Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

After an off last week I think I need to go back to wearing knee pads. I'm not getting younger and the knees warrant some love.

What's a good option for lightweight protection. I'm riding XC, and have lanky legs.

I like these, slim and flexible;

https://www.sweetprotection.com/eu/en/knee-guards-black/

A few people have recommended these now, so probably worth a punt.

Edit.
No stock in old style and price hike on new. £50 budget.

Rapha do some lightweight ones. Probably have a sale on currently…

I've seen they come recommended, they're down to £75 which is still a bit steep. I found these this morning which at £25 seems to fit the bill rather well 🤞 although likely scenario being I wear them for a couple of rides, get cocky, stop wearing them, hurt knees, can't find them, have to find another pair....

https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/poc-vpd-air-fabio-wibmer-edition-knee-guards/137890589/p

Where'd you go? Looks like a Foresty Forest adventure.

What's the point of the knee guards for XC? What are they protecting against? Do you land on your knees often?

Just up into the peaks on the very edge of Sheffield. First mile of riding was sketchy as fuck as there was a ton of black ice even on the bridleways. I was contemplating turning back when I reached the point where fresh snow had fallen and it was a much grippier. Glad I persisted as it was well worth it.

Big improvement on the last time I tried to head into the peaks when it had snowed and I hit a patch of black ice when crossing a stream and took a slow comedy tumble into the water.

Well, I'm cocky enough to think I have enough skill to 'jib' off features along the trail 9/10 totally fine, 1/10 knees take the punishment. So in the interest of protecting my future riding I'll pad up.

Edit. Not XC as in race, local trails, plenty to keep you on your toes or knees...

'jib' off features

I don't really know what that means but it almost certainly means I'd be walking where you'd be riding. I mostly need protection from stabby things because most of my MTBing is walking through things that aren't actually trails.. :D

Tell me that a Yeti Arc would be a silly buy? I've got the horn for a winter 'get fit' hard tail... 🙈
They're currently a grand in the black Friday sale at approx. 50% off. The great reset is upon the industry.

There is some history with the cuddly fella.

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Looks pretty . £1 k for carbon sounds like a deal :)

Nice bikes according to the reviews. I was looking at one as a winter hardtail to replace my Chameleon but the press fit BB put me off.

I pre-ordered a Pace RC429 instead.

Do it! Looks like a really fun frame

Are there any long-sleeve, shiny/synthetic, you know durable-type MTB jerseys that have back pockets or even a single back pocket similar to road jerseys?

I want something that doesn't tear apart whenever I ride into stabby bastard prickly bastard stabber things but I also want to carry a wallet/phone in a back pocket.

I don't mean one of those weird side-entry zip pockets either...
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-breathable-mtb-jersey/

Not this big either...
https://www.bike24.com/p2781678.html

Too small of a pocket:
https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/clothing/jerseys/mons-royale-redwood-enduro-vls-ls-jersey-sage-tie-dyeblack__378430

"zipped pocked on the sleeve"
https://www.endurasport.com/mt500-burner-l-s-jersey-ink-blue/13648778.html

This?

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/2187463

It has a rear pocket but it's one of those small, side-entry ones. No good for whipping out the phone in a hurry (which I tend to do a lot for nav and a bit for photos)

Gotcha, decathlon link didn't work for me.

I guess the reason you don't tend to see them is because the weight may shift about too much if in the middle at the rear?

I mean, I use road jerseys without any issue. The problem is that I've cut them to shreds on stabby bastard things and want something thicker, more durable or maybe shinier, like those motocross style tops so that stabby things tear less. I guess it's not a thing. Time to sew my own...

I guess I could try a phone mount but I really don't like the idea of sticking my Garmin AND phone out where MTBs tend to destroy things.

Road jerseys work because they're more figure hugging. MTB jerseys are much looser, so your phone tends to rattle about and jump out of 'road style' pockets.
I'm sure I've seen people do bibs or MTB base layer with pockets, maybe that's more stable. Or just get a fanny pack.

I have leat body armour which fits under mtb jersey but has back pockets which are elasticated so items don’t fall out. It’s light enough that I never notice I am wearing it.

https://leatt.com/gb/product/body-tee-reaflex-stealth-v24?selected-color=stealth

But unsure if the latest version has the back pockets

Being in Australia sucks when you want to buy a hardtail frame only. We're going to NZ over xmas and I need a durable MTB I can fly with, plus I have parts over parts in the shed. All I need is a frame. Nothing available anywhere apart from $$$ ... All the steel options like Stanton super expensive and shipping on top. F***. I should have kept my Chisel.

I think there are a few base layer options - back in the day there was the overland (Morvelo adjacent) ones that had three rear pockets and two on the front. Downside was it meant wearing bib straps under the base layer which defeated the point for me a bit. Colder days though, normal base - bibs - overland base - mtb jersey is a great combo

I have a couple of the Kostume base layers that have one rear pocket, it’s pretty much only good for a phone though

Road jerseys work because they're more figure hugging. MTB jerseys are much looser, so your phone tends to rattle about and jump out of 'road style' pockets.

I'm sure I've seen people do bibs or MTB base layer with pockets, maybe that's more stable. Or just get a fanny pack.

This.

Would also be harder to get anything in/out of a loose back pocket. This works on tight lycra, but even on some looser road gilets/jackets it starts getting trickier. Cargo bibs with side pockets are good - until you rip the pockets with the same stabby bastard things..

get this: