I have XL 661 Kyle Straights and they fit fine maybe a tad lose but my leg is about 20" around 4" above the knee. Try some on they might fit just fine.
My 2 cents (seriously just 2 scant little pennies) This is a good thread because finding the right armor can be costly, time consuming, and well dangerous I suppose. There are a few things that I look for in particular: Anatomical fit & comfort - I like the gear to fit properly for my body type. I want it to move with me and not against me. It also needs to be as cool as possible. Some stuff causes you to heat up. Also, it's important to find armor with minimal chafe points--things like seams and stitching that will dig into you over time. Look and feel - The stuff has to look good. I don't like gear that looks awkward. This is especially so with body armor. I like it to fit closely and look streamlined. Dainese and Spyder make some very sleek stuff, fore exmple. Things like knee and elbow pads should also match well with the rest of my kit for that factory look. Protective capability - Oh yeah, the armor needs to actually work, too. But, I temper this against the other factors. So, I don't really need a suit of armor to run the Fontana track given my current crash record. Quality and durability - I expect my gear to least for at least one season without looking too chapped. Certain stuff simply won't stand that test. For example, if you're prone to falling, pads with white plastic will look like crap very soon. Also, Velcro that quits is unacceptable. Cost - Can be a factor for the more short-lived gear like knees, elbows, and gloves. Body armor, however, is worth investing in because it can last a few seasons. Again, Dainese is very expensive, but it is quite excellent in every respect--well worth the cost. With all that I only use the following: Troy Lee T Bones kneed pads - $50 bucks, don't slip, look the business, no chafing, pretty cool, good for pedaling, good for my skinny as legs. Troy Lee XC or Air gloves - $25 or so, super comfortable, excellent feel, not very protective though. Troy Lee D2 Steve Peat - $275. Troy Lee, D2, Peaty, timeless, nuff said. Dainese gladiator bib - Kind of a wierd piece of kit because it's basically a tight-rope walking suit with a chamois and hip pads--almost pointless, but I love it for big Alpine downhill like Mammoth. Sort of just keeps your bits warm and in good order. I love Dainese body armor, but I don't really wear body armor anymore.
What I Rock.. ..it depends on what type of rocks.. or the amount of said rocks on the trail and the degree of difficulty the will impose upon my smooth decent. I've found that unless you feel comfortable wearing your gear, both physically AND aesthetically, you will not wear it. So, make sure you love to rock your gear or get rocked sooner rather later. :bang: Here is what I rock ..depending on trail difficulty:
I do a moderate amount of climbing on my rides (the payoff being the downhill ride and my gluttony for speed) and considering getting knee/shin guards just cuz of late, I've gotten scraped up and tossed around. I wear and old pair of elbow pads I used to use when I used to paintball and they don't bother me at all 'cept for sweat build up. My question: For knee/shin guards what should my reasonable expectation be wearing them as far as comfort, noise (do the plastic components rub at all?), and difference (if any) in performance? I guess I'm curious if they have "some" impedance in the pedaling motion and just take getting used to? I want to know that if I plop the money down that they won't make pedaling uphill harder than it already is on the really steep climbs. #-oAnyone with experience in using knee/shin guards, I welcome your feedback and any brand/model suggestions as well.
TLD has what you want... Troy Lee Lopes might fit the bill. Super comfy, streamlined, and stylish! It also has a detachable outer casing for those less gnarly days.
padded shorts ok, so i took a good fall in whistler last month & i'm still feeling the bruise on my hip. i'm seriously thinking about buying some hip pads... but which ones? i only saw one pair of padded shorts in this thread & they looked like rockgardn. i haven't looked at those yet, but i did find these. anyone try them? thoughts? http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13...ive-Gear/Sette-Impact-Padded-Under-Shorts.htm these look real beefy & maybe overkill? that is until i end up w/another month old bruise... or these: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...=80002&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=28&zmap=1813 or maybe one of each for longer trips/multiple days??
best protect yo-self, before you wreck yo-self +1 for the ROCKGARDN CYA SHORTS ..the shorts breathe well, fit snug, aren't super bulky, and will stay in place while you ride and even when you wreck \\/ You will forget they are on ..now how many other pieces of protection gear can you say that about? :-k
ended up getting these: http://www.amazon.com/SixSixOne-649...=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1252219416&sr=1-32 cheap & free 2 day shipping. now if i can just get that leatt! if i like padded shorts, will try other brands, too! tks all!
the CYA shorts are nice... I had a pair a few years ago and they r nice too... they are a little cheaper too those look good.... i hope they work out for ya
So I am currently using the fox Launch shorty knee/shin gaurds & Launch elbow gaurds. When it comes to that next step in protection, the suit, I want to make sure I am protected. Fox is the only brand I have access to prodeal pricing on so if it will sufficiently do the job, I will buy the Fox, however if anyone can tell me reasons I should not consider the Fox, please do tell. As several of you stated, don't be stingy on your protection and I will spend the money with Six Six One, Rockgarden or the others, if the Fox quality or protection factor is in question. Reason I am asking is simply because I do not see Fox listed in this thread as a consideration. Thanks!
