Hello bikers!
As it is now summer has come bikeparks season, a lot of output, many drop, many trails and ultimately, many host ... well I'll try to summarize how to choose the appropriate safeguards can and should go.
first thing I have to say is that I am no doctor or physical therapist or orthopedic surgeon, or physical, nor do I work at a bike crash tests (well, sometimes yes, but with myself) so I'll just tell you that I use and how I choose. Remember therefore you should inform the manufacturer before the protections you buy to see if they comply or not to final use you give them.
first thing I will say is that like most things in the MTB, it has evolved dramatically in recent years and now find materials in the protections that we could not imagine 15 years ago. As can be, smart fibers and composites, kevlar, carbon, etc, etc.
The reality is that you consider using more advanced protection (besides the helmet, because this is what you should always have and I assume it's there) when you start to use more raw in your bike, especially in the field, or when you start make routes with hills or areas "broken" than normal which may provoke falls. And in any case, if you want them to always use whatever you do, then all the better.
first thing to know is that the protections are just that, protections, but no lifeguards, the wearing kneepads, elbow pads and a helmet is not going to fight to break your leg or arm if beat is important, As always careful and analyze where your limits. However, it is usual to have fallen "soft" or "semi-soft" when we practice in a technical area as a trial bike, semi-descent, or just in areas where control of the bike is more difficult than normal.
For such situations it is practical or desirable to protect knees and elbows at least as they are the most prone to scratches, scrapes, bruises, cuts, etc, since they are often areas that receive the first impact .
For this first case are interesting soft protections as those sold 661 and other brands, but as the brand I normally use because I use their products.
Here you can see a photo of the knee protection. Veggie model is a simple version that will give us some protection against these falls soft. These protections will avoid those little scrapes and bumps, will not prevent you pop your leg if you fall over a cliff, but at least in that "soft landing" will crush the skin of the knee or elbow as little as possible. The protection system that uses are overlapping layers of neoprene. 661
You have an addition that it does is protect the entire shin knee addition
And here
elbow
As you can imagine, these protections, and almost all have a problem, and ventilation, be prepared to sweat, especially in summer. The nice thing is that they wash very well and that you carry in your backpack to the bike and can be folded and weigh less. Thus, when see that it gets ugly, because you lose the holsters and more protected, but remember, they are soft protection.
Well, this should be sufficient for basic protection. But it may happen that you start doing a little more raw than usual, or just in your area the roads are more complicated and more prone to falls, finally, begins to be more risk and soft fall is already secured almost every ride and increase your chances of having a fall more complicated and therefore require more protection, but remember, only is that, more protection, are not infallible.
At this point you begin to consider using protection not so soft, and here you have two options, or buy protection rigid or soft materials that become rigid when they absorb a shock. This type of materials are eg D30 661, here you can see on video how it works, it's really interesting, because you can wear a soft protective (ie, more comfortable than a rigid) but it hardens when dropped and it protects more that layers of neoprene.
look at this video and you'll understand perfectly and is very interesting, the problem is that like everything .. gains a lot of money.
The most common option attained a level of risk usually high enough to buy yet rigid protections normally manufactured using hard plastics or similar materials. 661 also produced naturally, and are more frequently used when looking for complete protection, but here and sacrifice enough comfort and flexibility, so its use is becoming more exclusive descent, although it is common also use extreme enduro riders who practice or freeride. It looks like next to one arm, you see also covers the forearm. Protections are quite extreme and obviously not intended for use "Sunday" quiet. You have similar versions for knee and shin.
Well, so far the first part of the most basic protections and not so basic that you can and should be used if are doing a more aggressive use and level of risk to your own XC bike or walk. As you see you have soft protection that you can use on a regular basis you will avoid small bruises, scratches and injuries from falls slightly.
In the next chapter we'll get to back and neck protection, as well as with dungarees and protection of those parts nobles. There will be a special chapter for helmets, because they are also emerging intermediate models between the standard and comprehensive center that require a bit more detailed study.
And speaking of helmets, remember, take it always, but always, in the head. You can make it very original and decorative in your box, but which is better is placed on your Seseras also by the prices at which you can buy today have no excuse.
See you on the trail!
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