Concern over poor protective clothing

**MikeL** · 29th August 2003, 08:49

Good second-hand gear can often be found at Cash Converters. I got my Alpinestars there for $40 - almost as new, couldn't believe my luck when I found they were exactly my size. they also have leather pants, jackets, gloves, etc.
You could also try the shop in Onehunga Mall - I think it's called The Budget Clothing Shop or something like that. Big range of leather gear - new and used. Got my new leather pants there for $200.

**marty** · 29th August 2003, 11:16

i agree with mikeL. i picked up a full set of apache zip togethers for $350 out of the loot. still riding in long laced docs though - must get some race/riding boots. feel naked riding in (just) jeans now. even got some kevlar palmed leather race gloves from cash converters for $20.

**PZR** · 29th August 2003, 12:37

When I got back on a bike I bought the best I could afford which was middle of the road price range with second hand leather pants from the T&E. I then came of at around 70km (mechanical failure) and really appreciated the gear. A couple of scrapes and bruises on me and the gear was battered but reusable. I cliamed the gear on my personal insurance but have to watch that as they devalue it really heavily even tho I had only done small milage in it. Lets just say that the money I got back was well used to wards more biking.

Good gear rocks. I remember what I used in my early riding days and distintcly remember the draughts and being wet a lot, and I never tested it by coming off on the road..People tell me taking off the top layer of skin is one of the more painfull experiances they have had, so its leather / cordura and armour for me all the way

I am interested in hearing about back protectors as I was thinking Santa might bring me one for Xmas. Any advise?

**MikeL** · 29th August 2003, 13:28

Never come across hip protectors before but I can see the point of them. How do you avoid looking like the Michelin Man though?

**Coldkiwi** · 29th August 2003, 15:14

I have spilled off at 30kmhr and about 90kmhr and if I hadn't had full leathers at 90kmhr I would've been well toasted. Got some holes in my lacket and grazes on hips/hands/back but VERY lucky. Even getting knocked off at 30kmhr (one of the rare occasions I wore jeans) I got nasty grazes on my knees and only saved major cuts and bruises to my hands with my 2 week old padded race style gloves.

If you wear jeans and didn't know... THEY DO SWEET SOD ALL in a crash. No impact protection obviously but i scored two nice holes in them hitting the ground at about 15k. imagine the carnage at open road speeds.

can you afford not to wear hard out gear?

**wkid_one** · 29th August 2003, 15:37

Issues - armour is great - but it only protects you once and is only designed to protect from an impact with the road immediately after leaving the bike. It won't protect from impacts with stationary objects such as kerbs and the like (in fact can actually do more damage).

Poor fitting armour can actually be worse than no armour at all - causing/exacerbating injuries in an accident. Make sure the armour is sitting hard against your skin - especially important when you take the lining out in summer!! Make sure the jacket has adjustable straps.

Clover put out good back protectors circa $200.

**wkid_one** · 29th August 2003, 19:14

Nope - coz it is usually fucked from the original impact and can cause more damage as a result of it being deformed and or not allowing the joints normal range of movement. Hitting kerbs etc with armour - will just result in the injury damage being transferred to a weaker point where the energy will be disipated there. I would rather suffer a broken knee than a broken pelvis (well actually I would rather have neither). Just discussed the same issue with the Orthopeadic Surgeon on Monday as we got in to a discussion re motorcycle accidents and protective gear funnily enough. He has seen more accidents than I - so tend to believe him.

Yes, I would rather wear armour - but it will do fuck all if you hit a kerb/tree/lamppost and you are kidding yourself if you think it will- plus what are ya going to do - make sure you hit the tree with your elbow/knee - next we will want the full armour suit???

It is like back protectors - the best ones stop you from hyper-extending you back first and foremost as opposed to focusing on impact protection.

The forces with hitting the road are horizontal as you are travelling over it so impact force is lessened - the forces hitting a kerb are opposing you direction of travel (and usually immoveable) - armour is going to help very little (unless travelling slow that is).

I think the aim is to not fall off, and if you do - steer clear of immovable objects......

