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Is it becoming "uncool" to wear protection?

OGRipper

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,653
1,128
NORCAL is the hizzle
To each their own, for sure. But the whole "restricting movement" thing has always been kind of puzzling to me. Your range of movement in DH is pretty limited to begin with. It's not like you're break dancing down the hill. Sure you might find it might uncomfortable or too hot, I get that, but range of motion, really?
 
ALEXIS_DH

ALEXIS_DH

Tirelessly Awesome
Jan 30, 2003
6,147
796
Lima, Peru, Peru
i used to wear body armor.

now i wear knee/shin + helmet + gloves and some very lightweight elbow guards.
the problem with body armor, is that it does not protect the hips. falling/sliding face down will hit your hip bones from the front, making some nasty bruises... no body armor i know of protects against this.
 
iRider

iRider

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2008
5,653
3,093
OGRipper said:
To each their own, for sure. But the whole "restricting movement" thing has always been kind of puzzling to me. Your range of movement in DH is pretty limited to begin with. It's not like you're break dancing down the hill. Sure you might find it might uncomfortable or too hot, I get that, but range of motion, really?
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Exactly! And like I said before, all those GoPros strapped to body and bike don't seem to restrict the body armor haters. ;)

Because clothing is soooo restrictive the new trend is naked DH racing. Your body is tough enough to take the beating from a crash and it is also more aerodynamic. Further, the women class will become more attractive. Troy Lee and Fox already announced that they will offer their sponsored athletes lifetime contracts and get their logos and artwork tattooed. They will offer this service to consumers later this year after it has been successful tested on the WC circus.
Remember, you heard it here first kids!
 
kazlx

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
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Tustin, CA
Because a camera the size of a deck of cards is equivent to looking like a storm trooper....riiiight. Try crashing less.
 
M

MFrider

Monkey
Jul 10, 2009
138
0
The East
I stopped wearing protection and now it burns when I piss and this little kid keeps calling me daddy.

Just know when you need the protection, trust me.
 
demo 9

demo 9

Turbo Monkey
Jan 31, 2007
5,910
46
north jersey
IMO the only difference between hitting a tree with armor or without is whether your prefer the feel of bark or plastic. Armor is only good when it (rarely) doesnt move and helps with abrasions. its not an air bag, its plastic-and sometimes with foam
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
kazlx said:
On a side note...IMO armor isn't going to protect you from anything besides superficial scrapes and bruises. You biff it hard enough...plastic and foam ain't keeping you out of the ER.
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i agree 100% but according to norbar, youre using the wrong type of armor then. there isnt any armor on the market to prevent breaking the most common bone for a cyclist to break. the clavicle



i stopped wearing armor about 6-7 years ago. i found it a lot more comfortable and enjoyable to ride without it...it feels au naturel. plus i figure out how to crash and not get hurt (most of the time.)
i only wear my full face, leatt and knee/shin pads
 
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bdamschen

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
OGRipper said:
Sure you might find it might uncomfortable or too hot, I get that, but range of motion, really?
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Yes really.

Here's a good example. Put on all your armor. Helmet, neck brace, ninja turtle backed chest protector and shoulder pads and all. Try to do a push up.

Then do a push up with just your helmet on.

Now realize that when you're riding hard, you're doing tons of push-ups all the time, half while leaning one way or the other.


I still wear a leatt. It sucks, but being paralyzed sucks more. I won't wear all the other upper body crap.
 
SCARY

SCARY

Not long enough
Apr 6, 2003
1,287
4
I need more of these green square things^^
I wear knee pads and 10 year old fox elbow pads that Velcro on and don't slide.I also mostly wear xc trail jerseys.I think all that stuff around the shoulders sends mixed signals to your brain as to where you are in relation to the bike when it's pulling on your arms and shoulders.Also Thor moto chest guards a very unobtrusive and comfy.That's all I have to say about that.
 
