what gets hurt more? arms or legs?

[faded1004]

just trying to think about what gear is more common to use? i mean, gloves and helmet are practically always necessary... but... interms of arm guard and shin, what is more... common to wear?

may be if you had to choose between the two, what would you pick?

[bighit8]

Legs for sure.You usually break youre fall with the arms.

[RacinJason]

Feelings

[allison]

My elbows are probably the most scarred areas of my body.

[faded1004]

Originally Posted by RacinJason

Feelings

and how does that help me choose, arm or shin? hahahaha

[mottmcfly]

Usually it's my ego that takes the hit. haven't found anything good for that yet.

In all seriousness this question depends on what kind of riding you are doing and if you are clipped in or not. If I'm clipped in, it is very rare that I get nailed by a missed pedal. If I'm not it's almost certain. Therefore I might wear the full leg armor from Rockgardn as opposed to 661 kneepads.

if I'm doing a San Juan Shuttle run, I feel comfortable just wearing knee pads and a full face. If I'm doing El Prieto I'm good with just an XC Helmet. Full DH at Mammoth and I'll wear the full flak jacket and full leg armor.

Hope that helps a bit.

[faded1004]

oh, i am non clip right now...

also, what is an XC helmet... is that what a regular MTB helmet is? i know DH is like chin gaurd... right?

looks like arms are more important... as long as i can handle the occasional shin hit from the pedals...

[mottmcfly]

Originally Posted by faded1004

oh, i am non clip right now...

also, what is an XC helmet... is that what a regular MTB helmet is? i know DH is like chin gaurd... right?

looks like arms are more important... as long as i can handle the occasional shin hit from the pedals...

XC means cross country, no face of jaw protection. If you are new to trying this or have decided to push your own personal envelope I suggest you armor up head to toe and decide later what you do and dont need. This is a sport that will teach this lesson very quickly, it's up to you how pricey that education is.

[RacinJason]

You should wear both Knee/shin and arm guards.

I wear 661 Kyle straight Kneed guards and a TLD pressure suit / arm protection. Some times when i am just out playing on free ride stuff I wear 661 arm guards.


Be safe.

Originally Posted by faded1004

and how does that help me choose, arm or shin? hahahaha

[nintense]

Originally Posted by faded1004

just trying to think about what gear is more common to use? i mean, gloves and helmet are practically always necessary... but... interms of arm guard and shin, what is more... common to wear?

may be if you had to choose between the two, what would you pick?

I always wear a knee/shin guard (THE) and elbow guard for the DH.
For a real DH I'm always fully protected.
Although as far as I can remember for the last 3 years...
I broke 3 ribs, collarbone, ankle (tibia & fibula).
I also cracked my hip and knee...

RIDE SAFE

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Legs for sure.You usually break youre fall with the arms.

Hmm...for me it's a bit different, so let me take the liberty in requoting you:

Originally Posted by bighit8

You usually break your arm with the fall.

I've broken my wrist 3 times on bikes (plus one on roller skates when I was 5) plus many sprained wrists. I've only sprained my ankles.

However, when it comes to skinning up legs or arms, I think it's about the same.

[katonk]

Originally Posted by RacinJason

Feelings

CONGRATULATIONS! You have won the Reality Check Post of the Day!

[faded1004]

okay, so i think... i may use arms and shin for rough ride days... i don't think i will get into too much super DH riding...

we will see as i have yet to ride a trail!

looking to have fun with you guys soon...

[Geronimo]

If your just getting into the sport a helmet, and gloves are fine. Just be careful and use some common sense. As you progress and want to try some more challenging trails get some arm protection that you can wrap around your frame when your climbing, and some knee pads that will fit in your hydration pack. See you out there.

[dstepper]

For the most part I don't wear any pads while riding around in So-Cal. I can accept the cuts and scrapes.

It is when I am in the Utah and Arizona that I am more likey to pad up. It seems like everywhere you land is either a catus, shape edged rock or both.

It really isn't worth getting hurt and being off the bike for weeks at a time. Be safe and use common sense. Don't get talked into doing something you are not comfortable with. Skills will come with pedal time.

Dean

[Keith B]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Legs for sure.You usually break youre fall with the arms.

Personally i think you have that sentence mixed up it should read: "Arms for sure. You usually break your arms with your fall."

[bikerider]

Let's see 18 years of mountain biking.

torn rotator cuff 3 times
10 stitches, should have had many more...
mainly a cross country rider with about 1 hard crash a year and many minor ones.

I would say if you are being cautious to go with elbow forearm pads. I, like most here have multiple scars on my legs and knees but nothing that really kept me off the bike. If you want to try some more aggressive riding then pad up (TNA stair steps, Joplin), otherwise ... chicks dig scars.

[gil_caz]

i wear only knee and shin protection.

i usually get out of my falls in "Power Slide" position.

only when im somewhere that i know i will be going over the bars alot (Mammoth, Tunnel, Bootleg) do i wear my elbows so that i may break my fall with the plastic, instead of my bone.

[Danimal]

My arms get most of the trail rash and impacts when I fall.
So I just recently started wearing arm guards on many rides, and will most likely add leg guards. Not for falling, but because I'm ALWAYS coming home with scratches and thorns in and on my legs.

And being that I'm not so young anymore, I will walk sometimes. I'd rather hurt my pride thatn break my leg.

[denmother]

I think it all depends on what you ride and how aggresive you are. We downhillers tend to call any type of protection "artificial courage".

It's all about personal preference. I know people who always wear elbow and knee protetion any time they ride. On the other hand, I know downhillers who wear absolutely no protections whatsoever (something about a confidence builder).

Remember, there's no guarantee that you will never fall.

You can check out some of the gear in previous posts:

Protection

Bootleg and body armor..

New Oneal/Azonic gear for 2008

New pads from SixSixOne?