Helmet

[Scottkelly]

I'm thinking of doing a bit of trails biking soon and wondering if I full face helmet is overkill? I'm not that confident doing trails as I'm new to it. Also is elbow and knee/shin pads a must or overkill?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi and Scott.

A big "don't know" from me. Depends how you ride - if you always go round the trails flat out and searching for the limits then, yes they may be useful. If you pootle round them like I do then they're probably overkill.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I'm thinking of doing a bit of trails biking soon and wondering if I full face helmet is overkill? I'm not that confident doing trails as I'm new to it. Also is elbow and knee/shin pads a must or overkill?

I agree with Phil...but would add, do what makes you feel confident!
I don't do any technical/trail riding now but even when I did I never wore a full face helmet as I didn't like them.

 

[mcshroom]

Which trails are you thinking about? Plunging down the more technical sections at Whinlatter (or worse further afield) is rather different to riding the forest trails round Ennerdale for example.

 

[Ernie_RBR]

For me its an overkill tbh , that gear would be mainly for downhill and some Black routes.
Where ever you do your MTB check your trail grading guide first as there are usually a number of routes you can do ...

I've placed a link below for more info ..

http://imba.org.uk/where-to-ride/trail-grading/

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I ride trails like a mad man, had a pretty decent off today as a matter of fact.
Clipped a tree with my bars, looked like the speedster accident in the empire strikes back as I got thrown into the bushes.

Trails are not concrete or tarmac as such you will not get road rash, typically you just get a few bruises and scuff's.
A full face is simply to hot, the same can be said for pads

 

[Scottkelly]

Whinlatter is where I was thinking of going as it's not that far from me, I don't really like the normal helmets, that why I'm thinking of the full face helmet

 

[ScotiaLass]

I ride trails like a mad man, had a pretty decent off today as a matter of fact.
Clipped a tree with my bars, looked like the speedster accident in the empire strikes back as I got thrown into the bushes.

Trails are not concrete or tarmac as such you will not get road rash, typically you just get a few bruises and scuff's.
A full face is simply to hot, the same can be said for pads

You can get those protective undershorts can't you? Better than wearing bulky pads at a guess...

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

You can get those protective undershorts can't you? Better than wearing bulky pads at a guess...

I wear Troy Lee Design MTB shorts which have inbuilt hip protection which is great. I find the protective undershorts to be far to warm.
I also wear stantovelo arm warmers as these a light and feature protection. (Great on road bike as well)
http://www.stantovelo.co.uk

Big bulky pads are not for me when riding trails.

 

[jack smith]

im abit of a hard arse but i was thinking of this the otherday as i am considering getting a mtb when i have the funds if your concerned about saftey or not confident go with a full face, who are people to judge its your life in your hands. i would probably feel alot more confident and ride harder with one on but i would probably take it off and use my giro after a short while of getting used to it, i dont like the idea of smacking my face of a tree lol im ugly enough

 

[Scottkelly]

I think I am going to with a full face simply for the fact to be safe and I'm not confident on the bike. Better to be safe then sorry in my opinion.

 

[jack smith]

exactly mate you only live once....make it as nice as possible lol dont care what people think its not like their thoughts can hurt you more than faceplanting a tree

 

[Crackle]

Whinlatter is where I was thinking of going as it's not that far from me, I don't really like the normal helmets, that why I'm thinking of the full face helmet

Whinlatter is a great trail centre. I think you should wear what you want, you see people wearing a variety of kit, including full face which are often perched on top of heads for climbing. Just be aware there is something called risk compensation.

 

[Scottkelly]

A lad at work told me about the whinlatter trails, never even knew they existed. Sorry to be dumb but risk compensation?

 

[Crackle]

A lad at work told me about the whinlatter trails, never even knew they existed. Sorry to be dumb but risk compensation?

It basically says you consciously or subconsciously take more risks the more protected you feel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation