Knee pads with bibs on the trails

[ChrisF]

8 minutes ago, Zebra said:

...talking about 'emotional scarring', just this Sunday morning I got a bit 'emotionally scarred' going up Chappies: a largish chap in ill-fitting bibs/shorts, where the fabric was more 'net curtain' than bib, and what was once-seen could not easily be UN-seen! 😲

 

BOOST that ebike past into clear view ... (pun intended)

[thebob]

18 minutes ago, Zebra said:

...talking about 'emotional scarring', just this Sunday morning I got a bit 'emotionally scarred' going up Chappies: a largish chap in ill-fitting bibs/shorts, where the fabric was more 'net curtain' than bib, and what was once-seen could not easily be UN-seen! 😲

The eye of Sauron had me in his sights at my first 947 going up the mineshaft. Had to put some extra watts to get clear

[capediver]

3 hours ago, mazambaan said:

I find baggies handy for their pocket - particularly for a hanky (old school). If you have a hydration pack it can be difficult to get to the back pockets of your jersey.

Another useful for bibs...when its muddy, gravel cannot get down your back to your delicate region to create a grinding paste the likes of which you will never forget...😔

[Warren Melissa Go Riding]

Its very simple. Wear whatever you are comfortable with. Wear whatever gives you the most confidence to push your riding to the next level. Wear what makes you happy.

Everyone will always have an opinion. They dont matter. As long as you are having fun... safely!

P.S Fox 3DO Sleeves are the bomb...

https://www.foxracing.co.za/collections/mtb/MTB+Guard+mens

 

Edited February 10 by Warren Melissa Go Riding

[Headshot]

No it's a fashion death sentence and makes no sense if you're actually looking for more protection i.e the knee pads. Your hips are uber vulnerable in a fall and lycra is totally useless as skin protection. The trail shorts you should be waring with knee pads need not be super baggie or thick but a decent pair not only adds protection but saves you from a style faux pas par excellence.

 

[RobynE]

Circling back to this. Headshot mentioned that lycra is useless at protection - this is true.
 

For me the bib stops the pad bunching or hooking over my saddle - long story short I don’t chafe as easily and don’t get that oh-oh moment on a technical descent where I’m hooked onto my bike throwing my balance completely off. I’ve tried so many different types of shorts (the ones within my budget) and so far I haven’t had luck. My Enjoy bib works like a charm. 
 

Re-reading your post I am thinking that you are asking, does it matter if the pads are visible? 

I still don’t think that it matters as long as you feel more comfortable and safe as you hit the trails. 
 

I suppose the pads might get damaged if they’re not covered by something, which could be a costly exercise. 

 

I’m certainly not going to be judging someone with visible guards out on the trail. That seems very high school-ish. 
 

My judgement out on the trails is for people who disregard safety in one way or another, whether their own or the safety of others through reckless/bullish riding or wearing the minimum amount of clothes or an ill-fitting “token” helmet in an attempt to look cool and laissez-faire. 

[Headshot]

17 hours ago, Baracuda said:

One wonders where wearing baggy shorts on bikes came from? Is it an American thing? At least kitesurfers have given up wearing baggies over their wetsuits, they used to look ridiculous.

It is one thing for DH, but spinning in baggy shorts for hours sucks (and I have some really good ones). But then even the DH World Cup guys are in tight clothing now days.

I think the key is speed. At long as you faster than the guys wearing baggies, you can wear anything you want.

 

Spoken like a true South African MTB rider. Tight DH clothing and lycra bibs have nothing in common really. DH riders don't ride with any kind of ass padding and plenty of body and knee/hip/shin protection .

Your question should rather be "I wonder why South Africans insist on riding in super thin lycra which does nothing to protect them in the event of a fall when the rest of the world ride in trail or DH shorts over lycra or even long pants at times". 

 

[MORNE]

Bib under non padded trail clothing. Knee pads or long trail pants otherwise. Proper trail pants offer good abrasion resistance.   

Anybody saying otherwise does not pedal long enough to warrant a chamois-clad-bib and surely also hasn't had proper ‘skin removal surgery’ on a trail. Loose clothing helps when your skidding/falling along and its the only layer between your bare skin and the 20 Grit trail surface or tree branches.

Padded baggies suck in my experience, because they ride up or slide down / move around. Bibs stay in place because they go over your shoulder. 
 

Then, anybody saying anything about full face helmets on any kind of trail is welcome to PM me for photos of my face pre-plastic surgery when it became my primary stopping device against some rocks in a crash….

most important, be comfortable. 

[Robbie Stewart]

I have fallen so many times and I have a plethora of scars to show for those crashes. Now I ride with full pants and a loose fitting jersey, long sleeves mostly and full face. But also, I don't marathon or XC, so don't pay me too much attention. I am thinking a bib will help keep the bum happy on long rides, but just recently bought a fresh pair of fox trail chamois shorts and I have no issues with that. But I dress for the slide, not the ride - sans knee pads

 

[Baracuda]

54 minutes ago, Headshot said:

Spoken like a true South African MTB rider. Tight DH clothing and lycra bibs have nothing in common really. DH riders don't ride with any kind of ass padding and plenty of body and knee/hip/shin protection .

