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Roach Arm Guards

Average Rating 4.67/5
# of Reviews 27
MSRP $
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Description:Roach Arm Guards
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    Submitted by Will a Downhiller from Central Illinois
    Date Reviewed: October 7, 2003
    Favoriate Trail:Everywhere
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $30.00
    Purchased At:DropnZone.Com
    Strengths:Burly padding, burly construction, Good Look.
    Weaknesses:A little bit tight, but that stretches out with wear(also helps if you order the right size)
    Bike Setup:02 Big Hit Comp 04 JrT
    Bottom Line:These pads are just as good as any others out on the market. They aren't super expensive and work very well. If you're looking for a well built, bomber, good looking pair of arm pads than these are the ones you need.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Lonne a Weekend Warrior from Boise, Id 83642
    Date Reviewed: August 7, 2003
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $35.00
    Purchased At:online somewhere
    Strengths:great fit & protection, don't slide on arms
    Weaknesses:are a little hot during summer
    Similar Products Used:first set of armguards
    Bike Setup:'03 enduro
    Bottom Line:I've been very happy with them. They have served their purpose very well. Cause I'm not perfect, I crash just like the next person. They have saved my arms from getting all banged and cut up. I don't wear them if I have a long uphill climb because they do get warm when it's 95 degrees out. They have never slid up or down my arms even when I have crashed. As long as you get the size that fits you, you won't have any problems with this. For being my first set, I'm very pleased with the fit and the protection they offer. Next set I get will probably have more ventilation. I would recomend these to anyone who doesn't mind them being a little warm.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Nick a Weekend Warrior from Standish, Maine U.S.
    Date Reviewed: February 4, 2003
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $29.00
    Purchased At:Beyound Bikes
    Strengths:Strong,good design,move well when riding,fit tight with the body
    Weaknesses:hot
    Similar Products Used:sixsixone
    Bike Setup:03'Big Hit Comp
    Bottom Line:This is a awsome product.It protects against most everything you hit.You still can feel it but no blood everywhere.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Bird a from Las Pinas, Philippines
    Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $44.00
    Purchased At:LBS
    Strengths:-Good protection
    -Doesn't move.
    Weaknesses:-inner lining easily ruined by velcro
    Bottom Line:Adds confidence in my riding. I've had some minor wrecks with them and my arms come out scratchless everytime. Hope their able to improve the durability of the lining which get's eaten by the attached velcroes.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Robert Starling a Weekend Warrior from Orlando, Florida
    Date Reviewed: December 8, 2002
    Favoriate Trail:Anyplace but work!
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $40.00
    Purchased At:Roach direct
    Strengths:Well built and excellent craftsmanship. These suckahs are the bomb!
    Weaknesses:A bit hot for Florida
    Similar Products Used:None - Quit destroying your body just buy them.
    Bike Setup:'03 Trek 8500 stock
    Bottom Line:I should have bought this things when I bought my first bike. Ingrid at Roach was very helpful. Shipped same day. BC to Orlando in five days. I bought the legs and arms as a set for $99 USD. Great value for a top quality product.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Doug B a from Washington
    Date Reviewed: December 2, 2002
    Favoriate Trail:Whistler: A-Line
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $30.00
    Purchased At:http://www.airbomb.com/
    Strengths:Do what ther made for.
    Weaknesses:I Can still feel the Pain of the log ramming into my shin.
    Similar Products Used:none
    Bike Setup:Kona 2001 Stuff 17 inch frame size.
    Bottom Line:These are great pads, great for pretty much any type of riding except downhill, I would recommend something stronger for Downhill. These pads are exceptionally great for all types of Dirt Jumping.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Rich a Downhiller from Pasadena, MD
    Date Reviewed: July 21, 2002
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Purchased At:Roach direct
    Strengths:Stay in place, micro-fiber front panel keeps your arms cool.
    Similar Products Used:AXO
    Bike Setup:AC1
    Bottom Line:I used this armor for the first time last week. They stayed in place very well. I thought that they would be hot, but the micro-fiber panel on the front of the arm keeps you cool. The quality is top notch and the customer service was good. I spoke to Alison at Roach directly because I needed the gear quickly. She had it to me with time to spare. Overall the experience was good. I ordered the gear on a Monday afternoon, and had it in my hand the following Monday morning.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Peter C a Weekend Warrior from Colorado
    Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $50.00
    Purchased At:www.RoachClothing.com
    Strengths:Durability, fit & comfort, protection, flexibility and quality
    Weaknesses:None
    Similar Products Used:Rector pads
    Bike Setup:RMB Slayer
    Bottom Line:Good idea if you want to push it a little bit but don't want to get thrashed too badly when you take a digger.

