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Re: Another leg armor question

Started by digigal1 · · Last activity · 18 posts · 1,123 views

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rec.sport.unicycling
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17 April 2004
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29 April 2004
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digigal1
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  1. 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.

    --
    digigal1

    Omni for Uni and Uni for Omni!
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  2. digigal1 said:

    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

  3. 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.

    --
    zactor29
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  4. 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

    --
    BungleBanks - Wooden Chipmunk!

    So many people ask me "if i can ride that thing?" and i say "no i just
    push it round for fun!"
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  5. 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 here:

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

    --
    Krashin'Kenny - Crash Tested

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

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  6. 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.:p

    --
    MUNIYETI - The Abominable MUnicyclist
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  7. 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.:p

    --
    MUNIYETI - The Abominable MUnicyclist
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  8. 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.:p

    --
    MUNIYETI - The Abominable MUnicyclist
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  9. 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.:p

    --
    MUNIYETI - The Abominable MUnicyclist
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  10. 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

    --
    hopeful - revelling in the glory of 700c

    a sawzall...!? why not just use an axe. -- Jagur

    Long live the Lotus -- Mojoe
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  11. I have had my pinned pedals smash in the back of my 661 4x4 a couple
    of times. On one occasion I drew a little blood but the protection is
    quite good.

    Klaas Bil - Newsgroup Addict
    --
    Clearly a system of 1/14 and 1/16 is not decimal - Mikefule on the English weight system

  12. I've had my sharply pinned pedals smack the back of my 661 4x4s on
    numerous occasions, and slam them _hard_ on one or two occasions. One
    slam did cause a small tear (1/4"😉, and gave me a bruise; never drew
    blood. I consider the 4x4s thoroughly adequate.

    --
    duaner - -

    duaner.
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  13. I wear lizard skins. They wrap almost all the way around my leg so that
    there are little to no openings in the foamy (whatever kind of durable
    fabric) except for way at the top and about a square cm patch just above
    the top of my shoe in back. There is no actual hard stuff in back but,
    as everyone has said with other pads, whatever fabric they use is VERY
    strong. I think this setup has saved me from 99% of my pedal bites.

    I also wear lizard skin kneepads that are huge but still great!

    If you are really interested i am wearing them in these little vids:
    http://tinyurl.com/34b9u
    http://tinyurl.com/2mptx

    These things have lasted me a couple years at least. i dont think I'd
    have legs left if it wasnt for these guys. However, for the price, i
    think i will go for 661's for my next pair. I also think that 661s look
    better.

    I'm 6 foot with a 33 inseam if that helps at all.
    -erik

    --
    mango - unity - as 1 stand together

    "I know I'd be willing to spend up to $20 for a set of strong nipples."
    -andrew_carter

    (sorry buddy, couldnt resist =)

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  14. duaner said:

    *I've had my sharply pinned pedals smack the back of my 661 4x4s on
    numerous occasions, and slam them _hard_ on one or two occasions. One
    slam did cause a small tear (1/4"😉, and gave me a bruise; never drew
    blood. I consider the 4x4s thoroughly adequate. *

    Ditto.

    --
    ChangingLINKS.com - member

    Wishing you Happiness, Joy and Laughter,
    Drew Brown
    http://www.ChangingLINKS.com
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  15. hopeful said:

    *Bruises you'll just have to deal with. Besides, the stock pedals on
    your torker should just be plastic wellgos, right? *

    Right, plastic pedals. But I'm way past an age that huge purple bruises
    look cool, and I'm enough of a girly to want nice-looking legs when I'm
    not being a tomboy.

    Thanks for the suggestions everybody. I took the veggie guards back
    today and got a refund. I'll just keep my eyes out for something with a
    bit more calf protection.

    --
    digigal1

    Omni for Uni and Uni for Omni!
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  16. try an extra pair of normal football shin pads worn backwards. I know a
    few bikers who do that, and I think its been done on a unicycle.

    John

    --
    johnhimsworth - Falling off with style...

    What if the hokey cokey really is what it's all about?
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  17. mango said:

    *I wear lizard skins. They wrap almost all the way around my leg so
    that there are little to no openings in the foamy (whatever kind of
    durable fabric) ... I think this setup has saved me from 99% of my
    pedal bites...
    *

    Thanks for that - I decided to bid on a pair of new Lizard Skins on ebay
    - got em for $20 plus shipping (great deal.) They do protect alot
    better than the 661 veggies.

    --
    digigal1 - 3 revs on carpet! 😉

    Omni for Uni and Uni for Omni!
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  18. zactor29 said:

    *What you need to realize is that unicycling doesn't require a hard
    covering for the back of the leg to provide sufficient protection. *

    Aargh! boy I have six month without riding + some nuisance
    still lingering to prove the contrary
    ( a knock from my seat handle
    smashed my calf , my achille's tendon broke, and I am still left with
    a good muscle strain....)

    --
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