Kit advice please

[Joe_Cogs]

Hi everyone,

 

Excuse the noob questions.

 

Bib or just pants? I found an anatomic bib for R480. Good deal I think. But apart from keeping your pants up and making you look like an orangutan, is there any benefit? Are they comfortable? is 10 pads comfortable enough?

 

Gloves open or closed?

 

Shoes... Heard first ascent had a pair for R499... otherwise shimano?

 

Thanks in advance

[Selous Scout (aka LegTrap)]

I much prefer bib shorts as the normal pants type slip down my backside when I'm riding.It depends on what you want to spend as the quality does differ,Assos being about the best I think.

 

Full finger gloves in winter is the best,make sure it has good padding.

 

If you are buying shoes for mtb'ing then I prefer the type that has a flatter sole,that is,the cleats are flat with the sole.It just makes walking easier.Shimano shoes should be fine.

[Eugene Oppelt]

  On 6/8/2012 at 10:04 AM, Joe_Cogs said:

Hi everyone,

 

Excuse the noob questions.

 

Bib or just pants? I found an anatomic bib for R480. Good deal I think. But apart from keeping your pants up and making you look like an orangutan, is there any benefit? Are they comfortable? is 10 pads comfortable enough?

 

Gloves open or closed?

 

Shoes... Heard first ascent had a pair for R499... otherwise shimano?

 

Thanks in advance

 

What would Burry do?

Bibshorts.

Full finger gloves for off-road to take the doringtjies out of your wheels.

Edited June 8, 2012 by Puncheur

[rouxtjie]

Get a bibs, they are not that more expensive but more comfortable imo.

 

Full finger gloves...fox, giro, a-star, tld...go wild

 

Shoes shimano will serve you well and they don't break the bank. The mo87's are great value and tough.

[The Ghost]

I started with Fox baggies.

Moved to sexy lycra short pant.

Now I have just purchased my first bib.

Save yourself that money.

 

I also started with cut-off gloves.

Now only use full finger.

[Joe_Cogs]

Awesome - thanks for the help guys

[patches]

  On 6/8/2012 at 10:22 AM, Richard Best said:

I also started with cut-off gloves.

 

aka Hobo gloves... or paedophile gloves

[Joe_Cogs]

  On 6/8/2012 at 10:23 AM, patches said:

aka Hobo gloves... or paedophile gloves

 

:clap:

[patches]

It all depends what you're used to I guess?!

 

I ride in baggies... but a little while back I won a 360Life kit. I decided to give the bibshorts a try (under my baggies, and only cos I was riding with the lycra-lads & lasses)... and to be honest... it didn't make that much of a difference... because I was used to just baggies.

 

Here's the next kit I plan on getting... but I wouldn't buy it if I were you... it'll make you itchy (or just make me feel less special knowing somone else has the same prom dress as me )

 

http://www.freeflowbikes.com/App/vShop/data/images/thumb/DH%20KIT.jpg

Edited June 8, 2012 by patches

[The Ghost]

  On 6/8/2012 at 10:29 AM, patches said:

It all depends what you're used to I guess?!

 

I ride in baggies... but a little while back I won a 360Life kit. I decided to give the bibshorts a try (under my baggies, and only cos I was riding with the lycra-lads & lasses)... and to be honest... it didn't make that much of a difference... because I was used to just baggies.

 

Here's the next kit I plan on getting... but I wouldn't buy it if I were you... it'll make you itchy (or just make me feel less special knowing somone else has the same prom dress as me )

 

 

 

Ya, but you dont just wear normal people pant. You wear hardcore pant for throwing yourself down a mountain.

[Joe_Cogs]

  On 6/8/2012 at 10:29 AM, patches said:

It all depends what you're used to I guess?!

 

I ride in baggies... but a little while back I won a 360Life kit. I decided to give the bibshorts a try (under my baggies, and only cos I was riding with the lycra-lads & lasses)... and to be honest... it didn't make that much of a difference... because I was used to just baggies.

 

Here's the next kit I plan on getting... but I wouldn't buy it if I were you... it'll make you itchy (or just make me feel less special knowing somone else has the same prom dress as me )

 

http://www.freeflowbikes.com/App/vShop/data/images/thumb/DH%20KIT.jpg

 

Don't worry - I don't do that racing kit stuff. Personally I am pretty happy wearing shorts, t-shirt and takkies. I did pretty well in my race and overtook a lot of people in their expensive clad. But a female friend pointed out to me that normal clothes are not good for "the generals". I was fine after a 20km... despite the warnings of chafe etc. I guess I will see

[The Ghost]

  On 6/8/2012 at 10:35 AM, Joe_Cogs said:

Personally I am pretty happy wearing shorts, t-shirt and takkies.

 

Getting better kit just makes things a little more comfortable.

Having good kit (or not) doesnt say anything about the riders ability, but rather their comfort.

[Joe_Cogs]

  On 6/8/2012 at 10:41 AM, Richard Best said:

Getting better kit just makes things a little more comfortable.

 

Fair enough - thanks

[patches]

  On 6/8/2012 at 10:35 AM, Richard Best said:

Ya, but you dont just wear normal people pant. You wear hardcore pant for throwing yourself down a mountain.

  On 6/8/2012 at 10:35 AM, Joe_Cogs said:

Don't worry - I don't do that racing kit stuff. Personally I am pretty happy wearing shorts, t-shirt and takkies. I did pretty well in my race and overtook a lot of people in their expensive clad. But a female friend pointed out to me that normal clothes are not good for "the generals". I was fine after a 20km... despite the warnings of chafe etc. I guess I will see

 

actually... I barely ever wear proper DH kit. Only for some of the DH races. 99% of my riding happens in cheapie shorts from Jay-Jay's and whichever T-shirt is at the top of the pile.

 

I ride XC races in regular shorts and T-shirt too. I remember passing NotSoBigBen on one of the laps at the 24hr. I think that and the MountainDew sponsorship were the motivation he needed to: quote "never let a kid in baggies, flat shoes and a skate helmet pass [him] again"

 

_{NOTE: he did do about 10 times the amount of laps I did... hence my passing him wasn't a victory on my part, haha}

 

I do have my heart set on the Hope kit, but only for my Alps trip... give the frenchies 1 less reason to be condescending

Edited June 8, 2012 by patches

[The Ghost]

Of course there are some items that also help.

Since riding in stiffer shoes, my pedal stroke seems to have better form, and power strokes are easy. Also, my feet feel better after a ride.

A good quality helmet can save your noggin.

Good gloves, save your hands.

[dino]

Bib shorts are better as they don't slip down while you ride. But please, don't be one of those people that walks around after a race without your shirt on and the bib shorts on, you'll look like a nasty wrestler.

Full finger gloves are the only way to go, when you fall your natural instinct is to put your hand out to stop the fall, and you don't want to put your fingers in a thorn bush or in my case a barb wire fence. The more protection, the better.

 

If you can afford them, a pair of Assos bib shorts are well worth the investment. I've been using mine almost every weekend for the past 2 years and they're still going strong.