Armor

Discussion in 'The Adrenaline Factory' started by 92se-r, Sep 21, 2008.

  1. atchipmunk

    atchipmunk New Member

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    Thanks for this thread and for the great armor info. I've been thinking about upping the amount of protection I wear out on the trail a bit to protect my chest, back and shoulders. I'm not doing any hardcore DH type stuff...mostly AM/Light FR type riding. I do enjoy descending fairly quickly but would hardly call what I do any truly technical DH.

    Currently i'm running a Giro Remedy for head protection, TLD Shin guards, and TLD elbow guards. I like the TLD stuff for the lightweight protection it offers without being too bulky and overkill. Lately been feeling like I need to add some chest/shoulder/back protection too. Considering either the Rockgardn Trailstar or 661 Core Saver.

    Rockgardn says the trailstar can be worn under a jersey, but I have never seen anyone wear it like that. Has anyone out there that has a trailstar worn theirs under their jersey? How does it fit under the jersey? Too bulky? Does it end up looking football playerish? If I got one, i'd only want to wear it under a jersey so if it doesn't fit well like that then it's out.

    Anyone have both? If given the choice between the Rockgardn Trailstar and 661 Core Saver for lightweight chest/back protection which would you choose? TIA!

    Alvin Caragay
    Hermosa Beach, CA
     
  2. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

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    I have used both the Trailstar and the Core Saver. The Trailstar is comfortable and versatile, however it is not made to wear underneath. The Core Saver is ver comfortable and low profile. Hope this helps.
     
  3. atchipmunk

    atchipmunk New Member

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    Thanks Denmother. Looks like the Trailstar is out for me then. I want something that can be worn under a jersey and isn't too bulky. My only gripe with the 661 core saver is that I wish it had some shoulder protection. Do any of the companies make a short-sleeve version of the pressure suits? Ideally, something like a short-sleeve version of the Rockgardn Flak Jacket would be perfect. I like the fact that it's mesh (for cooling purposes) with the armor attached to it , but I don't want the full length arms with integrated elbow/forearm guards. Maybe something like the 661 Assault suit? Anyone have experience with one of those?
    Another one that just caught my eye is the Rafe Face Rally Armour Jacket. (http://wheelworld.com/product/race-face-08-race-face-roach-rally-armor-jaket-5911.htm) Looks like it could fit the bill. Anyone have, or tried one of those? Impressions, etc?

    Oh, and one more thing...anyone tried wearing any of these with a hydration pack? Wondering if the spine armor would interfere with the fit of a Camelback M.U.L.E.. The Core Saver's spine protection looks like it would be ok with a hydration pack, but the Assault suits' and RF Armour Jackets' looks to be a bit burlier. Anyone tried wearing either with a hydration pack? Thanks again!
     
  4. Cableguy

    Cableguy Member

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    Try Dainese. They have a store in Orange County, so you can go try it out. Expensive, but comfortable and you can wear it under a jersey. Several models as well. They might have close-out sales.
     
  5. MacGuyVer

    MacGuyVer Member.. You Member

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    just the arms, short-sleeve, or full jacket..

    I pulled this from Rockgardn.com "Adjustable length arms and removable elbow/forearm guards. The Flak Jacket can be worn as a full jacket, short-sleeve jacket, or just the elbow/forearm guards themselves." my older (black version) Flak Jacket is the same, wrx fine for me :bang:
     
  6. Dynamatt

    Dynamatt Ride or Die

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    Alvin I have the trailstar and i absolutely love it! I wear it under my jersey all the time, never had any issues with it looking bulky or any different than any other armor. I would really recomend the trailstar over the core saver.. Rockgardn makes great products for less than the competition. And the trail star has solid chest plates as where the core saver has a molded piece of rubber. I have taken a hit to the chest and been thankful i had the chest plates. I own the 661 comp pressure suit and it never fit me right and honestly only the spine protection ever worked. The trail star has adjustments on the shoulder straps and the arms so you can really dial it in to your body. Not to mention Mark over at Rockgardn is an outstanding guy and goes out of his way top make sure his customers are happy. I sent RG an email last year before one of my fontana races needing some replacement lenses for my goggles and he actually wrote me back on a saturday and he left his daughters softball game to come give me new lenses!! So because of the quality of his products and the amazing unexpected customer service. I would recomend RG further over 661 :beer:


    edit: I may start up an argument here but d3o is a joke. I have the evo knee's and not only have they streched with regular use, the stiching has come out of my first set that got waranteed, but now my second set. And they don't protect you any more than kyle straits, or are any more comfortable
     
  7. atchipmunk

    atchipmunk New Member

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    I like the Dainese stuff...they're just kinda expensive. I can't justify the cost of their stuff. Yes, I know...you can't put a price on your safety, but realistically i'm not racing DH and don't need the utmost level of protection. If I were actually doing heavy DH, i'd probably seriously consider the Dainese stuff though. I just want a little lightweight protection for my trail rides....nothing too heavy. I guess I really need to find some sotes that actually have tis stuff in stock so I can try em on. That will probably be the main deciding factor...which fits the best and suits my needs. Thanks.
     
