ALL THE GEAR...Unless it's bicycle gear (GRAPHIC ROAD RASH PICT INSIDE--not linked)

[Cyclesuzy]

It looks like someone attacked him with an 80 grit belt sander. Not too far from the truth. People who ride motorcycles without gear are in for a big surprise. Not just from the significant abrasive factor, but you can get burns from hot asphalt as well.

It's real fun when your clothes burn into you.

 

[phocup]

Actually I've been thinking about this in the past week having just recently crashed my moto with some injury as well as purchasing a road bike for fitness riding.

Knowing how bad even a 'slow' crash at 30-40 mph in full leather can be, I wanted something with more protection than cotton or lycra even at 15-20 mph.

My research led me to this new tech from Scotts. Seems its not available for purchase yet but "coming soon".

Ceramic-studded carbon fiber fabric made to protect cyclists from road rash

[youtube]ff5PcDYwjBU[/youtube]

 

[S1KGSXR600]

Think of the alternative to what they wear. Do you expect them to really wear leathers? I bet half of you could barely make it from the pits to the bathrooms at thunderhill in august let alone ride a bicycle in them. I dont really see an alternative to wearing what they wear. To say that they are "ignorant" to the risks is kind of silly.

There are many alternatives to protection besides leather. You dont need to wear a full race suit to be safe. Especially since theyre on road bikes. There are many CE approved armored vests and such with breathable material that would suffice.

But wearing lycra/spandex will not help in the slightest, and it seems kind of odd every single cyclist I see is willing to take on that risk. Are they all just that huge-balled, or is it possible some are ignorant to the realities of a downhill spill at speed?

Maybe not ignorance per se, but generally not considering the possibility, maybe....

But seriously, I don't give it a thought.

 

[UDRider]

There are many alternatives to protection besides leather. You dont need to wear a full race suit to be safe. Especially since theyre on road bikes. There are many CE approved armored vests and such with breathable material that would suffice.

But wearing lycra/spandex will not help in the slightest, and it seems kind of odd every single cyclist I see is willing to take on that risk. Are they all just that huge-balled, or is it possible some are ignorant to the realities of a downhill spill at speed?

Maybe not ignorance per se, but generally not considering the possibility, maybe....

You mean like this?

That shit is hot as hell on a dirt bike, and you have an engine powering you up the hill.
I could be wrong of course. By all means put one of those on, and ride up say Mt. Hamilton on a road bike on a warm sunny day, and report back.

 

[packnrat]

try this on a bicycle ride up mt tam. full motorcycle racing leathers boots gloves and bucket.
see how far you get before you quit.

got to do this on a warm summer day.

then imagen trying to ride like that in 90f and up for 50 miles on the flat. (NON stop).

or any ride in the hills.

we do not work up body heat while riding a Moto. but the computer world would love them skinny tire riders, lots of BTU's

skinny tires, fat tires, off rd tires any peddle bike that the rider is pushing the pedals will make tons of heat...

maybe the Sierra club should ban bicycles as a cause of global warming...after all it's for the childern��

and he is going to put on leathers with in a week of this. can you say pain pills..and lots of them.

but when you get paid big bucks to race.. gots to go to work you know.


.

 

[Cookie Monster]

There are many alternatives to protection besides leather. You dont need to wear a full race suit to be safe. Especially since theyre on road bikes. There are many CE approved armored vests and such with breathable material that would suffice.

But wearing lycra/spandex will not help in the slightest, and it seems kind of odd every single cyclist I see is willing to take on that risk. Are they all just that huge-balled, or is it possible some are ignorant to the realities of a downhill spill at speed?

Maybe not ignorance per se, but generally not considering the possibility, maybe....

You really don't have a choice on a bicycle, though. Hell, people squid it up on motorcycles because gear is too hot. You really think cyclists, who have to move rider + bicycle under their own power, are going to wear something restrictive and unbreathable? Cycling, especially up hills, is so tiring by itself that no amount of "breathable" armor is going to help at all. Plus, cyclists drop mad coin on the lightest components possible. They're not going to then strap a couple lb of armor on before they go ride.

Yeah, it's risky but it's still not as dangerous as riding a motorcycle, even with ATGATT, since cyclists rarely go above 40-50 mph (and even then you don't do it often since you're limited to where you can go that fast), and usually not in traffic.

 

[S1KGSXR600]

You mean like this?

That shit is hot as hell on a dirt bike, and you have an engine powering you up the hill.
I could be wrong of course. By all means put one of those on, and ride up say Mt. Hamilton on a road bike on a warm sunny day, and report back.

What about a CE approved wristguard, dainese shin guards, and a icon spine protector? Three, lightweight pieces that wont add much weight and restrict your movement, and give you 3 or more points to try to slide on when crashing.

Ok, I would, with the above listed, if I had cycling as a hobby. People told me I was crazy for wearing full leathers in 110 Utah heat, too. I dont slack on gear, I make it work. :|

And downhill mountain bikers often wear gear. Is that easy to do? Dhill mountain biking? I'm sure its not physically intense or anything. :|

Yeah its no 60 mile road race. But they wear more gear, for a shorter time. You would only need shinguards, wrist guards, and a spine protector. Less gear, for a longer time. Thats like, barely ANY weight. IMO.

But what do I care? Its your/their skin. I just dont see why no one is paranoid to try it? Or insist? no one at all? Because I would. I'm not lying either. I'd be wearing SOMETHING. Even if it was just armored spandex shorts.

 

[UDRider]

What about a CE approved wristguard, dainese shin guards, and a icon spine protector? Three, lightweight pieces that wont add much weight and restrict your movement, and give you 3 or more points to try to slide on when crashing.

Ok, I would, with the above listed, if I had cycling as a hobby. People told me I was crazy for wearing full leathers in 110 Utah heat, too. I dont slack on gear, I make it work. :|

And downhill mountain bikers often wear gear. Is that easy to do? Dhill mountain biking? I'm sure its not physically intense or anything. :|

Yeah its no 60 mile road race. But they wear more gear, for a shorter time. You would only need shinguards, wrist guards, and a spine protector. Less gear, for a longer time. Thats like, barely ANY weight. IMO.

But what do I care? Its your/their skin. I just dont see why no one is paranoid to try it? Or insist? no one at all? Because I would. I'm not lying either. I'd be wearing SOMETHING. Even if it was just armored spandex shorts.

You said it yourself downhill. Multiple times actually. Not only that but you stated yourself what major difference is: Distance. Then you are wondering why your example of gear is not suitable?

Further more the other gear you listed doesn't really protect the majority impact points. Which is hips, elbows. Wrist usually get scrapped, but there are cycling gloves, and wrist fractures are not that common.

What PhoCup has posted is probably the best protection, but it's not available yet, and when/if it will it will be very expensive.

 

[S1KGSXR600]

You said it yourself downhill. Multiple times actually. Not only that but you stated yourself what major difference is: Distance. Then you are wondering why your example of gear is not suitable?

Further more the other gear you listed doesn't really protect the majority impact points. Which is hips, elbows. Wrist usually get scrapped, but there are cycling gloves, and wrist fractures are not that common.

What PhoCup has posted is probably the best protection, but it's not available yet, and when/if it will it will be very expensive.

Fair enough. You know better than I do, about this subject. I do not cycle.

 

[KevinB]

I dumped my bike at just over 30mph on a steep downhill. It felt like a slid for days. I had time enough to change what part of me grinding away from the asphalt. My shoulder and upper back, both knees and elbows, hands and forearms. Effing hurt like crazy. T-shirt didn't do much to help. Took eons to heal. My damaged skin was pink/red for years after. Mountain bike/trail riding is more fun, falls hurt but usually the long grinds don't happen. Just rocks and trees to smash into. No biggie. Yet...why don't I wear gear? Weird mentality with bicycling.

 

[louemc]

I know, No One wants to hear it again.. I Bicycled from Portland Oregon - to - Guatemala, and back.

I was passing cars on the long downhill mountain grades...

No protective gear, and no crashes.

I'm Lou, The Magnificent.... It's what I do.

 

[SFSV650]

Actual speed of impact / dismount tends to be lower still on a bicycle. Going 40 you should be able to drop that to 20 quickly even if you were outriding your sight lines, sight lines which are (relatively) longer than those on a Moto.

I remember reading that most car crashes involve vehicles traveling at 30mph. I forget if it was a study of highway only crashes or if it just included them. The posited explanation was that while someone may have been going 70mph prior to impact, most folks scrub some speed before impact.

40mph+ descents would be an exception during a ride, a couple of minutes at most, and the rider would be dedicating their full attention during that.

Nonetheless, shit happens. Folks just make the decision that the benefits outweigh the risks, like Moto riders. I'd probably be fat(ter), single, diabetic, and possibly in jail if it weren't for cycling. Seems worth it, even with some skinned forearms, a broken hand, a possible TBI, and a sore taint.

 

[madmax650]

Being able to ride with no gear is the best. Crashing without any will bite you. Gloves and helmet seems to be the mtb and cross bike standard, with knee guards sometimes while on the mtb, plus full face helmet for the dh runs/ shuttles

 

[UDRider]

Fair enough. You know better than I do, about this subject. I do not cycle.

To be fair there is the "this won't happen to me" mentality and conforming to culture also. In the end it's all about calculated risk.

Will see what happens when that fancy carbon clothing comes to market.

 

[UDRider]

I know, No One wants to hear it again.. I Bicycled from Portland Oregon - to - Guatemala, and back.

I was passing cars on the long downhill mountain grades...

No protective gear, and no crashes.

I'm Lou, The Magnificent.... It's what I do.

Then why post, just to brag as usual?

 

[louemc]

Then why post, just to brag as usual?

Just stating facts... Can't help it if it bugs Ya..

 

[S1KGSXR600]

I know, No One wants to hear it again.. I Bicycled from Portland Oregon - to - Guatemala, and back.

I was passing cars on the long downhill mountain grades...

No protective gear, and no crashes.

I'm Lou, The Magnificent.... It's what I do.

I received this post, as more of a joke, than the usual serious ego boosting. Apparently UDRider did not. I especially found the 'I know no one wants to hear it again' a good disarming thing to say, to lighten the message.

I dont know if you gave a shit what any of us thought and have posted recently but I've been feeling a different vibe from your posts, Lou, but I like and respect them more. (so far)

IMO they've been easier to understand, and you dont seem so serious about yourself and your opinions. And no disrespect has been perceived from what I've observed so far.

If you are trying something different, I appreciate it

 

[phocup]

Will see what happens when that fancy carbon clothing comes to market.

You're right that it will be expensive. Estimate is about $200 for a short. However, seems like it can be worn as extra protective underlayment when commuting in jeans on my moto, seems it will be worth the investment.

 

[UDRider]

Just stating facts... Can't help it if it bugs Ya..

That is not quite how I feel about some of your posts, but whatever carry on.

 

[UDRider]

You're right that it will be expensive. Estimate is about $200 for a short. However, seems like it can be worn as extra protective underlayment when commuting in jeans on my moto, seems it will be worth the investment.

Hopefully once it becomes more common price will come down. I guess $200 is not too expensive considering there is regular shorts that cost as much, and as far as I can tell people are just paying for brand name.