Submitted by
smdubovsky
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
It fits well and really works.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't show pictures of the colors on her site (but will email you one if you ask.)
Bottom Line:
I have the stem pads on both my and wifes bike. Angie made an extra long custom strap length for the top tube crash pad on the wifes bike. (Its a small frame w/ huge 7005 tubes. The top and down tube merge together well before the head tube, so a pad has to wrap around both at the front.) Angie was great to deal with.
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Submitted by
Jerome
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn Date Reviewed: October 28, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
Corerat.com
Strengths:
Built to last, Heavy duty cover with dense 1/4" thick evs? padding under it which is water and rip proof. Works even with a bent top tube and 3 cables running underneath it.
Weaknesses:
none, shipping from Canada ?
Similar Products Used:
I also use the stem pad, wish I had bought three to cover the tops of my double crown Jr.T
Bike Setup:
2001 Santa Cruz Bullit
Bottom Line:
If you want to reduce the risk of permanent injury and ride hard you won't regret buying this.
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Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Mississauga Date Reviewed: July 15, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
Core Rat online
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
NONE
Bike Setup:
Brodie 9-ball, Kona Stab, .243 HT DH
Bottom Line:
Buy this product. I ordered it online through the web site . Cheapest protection you can buy, and the best. Ordered it on tuesday, had it friday morning. This padding is awsome.. I have put it on my bike, and one will go one the GF's soon.
ANGIE ROCKS and that's the bottom line.
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Submitted by
Justin
a Downhiller
from Kelowna Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
powers creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At:
core rat
Strengths:
Fits my fat frame, looks cool with the camo. I bought two one for top tube and one for the down tube to protect it from dents. Fit's around all my suspension and cables.
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
NONE
Bike Setup:
2004 Devinci Ollie
Bottom Line:
Buy this product. I ordered it online through the web site, all charges were good on the visa. Cheapest protection you can buy, and the best. Ordered it on saturday on the site and had it in my mail box by that friday, and she was apologing about being slow.
ANGIE ROCKS and that's the bottom line.
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Submitted by
Dusty Parr
a
from Toronto, Ontario Date Reviewed: July 13, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
-doesn't bind brake/shifting cable. -fits really fat frame tubing as well as really skinny (sits on my cove handjob no problem). -looks pimp (camo). -great customer service -fast shipping -cheap, it'll pay for itself REALLY quickly.
Submitted by
Stephen Sturges
a Racer
from Chalmette, LA USA Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Core Rat
Strengths:
Durable, Stylish, Functional. I use them on the slalom bike which is used just for BMX (cruiser class). It's ABA legal. Thanks
Bottom Line:
If you need some sort of pad protection for you ATB, look no further.
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Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from Louisville Date Reviewed: February 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
www.corerat.com
Strengths:
Very well made. Looks good.
Weaknesses:
None for what it is.
Bike Setup:
Banshee Scream w/ 2003 Jr.T
Bottom Line:
This pad serves it's purpose very well. I have been bruising the inside of my legs when i goof up a drop or jump an i just got fed up. After looking around on the net i could not find anything that would fit the Easton tube set on my bike. I finally found out about Core Rat and ordered right away. I am very pleased w/ the fit and quality of the pad. It fits my massive top tube with room to spare. It has yet to move at all even during a crash. Now, if you go do a no-footer of a drop 12' and miss the pedals it is still going to hurt but for anything else where your boys are in harms way it should do fine.
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Submitted by
Jeff Olson
a Downhiller
from Tacoma, Wa USA Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003
Favorite Trail:
can't say
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
corerat.com
Strengths:
this pad has saved my Jacobs more times than I can count!!!! the velcro is secure,and doesn't shift around while pedaling or riding low on the bike, and doesn't bind shift cables.
Weaknesses:
uh, none, it is a simple set-up that that can't go wrong.
Bike Setup:
Kona stab with jr t's
Bottom Line:
if you care to save your boys then this is what you need for any and all freeride applications!!!!!!!!
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Submitted by
Can't w8
a Weekend Warrior
from Snow Lake, MB, Canada Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Suntop AND River Runs Through It
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Cove Bike Shop
Strengths:
-Fits various top tubes -Can wrap a pump and a spare tube in it -Durable construction (much like stem pad) -Had Deep Cove Bike Shop skull and crossbones logo sewn on it! -Protects you and the bike
Weaknesses:
-I wish the padding was a bit thicker but would probably make pedalling too obstructing after putting in a pump and all -a little bit of foam has worn off at the cable stop on top tube - no big deal though -Would have liked an orange or red one but when I bought it 3+ years ago, Corerat was only making them in black, black, and I think a dark blue(?)
Similar Products Used:
No need to - this is THE definitive top tube pad!
Bike Setup:
'01 Aeon/Ells Joker and '96 Kona Cindee Cones
Bottom Line:
Durable product that I'm glad I purchased. Was considering the Roach one but the thought of being able to put my pump in it and the tighter fit really did it for me. I guess the Cove logo helped too!!
It's been on both bikes and throughout the 'Shore, UBC, Delta Watershed, Moab, Washington and northern Canada. Still performing like the day I bought it. In fact, keeps my bike warm at -45 deg C here in northern Manitoba!! Hahahahahahaha!!!!
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Submitted by
Pistol Pete
a Weekend Warrior
from London Date Reviewed: July 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Kill Me Thrill Me
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$27.00
Purchased At:
Web site
Strengths:
Versatile (will fit most any bike and you can pop a bar or pump in it). Bombproof (so it should be).
