Elbow protection

[Blair.DRZ]

Came off on a ride on Sunday and grazed and bruised my arm up pretty bad, was only wearing a t-shirt at the time.

Does anyone use elbow guards, are they comfortable or just a pain in the ass, or do you just rely on the padding that some of the jerseys have in the elbows. I don't do mx, just trail riding.

Cheers

[clmintie]

We all wear them all the time, would feel naked without...... Saved a fair bit of skin over the years, making work on Monday mornings a lot less painful....

[Crisis management]

I wear a pressure suit...but I am an old fart and tend to fall off all the time..:shutup:

Having said that, there is no guarantee even with protection you won't get hurt, I managed to crack a few ribs 5 weeks ago even with the pressure suit, and thats at nana speeds!

So, get as much stuff as you can afford and wear it, even if your mates laugh at you.

[dammad1]

I wear them, but I find I have to have them on quite loose or I get more arm pump, which means they save you on initial impact but they will move after that.

[Blair.DRZ]

Cheers for the advice guys, think i'll go and invest in some elbow guards now, the more protection the better !!!

[Reckless]

I wear them, but I find I have to have them on quite loose or I get more arm pump, which means they save you on initial impact but they will move after that.

BINGO!!
Thanks for that Dammad! Now I'll explain why?

I've all of a sudden been getting a bit of arm pump and crampy hands. As I'm trying to go a bit faster for longer I've been tightening the arm straps on my pressure suit much tighter in case I fall off. The cramp gave me shit for the first hour and a half (1-1/2 loops) of the Mr moto ride last Sunday then seemed to slowly come right. I just toughed it out thinking I was a slacker but maybe the cross straps on my forearms loosened throughout the day??

Bloody brilliant! Thank goodness for Kiwibiker Hopefully problem solved!!
Thanks mate!

[thommo77]

Im just a trailie as well. Just bought a Nemeses body suit. Offers basic protection for elbows, back, shoulders etc. Fits well and the various protectors seem to stay in place.
Only $150. For what I do, its ideal. Couldnt justify the extra $'s for a full-on 'big name' suit.

[camchain]

Last time I was talking elbow guards I recommended them to a mate on the way to a ride. An hour later his elbow/forearm had a nice big graze down it. I use skateboard elbow guards that have been excellent. Quite lightweight with no movement restriction.

I recently bought some Shift ones that give added forearm protection. The useless things kept sliding down my arms but I think I can mod them a bit to sort this. As well described by dammad I'd watch for ones that might restrict blood supply and also ones that look great from protection standpoint - but are also heavy. A tiny bit of extra weight on your arms can really tire you out fast, potentially leading to what we're trying to avoid.

The sooner human dirt biker body evolves into insect-like exoskeleton the better. Keep working on that scar tissue build up.

[Pierce]

im another that uses a pressure suit. I run the alpinestars one and have the same issue of getting arm pump if the forearm straps are too tight. Just loosen them up and it's usually sweet

[dammad1]

BINGO!!
Thanks for that Dammad! Now I'll explain why?

I've all of a sudden been getting a bit of arm pump and crampy hands. As I'm trying to go a bit faster for longer I've been tightening the arm straps on my pressure suit much tighter in case I fall off. The cramp gave me shit for the first hour and a half (1-1/2 loops) of the Mr moto ride last Sunday then seemed to slowly come right. I just toughed it out thinking I was a slacker but maybe the cross straps on my forearms loosened throughout the day??

Bloody brilliant! Thank goodness for Kiwibiker Hopefully problem solved!!
Thanks mate!

Yeah my brother refuses to wear his because every time he does he gets arm pump.

[oldguy]

sorry to hijack this thread, since where on body protection, Kidney belts, to any of you use them, on trail, or are they more for the MX racer, and if you do, what do you look for, they look like they would restrict movement around the mid section, and boy do I have a big med area eg (fat guts)

[barty5]

sorry to hijack this thread, since where on body protection, Kidney belts, to any of you use them, on trail, or are they more for the MX racer, and if you do, what do you look for, they look like they would restrict movement around the mid section, and boy do I have a big med area eg (fat guts)

Yeh i use one feel like shit after bout 5 mins if i dont helps keep guts in place (or fat guts if rupe is reading this cause he is bound to make a remark) last ride i did with out it was horible. dont really notice it once worn a few times althought 1st round of gncc i did it up a bit to much and that was uncomfortable.

[Reckless]

Anyone that uses a pressure suit has a kidney belt oldguy they are built in. That's why I got one, by the time i bought the roost vest, elbow guards and Kidney belt the pressure suit was a good option for similar cost with better integrated protection (built in backprotector). Mine are Azonic ones!

[alistair1]

i run a evs pressuure suit, and i get arm pump if the wrist starps are too tight,the velcro now hangs on by about two mm so its loose enough. and ive grazed my ar through the elbow pads(did they move then move back? i dont know...) aswell

[oldguy]

Anyone that uses a pressure suit has a kidney belt oldguy they are built in. That's why I got one, by the time i bought the roost vest, elbow guards and Kidney belt the pressure suit was a good option for similar cost with better integrated protection (built in backprotector). Mine are Azonic ones!
Cheers reckless thanks, know what you mean, about buying individually, I looked at the pressure suit, didn't realize they had the kidney belt built in.
With the pressure suit I didn't want to look like a pro, but underneath it all I'm just a wanna be trail rider.

