Hope someone can give me some advice here. Went to wales last weekend and loved the downhill track. Unfortunately a mate did one and popped his collar bone out of position. Kind of hit home to me that i need some armour! Whats the best value for money and is there any parts that you can get away with not wearing(shin pads etc)
Looking at the 661 pressure suits at the mo.

I've got a 60 quid pressure suit from my LBS, very much like the brand X one.

It's pretty good, solid back protection, good chest plates and decent shoulder and arm padding, and not overly hot.

Used it in anger at Hamsterly, over the bars and slid down the trail on my shoulder, totaly unhurt apart from a bruised hip, which wasn't covered by the armour.

I also have 661 leg armour as they give very good coverage, and 661 bomber pro shorts after many bruised hip and thigh incidents.

IIRC the actually armour in 661 pressure suits isn't all that, mainly soft stuff without the hard shell, IMHO if you are going to spend big money then go for Dianese (sp?) pressure suits.

the 661 pro bomber shorts look identical to the dianese ones, but are 20 notes less, wore them all day on Saturday, pretty comfy and not sweaty.

661 leg armour has also proved decent, and saved me from nasty knocks a fe times and a lot of bruised shins.

How much is the Dianese p suit? Infact.. if i put all that gear together, how much do you think i would have to stump up?

there is some end of line Dianese stuff on wiggle ATM, but not all sizes.

CRC ussaly have good prices on 661 stuff

suppose I have spent quite a bit

60 body armour

about 50 on 661 arm and legs(deal from CRC) - before I got the body armour, plus I don't have to wear the full armour if I don't want to.

50 on Pro bomber shorts,

that's less than full Dianese stuff, and didn't get all at once.

What about fox and kona gear? any good

dunno, never used it, or know anyone who has

Brand X knee and shins £20.
Great protection and not too hot.

cant find the brand x stuff on the net. Whre it is???

ah. found it on crc. the reviews for the pressure suit read very well. considering i quite enjoy coming a cropper at the moment maybe a cheapie would be the way to go. How many crashes do these babies take?

ride em till the hard pads crack, could be one almight smash, or loads of little ones :)

looked at a mates 661 pressure suit yesterday, she finds it very hot, and it doesn't have hard chest plates, just some logo thing and soft padding.

Try before you buy.
Massive differences in fit. No point in getting kit and finding it slides off the areas you're trying to protect.
I use the Fox Launch, perfect if you're a skinny git. Sixsixone is a bit loose.
Got to try some different ones before you hand over your hard earned.

I reckon this would do the job

Protection

None of it's going to do much to prevent broken bones or dislocations. It's designed to prevent abrasions and spread impacts. Land with your arm stuck out funny and it'll snap regardless.

Not with my suggestion it wouldnt. Total protection guarenteed ;-)

Mike dont inflame the pad lovers, you know they dont like it.

I'm not inflaming anything, I'm just pointing out the limitations of pads. It's personal choice, it might as well be an informed one.

I'd agree.

All the pads in the world won't stop a broken collar bone!


Pads can also give a misplaced feeling of safety. "It's OK, I'm in pads......."

Where were you buggers when i was getting flamed for exactly the same opinions in the past. You hung me out to dry lads ;-)

Pads don't give you superhuman powers, but spine protection is worth the investment.
Smashing your kneecaps and elbows is not cunning, best not to even mention the sternum which gives in with very little pressure.

Oh, and best not to step up until you have the bike skills to deal with what you are doing.

Riders should also work on their rolls and breakfalls. Worth adding a martial art to your skillset and getting used to hitting the ground rather than the idiot straight arm impact to collarbone breaking shock.

I'm armoured up when I'm doing DH, dirt jumps and drops over six. Knee-shin every ride and elbowpads if it's rocky.

If you are pure xc I can understand being a bit lairy about pads but if you are sessioning DH tracks then pads are essential kit.

Worth adding a martial art to your skillset

Is that the same thing as learning one?

You could learnificate one, yes.