Submitted by
niko
a Downhiller
from stockholm Date Reviewed: June 11, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Ventilation. Small enough to fit inside pants. European company.
Weaknesses:
Move around in crashes. Don't go high up enough. Only one strap which is just over the ankle of all places. Mesh tears after crashing.
Similar Products Used:
Roach rally DH
Bottom Line:
You'd expect more from the MC protection pro's.. Only for XC biking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rudi Gale
a
from Logatec Date Reviewed: December 19, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Neoprene-less, good air circualtion,
Weaknesses:
Every time you crash you get your knee bruised becouse they don fit good.
Bottom Line:
They are slim so you can easily fit them under your pants, and are pretty comfortable but when it comes down to crash they offer you just really really basic protection for your shin, knees are getting bruised. This is just an averaage prodcut from Dainesse.
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Submitted by
Cohiba
a Weekend Warrior
from Hayward, CA, USA Date Reviewed: January 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Northstar
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
BeyondBikes
Strengths:
- I was impressed with the quality of the materials used and workmanship of the pads. - Pads fit comfortably, both straps hold pads in place well and lycra mesh material helps ensure a firm fit. You have to slip into these pads to put them on your legs. Its not just strap on. - Comes with ankle and achilles tendon protectors, which slip on like short socks. Great if you don't have MTB shoes that are high cut. - Good ventilation - Most professional riders and racers use these. They look cool!
Weaknesses:
- Lycra mesh material looks a little weak (i am scared it will tear in a crash, but time will tell and maybe prove me wrong) - Pricey! But they are manufactured in Europe. - Some extra padding on the inner and outer sides of the knees would be nice.
Similar Products Used:
JT pads (yes, they are old! *lol*), older Dainese knee and shin protectors.
Bike Setup:
1998 GT STS-1000DS, with Marzocchi Jr T, Magura Gustav disc brakes, XT/XTR mix components.
Bottom Line:
What else can I say? These pads rock! I've been wearing them with baggy cycling shorts, or underneath MX pants with no problems. Compared to older Dainese shin pads, there really has been an improvement in terms of fit and comfort. Now, the pads don't move around as much as they used to and you don't have the feeling that the pads are continuously slipping down and that you need to pull them up into position again. The fact that you now have to "slip into" these pads really makes the fit a lot better.
The extra ankle and heel protector is independant of the shinguards, and really is great if you don't have high cut shoes to protect your feet whilst DHing.
Sure, the price is a little steep when compared to other products out there. And I'm certain there are also other knee and shinguards out there that are more beefy and offer more protection. What convinced me however was my past experience with Dainese gear, and the fact that the majority of all professional bikers use these. Dainese has years of experience in the area of protective clothing for biking, motorcycling and snowboarding. Thats gotta count for something.
If you can afford these pads - buy them. They will certainly serve you well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alister
a Cross Country Rider
from launceston, tas, aus Date Reviewed: December 15, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The one i don't fall off on
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$114.00
Purchased At:
geards cycles
Strengths:
They'll tak on hell of a hit! By Crikey! they may look frail compared to others, but no way they are tuffff! Only suitable protection to actually pedal in. Not too hot.Great upper and lower straps.
Weaknesses:
slips down a little when you stand and pedal, only a little though.
Similar Products Used:
some azonic bull***** or troy lee or some thing. didn't have a top strap.craaaaapppeeeeeee
Bike Setup:
03 yukon but am saving for a bigfoot 2004
Bottom Line:
good stuff, what can i say? if you have a spare 100 dollars and scratched legs these are a worthwhile investment. now i need elbows to match, should stop grass-burn.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Biz
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Beyondbikes.com
Strengths:
Dainese reputation, lightweight, well vented
Weaknesses:
Cost, sizing a bit off
Similar Products Used:
661 knee/shin guard (ballistic nylon + foam)
Bike Setup:
'03 Ellsworth Truth, fully spec'd
Bottom Line:
Lightweight, well vented, stays fairly secure. I've tried on 661's ballistic nylon/velcro'd knee/shin guards, and while possibly offering more protection, is a major pain to put on, and would be hotter than hell.