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Roach - but they won't fit my Stiffee.
Bike Setup:
Cove Stiffee, Z1 Freeride, flatties, risers, rock ring etc.
Bottom Line:
These pads do the job for a decent price. Nothing else even fits fat tubed bikes so they are the best available. Stop beating your knees up on your cable stops every time you go over.
The price was CAD including postage.
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Submitted by
Angus Lemon
a
from Anaheim, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 21, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
www.corerat.com
Strengths:
Tough, durable, wide velcro straps keep it in place. I started using top tube pads for BMX and now use on my MTB. This one have saved me and the bike more than once! Have used this pad on multiple bikes, fits well.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Several less durable products.
Bike Setup:
SantaCruz bullit.
Bottom Line:
Best product of this type I have tried. It has outlasts my bikes!
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Submitted by
Gwen Andersen
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockville MD Date Reviewed: December 5, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
web site
Strengths:
Fits all bikes. Attractive. Well made.
Weaknesses:
None noticed yet.
Similar Products Used:
Tried to fit another top tube pad on at the bike shop but it didn't fit.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Expedition.
Bottom Line:
FANTASTIC customer service. I got responses to my questions almost immediately. Angie figured out what my correct email address was even though I typed it in incorrectly.
I also got the stem guard and the chainstay guard. They are also well-designed, attractive, and fit.
Everyone should have a top tube pad - male and female alike (but esp. male!).
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Submitted by
Tom C
a
from VT Date Reviewed: October 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$13.00
Purchased At:
www.corerat.com
Strengths:
Burly, easy to put on/take off, yet stays on after many a wreck. Has saved my top tube and my sack on too many occasions to mention.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Home-made jobbies.
Bike Setup:
Planet X, Stratos. 'nuff said.
Bottom Line:
Another excellent piece of gear from Angie Ho. Rider-designed, and it shows in the quality and durability of all of her products. This top tube pad (crash pad) is a junk saver that protects your top tube from all but the most heinous dents from wrecks. The price is right, the looks are stylie yet low-key, and Angie understands what riders need from their gear. Great for jumpin', freeridin', and dh'in', I never take mine off.
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Submitted by
Andrew
a
from Ontario Date Reviewed: October 2, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
Direct
Strengths:
Four wide velcro straps let you adjust the pad to fit properly. It is the only top tube pad that fits the Easton RAD tubeset.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Roach, Kona
Bike Setup:
Brodie Bigshot
Bottom Line:
Finally I can have some confidence about not cutting my knees open on the cable stops on my top tube. The Core Rat seems to have the bast crash pad out there. If you get one, fitting it on your bike properly, and securely will never be a problem. I now use the Roach and Kona pads to protect the paint on my bikes, when I pile more than one in at a time.
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Submitted by
Brad
a Weekend Warrior
from Port Hardy, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: September 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Boogieman
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
McBike - Prince George
Strengths:
With all those velcro straps you can lash anything from bear spray to pumps. In the event of a crash its nice to the boyz as well.
Weaknesses:
Absolutely none
Similar Products Used:
Roach
Bike Setup:
Stinky-D, blah blah blah.
Bottom Line:
This thing has lasted me over 4 different frames over the last 5 years. Has had everything lashed to it at one point: busted parts, machettes, trail maps, etc. Being a bony rider, its no problem shouldering the bike for any hike-a-bikes. It's lasted so long I really can't remember how much I paid for it, but whatever it was it's worth it.
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Submitted by
Colin
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver BC CANADA Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Doctor
Strengths:
Best top tube protection... nice selection of colours Way better than Roach. Corerats more adjustable, has more padding.
Weaknesses:
The only thing i have found is if i put it on my top tube too tight then the cables will stick... but that is just a minor thing... wont happen for everyone.
Similar Products Used:
Roach <--- BAD (no adjustment) My knees. they dont like being bashed around too much
Buy Corerat. Dont bother with Roach. (enless they become smart and change the design to accompany todays changing models of bikes.)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard Peck
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, CA U.S.A. Date Reviewed: May 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Annadel State Park, Santa Rosa
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
www.corerat.com
Strengths:
Exactly as advertised. Well made/quality materials.
Protects the top tube and cables in a crash; helps protect the rider, too, if that's the direction you fall--although nothing's gonna keep it from hurting if you hit the top tube hard!
You could even wrap a pump inside, or carry a couple of bandanas (or whatever), if you don't have monster diameter top tube. The four Velcro straps are plenty long and allow lots of adjustment.
Angie, at Core Rat, is great to deal with. Very quick shipment and responsive to email. Site is www.corerat.com or email angie@corerat.com.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Various types of homemade protection.
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Hammer Race (Hardtail).
Bottom Line:
Best of this type of bike armour I've seen.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Owen
a
from Edmonton AB. Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Tricycle Works
Strengths:
Light, cool colors, way easier to put on (gets on tighter)than any other
Weaknesses:
dosent come in neon pink (oh wait thats a strength)
Similar Products Used:
Roach Guard
Bike Setup:
Cove Stiffie FR,
Bottom Line:
Nicest top tube guard on the market. Period. Easier to adjust than any of the Roach stuff I've seen. Comes in lots of cool colors (to match your chainstay guard from Core Rat!). Looks cool, works good, and at that price you cant beat it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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