[soundbeltfarm]

i zip tied me elbow uards to my armour and now have them reasonably loose and they dont slide down at all.
i use a big zip tie so i still have as much movement than ever

[dammad1]

I wouldn't ride without a kidney belt or you'll be pissing blood in no time.

[cheese]

+1 for the pressure suit.

On a side note I've got a kidnet belt here if someone wants one. I think that I paid $70 for it, I'll flick it for $40.

[CHOPPA]

Man i cant stand those pressure suits, if you dont mind wearin them then they are a great thing!

[FROSTY]

I know Im gonna look like a chump but WTF is a pressure suit?

[Reckless]

Full body armour Frosty!

[2_SL0]

I noticed on Friday I was the only chump riding around without em, so what brand and where.

[noobi]

how much do you wanna pay 2_slo?

[CHOPPA]

I noticed on Friday I was the only chump riding around without em, so what brand and where.

Obviously not a mx track..?

[xen]

I have 661 2x4 guards, got'em mostly because they have the mesh part so don't slide down which can be a problem with some. Also means you can leave the forearm strap loose. Good protection and they're light, had a couple of offs where even with them on had some bad brusing so without :shit: Forgot where and how much but link (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Cycling/Helmets-protection/Other/auction-202109724.htm)

[2_SL0]

how much do you wanna pay 2_slo?

No idea what the going rate for them, eerrrr guess less than 1 hundy.

[noobi]

No idea what the going rate for them, eerrrr guess less than 1 hundy.

Cycletreads have quite a few different ones, the website atm isnt showing them, but Im sure they still have them there.
I got the 661 white suit, I found it was more comfortable and fitted better than the other ones that were there,
Theres the Nemeses ones on tardme for $136, Oneal ones for $249, Thor impact rig $249, there are cheaper not name brand ones around too for 100 - 150 ish
If its near go to cycletreads and try some on, see if you like it, because some people hate them

[tommorth]

motomail outlet had some for 60 bucks last year , price does vary alot think mine was 140 azonic/oneal . Lots of them are listed as mountain bike gear on trademe . I rekon the best thing about it is that all the armour is tied together so I only have on remember one thing .

[2_SL0]

Whoops I think I stole the thread, I'm just after elbow pads.

[Ktmboy]

I noticed on Friday I was the only chump riding around without em, so what brand and where.

Probably that makes two chumps.
I have a very lowly set thermostat and anybody that has ridden with me knows that when the helmet comes off a pint of sweat pores out.(could be amber liquid)
With a pressure suit its two pints.

Thus any pressure to major blood carring vessels e.g the arms, results in serious cramps.

Elbow pads may stop the odd little craze, but hit a tree or another bike and you are still going to break the arm. Kidney belts on the other hand are a different story.

They hold our porches in tight to make us fat bastards look slim and cool:Punk:

[2_SL0]

They hold our porches in tight to make us fat bastards look slim and cool:Punk:

You mean I can look slim and kewl. I gotta get me one of those.

[Reckless]

Probably that makes two chumps.
I have a very lowly set thermostat and anybody that has ridden with me knows that when the helmet comes off a pint of sweat pores out.(could be amber liquid)
With a pressure suit its two pints.

They hold our porches in tight to make us fat bastards look slim and cool:Punk:

I like the security of them! When its hot I just wear the Pressure suit on its own, with a silky type tank top under (Like in my pic in the Thunder at waitangi day thread). I have Azonic which has a nice cool vest type stuff so I reckon its probably cooler than a shirt with a roost protector over top.

Easy to clean as well I just hang it on the fence when I'm cleaning my bike!
Same process actually, wet it, squirt it with the dynamo mix, hose it off, DONE.
But I'm not gonna tell you how to suck eggs Ktm boy you've done heaps more riding than me!

[krad_nz]

:Offtopic:
Hey KTMBoy when you working at the Sandpit next? Keen to fire up the BBQ again with you sometime. Might actually bring some food/beer with us this time :)

[Reckless]

That full body rig I pictured in an earlier post looks really hot to wear but this Moshin stuff looks well priced and interesting how it comes over the shoulder like that might protect your collar bone form the bottom lip of the helmet breaking it when you fall!
Made of the smae stuff as my azonic!

Here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Helmets-clothing-footwear/Armour/auction-201777006.htm

Dunno though till you see and try it though. Some of the good brands look cheap & Crappy!

[kezzafish]

Probably that makes two chumps.
I have a very lowly set thermostat and anybody that has ridden with me knows that when the helmet comes off a pint of sweat pores out.(could be amber liquid)
With a pressure suit its two pints.

Thus any pressure to major blood carring vessels e.g the arms, results in serious cramps.

