It's insane how many riders I see with torn up elbows. And it comes from the top... how many top EWS racers do you see wearing elbow pads... none. And for them elbow pads can literally be race or even career saving safety equipment. Look at ALN.. she has access to these same awesome Racface pads and ended up tearing her elbow up in practice before Pietra Ligure. And because of her injuries she couldn't even race!! Not even a broken elbow... just too banged up to race properly. Flew half way around the world during a pandemic, quarantined, fell, hurt her elbow and ruined all the hard work she and her team had put in... crazy.
As for pads... I have these new raceface indy's and they are the best elbows I've used. They are of the only brand of sleeve elbows (that aren't the bigger bulky variety) I've tried that I can race in because they can withstand extended periods of smashing without moving. Others I've used in the past end up around my wrists by the end of the stage and so are useless. IMO an upper strap is necessary with elbow pads.
EDIT: Also a quick note about Raceface customer service... my first set of pads had some of the stitching on the velcro that the strap attaches to come loose. Emailed raceface with photos. They said send em back and they'll send me new ones... had the new ones within the week. I'm on the island, but great for Canadian west coasters that the raceface offices are in Burnaby and can offer quick turn-around for any issues.
Oct. 22, 2020, 8:46 a.m. - IslandLife
It's insane how many riders I see with torn up elbows. And it comes from the top... how many top EWS racers do you see wearing elbow pads... none. And for them elbow pads can literally be race or even career saving safety equipment. Look at ALN.. she has access to these same awesome Racface pads and ended up tearing her elbow up in practice before Pietra Ligure. And because of her injuries she couldn't even race!! Not even a broken elbow... just too banged up to race properly. Flew half way around the world during a pandemic, quarantined, fell, hurt her elbow and ruined all the hard work she and her team had put in... crazy. As for pads... I have these new raceface indy's and they are the best elbows I've used. They are of the only brand of sleeve elbows (that aren't the bigger bulky variety) I've tried that I can race in because they can withstand extended periods of smashing without moving. Others I've used in the past end up around my wrists by the end of the stage and so are useless. IMO an upper strap is necessary with elbow pads. EDIT: Also a quick note about Raceface customer service... my first set of pads had some of the stitching on the velcro that the strap attaches to come loose. Emailed raceface with photos. They said send em back and they'll send me new ones... had the new ones within the week. I'm on the island, but great for Canadian west coasters that the raceface offices are in Burnaby and can offer quick turn-around for any issues.