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Body Armour and commuting? Anybody?

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Old 03-05-08, 05:57 AM
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macteacher
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Body Armour and commuting? Anybody?

So ever since my little mis-hap the other day, i've started wondering if I should have worn some crotch protection.

Anybody here wear any sort of protection or body armour? Crotch, elbows, knee's etc?
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Old 03-05-08, 06:11 AM
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I have had an accident involving that part of my body only once. Back when I was 12 (I am 36). I hit a bump and went flying forward. Instead of going over the handlebars I just ran into the stemp with my crotch.

So given how often it happens, versus the probably chafing issues with a cup or similar device, I will take my chances

-D
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Old 03-05-08, 06:41 AM
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I've seen one rider in London with full body armor and a full face helmet.
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Old 03-05-08, 07:11 AM
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i wear a full face helmet and have knee and elbow pads on order. i dont plan on falling off but in london there are some dumb drivers!
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Old 03-05-08, 07:41 AM
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After falling on the ice and hurting my wrist the other day my first thought was wrist guards. But, I honestly don't think they'd be worth the hassle for the 1 in 365 days they would actually be used.

I'm glad I wear a helmet for the 1-2 days I do spill, but most days I wonder if those helmet-less loonies have a point!
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Old 03-05-08, 07:44 AM
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I have often thought of wearing knee pads for the winter commute .... Other than that, I always wear a helmet as it save me one time from a major beating.... split my helmet right in 2.
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Old 03-05-08, 07:52 AM
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After being hit by a car in July and sliding down the pavement over 40 yards, I looked into it, believe me. But the issue, in Tx at least, is the heat factor. I did contact a couple of companies that make armor and Skinz is actually looking into a ligter weight, cooler (temp wise) version. Most others had no vision for it.

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Old 03-05-08, 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by tate65
After being hit by a car in July and sliding down the pavement over 40 yards, I looked into it, believe me. But the issue, in Tx at least, is the heat factor. I did contact a couple of companies that make armor and Skinz is actually looking into a ligter weight, cooler (temp wise) version. Most others had no vision for it.

C'mon I just ate my breakfast. Now I gotta go get a new begal. Actually come to think of it I thought I saw a ribeye in the shoulder today on Love crossing 114 maybe it was a piece of someone
But really ouch. Which road was that you slid down?
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Old 03-05-08, 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by evblazer
...I just ate my breakfast. Now I gotta go get a new begal...
You had a beagle for breakfast?
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Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
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Old 03-05-08, 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by markhr
You had a beagle for breakfast?
What of it protein it protein! My wife is a dog catcher and I'm cheap
I'm sorry I mean Animal control officer.
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Old 03-05-08, 08:47 AM
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Mmmm, beagles! I have worn full finger gloves ever since a nasty spill ,right hooked by pickup truck. Left hand knuckles took a grinding. My coworkers thought I had been in a fight. No special protection other than standard cycling helmet and now gloves.
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Old 03-05-08, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by TRUMPHENT
Left hand knuckles took a grinding. My coworkers thought I had been in a fight.
You didn't correct them, did you?
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Old 03-05-08, 09:25 AM
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Forest Lane, just west of TI Blvd,,,,I landed under the DART rail bridge.
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Old 03-05-08, 09:54 AM
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I stopped wearing my keens in the summer when I wiped and skinned the top of my foot, they couldn't clip in anyway. I should wear kevlar vest though cuz I commute in New Jersey...
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Old 03-05-08, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by macteacher
So ever since my little mis-hap the other day, i've started wondering if I should have worn some crotch protection.

Anybody here wear any sort of protection or body armour? Crotch, elbows, knee's etc?
Lightweight chest/shoulder/back armor that fits under a jersey:
https://sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Bike...1-7233429429dc

Low profile pants liner:
https://sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Bike...c-271a8b9ea251

Soft shell elbow pads:
https://www.athleticarmour.com/ViewPr...lamPad/38.aspx
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Old 03-05-08, 03:29 PM
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>>Wear under any race pants to prevent the dreaded "monkey butt".

What the heck is a monkey butt? and...how much does this stuff weigh. If it could be substituted for a layer, it might be worth it.

Last edited by vrkelley; 03-05-08 at 03:40 PM.
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Old 03-05-08, 03:43 PM
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I have a Dainese Jacket with back/shoulder/elbow protection that I sometimes wear in winter (under my waterproof) when it gets bad but it is too warm for summer
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Old 03-05-08, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by vrkelley
What the heck is a monkey butt? and...how much does this stuff weigh. If it could be substituted for a layer, it might be worth it.
orangutang butt.... that big red (monkey) butt surrounded by fur
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Old 03-05-08, 07:55 PM
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I am thinking of getting knee/shin guards and elbow guards. For now it's just the helmet and padded gloves, I also have my camelback , I heard it offers some protection for the back.
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Old 03-05-08, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by whatsmyname
You didn't correct them, did you?
Nah, I told the interested that it was homebound cycling event. I left out the part about being cut off by the pickup truck.

This happened when traffic was backing up due to an accident up ahead on a divided highway. Motor vehicle commuters start looking for an escape route out of a potentially long delay. Me got in the way in the driver's almost blindspot. I was right behind his right door mirror.
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Old 03-05-08, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by derath
I have had an accident involving that part of my body only once. Back when I was 12 (I am 36). I hit a bump and went flying forward. Instead of going over the handlebars I just ran into the stemp with my crotch.

So given how often it happens, versus the probably chafing issues with a cup or similar device, I will take my chances

-D
O_o;;
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Old 03-05-08, 08:50 PM
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More questions. Do the legs on padded bind at the knees? If I'm doing higher cadance, extra binding is uncomfortable.
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Old 03-05-08, 08:51 PM
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backpack for tucking and rolling and some padded gloves are good enough for me. I think I've had to use it 3~7 times.
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Old 03-05-08, 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by macteacher
So ever since my little mis-hap the other day, i've started wondering if I should have worn some crotch protection.

Anybody here wear any sort of protection or body armour? Crotch, elbows, knee's etc?
You could just pad the top tube and stem. There are all sorts of Velcro attachments out there for BMX/Downhill that do not require you to sweat in them. That's if you are worried about the bike hurting you in a crash.

Anytime I crash my road bike (rare thankfully) I ding up my hip. Actually right where my hip bone accepts my femur. I wouldn't mind some armor there if I were racing. For just riding tho - helmet, gloves, sturdy shoes is as far as I take it.
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Old 03-05-08, 10:24 PM
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In all my time Ive only known one rider who needed body armor. During an ultra event in the southern Sierra he was shot by someone with a BB gun as he turned from Sierra Way onto the Walker Pass Road. He made it two miles to my rest stop thinking he had been stung by a wasp. I saw the blood on his arm, found the entry hole, and hauled him 20+ miles to a clinic. A doctor took the pellet out while the local sheriff watched. Amazing that he did most of his riding in East L.A. and had never been scratched.
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