Your question should rather be "I wonder why South Africans insist on riding in super thin lycra which does nothing to protect them in the event of a fall when the rest of the world ride in trail or DH shorts over lycra or even long pants at times". 

 

They are both driven by the common need for speed.

But if you want to wear a long pant on a bergfiets, go for it. There was that oak who ran Comrades in jeans....

[Headshot]

1 hour ago, Baracuda said:

They are both driven by the common need for speed.

But if you want to wear a long pant on a bergfiets, go for it. There was that oak who ran Comrades in jeans....

A long pant or even a jean pant are lekker to wear when its cold and you not riding a marathon. 

[MORNE]

1 hour ago, Headshot said:

Spoken like a true South African MTB rider. Tight DH clothing and lycra bibs have nothing in common really. DH riders don't ride with any kind of ass padding and plenty of body and knee/hip/shin protection .

Your question should rather be "I wonder why South Africans insist on riding in super thin lycra which does nothing to protect them in the event of a fall when the rest of the world ride in trail or DH shorts over lycra or even long pants at times". 

 

A skills coach who dabbles on both sides of the mtb spectrum in a semi pro capacity once mentioned to me that one of the bigger hurdles he faces with marathoners/Xc riders is convincing them that any form of body protection is better than nothing while casual riding, not just because its safe, it promotes skill and trail difficulty progression. 

Anyway, even the fabled mr Schurter rides in pads and trail baggies/tees when he’s not busy ‘racing-snaking’….people should go have a look at some of his videos on his longer travel bikes - where he learns all the skills that has him doing those crazy things on XCO courses in his lycra on raceday. 

[DieselnDust]

On 2/9/2025 at 1:10 PM, Remington said:

My partner and I have always ridden our local trails just with bib shorts and no protection other than gloves helmets and glasses. After my partner suffered a number of injuries, we made the call to upgrade and get knee and elbow pads for ourselves. Is it best to get bike shorts to wear over the bibs for that little extra protection or is more of a fashion statement in the MTB community.  Our confidence has improved to the point that we are trying more difficult features for our skills level.

I have tried the lined shorts (Indola) but find them very uncomfortable and bulky hence us riding with bibs.

Any advice would be welcomed

 

Oh foot I can't wait till Friday with caviar offered like this.....

There are many who should not be allowed to checkout the shop without also having shorts and or a loose fitting top but lets cover that (pun intended) later.

Lycra has since the early 1980's, been the domain of roadies, and later XCO Mountain Bikers, and Down Hillers....Yes Downhillers.

These Downhillers already knew that flapping items of clothing slow you down so Lycra was the garment of choice. Then as courses became more technical they added body armour and wore the lycra over the armour. Aero is still everything. If anything, if you're going to wear lycra, wear it on the outside with the armour (Knee and elbow pads + hip padding and knut basket) .

If not then wear it close to the skiing, pads on top and a shorts over it, unless you like the child of 90's German Y2K raver & Imperial storm trooper look....? No,.. that look won't win friends nor influence people🙄

 

[MORNE]

1 hour ago, DieselnDust said:

 

If not then wear it close to the skiing, pads on top and a shorts over it, unless you like the child of 90's German Y2K raver & Imperial storm trooper look....? No,.. that look won't win friends nor influence people🙄

 

You don't have to take it from me, it’s a gen alpha thing apparently, but THAT look, fully complimented by the over baggy jeans, sleeveless t-shirts and/or moto gear is making a comeback amongst the groms abroad. Like all things 90s

[Robbie Stewart]

On 2/9/2025 at 7:15 PM, Baracuda said:

At least kitesurfers have given up wearing baggies over their wetsuits, they used to look ridiculous.

I used to surf once upon a time, and never had I had the brain fart to wear baggies over my wetsuit. It was baggies with or without a rash vest depending on the level of sunburn in summer, or a wetsuit in winter.

Kitesurfers wearing baggies and a wetsuit is just stupid. But that's my take on it. Maybe a kitesurfer can explain if any visit this forum.

[MORNE]

11 minutes ago, Robbie Stewart said:

I used to surf once upon a time, and never had I had the brain fart to wear baggies over my wetsuit. It was baggies with or without a rash vest depending on the level of sunburn in summer, or a wetsuit in winter.

Kitesurfers wearing baggies and a wetsuit is just stupid. But that's my take on it. Maybe a kitesurfer can explain if any visit this forum.

Admittedly not a surfer myself, but would have thought you wear a wetsuit here because of the 10-17* C water temps first and foremost…i highly doubt a kite surfer who frequents warmer waters wears a wetsuit. Baggies and inpact vest only? Same goes for surfers. Sun protection in the way of those long sleeve jobbies we also put on kids, but a wetsuit in 25*+ water? Yea no i would think.

Edited February 13 by MORNE