knee protection or no?

[HipHopapotomus]

so it's time to buy some shin guards... it seems most riders' are without any knee protection, however i've cracked myself pretty good 3 times in the past week (now that i'm actually learning things) and the last one was my pedal to the top of my shin/bottom of my knee. the top of the wound is at the top of my tibia, so it's not on my knee cap or anything, but definitely up there. is just a shin guard is going to cover that far up? i hesitate to get just shin guards if i'm still gonna bust up my knee. what do you guys prefer and why?

[TTownJon]

I like to free-ball. a little breeze is a good thing.

[[BMF] Chris]

if you wear them , just wear shin, knee will get too hot.

[lucky13]

ha,.. I'm the other way around:

Shadow Conspiracy Knee guards. Otherwise I smack the kneecap accidentally and I can't be bothered with hospital bills. Can't stand whacking my knee. Temperature doesn't bother me at all in comparison to hobbling pain.

[stpatr3k]

I use knee+shin guard, the heat doesn't bother me as much as my kneecaps hitting the frame once in a while.

[beastoftheeast]

i sometimes ware one knee guard because i hit my knee on the top tube or something because my knees bend in a bit when i tuck. i vote:why not...

[stickyworm]

When I wear shin guards, it's all or nothing for me. I have had the worst shots to the knees, just at the edge of that hard disc whose name eludes me at the moment, in the tendons. Ouch, but on the other hand I own the hottest frigg'n pads. Try to get something that breathes in any case.

[JimmyV]

When I first started, I investigated the same question. Many people warned of "bulky-ness" and "heat." So I went with just a shin guard (full length from ankle to just under knee). Sure there was those annoying knee strikes to the head set that set me out a couple of days, but at least my legs had freedom and they were cool. Then one day, I was pedal kicking up a 14" wall...I got on my back wheel, got ready for the big kick, and snap!!! The chain breaks and my knee hits the brake lever bracket at full force! Now I can actually see my knee bone through the hole in my skin. Got 4 stitches (no big deal) and I couldn't ride for 1.5 months (big deal). Plus, my knee swelled up really big and I had to go back to get it drained a few weeks later. That happened over a year ago and my knee still bothers me! and it cost $400 for the doctor visit! It took me about 4 rides to get used to the shin/knee guards...now I barely know they are there. I say go with shin/knee...especially when you frequently hit your knees anyway! The goal is to keep riding...

[caleb1978]

I wear my shin/knee guards about half the time. Seems I always mash my ankle bones into the cranks, and I have no protection there. Some soccer style guards protect that area. Then there is the back of the calf, some wrap style pads protect there, and slipping a peddle can impact there as well.

[pineapplegti]

It looks as if wolvering sharpened his claws on my shins.. i wear shin guards :)

[iculairt]

knee protection alwais...

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=N4F1KkDVeLA&feature=related

[boardman73]

pricepoint.com has some sette cheapy knee and shin pads that r not too bad for like 30 clams just tried em today and not as comfy as my downhill stuff but less than half the price and still a confidence booster!!!

[goose]

I still hit my knee on the frame/stem/ground occasionally, and wish I'd bought some dainese style knee/shin pads instead of my lizard skins. While shin pads are enough for most of my falls/bails, the knee shin combo is better insurance, and might even bolster confidence. Of course trials is an expensive sport, so I'd suggest getting some of the nicer ones that are light and well ventilated, like dainese.

[carnagr]

knee protection alwais...

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=N4F1KkDVeLA&feature=related

Looks like he just fucked up badly... Could have been easily avoidable. Shitty though for sure.

[codeman]

661 4x4 shin/knee guards.saved my kids ass ALOT.only like 40$.alot cheaper than the 7 staples he got on christmas day.only had bike 3 hr and spent the rest of the day in emergency room

[AndyT]

661 4x4 shin/knee guards.saved my kids ass ALOT.only like 40$.alot cheaper than the 7 staples he got on christmas day.only had bike 3 hr and spent the rest of the day in emergency room

pics?

[[BMF] Chris]

When I first started, I investigated the same question. Many people warned of "bulky-ness" and "heat." So I went with just a shin guard (full length from ankle to just under knee). Sure there was those annoying knee strikes to the head set that set me out a couple of days, but at least my legs had freedom and they were cool. Then one day, I was pedal kicking up a 14" wall...I got on my back wheel, got ready for the big kick, and snap!!! The chain breaks and my knee hits the brake lever bracket at full force! Now I can actually see my knee bone through the hole in my skin. Got 4 stitches (no big deal) and I couldn't ride for 1.5 months (big deal). Plus, my knee swelled up really big and I had to go back to get it drained a few weeks later. That happened over a year ago and my knee still bothers me! and it cost $400 for the doctor visit! It took me about 4 rides to get used to the shin/knee guards...now I barely know they are there. I say go with shin/knee...especially when you frequently hit your knees anyway! The goal is to keep riding...


man up

[jak442]

I don't really see a need for knee pads. Of course, once I pull the tampon out and start goin a bit bigger, I may well change my story. But, for now, I'll stick with the Lizard Skins http://lizardskins.com/products/view_product.html?type=power%20sport&product_line=protective%20gear&product_id=44&name=Shin%20Protectors&name2=Adult%20&%20Youth%20Sizes&page_number=2
Very light, comfy and they don't move around. They also have neoprene flaps that cover ankle bones, knee(height dependant) and wrap the back of the calf.