  8. MacGuyVer

    MacGuyVer Member.. You Member

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    :-k Try Wheel World in Culver City or Woodland Hills ..they had a decent selection of armor last time I was there.
     
  9. atchipmunk

    atchipmunk New Member

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    Tried the Culver City Wheel World today during my lunch break (I work in Santa Monica). They only had 3 or 4 pressure suits in their "armor" section...all from Fox...none of which looked like they fit my needs. Wheel World has the Race Face Armour Jacket on their website....was hoping they'd have it in store as well. Guess I should call the Woodland Hills location and see if they carry it in store there...
     
  10. Dynamatt

    Dynamatt Ride or Die

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    My buddy Ryan works at the Wheel World in Woodland Hills, Talk to him if you can and get his opinion. The Trail star seems like it would suit your needs better but if you want to try one on maybe we could meet up since i always have my gear bag on me with it in it


    http://www.sicklines.com/reviews/rockgardn_trailstar/
     
  11. minimusprime

    minimusprime Did I just taste purple?

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    Need a little info on which body armor will be compatible with the leatt braces.

    Thinking of getting the 2010 661 vapor suit. Any one have any idea weather the 661 suit is compatible with leatt stuff? Supposedly the chest and back part of the vapor suit is the same as the previous 661 pressure suit.

    Also I've been using the 661 Race elbows and i'm having problems with them coming down during the course of a ride. Is this common with this armor or are mine just too big? I'm 6'2" average build and i'm wearing a L.
     
  12. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

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    The only one listed as being compatible is the Core Saver. I would send the local rep an email and ask him. Bobby Acuna <[email protected]>

    As far as the elbow pads, I have the same problem. I have to overtighten them to get them to stay up. I also have the same problem with the Evo elbows. I have however, had very good luck with the EVO LITE XC ELBOW pads.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. minimusprime

    minimusprime Did I just taste purple?

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    Thanks for the info. I was thinking of going with a full armor suit just to stop the elbows from coming down during the course of a run. Not only is it distracting but it defeats the purpose as when/if I fall I still destroy my elbows because the pads are down to low.

    If i did get a suit of armor i'd like it to be compatible with the leatt stuff in the future for when i go that route.
     
  14. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

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    I started out wearing a full upper body suit and graduated to the Core Saver and elbows unless the course is really rocky (i.e. Bootleg Canyon). The more gear you wear, the more restricted your movement is. There is a fine line between protection and having full movement.

    Most of the people I know that wear Leatt braces, do not wear anything else. Some wear elbows, but most do not. A few of them (check with Foesnasty or Happy Gilmore) use the moto type plastic chest protectors with their braces. My husband uses this one, but doesn't have a brace.

    [​IMG]

    You could also try the new Comp Elbows.

    [​IMG]
     
  15. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    I was thinking the same thing recently. Sad thing is I cant seem to find hardly any full upper body protection that are leatt compatible. There is a TLD one that does but thats it but TLD doesnt fit me at all.
     
  16. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

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  17. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

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    I just checked the 2010 Catalog and there are 3 new chest protectors that are neck brace compatible, they are the Droid, the Prodigy and the Rogue. They are not on the 661 website yet, but they will be added as soon as they are in stock.
     
  18. RiderG

    RiderG New Member

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  19. Dynamatt

    Dynamatt Ride or Die

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    Anybody lookin for a new helmet for 2010, wait for this bad boy


    [​IMG]
     
  20. Orangesicle

    Orangesicle New Member

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    I've been trying to fit a chest/shoulder/spine protector with my Leatt.
    This one looks pretty good and I'm going to try one out next week at their shop in Compton.
    EVS revolution 5
    http://www.oncycles.com/products/evs/images/RPG00040a.jpg
    I dunno how it compares to my 661 short sleeve armor, but I'm really looking for shoulder protection.
     

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