Verskis

Verskis

Monkey
May 14, 2010
458
8
Tampere, Finland
Am I the only one that like to wear armor while riding? I always (when DHing) use an armor jacket, a Leatt, a MX helmet, kneepads and protective undershorts. And gloves, now I'm actually seeking for more protective gloves because I just got a pretty deep wound to my hand because a rock penetrated my very thin gloves.

I also sewed some velcro to my Nukeproof armor jacket to attach a kidney belt to it, it felt really weird when the stomach and lower back were so exposed compared to other parts of the body.

I use high top Fivetens too, I like the support and protection they give me over the low tops.
 
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kazlx

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
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Tustin, CA
IH8Rice said:
i agree 100% but according to norbar, youre using the wrong type of armor then. there isnt any armor on the market to prevent breaking the most common bone for a cyclist to break. the clavicle



i stopped wearing armor about 6-7 years ago. i found it a lot more comfortable and enjoyable to ride without it...it feels au naturel. plus i figure out how to crash and not get hurt (most of the time.)
i only wear my full face, leatt and knee/shin pads
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Agreed...IMO, no armor will keep you from breaking something. I crashed all the time when I started riding a few years ago. As I progressed, I crash less and less, even when I ride stuff out of my comfort level a bit, but that's how I progressed. I have never been the type to try something unless I was pretty confident I can do it. I know a few guys that go huge and blow up huge...but they don't wear armor either. Honestly, when I see my riding buddies really get broke off, it's not something armor is going to help.

bdamschen said:
I still wear a leatt. It sucks, but being paralyzed sucks more. I won't wear all the other upper body crap.
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Amen. I bought a D3 just because it is the most comfortable helmet I could find and fits really well with the Leatt. I had a moto helmet before and would have just stopped wearing the Leatt because it was such a crappy fit together. I could barely look high enough to see where I was going.
 
rgunn26

rgunn26

Chimp
Jun 12, 2011
37
0
bdamschen said:
Yes really.

Here's a good example. Put on all your armor. Helmet, neck brace, ninja turtle backed chest protector and shoulder pads and all. Try to do a push up.

Then do a push up with just your helmet on.

Now realize that when you're riding hard, you're doing tons of push-ups all the time, half while leaning one way or the other.


I still wear a leatt. It sucks, but being paralyzed sucks more. I won't wear all the other upper body crap.
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Now put on all your armor,helmet neck brace, ninja turtle backed chest protector shoulder pads and all,then try a running dive down some stairs, then try it with just your helmet on.....:lighten::
 
bdamschen

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
rgunn26 said:
Now put on all your armor,helmet neck brace, ninja turtle backed chest protector shoulder pads and all,then try a running dive down some stairs, then try it with just your helmet on.....:lighten::
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Because when I crash, it's always down a flight of stairs or on some other concrete and steel structure with tons of reinforced 90* angles.
The funny part is, I bet I'm less likely to crash my bike down a few flights of stairs if I wear just my helmet.

Here's another sweet test. Wear just your leatt and a helmet and have a running race down 3 or 4 flights of stairs. Then try it without. Helmet and leatt brace don't let you look down so hot, in much the same way it's hard to spot a landing off a big drop. Just sayin.
 
Gary

Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,645
5,562
UK
I haven't worn a helmet or gloves for any local riding for a few years now. (I ride mainly hardtail mtb, bmx and road locally) and have never worn any sort of armour or that sort of riding. it's nothing to do with trying to be cool (I have grown up kids so know fine well pissing about on bikes at my age isn't cool) I just hate wearing it and rarely have any crashes that would benefit from wearing it.
if I'm riding routes with bigger faster descents further afield or somewhere unfamiliar I'll take a helmet and wear it on the descents and if I'm riding uplifted DH I'll usually wear a full face helmet and often upper body armour and knee/shin guards but not so much if I'm pushing up. at our national races I have to wear gloves because of the rules and absolutely hate it as they feel so horrible now I simply can't control the bike properly anymore in them.
 
englertracing

englertracing

you owe me a sandwich
Mar 5, 2012
1,580
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La Verne
I think its personal preference. It feels best to blast her without protection :). But we all know that could end up badly. So I gear up unless I'm going to take things nice and slow.

