Safety Gear

Do you think that safety equipment like knee pads and helmets is useful
when doing trials unicycling? What are the pros and cons? Does it
restrict your movements? Does it really help if you have an accident? I
know, theoretically yes, but I'd like to hear some first hand
experience stories.

I'm thinking of getting myself KH gloves, shinguards and a helmet.
Possibly knee-pads. What would be your advice? Is that what I need for
trials? I'm still learning to ride yet, but I want to be well-equipped
when I'll need to be.


--
ivan
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ivan's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12759
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567

i wouldnt have any skin on the front of my shins if it werent for my
shinguards.

i've smacked the crap out of my helmet, which is good because it's
saved my head a few times.

i wear gloves beacuse when i fall off my hands usually scrape the
ground and it stings real bad and gloves stop it.

i'd say get the shin pads (six six ones are good i hear), definatly a
helmet and gloves are nice to have.


--
iridemymuni

Evan Byrne wrote:
hope you like my super crappy present, but hey, you said you needed a
wrench.



~~hold bananas and chug counterfeit tobasco for christ~~
------------------------------------------------------------------------
iridemymuni's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11900
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567

I got my first trials about a month ago. I had never worn any pads
except my helmet once in a while. When I first got the uni I took the
pedal pins out, while I got used to riding it. Monday I put the pins
back in and when for a ride. I came to a set of 6 stairs that I have
tried hopping up before (one at a time). I hopped onto the first, then
the second, and then the third. But I lost my balance on the third.
As I was hopping off the back of the uni, like I normally do, my right
foot hung on the pins bringing the left pedal slamming into my shin. I
had a huge knot on my leg and deep gashes from the pins, ouch. People
already warned me about wearing shin gaurds but I did not listen.

On the way home I got a flat. I patched the tube but a day later it
was flat again. Then I went to Walmart and bought a new tube and some
of that slime stuff that is supposed to fix flats. I used the slime
and it worked. Good thing because trials tires are hard to get on and
off!

I ordered some 661 4X4's (shin and knee guards) from blueskycycling.com
for $20. I got them yesterday and went riding. They are going to take
a bit of getting used to and are a little hotter than I would like, but
I will wear them from now on. Their not that bad. Also, I think I
ride more agressively with them on(which still isnt that aggressive).
I made I up the stairs!

From now on its leg armor and a helmet anytime I ride trials/street.


--
Smeltz
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smeltz's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/12173
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567

the only safty thing i use is sixsixone leg guards... they are a MUST
for learneing for trials and street... at first i used to only use the
leg guards when i was infront of my house learning new tricks, but now
i wear them almost everytime i ride.


--
irvinegr

Check out my SWEET movies!!! http://tinyurl.com/cr7fu
------------------------------------------------------------------------
irvinegr's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/10958
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567

661 4 by 4's, helmet, and gloves. ankle supports can be nice too.


--
mornish

UNICYCLING FOR MYSLELF TOO

trials_uni wrote:
Where did you hear that Bedford unis are not strong? They are the best
thing since sliced bread!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
mornish's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11658
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567

I learn without any protective equipment but I've gathered pads until I
have
661 leg pads, leather gloves and a helmet.

661 Pads are very protective, there's not need to worry about your legs
when you're wearing them.
They are also rediculously hot. My legs are steaming after about 20
minutes of wearing them. They also smell rather bad eventually, though
you can just chuck them in the shower to wash off.

It's definately worth wearing leg pads when learning unispins and
crankflips, tricks that make your legs very vunerable to pedal bites. I
don't think it's necessary to wear them all of the time, especially
when they're making you so uncomfortable (with heat) that they're
ruining your ride.

Hope this helps,
AndyC


--
andycookuk

*\"I am in a world of ****, yes. But I am alive and I am not
afraid\"*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
andycookuk's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11138
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567

I swear by the 661 knee/shin guards!!!

I have been doing trials for about 6-7 months now, and I am very glad
about the 661 guards. I also ahve ankle biter that I always wear. They
save your legs from smahing into rocks, falling down stairs, pedal
strikes, everything!

One time I tried to do a side hop down a six set, which I do pretty
regulary now, but my tire folded over the stair when I compressed and I
flew off with the uni tangling in my legs, and I crashed down hard on
my knees. Thank god for the pads, because; 1. I bearly felt the impact
cause of the cushioning, and 2. There was no scrapes, so I got up and
tried it agian and got it.

There has been lots of times when doing some steep lines where I had to
jump off the uni and get smashed by some rocks, but luckily I had my
shin guards on. Plus, the countless pedal strikes from slipping on a
line or doing some street tricks.

I also heard of a guy on here who did a gap but slammed his shin onto
the edge of a concrete ledge and it snapped his 661 in half, that
probably would of been his leg snapping if he didnt have his 661s.

The 661s, they are very comfy, I dont even notice them when I ride,
they dont restrict your movement or flexability, and they add to your
confidence which is a plus, and they look cool! They do get hot, but I
dont even notice how hot or sweaty I get until I get home. They are
also washable, I throw mine into the washer with a small amount of
soap, and have the settings on a light load. Then, let them air dry.


--
Jerrick

~*~!I ride for Christ, Fun, Challenges, and a lot more!~*~
'!Gallery!' (http://tinyurl.com/gf2g9)
'!MRIS!' (http://tinyurl.com/jjjnz)
'Easy Tire Removal Guide.' (http://tinyurl.com/rd9ru)
My sponsor '~!SIXSIXONE!~' (http://sixsixone.com/)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jerrick's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11632
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567

I was just outside a second ago and I smashed my shin into a pallet. I
wasn't wearing my 661s.

I regret it.

Ok, they look stupid and yes they are very hot but without them,
accidents are bound to hurt.

661s aren't the only available leg guards. If I were to buy leg guards
again I'd buy these
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...x?ModelID=7499

AndyC


--
andycookuk

*\"I am in a world of ****, yes. But I am alive and I am not
afraid\"*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
andycookuk's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11138
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567

The first time I rode my newly upgraded Muni I went without my 661s with
the belief that I was going to take it easy. I did a small drop for the
first time with no worries about my rim (replaced my busted Nimbus rim
for a Surly LM), and enjoyed it so much I tried it again. Second time I
botched the landing and got pedal slapped. If I had been hit in the
front of the leg instead of the back, my kneecap would have taken the
blow. I always wear them now....


--
b2bivy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
b2bivy's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11281
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567

Whoops - here is the damage....


+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Filename: Pedal Slap.jpg |
|Download: http://www.unicyclist.com/attachment/14265 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

--
b2bivy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
b2bivy's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/11281
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/51567