Just wondering if anyone uses equipment other than a helmet and gloves when riding their bikes. I use elbow pads and knee pads as well as a mouth guard (because I have read of their benefits for preventing concussions as well as dental injuries) in addition to a helmet and gloves. I don't find any of it uncomfortable and I actually enjoy riding more because I know for the areas where I ride, mainly local streets, parks and bike paths, I'm pretty well protected from being injured if I fall.
Does any one else wear pads? I always feel as if I'm in a small minority but I can't see taking a chance for injury when it's so easy to reduce the risk.
I assume your doing stunts on a BMX? or doing single track riding on a MTB at high speeds? Otherwise if your riding a road bike your paranoid and should seek help. I never heard of any road biker wearing pads and a mouth guard, not even while racing professionally in dangerous packs at high rates of speed descending down twisting mountain roads!!! Get some help, your phobia/fear of an accident is ruining your life.
There I go again being cold hearted, can't wait to be attacked for this one.
Does any one else wear pads? I always feel as if I'm in a small minority but I can't see taking a chance for injury when it's so easy to reduce the risk.
Perceived risk is almost always much greater than actual risk. Yes, you are in a very small minority, but hey: there's a broad spectrum of people. I wear a helmet and gloves. That's all. None of the fall-related cycling injuries I've had would have been mitigated by knee or elbow pads. What other people do, though, has nothing to do with you. You have to do what makes you feel comfortable. I think you'll find that with time and more experience on a bike, you might become less worried and less needful of extra padding.
As you can or will see safety is an individual preference. If you join a bicycle club you are most likely required to wear a helmet as this would be a bicycle club insurance requirement. helmets should be worn by road cyclists because "Stuff Happens". Gloves are recommended as this will provide some protection from road rash in case of a fall. Gloves are also worn by most cyclists as it will help to relieve pressure points in the hands preventing numbness. You did not mention sunglasses as part of your safety equipment. Sunglasses, clear plastic or high-vis yellow glasses are also part of what cyclists wear. Not only do the glasses help you to see the road better but it does help prevent those pesky bugs from getting in your eyes (some of the bugs can be big). Some state laws requires bikes to have a bell and reflectors which is considered safety equipment.. Some cyclists will have a rear view mirror mounted on a bike or on their helmet but I think that is more personal preference. Elbow and Knee pads are common for off road - down hill mountain bike riding. Possibly that is also where you heard about the mouth piece. I did see one road cyclist wear pads but he was in a bicycle accident and broke his elbow. He stated that he can not afford to be out of work again with a broken elbow and decided to wear pads....
After nearly being T-boned by a left turning car while crossing an intersection at dusk, I've decided to equip all my bikes with a small front light, the better to be seen. Had I been hit, it would've been my fault, as light was fading. My late afternoon/evening ride ended up taking longer than I thought it would, and I was within a mile of being done.
I put on a Planet Bike Blinky. Weighs nothing. Very bright when batteries are fresh. Is not for seeing at night, but simply to be seen when visibility is poor, or when I want to make damn sure drivers see me approaching an intersection.
For night riding, I have both helmet-mounted and bar-mounted L&M lights--up to 1600 lumens total.
In the Spring and Fall I do a lot of night riding. I can't stress enough about getting lit up. I don't believe you need a $800 dollar headlight, but a nice 350 lumen headlight for about $120 range is more then enough for roads. BUT, bicycle lights are small in diameter and no matter how bright they are the size makes it difficult for people to get a read on you, so you should add a cheap front amber flasher to attract attention. In addition to that I use a wide beam cheap BLT light strapped to the helmet, these are great for looking at street signs, the computer, shining it in the eyes of motorists.
Then for the rear I first have cheap barend lights which I use in the flashing mode. On the helmet I have a red blinky. Then on the far back I use a Blackburn Mars 4.0 on the seat post. The Mars is brighter then the Superflash, and so far is about as old as the Superflash when it failed within the warranty period that Planet Bike still hasn't taken care of in 6 months!! I gave up because the $20 for the light wasn't worth all the time I put in trying to get the light under warranty taken care of! Plus the Mars has brighter side illumination then the Superflash.
I did use for a while two Cateye LD600's mounted to the stays on the rear, but the Mars is so bright I took them off and put one on my daughters bike for an emergency and stored the other. I only really use the Trek at night so I don't bother swapping lights back and forth.
For night riding, I have both helmet-mounted and bar-mounted L&M lights--up to 1600 lumens total.
That's a lot of lumens. I only use a helmet mounted light in front. I've a Nite Rider that I'm looking to replace with an Ayup light system. Lots o' lumens be great so long as the beam pattern is good. Unfortunately, bountiful lumens and excellent reflector (and lens) design command a pretty penny. Hell, lots o' lumens and bad reflector design command a lot of money.
No helmet or gloves, I do carry pepper spray, tear gas, dye. I do carry a gun, but that is another thread. And a long story.
I have a Bell Dawn Patrol head light and find it fine for moderate speed riding at night. It works best on the trails where there in no ambient lights.
We have a lot of street lights and sometimes they are more harm than help. Keeps the eyes messed up when you ride out of the light.
I also have the Bell tail light. I burn it steady at night and blinkie during the day.
I am just a casual rider. Sometimes I don't even wear any gear. The most I will put on are gloves and my helmet. I also take sunglasses depending on how bright the day is. I would feel heavy with all those extra items.It is not like I am planning to get slapped off my bike every other minute haha.
