Protection for the cyclist: what happens and how to choose?

For a cyclist, protection is no less important than the right choice of speed mode or the bike itself. Even professionals are not safe from injuries, and emergency situations happen quite often. To prevent serious damage, you need protection - a set of equipment used by a rider while riding. In addition to the function of a booster that softens the blow, it often prevents such unpleasant problems as joint pain or muscle micro-tears, ensuring their proper fixation in motion.

Bicycle protection usually begins to be acquired with a helmet and glasses. Head safety is of the utmost importance and requires truly serious action. The simplest bicycle protection is a helmet, which can be different.

• Highway. It is lightweight, has the shape of a cascade, is not equipped with a visor. It features high aerodynamic properties.

• For cross country. The most lightweight, well-blown option. Equipped with a sun visor, a plastic shell and comfortable adjustable straps.

• "Bowler". This is a sturdy helmet with a high level of protection, suitable for straight, derth, BMX.

• Fullface This option is more like a motorcycle. It is used for extreme mountain skiing, downhill skiing.

Velochki perform a protective role when riding at speed and cross country, protect the eyes from damage, irritation. Models with a UV filter help to avoid the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.

For cycling, it is recommended that you purchase not only a special suit and helmet that protects your head. Other important parts of the body require protection.

The main load here falls on the knee area - both during a fall and during skiing. Knee pads for cycling are simple and combined. The former protect only the kneecap itself and are informally often referred to as “shells”, since they play the role of that shockproof booster.

And also exist knee pads for riding, fixed also on the lower legs. They are designed for cycling disciplines such as downhill, freeride, BMX. Here, a higher cadence is used much more often - the speed of pedaling, often the foot just jumps off the pedal, and it strikes the shin area. Full protection protects against injury, makes it possible to confidently perform various tricks.

Knee pads, unlike helmets, have no limit on the number of falls. They can be used for a long time if there is no visible damage to the booster itself.

Hand protection should be comprehensive. First of all, it is included elbow pads - they can be short, covering only part of the forearm and elbow, and long. The second option is used in the cross-country discipline and covers the hand from the forearm to the wrist. Short elbow pieces are used in freeride, downhill, and regular city skating. Often used Combined protection kit, providing the ability to vary the degree of closure of the hand.

To keep brushes and palms safe when falling, cyclists use gloves. For trips on high-speed bikes, they are always with short fingers. Models of the classical format are used as a demi-season version or used in winter. Gloves serve not only as a shockproof booster, but also prevent the appearance of corns from the steering wheel, there should be a seal in the area of ​​the knuckles. Hand protection for cyclists is always soft - rigid designs relevant for other sports here interfere with bike management.

To increase safety when skiing, special torso protection kits. They consist of special pants or shorts, complemented by cushioning plates. A “shell” of interconnected plates or a jacket with the same effect is put on the back and chest. Such boosters allow even in a fall or a direct collision to protect the spine and ribs from injuries.

Body protection is applied mainly in extreme driving disciplines.

Among the companies that deserve the most attention, There are a number of manufacturers of protection for cyclists.

• Fox The brand has existed since 1974 and is based in California, USA. The company produces not only amateur protection for women, men, children, but also works on the creation of professional racing and sports equipment.

• Cyclotech. Domestic brand owned by Sportmaster. It produces products of primary and secondary levels.

• Cannondale. Another American manufacturer specializing in the manufacture of bicycles and accessories. It is highly respected among professional riders.

• POC. The Swedish brand, widely known for its high-end bicycle helmets. In addition, the company has a wide selection of other types of protection for riders with different riding preferences.

• SixSixOne. The brand specializes in creating equipment for BMX bikers, street and drag lovers. In the presence of gloves, knee pads and elbow pieces with an extended protection zone. The American brand has established itself very well among athletes.

When choosing protective equipment for a cyclist, it is important to observe several conditions.

• Knee pads and elbow pieces must be tried on. They should fit snugly, but maintain normal air exchange, not to disturb blood flow.

• Find the right type of mount protection. Optimally, if the knee pads and elbow pieces are fixed, like a stocking. They hold on better and do not slip while riding.

• Correctly determine the size of the gloves. They should not tighten and crush the brush during compression. The arm should flex freely.

• At the place of protection, check for additional soft inserts. They compensate for the impact when falling.

• To study the quality of ventilation. If the equipment is made of neoprene, it will already provide sufficient hygroscopicity. When using other materials, special ventilation holes must be present in the design of the shields.

You can find out how to choose a helmet for cycling in the video below.