You tube has several videos of supermen doing amazing things on a mountain bike, most of these riders are "minimalist" in their protective gear, but all seem to wear full face helments. It's just a fact that a "face plant" amoung the tree roots or in a rock garden will do serious damage if your helment lacks chin protection. Anyone who does singletrack wih the philosophy that he is too shit hot to crash head first is.......well!!!
I just went on a ride and didn't wear my FF. That's really rare but my head said it was an exploratory ride so I wouldn't be going for Adrenalin. As Gary said. You just have to decide based on what YOU ARE DOING but never decide on WHAT YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL THINK.
) guarantee you won't break your ribs. The way falls happen and the way ribs branch out means they can break unless you wear a full exo-skeleton - which no one does - and even then you could in theory still break them. Armour doesn't stop injuries, it reduces them.
I just went on a ride and didn't wear my FF. That's really rare but my head said it was an exploratory ride so I wouldn't be going for Adrenalin. As Gary said. You just have to decide based on what YOU ARE DOING but never decide on WHAT YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL THINK.
For ribs, wearing armour WILL NOT ! (yes, I'm shouting
For ribs, I've broken mine 4 times now in just over 2 years. 3 on the bike and one young horse kicking me six meters in the back. That was the worst by far. Back rib breaks are horrible. Twice on the bike were unarmoured. Once armoured. @High Rock Ruti has also broken ribs even when heavily armoured, I'm sure there are many more.
There's quite a good body armour thread and lots of other info in the reviews area. Body armour is all a compromise. There is no perfect armour. It's about picking something which works for you which you're more likely to wear than not wear. You could have the best armour in the world, but if you hardly wear it because it's hot, uncomfortable, restrictive, difficult to put on/take off, you feel like robocop - then it's pointless having it. Better to have a lesser armour you wear more frequently than an amazing armour which sits in the wardrobe.
Yep as you get older you naturally think slow is safer but you need the speed to get over some technical stuff. I did ribs in January on a rock I go over every week. Slowed and stalled then flop on ribs. It was heavy landing if it had been my head serious I think. Solo again.My crashes tend to happen when I'm going too slow rather than too fast i.e. I spot a line then either hesitate or change my mind. Next thing I know I'm off the bike. Happened the other day and I hurt my ribs so now I'm even considering an armoured vest.
My wife just saying to me an hour ago when is the hillwalking, mountain biking, seakyaking, skiing going to stop . I said 70 not long I'm 65 now. She's right though most of my adventures are solo.
Don't count on that. I'm 73 and over the last couple of years I've cut back on the climbing and skiing (after 55 years) and increased the mountain biking. I have more minor mishaps mountain biking than I ever did climbing or skiing. The thing with climbing is that the consequences can be more severe.
Haha yes ive fell off this Ebike more in the last 2 years than since I started in 87. Yes lost a few friends climbing I only seconded I never lead. Long time since I climbed though. Slow down but can't see me stopping.
I agree. I am sure in my case , when I slow down to enjoy the view or whatever, my concentration lapses. Classic example was on top of the mountain bike park, on the widest, flatest, smoothest part of the track, and I slowed to admire the magnificent view. Took my eye of the track for a second or two, looked back and I was off the edge of the track. Before I could turn back, I hit a fist sized rock which shot me off to the right. Down the steep long grassy slopTfgIMy crashes tend to happen when I'm going too slow rather than too fast i.e. I spot a line then either hesitate or change my mind. Next thing I know I'm off the bike. Happened the other day and I hurt my ribs so now I'm even considering an armoured vest.
Do they call you lucky jim
You were a lucky boy! That's one reason why I wear a small backpack with plenty of bubble wrap, crunched up raincoat, first aid kit etc. etc. At least twice it has saved me from possible serious back injury. An 80 year old riding friend wears the same softish back pack similar to mine including a personal locater beacon. His front wheel slid out from under him on a tight muddy corner, dumping him over into a rocky creek bed some 3-4 metres below the track. The following rider ( a doctor ) said if he hadn't been wearing his backpack which took a lot of the impact, he would have received serious back injuries. As it was, he suffered two cracked ribs, and two cracked vertabrae. I don't care who thinks I look stupid, FF helmet, safety goggles, backpack, knee and elbow protection on every ride.