Seriously tho. What's wrong with a ff helmet, and some gloves?
If the temp is lower and I'm feeling frisky sometimes ill wear my evs padded mesh jacket.
But I don't even own knee pads, or shorts.
 
OGRipper

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,653
1,128
NORCAL is the hizzle
I dunno folks. I'm 42 and have been riding pretty much non-stop since I was riding a Rampar BMX in the early 80's, and I've been picking up minor injuries the whole time. It adds up, and I know my armor has saved me from pretty significant issues dozens of times. It's true that it might not save you from a career-ender, but that doesn't mean it won't help at all. If nothing else it's allowed me to keep riding despite crashes that would have otherwise ended a day on the mountain. And believe me, I've got plenty of scars regardless.

Again, to each his own.
 
Gary

Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,645
5,562
UK
Seriously tho. What's wrong with a ff helmet, and some gloves?
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is that directed at me?
I do sometimes wear a FF helmet, I said as much above.

I'm 42 too been riding since the early 70s and rode a lot o BMX in the 80s and never as much as tried a helmet on until a friend entered me in an mtb XC race in 91 and lent me one (again because it's part of the rules)

are Leatts even proven to do anything in mtb crashes? don't think I could cope with one and they look like they could do as much damage as good if they dig in or hook up on something mid crash
 
bdamschen

bdamschen

Turbo Monkey
Nov 28, 2005
3,377
156
Spreckels, CA
Gary said:
are Leatts even proven to do anything in mtb crashes? don't think I could cope with one and they look like they could do as much damage as good if they dig in or hook up on something mid crash
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Whole other argument.

I'm a skeptic to tell the truth. But as someone who has wrecked in them, they don't do any harm other than making it hard to roll out when you wad. Not sure if they do any good, but why take the risk?
 
Gary

Gary

"S" is for "neo-luddite"
Aug 27, 2002
7,645
5,562
UK
they don't do any harm other than making it hard to roll out when you wad. Not sure if they do any good
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That is doing harm ^^

if you're skeptical I don't see how it makes any sense thinking you are taking a risk riding without it
 
no skid marks

no skid marks

Monkey
Jan 15, 2006
2,511
29
ACT Australia
I just recovered from broken collar bone and shoulder blade, both snapped in two after front end wash out at speed. I'm pretty sure if I'd have had my armor on, it'd not have happened or not as severely. It would have absorbed some impact, and deflected the force.
I don't get how people make out it's all tough and macho not to wear it, then say armor is hot or restrictive. Man up, deal with the heat or discomfort. I took no pain killers at all with the two broken bones, or after getting collar bone plated, so it'd heal quicker, so don't make out your tougher than me cause I wear armor. If you really find it stops you being able to ride as well, then fare enough, maybe it does. But if your not wearing armor just to be cool, you are a pussy, and a cost and liability to the sport.:weee:
 
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englertracing

englertracing

you owe me a sandwich
Mar 5, 2012
1,580
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La Verne
No was not directed. Just saying what's wrong with it? It seems like the normal minimum dh wear. Anything more is extra.... like people are inferring its a problem that you don't wear more than that. Like is it cool to wear only a helm and gloves? <~ that's what I feel this thread is about. But I seriously can't ride without a ff helmet even bmx. I like to ride vert and here there's duarte skate park with 12' vert and upland skate park with 15' and 20' and a full pipe. If I'm wearing a bucket (last time I forgot my ff) I am convinced I'm gong to die by hitting the back of my head on the coping.
 