**wkid_one** · 29th August 2003, 19:16

ride in this

Riot/Crowd Control Body Suit

Our Riot Gear is designed to protect against blunt trauma injuries while officers have the mobility to get their job done. The unique multiple-layer laminate distributes and absorbs high impact strikes.

**wkid_one** · 29th August 2003, 19:21

or this

May need a tree and a couple of serfs to help you on the bike (and some investment in Ohlins)

**NZred** · 29th August 2003, 22:06

Wkid_one,

I see the logic of your discussion with the doctor.

I also see that without any armour you may not survive the first impact.. let alone the secondary encounter with a kurb or similar.

I think I would prefer to take the risk of surviving the first impact.. and hope like hell,, there is NOT a secondary hit.

I know that my dragin jeans will only help in relation to heat,.. and the armour 's defence is minimal... but in reallity .. what else can you do..??

**wkid_one** · 29th August 2003, 22:38

That is exactly my point Red - armour is ONLY designed for the first impact - not impacts with stationary objects (kerbs/trees etc).

armour is great - but it only protects you once and is only designed to protect from an impact with the road immediately after leaving the bike. It won't protect from impacts with stationary objects such as kerbs and the like (in fact can actually do more damage).

The new armour with plastic cups and foam are worse on a secondary impact coz they usually pierce the skin worsen the injury/wound rather than protecting you (common in modern Technic and Spidi gear).

**RiceBurner** · 29th August 2003, 23:25

Do you get Hein Gericke Clothing and accesories down there?

It's German bike wear - lots of different styles, and very well priced. Consistently does well in the RiDE magazine scientific tests.

One thing they have is "Hiprotec" armour. It's not absorbing foam, it's neoprene rubber. The theory is that it will work more than once and actually absorb more impact energy.

I've not actually tried the double impact test - but I HAVE gone down the road in Hiprotec (and also in normal armour). The Hiprotec works well and better than normal foam armour.

I've also had the misfortune to sustain a head on without armour and have a weak knee as a result - I won't ride without armoured trousers now, and use nothing but Hiprotec because it's comfortable : It deforms to fit your shape without losing it's absorbing properties.

piccie (I hope) :

As you can see - it looks kinda like a Scholl sandal - but that's all soft rubber.

Also - I'll ONLY wear Leather on my legs - no denim anymore - learnt my lesson there.

But - I have crashed twice in a Weiss Textile jacket (lowish speeds - 40 max), and the abrasion resistance was respectable. (Good armour is needed for impact resistance obviously).

**wkid_one** · 30th August 2003, 08:06

Originally posted by RiceBurner
One thing they have is "Hiprotec" armour. It's not absorbing foam, it's neoprene rubber. The theory is that it will work more than once and actually absorb more impact energy.

I've not actually tried the double impact test - but I HAVE gone down the road in Hiprotec (and also in normal armour). The Hiprotec works well and better than normal foam armour.

It must be super comfortable given it is rubber??? A lot of suits use the thin neoprene pads in the hip as it is usually only a secondary impact point (primary being knees, elbows and shoulders and hands)

**RiceBurner** · 30th August 2003, 09:58

Originally posted by wkid_one
It must be super comfortable given it is rubber??? A lot of suits use the thin neoprene pads in the hip as it is usually only a secondary impact point (primary being knees, elbows and shoulders and hands)

oh yeah - EXTEMELY comfortable compared to regular hard foam armour.

Also safe because whatever shape you are - it conforms to it so it's always in the right shape - wherever you use it.

**mangell6** · 30th August 2003, 13:21

Interesting subject this.

I always thought that as the body has a natural layer of protection then what else do we need to ride bikes. I always found jandles to be good foot wear even though they could create a large split in my foot, next to my big toe.

:

Anyway like most things in life each person considers what is important to them. I have an important back and head, tend to take care of them when riding with a quality "what I can afford" helmet and riding gear with armour.

Used to road race on push bikes, clipped a riders back wheel as part of the leading 'line' of riders - went down, the bunch road over me and I was wearing standard push bike clothing AND a push bike helmet. That helmet has front sprocket marks on it as people road over my head.

I have reached the conclusion that each individual has different values and that people ride with what they consider they are worth.

Mike
Older, wiser, and learnt it all young.