Protection

[Jimtowner]

A couple of weeks ago I fell off my bike. Fortunately, the bike was okay, a few-month-old EasyMotion. It was my fault, the front wheel ran off the edge of the concrete bike path. I tried to correct by turning the wheel and down I went. It was all quick. I was wearing a helmet and my head never touched the ground but my knee and hand did. My knee was pretty bloody and my hand sprained. It taught me to stay more alert. I'm 74 and in ok physical condition but would not like to get seriously injured.

The episode got me thinking about protective gear and I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions for knee, elbow, and hand protection. I'm not interested in a suit of armor but rather, something that would afford some protection, be comfortable, be relatively light weight and cool, not very obtrusive, and easy to take on off. I've done some searches and have only found gear that seems designed for aggressive trail riding which is not something I would do.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[JRA]

You might look into protective gear from the skateboard/rollerblade industry

 

[mrgold35]

I ended up having a low speed fall in the streets making a U-turn. Ended up getting a pretty good road rash on my left elbow and knee. I was lucky not putting my hand out because I think I would have injured that like you also.

I went with elbow and knee pads because of the fall. I also work commute with speeds up to 23 mph sharing the road with cars. Road rash at those speeds would be down to bone if I had a fall. The pads I picked are very comfortable, stay in place when riding, never feel too hot (+100 degrees last week in NM), and help provide UV protection. I actually feel more comfortable wearing the pads when riding compared to without. I also do a lot of single track trail riding and the pads help my legs and arm from getting scratched up from branches on narrow parts of the trails. Had a minor spill a week later because of deep sand and landed on the same road rash knee with a huge scab with the new pads. Felt like my knee landing on a yoga mat and I didn't damage the scab or hurt my knee in anyway.

G-Form Pro-X Elbow Pad, Amazon, $50: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XYUVYEO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

G-Form Pro-X Knee Pad, Amazon, $70: https://www.amazon.com/G-Form-Pro-X...rd_wg=I0rin&psc=1&refRID=VVW2TVZ2GBXYHHE8NENF

I also went with well padded gloves in the half and full fingered versions (depending how warm or chilly it is), Amazon, $13: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E8NFYW8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also have eye protection because I had a few times when bugs or dust/sand from really windy days got into my eyes (2 pair, clear for night, Polarized for day), Amazon, $20-$25: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XP9R2X8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Robie]

Check out ( Sportprotectivegear.com) I am sure they can help you. I just got the sweetest Alpine Stars elbow and knee pads (Ventos, is the model) made for good ventalation, for the trails.OMG! are they nice. I got tossed in a bush pretty hard. Ouch ! I wear some gear now. I have really nice mesh shorts ( with pads) I wear under my shorts now, hip,thigh,tailbone. Those are from my motorcycles days.

 

[justforfun]

Other than wearing a helmet, I don't dress for falling down and I avoid dirt/gravel like the plague. I'll have to check out hot weather protective gear.