    These can change a flesh-rending disaster into a minor tumble.

    Last week they saved me a trip to the ER (avoiding a repeat of the incident last year that got me to buy them).
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Kevin a Weekend Warrior from Kansas
    Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $50.00
    Purchased At:Called in to Roach
    Strengths:They really protect
    Weaknesses:They can be warm - but anything covering your arms would be warm.
    Similar Products Used:none
    Bike Setup:Cannondale Super V
    Bottom Line:Just be careful that the velcro doesn't brush up against the inside lining. Otherwise, the pads are very durable. I've had one very bad fall on concrete where the outer material did not even show the slightest damage whatsovever (this was after a jump and crash off of a loading dock). If I hadn't had these Roach pads on at that time I would have surely been missing a great deal of skin along with a trip to the emergency room. I am not kidding - there would have been exposed bone had I not been wearing these pads. The pads held up perfectly and provided highly effective protection.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Matt a Cross Country Rider from Connecticut
    Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001
    Duration Product Used:2 Years
    Price Paid: $50.00
    Strengths:excellent fit-stay in place during crashes, great protection
    Weaknesses:warm
    Similar Products Used:Protec pads, a couple others
    Bottom Line:These pads are great. I've crashed many times in the two years I've had them :-( They always stay in place and I never take any damage on my arms. The coverage over the whole length of the forearm is key-I've blown a couple hi-speed downhill corners and slid on my arm quite a ways in loose rock. If they hadn't covered me from glove to above the elbow I'd have gotten some major hamburger on my arm. These pads have changed my riding style so much I can't ride without them - I habitually give foream checks to trees now if I come too close - great way to get back on course. Never felt a thing wearing these.
    Only complaint is that they are warm. Nice in November but not good in August in 95+ degrees and humid. But I still wear them every time, even when it's hit 100 degrees. They also survive the laundry very well, so throw them right in when the the stink gets bad.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Toast a from Boston
    Date Reviewed: October 2, 2001
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Purchased At:Direct
    Strengths:Good quality
    Weaknesses:Really bad service
    Bottom Line:The bottom line is this never order direct from this company or even though your local bike store. They are slow! They charged my credit card before shipment (illeagal)in april and it is october and 1/2 the order is back ordered.
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Ewan a Weekend Warrior from Canada
    Date Reviewed: August 22, 2001
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $20.00
    Strengths:everything
    Weaknesses:a little warm
    Similar Products Used:six-six one stuff which is also good.
    Bike Setup:stinky dee-lux
    Bottom Line:Have had the chance to actually use these pads and they are outstanding. I'm sure these saved me from all sorts of scrapes and knocks. Quality, awsome pads.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Kevin a Weekend Warrior from Houston, Texas
    Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001
    Favoriate Trail:just find me a mountain....
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $50.00
    Purchased At:Roach Clothing
    Strengths:DH ARMS - Rugged, Tough, Well armored!
    Weaknesses:Rather hot - kind of weak material on the inside lining... but hasn't failed or anything yet. Keeps the inside cool at least.
    Bike Setup:GT Zaskar custom build
    Bottom Line:Got these for some downhilling in Colorado and MAN they rock! Actually they keep you from feeling the rocks! I never wiped out on the slopes, but my friend did (he was also wearing a set) - and was essentially untouched thanks to these pads. His helmet was caved in, and took some shoulder damage (no armor there), but the pads absorbed most of the impact.

