kour Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 On 01/06/2017 at 4:43 PM, Philip W said: You guys might laugh at me, but I am always focus on being practical and cheap. Face plants are real threat to every one of us. Regular bike helmet will not protect you from face plants. For some reason they don't think protecting the face is an issue, instead they protect mostly the back of the head. In my experience when an EUC suddenly cut off or a pothole trapped the wheel, the rider always falls face front, and no time to react or even turn the head. So why wear a helmet to protect the back when the most needed protection is in the front? I wear a softball face mask when riding EUC, as the picture shown below. It's not pretty but it will certainly protect me from hitting the ground on my face. And it cost only $30. It's light and easily to wear and take off. I can wear it at the hottest summer days. Also I plan to add a rear-view mirror to it. dude you'd be so screwed if you fell off and the side... or any other portion of your head not protected by that sparse frame hit a curb or something - I commend you though on seeking out lightweight solutions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kour Posted June 17, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 17, 2017 when I started out about two months ago I bought (splurged, really...) a fancy-schmancy carbon full face helmet, wrist guards with dual splints and skid plates (thanks for the recommendation in one of your posts, @esaj...) and knee-pads. I hadn't worn the knee pads at all - just once, I think, since starting riding. but today I decided to wear them, now, whenever I go out riding. there's been a lot of (not undue) fuss about wheels cutting out for various reasons, whether it be an issue with firmware or components/engineering/pick one - but if you're riding around and you're not familiar with the terrain you can just as easily wipe out. today, I rode about 15-16 km and I wiped out twice! first one wasn't really a wipe out, as I didn't fall down, but my wheel fell - I was going uphill on this bike path and decided to turn around. it was kind of narrow and as I was exiting the turn the wheel dipped more than I thought it would and I stepped off... not too bad. fast forward- I'm going about 7mph, not too fast, on a sidewalk I hadn't ridden down- there was one slab of the sidewalk that was jutting out way above the others. I thought,'i can't ride over that,' and the decided I would try to jump it. now, I haven't worked on jumping so this was kind of risky. basically, my jump failed... I don't really know what I did, but it was a weak-ass hop, haha. I ran off the wheel and stumbled forward about 10 feet, dropping the bottle of tequila I was carrying (didn't break!) falling onto my knees and hands on the sidewalk. msuper's fine, I'm fine, tequila's fine... anyway, for whatever reason, you could fall. I might have had a banged up knee or two and bloody palms if I hadn't been wearing my gear. oh yeah, I also found a $20 bill on one bike trail! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post esaj Posted June 17, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) 57 minutes ago, kour said: when I started out about two months ago I bought (splurged, really...) a fancy-schmancy carbon full face helmet, wrist guards with dual splints and skid plates (thanks for the recommendation in one of your posts, @esaj...) and knee-pads. I hadn't worn the knee pads at all - just once, I think, since starting riding. but today I decided to wear them, now, whenever I go out riding. there's been a lot of (not undue) fuss about wheels cutting out for various reasons, whether it be an issue with firmware or components/engineering/pick one - but if you're riding around and you're not familiar with the terrain you can just as easily wipe out. today, I rode about 15-16 km and I wiped out twice! first one wasn't really a wipe out, as I didn't fall down, but my wheel fell - I was going uphill on this bike path and decided to turn around. it was kind of narrow and as I was exiting the turn the wheel dipped more than I thought it would and I stepped off... not too bad. fast forward- I'm going about 7mph, not too fast, on a sidewalk I hadn't ridden down- there was one slab of the sidewalk that was jutting out way above the others. I thought,'i can't ride over that,' and the decided I would try to jump it. now, I haven't worked on jumping so this was kind of risky. basically, my jump failed... I don't really know what I did, but it was a weak-ass hop, haha. I ran off the wheel and stumbled forward about 10 feet, dropping the bottle of tequila I was carrying (didn't break!) falling onto my knees and hands on the sidewalk. msuper's fine, I'm fine, tequila's fine... anyway, for whatever reason, you could fall. I might have had a banged up knee or two and bloody palms if I hadn't been wearing my gear. oh yeah, I also found a $20 bill on one bike trail! Nice, I "lighten" the wheel when going over curbs, taking the impact by bending my knees, not really hopping up. It seems to work well, never fallen going over a curb, but it doesn't always work "perfectly", as in, if timed wrong, the bump will move my feet a bit on the pedals, and is not as graceful. As for falls, I've had 6 falls in total in something like maybe around 3000+km total with 4 6 (forgot I rode a friends' KS16B last summer and had Vee's / EUC Extremes MCM2s on loan) different