A

aixelsyd

Chimp
May 16, 2007
82
0
Riding SR a few weeks ago. A buddy of mine who stopped wearing pads last year went OTB on a short steep roll (really was a drop but I digress). Came out of it with a sore shoulder and a swollen elbow. Elbow took the brunt of it, smashed right on the rock face! No abrasion maybe a tiny bit of blood. Seeing it happen right in front me I can't help but to think my pressure suit would have lessened that impact.(Shoulder and elbow pads) I have smashed into trees and gone over OTB enough times, both on the mountain with armor and trail riding without to know what armor will protect me from and when nothing would have helped. (dislocated elbow trail riding) For now I'll stick with the FF, pressure suit ( though maybe something newer and better fitting) and knee/shin armor. I can tell by all the dings and scratches in the leg armor where they saved my some pain or scaring I might otherwise have had to endure.
To each their own.
 
englertracing

englertracing

you owe me a sandwich
Mar 5, 2012
1,580
1,074
La Verne
I think it comes down to this.
Be comfterable riding or be comfterable during an unplanned crash.
Enjoy riding in the summer without gear. Great if your lucky. If your not, pay the price when you eat it.
Whatever your comfterable with.

If your wearing or not wearing gear to be cool..... Well your a bundle of stix.
 
gemini2k

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
Gary said:
That is doing harm ^^

if you're skeptical I don't see how it makes any sense thinking you are taking a risk riding without it
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Serious harm in fact. Rolling is probably the best way to avoid putting stress on your neck and spine. One of the reasons I'm still hesitant to try one.
 
Udi

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
gemini2k said:
Serious harm in fact. Rolling is probably the best way to avoid putting stress on your neck and spine. One of the reasons I'm still hesitant to try one.
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There are plenty of crashes that happen too fast to even think about tuck-rolling. I think these are where a neck brace comes in handy.

I think it comes down to the fact that DH is not a finite art (constantly varying track conditions even if you are a perfect rider, which no one is), and crashing at race speed is even less of a finite art - anyone that proclaims otherwise is delusional.
 
kazlx

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
1,957
Tustin, CA
I know Mandown from this board and him telling me he wished he was wearing one when I was over at his place was enough to convince me. I ordered one the next day. Just sayin'.
 
toodles

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,507
4,757
Australia
I scored two compression fractured vertebrae in a crash at Whistler back in 2010. I was wearing my Leatt and managed to crack the back of it in the crash. I'm not telling anyone what to wear, but it was very re-assuring in the crash to feel my helmet hit, the brace and then stop moving any further.
 
no skid marks

no skid marks

Monkey
Jan 15, 2006
2,511
29
ACT Australia
toodles said:
I scored two compression fractured vertebrae in a crash at Whistler back in 2010. I was wearing my Leatt and managed to crack the back of it in the crash. I'm not telling anyone what to wear, but it was very re-assuring in the crash to feel my helmet hit, the brace and then stop moving any further.
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Do you think that with the extra flex of no brace you may have got away without damage? Or without the brace directing the force? Compression is caused by head first impact right? Not questioning you, curious about your opinion/more details. If you'd had armor under the brace, may it have dispersed the force more too?
 
toodles

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,507
4,757
Australia
The verterbrae were in my mid back, below the brace. I'm not sure what the brace did or didn't do. But I was riding that same day and it wasn't till the persistant pain drove me to get a proper doctor to look at it that a scan picked up the spider-webbing in two verterbrae. All I know it that i felt the moment when the brace stopped my neck being pushed through my shoulders. I might have gotten away fine anyway, but it certainly stopped my neck from taking the force of the landing.

**** being paralysed.
 
norbar

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,369
1,605
Warsaw :/
In many cases I think it is lack of knowledge. People often complain about uncomfortable, sliding, not working protection but the market is big enough to find something fitting and working for everyone. I see a ton of people who after tried lowest models of 661 decide protection can never be comfy so f that.
 
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