I had some trepidation ordering these up without being able to try them on, and especially while reading some of the reviews here about how they can slide or move around. Let me tell you, if you buy the right size, these guys will stay put fairly well. I'm 5'7", about 145lbs with a medium build and fairly skinny legs, and I'm kind of between a size M and L (I went with the L). The M is really an S size wise. I haven't had any big crashes on these yet, but they stayed put for the small stuff, and besides, what kind of armor do you see the pro's and semi-pro's wear? Yep, Dainese, and not because they are sponsored by 'em. Nuff said.
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Submitted by
REM
a Downhiller
from North Van Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pink Starfish
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Lightweight, very cool and well ventilated. Offer limited protection.
Weaknesses:
Don't stay in place very well. OK for the first hit, but after that move around. Limited protection, shell are thin and soft, foam offers almost no protection. Have to take shoes off to put on. Thigh strap does not work well. Cheap construcion, poor stitching and material. Not durable. Shin straps pulled out. Thigh strap fell apart. Too uncomfortable to climb in.
Similar Products Used:
Old school Roach, Roach Indy's, Roach TV (hardshell)
Bottom Line:
Good for warm weather, but don't offer much protection and don't stay in place well. I only use them on low key rides when it's hot and I'm mostly worried about slipping a pedal and I know I'm not going to do anything big or sketchy and have any big bails. Not very durable or very well made, and are expensive for something that seems pretty cheaply made.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Downhiller
from Buffalo, NY, USA Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Plattekill
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$79.00
Purchased At:
Cambriabike.com
Strengths:
Light weight, Cool and breathable, look good
Weaknesses:
Upper velcro closure system is either to tight or loose, slides down on leg.
Similar Products Used:
SixSixOne
Bike Setup:
03 Intense M1
Bottom Line:
Pads work well if you are looking for light weight race gear, hopefully the redesigned 03 ones will work better
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
christian de filippo
a Weekend Warrior
from hollywood, fl Date Reviewed: January 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
oleta 4 now
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
cambria
Strengths:
great product...protect like a mo fo'...cool even during our hot days...i have only used them a dozen times and they have saved me, well...a dozen times...
Weaknesses:
the top strap is abit flimsy, and seem to slide down abit but when they are put on tight enough they hold pretty well...
Bike Setup:
cannondale v 900....incredible machine..
Bottom Line:
worth the cash, wouldn't dare ride without em'....cool looking and light weight, offer great protection.....need i say more?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nathan nottelin
a Downhiller
from Australia Date Reviewed: January 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
lots
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
Ray Applby
Strengths:
This is a review 4 the Dainese Freestyle Knee/Shin pads. I like the looks and they are very cool with lots of air vents, well made and good quality velcro is used.
Weaknesses:
The stickers that i put on the front are getin cut up. doesnt matter much though.
Similar Products Used:
fox shin guards
Bottom Line:
Awsome, they boost your confidenceand they make you look hell pro.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DrewDT
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: May 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Penasquitos Canyon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
beyondbikes.com
Strengths:
Lightweight, adjustable, strong.
Weaknesses:
A little pricey but cheaper than the Fox 911 equivalent.
Similar Products Used:
Rollerblade KneePads
Bike Setup:
Giant Hardtail, Duke XC Fork, Disc Brakes
Bottom Line:
These pads have absorbed everything I've thrown at them, falling downhill on rocks, dirt, pavement, etc. I just dust myself off and jump back on the bike without a scratch. They fit well and are very light and breathable. If you are in the market for knee/shin guards, I haven't seen anything better than these!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin w
a Downhiller
from East Aurora, NY Date Reviewed: May 19, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$79.00
Purchased At:
Cambria bike
Strengths:
light weight, stay in place, look pretty coolreally comfy
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
sixsixone,those 661 pads sucked!!! fell down, hotter than hell
Bike Setup:
Intense M1, shiver
Bottom Line:
If you care about staying cool and being safe at the same time buy these pads!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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