Another leg armor question

I've used the search function but I'm still confused so thought I'd just
bother all you nice people with another question on leg armor. 661
seemed like a good place to start, according to some people who've
posted to these forums, and my LBS carries them. I thought I'd get the
full knee/skin guard. When I got there and asked the guy about them and
whether they'd also provide calf protection, he said no. He brought out
a pair of 661 veggie skin guards (the lack of knee protection is no big
deal really because I have an old pair of rollerblade knee pads) and
said they have the most calf protection of anything he carried. I did
try them on in the store, but had black pants on, so I didn't notice
what I found out later. So, I spend the whopping $48, (half of what I
spent on the Torker!,) brought them home and actually tried them on bare
legs. There's an unprotected spot about 3 inches square right in the
middle of my calf, and when I practiced tonight, the pedal caught me
right in that spot, just like it's already done a couple of times with
no protection. What the heck? Isn't there anything out there made
specifically for uniing? I anticipate getting as many bruises on my
calf as I would get smacks on the shin! I think I remember someone
mentioning Lizard Skins - do they protect the calf? My LBS only carries
661, so if I bought the Lizard Skins on the internet, how would I know
if they're going to fit me?

Thanks thanks. Any help is appreciated. Hope the LBS will take back
the 661s.


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digigal1


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"digigal1" writes:

I think I remember someone
mentioning Lizard Skins - do they protect the calf?

I mentioned some Lizard Skins a while back. They are my first and
only armor, so I can't directly compare to 661, Roach, etc. I get
fair coverage behind the calf, but probably not enough additional to
make them worth buying over 661. Also, I have really skinny calves,
which helps for sure.

By the way, I'm beginning to bbeat up the Lizard skins: Holes in the
neoprene; torn stitching. Seamgrip is helping, but the durability
could be better.

Ken

What you need to realize is that unicycling doesn't require a hard
covering for the back of the leg to provide sufficient protection. Both
Roach and Kris Holm leg armor in addition to 661 carry models that have
something covering the back of the leg (Roach has a tough mesh and the
KH's have ballistic nylon). I ride on Easton Flatboy pedals and actually
had the same accident twice (once without Roach pads, once with the
Roach). While riding down stairs, my foot came off in front of the pedal
cosequently driving the pedal into the back of my leg. The first time
(my left leg) resulted in massive cutting/bleeding/scaring not to
mention a miserable 6 mile ride home. The other (my right leg) suffered
a minor cut that didn't even require a band aid. I'm sure in this
situation the KH would have been even better but, nevertheless, the mesh
did fine to DEFLECT THE PEDAL from my leg to prevent injury, not block
it. Although I can't vouch for a hard covering for the back of the leg
seeing as how I've never ridden with them I can say that a mesh or nylon
covering for the back of the leg should prove worthy for most of the
accidents your legs will suffer.


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zactor29
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im having the same problem

i managed to put 5 scratches on my left calf (all about 2 inches long)
and a full pedal imprint on my other calf! i cant seem to find any pads
with protection in the rear!

bungle


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I use the 661 4x4's and they seem to offer adequate protection from cuts
to the calves. If your LBS will allow you to return yours, try to get a
pair of these from he

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=PG703B00


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Krashin'Kenny - Crash Tested

If you ain't crashing, you ain't going fast enough!!!!!!!!!!!

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I have the 661's .They protect the knees and shins okay; but I've gouged
the heck outta my right calf just below the knee where all that's there
is the mesh on three ocasions ; I would say the 661's in that place just
slightly minimize the damage (but they leave a bit to be desired) ... I
know someone here uses soccer shin pads backwards under his 661's.... I
've been considering that myself.


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MUNIYETI - The Abominable MUnicyclist
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I have the 661's .They protect the knees and shins okay; but I've gouged
the heck outta my right calf just below the knee where all that's there
is the mesh on three ocasions ; I would say the 661's in that place just
slightly minimize the damage (but they leave a bit to be desired) ... I
know someone here uses soccer shin pads backwards under his 661's.... I
've been considering that myself.


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MUNIYETI - The Abominable MUnicyclist
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I have the 661's .They protect the knees and shins okay; but I've gouged
the heck outta my right calf just below the knee where all that's there
is the mesh on three ocasions ; I would say the 661's in that place just
slightly minimize the damage (but they leave a bit to be desired) ... I
know someone here uses soccer shin pads backwards under his 661's.... I
've been considering that myself.


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MUNIYETI - The Abominable MUnicyclist
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I have the 661's .They protect the knees and shins okay; but I've gouged
the heck outta my right calf just below the knee where all that's there
is the mesh on three ocasions ; I would say the 661's in that place just
slightly minimize the damage (but they leave a bit to be desired) ... I
know someone here uses soccer shin pads backwards under his 661's.... I
've been considering that myself.


--
MUNIYETI - The Abominable MUnicyclist
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digigal,

The thing that leg armor is intended to prevent is the pedal pins (when
using metal BMX pedals) sticking into your shin and dragging down,
creating 1/4 inch deep craters down your leg. There are lots of threads
regarding 'pedal bites', as they're called.

Bruises you'll just have to deal with. Besides, the stock pedals on
your torker should just be plastic wellgos, right? You might need leg
armor once you upgrade to metal BMX pedals, but by then, your technique
should be better and you won't be having those problems


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