[giverpig]

I see from your pics, that lots of you are using knee/shin pads and riding with clipless pedals. I though that this protection was much more useful with platforms that you can slip off of and smash and scrape your shins. Also, the pics I'm lookign at at just ride pics, not really freeridy looking. What's up with this? Is it a fashion thing?

 

[coma13]

I see from your pics, that lots of you are using knee/shin pads and riding with clipless pedals. I though that this protection was much more useful with platforms that you can slip off of and smash and scrape your shins. Also, the pics I'm lookign at at just ride pics, not really freeridy looking. What's up with this? Is it a fashion thing?

I ride flats so I can't say for certain, but a lot of trails have a ton of low brush on the sides that can whip your legs till they're bloody out here in So Cal. That may be one reason.

 

[piotrek91]

I see from your pics, that lots of you are using knee/shin pads and riding with clipless pedals. I though that this protection was much more useful with platforms that you can slip off of and smash and scrape your shins. Also, the pics I'm lookign at at just ride pics, not really freeridy looking. What's up with this? Is it a fashion thing?

I don't think that a lot of people in this forum (DH/FR) ride clipless.

The for wearing knee pads is so that when you fall onto some rocks you knee doesn't get cut up. As for shin gaurds with clipless they help a lot when riding overgrown, or narrow trails, as they protect your legs from getting whacked by every stick that happens to be hanging out in the trail.

 

[LandonVega]

I don't think that a lot of people in this forum (DH/FR) ride clipless.

The for wearing knee pads is so that when you fall onto some rocks you knee doesn't get cut up. As for shin gaurds with clipless they help a lot when riding overgrown, or narrow trails, as they protect your legs from getting whacked by every stick that happens to be hanging out in the trail.

and they also protect your shins from those big bad rocks when your ragdolling, or the hidden branch in the brush

 

[konabiker]

I got the worst pedal bite of my life from clipless peds.

 

[EastCoastHucker]

I see from your pics, that lots of you are using knee/shin pads and riding with clipless pedals. I though that this protection was much more useful with platforms that you can slip off of and smash and scrape your shins. Also, the pics I'm lookign at at just ride pics, not really freeridy looking. What's up with this? Is it a fashion thing?

mmm... how about just in case u fell, which is pritty normal on this sport...
same reason why u wear a boddy armor...is no like ur bar in gonna hit u in the chest...

 

[Phalophalot]

I wear clipless pedals and my shin guards are all scratched up.
Probably mostly from low scrub but there are a few gouges in them that must be from rocks. I guess I Phalophalot.

 

[Frankenschwinn]

Sooo, You thing pedals are the only thing that can chew up your shins???

 

[austinb89]

just cuzz u ride clipless doesnt mean your clipped in the entire time. now have u ever tried to ride clipped pedals in the mudd.....but unclipped. its like standing on ice. i know i use to wear my shingaurds for that reason. shinguards also have saved me from falling and ****ing by shins and knees several times i owe it to them i have gouges out of them were they could hold a quarter. shinguards are also a confidence booster for me. now i ride flats cuzz i dont like knowing when i fall the bike is still connected to me sometimes and i do alot more jumping and dropping

 

[SuperKat]

???

Giverpig:
You should always wear shin guards in case someone wants to kick you in the shins for lame posts.

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

you fall just as much with clip ons as with platforms...maybe more

 

[Raptordude]

You know...shinpads AREN'T just for pedals due to contrary belief. If you take a digger...protecting your shins and legs is vital. Also incase you do a trail with bush-whack....its just more protection also.

Keep in mind that if you bail with a bike with clip-ins it can go the wrong way also...you could get tangled in some nasty parts of your bike.

 

[giverpig]

Giverpig:
You should always wear shin guards in case someone wants to kick you in the shins for lame posts.

Superkat7 - You mean more lame than an overweight, middle aged dude in tights riding cross country on 6" freeride bike? I'll try not to post anything more lame that that

 

[giverpig]

interesting........

For the rest of you, thanks for the info. I've been curious about this after seeing so many of the sweet ride pics on these forums. I couldn't tell if it was just the guys with all the $$$ spending more of it, or if there was some other reason. We don't have a lot of trailside brush where I ride in Ontario, Canada so I didn't really consider that. Also, my pads are the older 661 that are like a small pair of goalie (yeah, think hockey) pads. They are really hot, and they are not that comfortable to wear when you are pedaling very much. I use em just for skinnies (because I crash off them) and for chairlift days. I bet that if I had something that was more comfortable for wearing while pedaling I might do so, and then maybe feel more confident, and then maybe ride a couple of lines that I currently avoid. Anyways, thanks for the info. Sorry to get you fired up Superkat. Enjoy the winter if you are somewhere without snow and cold. It's miserable here, so the riding is likely over for the season. SYOTT - Giverpig

 

[ChipV]

Superkat7 - You mean more lame than an overweight, middle aged dude in tights riding cross country on 6" freeride bike? I'll try not to post anything more lame that that

Hmmmmm...
I'm 33, so not middle age yet. Despite ice cream and beer I'm not overwight yet, either. But, I do ride a 6" FR bike for XC, and do wear lycra on occasion. Do use clipless, and do wear shingaurds.
WOW! I'm 75% lame....kick a$$!

 

[hilikus]

is it possible for a xc rider to get a 7 in piece of shail in there shin

 

[Tracerboy]

clipless pedals are met to come uncliped, they can easily come out and smack your shin, also shin pad protect you from falling and hitting other stuff besides your pedals

 

[COmtbiker12]

I don't think that a lot of people in this forum (DH/FR) ride clipless.

The for wearing knee pads is so that when you fall onto some rocks you knee doesn't get cut up. As for shin gaurds with clipless they help a lot when riding overgrown, or narrow trails, as they protect your legs from getting whacked by every stick that happens to be hanging out in the trail.

You'd be surprised how many people on here use clipless pedals. Majority are the racer johnnies of course, but there's a lot of folks who just generally wear clipless all the time regardless of what they're doing.

Like others have said, you fall just as much from having clipless as you do with platforms. Also if you're riding through a tight rockgarden or something and there's an obtruse rock sticking out then it's nice to have something on your chins so it doesn't completely destroy your legs.

 

[TNC]

Cactus! Among the many reasons already mentioned here, those pointy little bastids hurt like heck. I know not everyone has cactus, but I'm sure a few folks represented here have it on their trails.

 

[giverpig]

I'm sure it's been covered then, but....

Ok then, the point seems to be well made for shi pro and clipless. I can see where you are coming from. Just curious what shin protection you are using that is comfortable to wear all day. Mine spends more time on my back then on my legs because it's so stinkin' hot and uncomfortable to wear.