661 offer great protection IMHO.. ^^^ I had these for snowboarding a few seasons ago.. protection is good. Keep in mind these will fit you loose, more like board or boxer shorts, [-X not that you've worn boxers per say. Just sayin' that the CYA's fit is more like spandex biker shorts. Either way your good, like I said before.. "best protect yo-self, before you wreck yo-self" \\/
just now seeing this, as i get ready to return the 661's. way too baggy. i figured despite their measurements, that a men's small would be huge on me & especially if the fit is loose. i just can't see how these will do any good protecting me when i crash if they slide out of place of where they ought to be protecting!!! ok, will try the cya's. tks!!
I had the 661's, but upgraded to the CYA's.. I think you'll be far more pleased with the fit of the CYA's :clap: Both myself and my GF wear them for DH and snowboarding in the winter. Believe me when I tell you that we've had a chance to give them the full on crash test BTW.. I fixed all my pix in post#63 :wave:
Suiting up for BATTLE!! First off WEAR SOMETHING ,ANYTHING ,just wear protection! To all ,very good info and thanks to Denmother.Always good on the info,and to those out there thanks for the good props on the DAINESE goods. I've been wearing my gear for this whole year of racing and riding and putting it through the paces and it has done better then most of the gear out there that I've used in the past. It's like Stryder gum the stuff never losses it's flavor. I did some major product testing this last weekend with my left knee at the Mammoth Cal State Finals in the expert-pro course rock garden like everyone else. I hit it hard enough that I didn't race but I walked away. Bummed that I didn't race,but still had a good time. Just remember that (and this is to everyone new to DH or anyone in the market for new gear.) it is FIT, FIT, FIT. With fit comes comfort,the gear should feel like a part of your body and move with your body.This is the one of the peimier functions of DAINESE, second is impact protection. If you did not know DAINESE's impact tech stems from years of reserch in motorcycle roadracing and all this has carried over to MTB,SNOW,and WATERCRAFT. All protection is made in Italy and has the highest CE ratings for impact. Of course this does not come with out a price. DAINESE is costly compared to others, but unmatched in fit and protection. Now here is some good news . If you ride motorcycles or MTB we are having a BIG SALE at our TWO D-STORE's now,so if you get a chance check it out. D-STORE Costa Mesa CA. 1645 Superior Ave. 92627 (949)650-2300 D-STORE San Francisco CA. 131 South Van Ness Ave. 94103 (415)626-5478 Thanks Art DAINESE/AGV See you at the races!:wave:
well, i had the chance to test out my cya's last w/e in mammoth. not 100% pleased. in fact, rather disappointed from first sight. i got the youth large, so don't know if these are exactly the same as the adults style. the youth's have a small hip pad up high & then a another pad on the front of the thigh... wth?? i knew this would leave most of the side of my thigh exposed & sure enough i went down after washing out after landing a drop & landed on my side. i have 2 huge bruises on my right thigh. my question then to anyone who wears the adult cya's is this: is the pad configuration the same as i just described or is there more hip/side thigh coverage? this was the ENTIRE reason for buying hip shorts & these failed miserably. should i invest in an other pair of the rockgardn cya's, but in the adult's small this time or should i keep looking? tks all!!
Sorry to hear the youth pads failed you.. Both myself and my GF have the adult version and they are identical to the pics in my earlier post #63. I can tell you from experience that some of Rockgardn equipment does differ in design from the youth to adult (not just size/proportions). I WOULD highly recommend that you try and exchange them for an adult small if you think they'll fit :bang: BTW ..just looked @ Rockgardn's site and it does sounds like the material/construction method of the hip and lower quad pads are different for the Jr. CYA's and adult CYA's #-o
For the less technical rides I have been using these and love them. EVO LITE XC KNEE Lightweight, Flexible XC Knee Protection with D30 Hook and loop sleeve so tha the pad can be put on or removed without removing shoes yet stays in place well. Lightweight and flexible d30™ padding for good impact protection while still being able to pedal well. Light and flexible vented Neoprene and Lycra® construction. Upper and lower straps for easy adjustment.