Elbow pads may stop the odd little craze, but hit a tree or another bike and you are still going to break the arm. Kidney belts on the other hand are a different story.

They hold our porches in tight to make us fat bastards look slim and cool:Punk:

i am also one to sweat like a rapist but wear a pressure suit anyway for the reasons explained. And as Reckless said it's not hot if you wear it without a riding jersey. But back to the point about sweating and cramping up like crazy. Does anyone know the cause of this? is it lack of salt? due to all the sweating out of body salty shit? I don't think it's dehydration as i have a 3 litre camel toe and suck down heaps. If it is salt... what's in the salt?... is it sodium? is there a supplement i can take instead of carrying a salt shaker? anyone been through this shit? i'm finally sick of cramp and have decided to find stuff out and do something about it. It's quite intermittant and seems like if i'm on the piss before riding it's worse. Any ideas much appreciated

[soundbeltfarm]

i know that cyclists have aspray they apray under their tongue if they cramp up and it goes away imediattly.
i'll ask my mate because his old man uses it .

[honda_power]

i never use a kidney belt, they piss me off, and iv never hurt my guts...

[oldguy]

i never use a kidney belt, they piss me off, and iv never hurt my guts...

this is all getting quite confusing, damned if you do and damned if you don't.

I better not take any chances, I have crap luck, i better get me one.

Hey cheese, what size is the one your selling ???

[Ktmboy]

:Offtopic:
Hey KTMBoy when you working at the Sandpit next? Keen to fire up the BBQ again with you sometime. Might actually bring some food/beer with us this time :)

BBQ is always on site just ask, feel free to use it.

[4stroke]

i never use a kidney belt, they piss me off, and iv never hurt my guts...

i second that

[Ktmboy]

i am also one to sweat like a rapist but wear a pressure suit anyway for the reasons explained. And as Reckless said it's not hot if you wear it without a riding jersey. But back to the point about sweating and cramping up like crazy. Does anyone know the cause of this? is it lack of salt? due to all the sweating out of body salty shit? I don't think it's dehydration as i have a 3 litre camel toe and suck down heaps. If it is salt... what's in the salt?... is it sodium? is there a supplement i can take instead of carrying a salt shaker? anyone been through this shit? i'm finally sick of cramp and have decided to find stuff out and do something about it. It's quite intermittant and seems like if i'm on the piss before riding it's worse. Any ideas much appreciated

What causes cramp is the loss of electrolites (potassium..well salts) in the system(think thats the right word).
So what you have to do is replace them. Replace being a fairly appt word as I buy the "Replace" powder from Horleys at the local Woolies and add it into my camelback. Adding Powerade, E2 etc just gives you energy in short bursts not stamina for extended riding.
You should also hydrate yourself even up to a couple of days beforehand. For us weekend riders the night before is OK.
I plan on having about 3 pee's over a few hours before a race and that tells me I'm all drowned.
If you have 3 pee's in the last 1/4 hour it means you are flushing all of your good stuff away.

Carbo shots can be added as well into said camelback but I prefer to have one every time I pit. These can be brought as sachets from those sports dietry shops.

I tried an new sample product last race and shit was it good. I was warned not to drink it before the start as it would be like havin an upper.

Should have done as I had a shit ride, I'll remember the name soon. Twas goood.

[Ktmboy]

i never use a kidney belt, they piss me off, and iv never hurt my guts...

Its not the guts that get bruised. Its the kidneys, otherwise it'd be called a gut belt.

See the kidneys are very sensitive(much like ya bollocks). But unlike ya bollocks they are not designed to bounce up and down as the ole bollocks do when you run or are doing the wild thing with the misses.

If you were to do a really whooped out ride with no belt they get damaged and the more you do the worse they get. Its a long term thing. Bit like smoking, it builds up over time.

[dammad1]

Its not the guts that get bruised. Its the kidneys, otherwise it'd be called a gut belt.

See the kidneys are very sensitive(much like ya bollocks). But unlike ya bollocks they are not designed to bounce up and down as the ole bollocks do when you run or are doing the wild thing with the misses.

If you were to do a really whooped out ride with no belt they get damaged and the more you do the worse they get. Its a long term thing. Bit like smoking, it builds up over time.

Yep no way I would ride without one, and once i'm on the bike I don't even notice its there.

[camchain]

Big fat vote for kidney belts.

MRI shows my spine looks like a poorly assembled jigsaw puzzle (crushed vertebra, blown out disc etc) Have had spine surgery before so I actually wear 2 kidney belts for extra support! One super wide one bought from Physio and normal MX one on top. Heat build-up always a problem with extra gear on.

I've actually experienced sore kidneys from a particularly rough ride. No mistaking the pain source. Non gear wearers must be made from tougher stuff.

I get very bad cramps, like torn muscle that knots up and shows bruises. Incredibly painful. Specialist says related to nerve damage in my case but did some reading, apparently magnesium a factor. Found some Red Seal 'Cramp buster' pills in supermarket, contain 75mg Magnesium and 25mg Potassium. Have looked since but have never seen them on shelf again.