Caleb... hitting ankles on the cranks is something the body will sort out on its own............. eventualy.

[DanBowhers]

whatever in the wide world of sports make you feel comfortable.


I wear nothing, but Im a jackass. Jackass, shit I mean I don't wear any protective gear when I bike.

[perkins]

I sliced my shin really bad three weeks ago. I should have gone to the ER to get stitches, but I hate going there... so I just got some butterfly closuers and put it back together. It actually healed up really well. I said that I was going wear my shin pads for trials after that... but I have yet to put them on. I don't know, they're hot and just bother me... I only wear them when I'm on my street bike and plan on doing a bunch of crank flip moves.

[hophopsnap]

I used to wear them, but then I just learned how to bail :dunno:

[Bryan]

no kneeguards here. hits to the knee from the toptube/stem are your bike trying to tell you something: you're doing it wrong

[HipHopapotomus]

well i've yet to hit the top tube or stem, its still coming from the pedal when my foot slips. and yes, i know that when my foot's not on the pedal i'm "doing it wrong" ;)

[FDS2223]

Im wear shin gaurds cause im to pretty to be all scared up. :greddy:

[emulous]

When I first started, I investigated the same question. Many people warned of "bulky-ness" and "heat." So I went with just a shin guard (full length from ankle to just under knee). Sure there was those annoying knee strikes to the head set that set me out a couple of days, but at least my legs had freedom and they were cool. Then one day, I was pedal kicking up a 14" wall...I got on my back wheel, got ready for the big kick, and snap!!! The chain breaks and my knee hits the brake lever bracket at full force! Now I can actually see my knee bone through the hole in my skin. Got 4 stitches (no big deal) and I couldn't ride for 1.5 months (big deal). Plus, my knee swelled up really big and I had to go back to get it drained a few weeks later. That happened over a year ago and my knee still bothers me! and it cost $400 for the doctor visit! It took me about 4 rides to get used to the shin/knee guards...now I barely know they are there. I say go with shin/knee...especially when you frequently hit your knees anyway! The goal is to keep riding...

i only trust in massive chains for a good reason.

[liv4musik]

Who gives a crap if you get a little hot because of wearing shin and knee pads? You get sweaty anyway. Wearing both have saved my skin a lot. (especially since I've been getting better, going off bigger things, and falling more) :D I'd really suggest wearing shin and knee pads.

[JimmyV]

i only trust in massive chains for a good reason.

I was using KMC K710. What are you using?

[emulous]

after having some trouble (in very lucky situations) with the kmc i replaced it by a khe collapse. i heard bmx riders even grind on these chains :-D
the kmc is strong but the chain links sometimes slip off the bolts. you can predict this allready if the chain has lots of transverse moving space. sometimes it helps to press the links back together with a calliper. if they slide together very smooth, then better change the chain, or the links will loose again within some minutes!
since now i havent ridden the khe collapse long enough to really say how long it lasts.
experience gives me a bad conscience everytime the chain is older than 3 month.
btw. my weight is 86kg and i like it rough :-D

[lucky13]

no kneeguards here. hits to the knee from the toptube/stem are your bike trying to tell you something: you're doing it wrong

Yea, well since I'm not a world champ yet I can foresee occasionally "doing it wrong"

I feel comfy knowing that I'm not necessarilly going to be in pain from riding,.. so I ride better then if I'm wigged out about injuries.

[Bryan]

I ride better if someone smacks my ass :hsugh:

[emulous]

I ride better if someone smacks my ass :hsugh:

oh, erm sound like we have another christopher-street pilgrim here.
never seen a trial biker in leather hotpants :rofl:

[lucky13]

I ride better if someone smacks my ass :hsugh:

also qualifies as "doing it wrong"

[templarbond]

Both.
Lizard skins shins.
K2 rollerblade knee pads, light and cool.
Fell onto both knee the other day and laughed.

[lucky13]

I'm wearing the shadows and axo ankle biters for anti blunt joint issues...
http://www.observedtrials.net/otn4/pactrials.jpg
http://www.observedtrials.net/otn4/pactrials4.jpg

[TheBOFH]

I started out not wearing shinnies or knee pads but I put a couple of holes in my knee a few weeks ago & I started wearing my 661 veggie wraps. They're hot but you sweat anyway & they aren't too bulky. I tend to bang my ankles on my booster but wear Vans Half Cabs which seem to protect them ok.