wheels, but no real damage to myself (so far, let's hope it stays that way ) thanks to the gear. My first and worst one was the very first day I got my 14" generic, I had learned to mount it that day (hopping on and off the wheel for about 20-30 mins, the street I live in hasn't got anything near the road to hold onto, so I had to learn without any support) and could ride forwards and turn in wiiiiide circles, usually I just rode to the end of the street, stepped off, turned the wheel around by hand and rode back to the other end . At one point, I mounted, accelerated and probably just lost my balance, pushing the pedals backwards, causing the wheel to brake and fell down on the pavement. I've been wearing full gear all the time since the first time I ever stepped on an EUC (well, to be precise, I didn't get the wrist guards until a bit later after starting), so no harm there. Second fall was on my 3rd day, coming down from a speed bump, I guess I went too fast and the wheel just toppled forwards. I took a few fast running steps, hit my shoe on the curb (my toe was aching a few days afterwards, otherwise ok) and rolled onto a lawn, I also videoed it and I smashed the camera Later on that same wheel (maybe a week or two), I tried running it as fast as it can up an off-road hill (at that point, I was pretty much constantly riding at the tilt-back as fast as I can, which probably was around 15-18km/h or so). Of course the wheel gave up on a bump, and I took a few running steps before landing on my hands, the kneepads and skid plates of the wrist guards taking the damage (scratches). On the Firewheel, I once fell from a low(ish) speed going over badly ground frost damaged pavement. Again the protections cushioned the blow, only damage I had was a bit of skin lost from my pinky The last fall on the Firewheel was when BMSs of the custom packs cut power on downhill (overcharge... the BMSs were the wrong type), I don't know if it actually counts as a fall, as the wheel just shot off under me and I landed on my feet taking a few running steps and coming to a stop. The Firewheel shell got badly damaged, I got most of it repaired, but it never was really waterproof after that. My last fall was sometime last week (I think), nothing dramatic. We went to a really curvy and stony path with a friend, maybe about 20-30cm wide in the middle of the woods, something you wouldn't probably even try with a bicycle and I was riding the KS16S. My pedal got caught in some stones at near walking speed and as I stepped off, I slipped and fell to my back, but had a backpack with my jacket in it, so it cushioned the blow, and I just got back up and continued riding. No damage to the wheel. Edited June 18, 2017 by esaj 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kour Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 @esaj lol I like the r.i.p. for the camera 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rehab1 Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 (edited) On 6/1/2017 at 4:43 PM, Philip W said: You guys might laugh at me, but I am always focus on being practical and cheap. Face plants are real threat to every one of us. Regular bike helmet will not protect you from face plants. For some reason they don't think protecting the face is an issue, instead they protect mostly the back of the head. In my experience when an EUC suddenly cut off or a pothole trapped the wheel, the rider always falls face front, and no time to react or even turn the head. So why wear a helmet to protect the back when the most needed protection is in the front? I wear a softball face mask when riding EUC, as the picture shown below. It's not pretty but it will certainly protect me from hitting the ground on my face. And it cost only $30. It's light and easily to wear and take off. I can wear it at the hottest summer days. Also I plan to add a rear-view mirror to it. Awesome look, lightweight and full visibility! I may return my face guard. Edited June 18, 2017 by Rehab1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Marty Backe Posted July 3, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted July 3, 2017 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meepmeepmayer Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 (edited) Currently looking at LED vests. Maybe someone has something to say about them, what to look for, what to avoid, recommendations, some other experience Point is to be seen at night and possibly bad weather, by cars. Edited July 8, 2017 by meepmeepmayer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WARPed1701D Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 6 hours ago, meepmeepmayer said: Currently looking at LED vests. Maybe someone has something to say about them, what to look for, what to avoid, recommendations, some other experience Point is to be seen at night and possibly bad weather, by cars. A guy in the recent San Francisco ride video had some kind of LED vest on. I've seen them on Amazon and you can pick the color they show. https://www.amazon.com/noxgear-T3V-NG01-SM-Tracer360-Visibility-Small/dp/B00GI991NY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499554551&sr=8-3 Have a look at that video to see how it looks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meepmeepmayer Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 Thanks. I've already seen that thing on Amazon. I've come to the conclusion that good reflective stripes are much more