    Just thought I would pitch in towards the already sky-high rating on these fine pads!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Scott McSloy a Weekend Warrior from Newtown, PA
    Date Reviewed: February 6, 2001
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Purchased At:Roach
    Bottom Line:What can I say that hasn't already been said. Great product, a little warm but I prefer a little sweat to loosing a few layers of skin. Great product as are the leg pads and their DH pants.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by David Martin a Weekend Warrior from Kirkland
    Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001
    Favoriate Trail:chutes and ladders
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $30.00
    Purchased At:Gregg's Cycles Bellevue, WA
    Strengths:Tough durable protection. adds confidence. very cool looking. comfortable. supreme protection
    Weaknesses:hot in the Summer
    Similar Products Used:lizard skins
    Bike Setup:SC Bullit, Jr T, Hayes, Mavic D321 on Real hubs, thomson elite seatpost, Easton monkey lite low rise bar, Kujo downhill tires, RAce face headset, Lx hollowtech cranks
    Bottom Line:Buy them you will not regret it. Roach customer assistence rules.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by James McC a Weekend Warrior from Port Moody, BC, Canada
    Date Reviewed: September 11, 2000
    Favoriate Trail:Randy's and B&A
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Price Paid: $30.00
    Purchased At:www.roachclothing.com
    Strengths:Lifetime warantee on the workmanship, durable
    Weaknesses:Like everyone says they are warm, but that doesn't matter much in cool British Columbia. They even work great in the rain. I was out for about 4 hours last Saturday and they kept me warm and safe. Dual use!
    Similar Products Used:Nothing for the arms except my flesh. Now I have these and my skin stays attached
    Bike Setup:RM Blizzard that I abuse lots
    Bottom Line:There is no better armour. These are Canadian make for mountain bikers by mountain bikers that know the extreme stuff that we ride in Vancouver. Stop the pain and buy these soon. They are so comfortable you'll forget you are wearing them until you crash.

    The best part of them is they they improve confidence about 2000 %.

