. It's incredibly frustrating during aggressive climbing because the front derailleur suddenly binds my chain just when I need the most torque! I would expect this to become more and more frequent as side attachment points for hydraulic lines become more popular so maybe check for compatibility with your ride style and bike before dropping coin on this set of pads.
Please bear in mind that my Heckler trail / freeride bike is much larger on me than my Kona Cinder Cone XC trail bike so my leg is hitting my top tube much more often than before. I never had this $hitty problem on my Kona ever.
I give the Roach Rally FreeRide leg pads 4 flamin' chilis overall because of my unique gripe (hopefully nobody else will have this issue) and 4 for value because they were double to triple the cost of other albeit lesser pads.
Bike Setup: Medium '03 Santa Cruz Heckler with XT hydraulic brakes and platform pedals
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Submitted by
Lyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2003
Strengths: This armour is the best! It takes spills amazingly. It doesn't feel as bulky as some other armour I've tried (all cheap NON CANADIAN) And looks sick.
Weaknesses: May be a bit hot in the summer but just fine in the fall winter and spring. Makes me do all this ridiculus stuff.
Bottom Line:
This Armour rocks. If you want some assurance for doing some crazy things this is the stuff to get. ROACH IS THE BOMB(proof)
Submitted by
Bird
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Pinas, Philippines
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2003
Strengths: -stays in place -very good protection
Weaknesses: -hot -inside lining being shredded by velcro
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up review after 1 year of use. I always use it for DH, and for XC, I put it in my bag and put in on even on short DH. Saved a me from a lot of skinning. I'm quite sloppy with the bike, but this and the roach elbow always saves the day for me.
It's worth every $$$ and more for what I paid for it. It's still the same as the day I purchased it. I just take care not to let the velcro touch the inner lining. It's a good thing my brother is going to start biking I have an excuse to buy a new set of roach elbow and knee armors. I highly recommend.
Bike Setup: 2002 Bullit, Super T, avid mechanicals 8-inch, Mavic 121 rims
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Submitted by
Joe Becker
a Downhiller
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003
Strengths: These are great! Awesome protection that stays put and takes the abuse well. I got the new Indy design, which has the mesh back, so it's cooler, too. The pads have numerous straps which really keep them in place-- I never have to waste time re-adjusting. The inside front panels have foam channels which cushion impacts well, and actually gives a nice bit of airflow inside. All this at a good price, too!
Weaknesses: If anything, I'd have to say they can rub you the wrong way after extend use. I got a couple of raw spots, but I was riding for 8+ hours, and I think any kind of pad would have caused at least as much irritation over such a long period of time.
Bottom Line:
I fell numerous time on my first day wearing these at Snow Summit doing the downhill runs and freeriding some of the uncharted, very rugged single track. These pads saved my knees from certain injury on several occasions. In particular, I fell knee-first into a splitering tree stump which would have caused massive penetrating trauma--I came away without a scratch thanks to these pads, and they didn't even tear! Best of all, these pads were a great deal at just about $50, and they should last a long, long time.
these do the job on the shins and knees for little crashes, but I wear them all the time and they do not protect my knees at all. Very annoing - I'm trying Hoots knee and shi n armour next.
Submitted by
stunt
a Weekend Warrior
from rochester
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003
Strengths: Great protection!!! Feels and looks like they could stop bullets!
Weaknesses: Hot, and they scratch the area just above my knees no matter how I adjust them
Bottom Line:
I use these pads primarily for downhilling. They have saved me quite a few times. The only thing that keeps me from wearing them all the time is the way the rub sores above my knees when pedaling. I use the Dainese Freestyle for freeriding, but the Roach pads offer more protection.
Submitted by
Wade Simmons
a Downhiller
from North Shore
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003
Strengths: good padding and ventalation, don't crack, actually fit
Weaknesses: hot, 2003's insides make marks on your legs.
Bottom Line:
These are best shin/knee combos ever had. I had 661's but the plastic inside cracks easily ya get these and im sponsored so hahahah and im planning to leave RMB
Strengths: Fit, don't move around, good protection. Comfortable.
Weaknesses: I guess they are hot.
Bottom Line:
The guy below cracks me up "They wore through my riding tights!", thats rich. To each their own I guess. I like mine, they don't move around like some other stuff I've bought. Yeah, they are hot, but still super comfortable. I wear mine for hours at a time and don't even think about them. I really can't add anything other reviews haven't covered, just buy them, you won't regret it.
Submitted by
pamela funk
a Weekend Warrior
from san jo, ca
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003
Strengths: full coverage, comfortable and durable
Weaknesses: can be hot Straps were too long, and I had to shorten them
Bottom Line:
I'm updating my previous review. I originally had size small and they didn't fit. Roach agreed to exchange them for me. It took over a month to get them back, but I'm stoked! The new ones it much better. My guess would be anyone who tells you the are uncomfortable to pedal in got the wrong size.
I've been wearing them almost all the time now, and really like the extra protection. I wore them for five hours a couple of weeks ago, and they didn't get uncomfortable until the end.
Bike Setup: 03 titus loco moto, fox float r, 02 marzocchi atom race, mavic rims, michellin wild grippers
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Submitted by
Zak Wilson
a Downhiller
from Boulder, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003
Strengths: Not to hot Comfortable good coverage Stay put
Weaknesses: A little hot, on hot days Take a long time to get on If you don't put them on right they are uncomfortable
Bottom Line:
I love these things, they stay right were I put them. I have heard the the 2002 versoin in unbaribly hot, but the 2003's have a mesh backing that provides alot of ventilation (not quite enought but close). I spend weeks puting on the thor shin guards that floped all over and had very poor coverage, until I finialy went out and bought these, I am very happy with my purchess, these give me alot of confedence toi try new jumps and stuff like that, buy some!
Similar Products Used: My shin bones,, some Thor Sh!t
Bike Setup: hardtail with azonic, hayes, maxxis and a DJ III
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Submitted by
Sebastian
a Weekend Warrior
from Maine
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2003
Strengths: -protective -comfortable -tons of straps -full wrap around leg -feels smooth on legs
Weaknesses: -they get hot...FAST -little sharp corner above the knee that chafs skin, it can be fixed nice and easy tho
Bottom Line:
- they rule, i wouldnt buy anything else. i would recommed them to anyone who rides in fall,spring,winter weather. the summer could be alittle uncomfortable in these pads but if you FR/DH these pads are worth it and the are cheap compared to other pads ive seen.
Does anyone know of a model of leg armour that provides full wrap protection? I am looking for something akin to the Roach Indy, but with a rear wrap that is more robust. Read More »
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It's time to size up some Knee/shin guards for myself and my girlfriend who also en Read More »
Too bad for me, I'm recovering from 2 broken legs and a crushed foot... Good news is that I am back on the bike. It is easier to ride than walk! I now have to wear leg armor even f Read More »