important than the lights themselves. In pitch black night with only the weak ACM light, traffic signs can be seen from quite afar where everything else is still black. Quite impresssive. Some small LED can easily be overseen with many other lights and reflections around. So I'll be looking for something where reflectors are built in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingfelder Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 On 6/1/2017 at 1:43 PM, Philip W said: You guys might laugh at me, but I am always focus on being practical and cheap. Face plants are real threat to every one of us. Regular bike helmet will not protect you from face plants. For some reason they don't think protecting the face is an issue, instead they protect mostly the back of the head. In my experience when an EUC suddenly cut off or a pothole trapped the wheel, the rider always falls face front, and no time to react or even turn the head. So why wear a helmet to protect the back when the most needed protection is in the front? I wear a softball face mask when riding EUC, as the picture shown below. It's not pretty but it will certainly protect me from hitting the ground on my face. And it cost only $30. It's light and easily to wear and take off. I can wear it at the hottest summer days. Also I plan to add a rear-view mirror to it. Something projecting far out in front of my face like this makes me think it will snap my head back quite a few inches and maybe break my neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip W Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 On July 8, 2017 at 11:00 PM, Dingfelder said: Something projecting far out in front of my face like this makes me think it will snap my head back quite a few inches and maybe break my neck. Your jaw will suffer a hit in a face plant, like someone punches it hard, but it will be lessen by the forehead cushion. This thing doesn't protect you from a car crash, which might actually snap your head and break your neck. It only protects your face from the force of dropping from the EUC. Your jaw will be sour but your eyes, your nose and chin will be fine. There is no back protection, because if your head got hit from the back then you are either hit by a car, or you make a wild turn and fall off. In both situation you need the full body protection. Here this thing is for face plant only. Nothing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunka Hunka Burning Love Posted July 12, 2017 Author Share Posted July 12, 2017 (edited) For warning pedestrians that I'm approaching I usually use some cheap bike bells that @dmethvin recommended, but I found that they are a little tricky to ring with one hand plus the bell distorts on the mount stopping them from ringing. After hiking in bear country recently, I picked up some of these bear bells which seem to work better for me. https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5007-542/Bear-Bell-with-Magnet Edited July 12, 2017 by Hunka Hunka Burning Love 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post The Fat Unicyclist Posted July 12, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted July 12, 2017 4 minutes ago, Hunka Hunka Burning Love said: For warning pedstrians that I'm approaching I usually use some cheap bike bells that @dmethvin recommended, but I found that they are a little tricky to ring with one hand plus the bell distorts on the mount stopping them from ringing. After hiking in bear country recently, I picked up some of these bear bells which seem to work better for me. https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5007-542/Bear-Bell-with-Magnet It makes sense to put bells on bears, so you can hear them coming - but I wouldn't want to be the guy with the job of fitting them! At least if people think you're a bear coming up behind them, they will get our of the way quickly... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scatcat Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 On 2017-07-03 at 9:27 PM, Marty Backe said: At last, today, I got the message that my flexmeter wrist guards are available for pickup! Not a second too early, my old ones are really uncomfortable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scatcat Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 7 hours ago, Scatcat said: At last, today, I got the message that my flexmeter wrist guards are available for pickup! Not a second too early, my old ones are really uncomfortable. Actually they were sent to my door. My two teens were home, but neither of them bothered to answer the door. Did I mention the sales campaign on teens that just started? Oh well, it will go back to base, and then be available for pickup tomorrow or friday... Are you all sure you're not interested in two little used 14 and 15 year olds? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fat Unicyclist Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 4 hours ago, Scatcat said: Actually they were sent to my door. My two teens were home, but neither of them bothered to answer the door. Did I mention the sales campaign on teens that just started? Oh well, it will go back to base, and then be available for pickup tomorrow or friday... Are you all sure you're not interested in two little used 14 and 15 year olds? How does $50,000USD each work for you? NB: shipping not included. I'll send you the delivery address, once you've deposited the money into my account... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos E Rodriguez Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 21 minutes ago, The Fat Unicyclist said: How does $50,000USD each work for you? NB: shipping not included. I'll send you the delivery address, once you've deposited the money into my account... Now that is messed up! Does have a hint of innapropiate behavior? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Scatcat Posted July 12, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted July 12, 2017 1 hour ago, The Fat Unicyclist said: How does $50,000USD each work for you? NB: shipping not included. I'll send you the delivery address, once you've deposited the money into my account... Like the 19th century auctions where the lowest bidder (for subsidies) got the orphan... I'll think I keep them, even though it will probably end up costing more... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mrelwood Posted July 16, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted July 16, 2017 (edited) KS-16S made me rethink my protection, as the speeds available are insane. Since I need the protection to be easy to put on and off, I bought myself a second hand motorcycle jacket and pants for 40€, which should serve me well with a few modifications. The jacket was waterproof, so very hot in the summer. I cut off an inner layer of rubbery fabric, and now it's quite passable atleast in 20•C temperature. Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves are on the way, and I'm off to check a pair of used motorcycle boots for 50€. Here's the jacket: Edited July 16, 2017 by mrelwood 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scatcat Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 16 minutes ago, mrelwood said: KS-16S made me rethink my protection, as the speeds available are insane. Since I need the protection to be easy to put on and off, I bought myself a second hand motorcycle jacket and pants for 40€, which should serve me well with a few modifications. The jacket was waterproof, so very hot in the summer. I cut off an inner layer of rubbery fabric, and now it's quite passable atleast in 20•C temperature. Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves are on the way, and I'm off to check a pair of used motorcycle boots for 50€. Here's the jacket: I probably should look for something similar, as my wheel has its first alarm at KS16s's max speed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WARPed1701D Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 (edited) Nice finds @mrelwood at good prices and great protection. Have a look at the thread on "wrist injury even with protection". I understand there is some question about how well the Hillbilly gloves actually project the wrist. Edited July 16, 2017 by WARPed1701D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunka Hunka Burning Love Posted July 17, 2017 Author Share Posted July 17, 2017 (edited) @mrelwood's jacket looks pretty nice. I have two jackets. One is a mesh that really lets a lot of air through. At 13C it gets pretty chilly riding when you factor in the wind chill. My other jacket is rainproof and better for colder temperatures. At 27C the mesh jacket gets pretty warm in the back, but it's still tolerable. The jackets I have are from AliExpress, and I had to order large sizes instead of medium which is what I normally wear. Even still I find that they are a little short at the waist as they end ride at the pant level. They are nicely padded with shoulder pads, elbow, and a backpad which I don't use since it makes the jacket even shorter when in. The Hillbilly guards seem okay to me, but the fingers seem a little on the long side. Trying to give people a thumbs up ends up with some other fingers sticking out which looks a little weird. Edited July 17, 2017 by Hunka Hunka Burning Love 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrelwood Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 19 hours ago, WARPed1701D said: Nice finds @mrelwood at good prices and great protection. Have a look at the thread on "wrist injury even with protection". I understand there is some question about how well the Hillbilly gloves actually project the wrist. I did. Though I still think a combined support glove is the best option for me due to lot less effort to put them on and off. I'm afraid I ordered them too big though, but the seller wasn't able to change the order anymore. We'll see. I was actually expecting the shields on the jacket to be a bit sturdier. I might add additional padding. And they won't stay in place, so I'll have to sew them in properly. A bit of work, but I believe it's worth the effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Rehab1 Posted July 17, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted July 17, 2017 I just receive my new Bell helmet with face protection. Very comfortable and it even has a Gopro mount on top! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pard Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 6 minutes ago, Rehab1 said: I just receive my new Bell helmet with face protection. Very comfortable and it even has a Gopro mount on top! That is a perfect helmet for EUC riding. I have one as well. It does not block your view, very light weight, very comfortable with excellent ventilation. Should slide off a faceplant easily. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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