    Get out and ride!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by James LaPointe a Racer from Markham, Ont, Canada
    Date Reviewed: September 1, 2000
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Purchased At:Cyclepath Waterloo
    Strengths:Bombproof.
    Very strong material, takes hard hits well.
    Weaknesses:very hot for me.
    Bike Setup:dont matter
    Bottom Line:great pads, although hot to me.. they make me sweat like it raind on my arms. they offer great protection for me when i crash or hit stuff with riding.. i payed about 75 bucks canadian, and hey, worth the money too.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Kelly a Weekend Warrior from Vancouver, B.C.
    Date Reviewed: January 8, 2000
    Favoriate Trail:
    Burnt Bridge in Victoria
    Duration Product Used:
    2 Years
    Strengths:
    Durable, doesn't scratch up (like 'hard' armour does), fits snug, fairly light
    Weaknesses:
    boils your arms in warm weather (well, maybe not, but they sure get sweaty), straps need more reinforcement)
    Similar Products Used:
    not many others ('cept maybe lots of long sleeve jerseys and jackets)
    Bike Setup:
    C-dale F700 (Headshok fork) with all sorts of chi-chi's.
    Bottom Line:Bought mine at my very first downhill race, after I had crashed (often) on the practice runs and the Roach booth was right there at the finish line (funny thing, eh?). Anyways, had them for a long time since, love them too much to try anything else, but damn, they get hot on a warm day (of course, downhill races don't last long enuf for U to notice). Plus, one of the straps started tearing a bit. Just enuf padding, look a bit like arm warmers (instead of insect carapace), and still look good after 2+ years of crashing on 'em. Really want to give them 5 stars, but hopefully Roach will settle for 4 until they make a better vented one.
    Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Rogue 2 a Weekend Warrior from Victoria, CANADA
    Date Reviewed: January 7, 2000
    Favoriate Trail:
    Birth Control
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Strengths:
    Tough and DURABLE!
    Weaknesses:
    Too snug around bicep causes pad to slide down a bit.
    Similar Products Used:
    Core Rat
    My hockey gear (Baur?)
    Bike Setup:
    Y2K Norco VPS 2
    5x5 (Z1 up front)
    Bottom Line:Strap on courage my friend! Is there a burly drop you know you can do but your hesitant? Throw on a set of these bad boys and you'll be flying off of super scarey stuff in no time!
    Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by CB a Weekend Warrior from Vancouver, BC
    Date Reviewed: December 11, 1999
    Favoriate Trail:
    Anything on the Shore
    Duration Product Used:
    1 Year
    Strengths:
    They work! I mean really work!
    Weaknesses:
    None
    Bottom Line:Excellent. Get them. Great for bouncing off trees, rocks, roots etc.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by El Stumpy a Cross-Country Rider from Longmont, Co
    Date Reviewed: October 28, 1999
    Favoriate Trail:
    Secret Trails
    Duration Product Used:
    less than 1 month
    Strengths:
    Fit
    Easy on/off
    Customer Service
    Built to last
    Weaknesses:
    None
    Similar Products Used:
    You name it, I tried it.
    Bike Setup:
    Turner XCE
    Z1 X-Fly
    Syncros
    Avid
    XTR
    Bottom Line:As mentioned in the leg armor review, my body shape is more like Popeye then people of normal dimensions. Short, big forearms. Roach custom made these and fit great. Only problem out of the box, was one missing a wrist strap. I called them up and a strap arrived by mail a week later. I had a local sewing/repair shop slap it on. This was easier than sending it back and forth.Bottom line, even with the problem, these are great! Comfortable, stay in place and not bulky. Tough too. Yesterday I cut a turn around a tree a little too close and where I would have been missing some shin, there was just some bark dust to brush off. The best ones made, if you want armor buy Roach!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Taino a Cross-Country Rider from New York, NY
    Date Reviewed: May 21, 1999
    Favoriate Trail:
    Hartshorn, Plattekill
    Duration Product Used:
    less than 1 month
    Strengths:
    Custom fit, no movement, very flexible in the right places.
    Weaknesses:
    WARM!!!!!
    Similar Products Used:
    Fox 911s, Dainese, also have the Roach DS shin guards.
    Bike Setup:
    Manitou '99 SX-R, Rocky Mountain Element T.O., Fox Vanilla Float RC, XT/XTR/SRAM drivetrain/wheels
    Bottom Line:I had these arm guards custom made for me, as the stock ones wouldn't have fit. No extra charge, but it takes longer - about 2-3 weeks for delivery, instead of 1. In this case, well worth the extra time. They fit perfectly, don't move around - due to the sleeve and strap combo - and are very comfortable to wear. Also, not too big and bulky - they could easily fit under a jersey. They are warm, and wearing them in high summer in New England will be interesting, but you can take them off and put them on easily during a riding break.Bottom line is, these things are worth the wait, and the Roach customer service is first rate. Five Shining Diamonds!
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by YardSale a weekend warrior from Vancouver
    Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999
    Bottom Line:

    Roach makes good shit. If you want to get some armour that will stop your personal erosion then get Roach. It is worth every cent. Go to http://www.roachclothing.com/ right now and make your choice you won't be disappointed. It's comfy and bomber.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Gepetto a cross-country rider from North Vancouver
    Date Reviewed: February 18, 1999
    Bottom Line:

    Roach Armour Rocks! I don't crash often, but when I do, I usually come
    down really hard. (A lot of North Shore Trails will do that to you).
    Go see Roach (under the Cambie bridge), and get yourself a set of the best
    protection on the market. It's kept me out of harms way many times...
    I reccommend it to everyone. Comfy, and very tough.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Mark a cross-country rider from Maple Ridge
    Date Reviewed: January 21, 1999
    Bottom Line:

    I have the hard fore-arm and hard elbow Roach arm armour, and it is the
    shit. The stuff is so comfortable I wear it on climbs up as well as the
    downhills. Roach gear is the best stuff out there. Mine has taken some
    serious bails and it is still holding up. They don't call this shit
    bombproof for nothing.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Jeremy a downhiller from Canada
    Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    I've been a mountain biker for years and of all the armour I've tried Roach has always come through for me. I'm also a courier and I've crashed on pavement too often to count. After a few seasons of that kind of abuse my Roach pads are still going strong.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Justin a weekend warrior from Nelson BC Canada
    Date Reviewed: November 9, 1998
    Bottom Line:

    These things are excellent. I got about 2 months ago and unfortunitly i have had many crashes. These things have stood up to all the abuse that i can dish out. I also have the leg armor and that works great too. The stuff is a warm though but it works great in Canada!!!
    Overall Rating:5






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