As dumb as it is, a big barrier for me is eyewear. Glasses with a fullface feels wrong (and I admit it’s largely vanity). Wearing googles for my regular riding isn’t feasible and I think eye protection is more important than a chin bar. But as someone who had a dental implant (non riding reasons) and a buddy who broke lots of teeth dirt jumping I’m very much with you on the protecting teeth front. So my compromise with myself is a Fox Dropframe which has more protection around the templs/cheeks than a half shell and I wear a mouthguard. Not sure how a mouthguard compares to a chin bar in terms of protecting teeth but it’s better than nothing and not much faff.
Jan. 12, 2022, 4:43 a.m. - Agleck7
As dumb as it is, a big barrier for me is eyewear. Glasses with a fullface feels wrong (and I admit it’s largely vanity). Wearing googles for my regular riding isn’t feasible and I think eye protection is more important than a chin bar. But as someone who had a dental implant (non riding reasons) and a buddy who broke lots of teeth dirt jumping I’m very much with you on the protecting teeth front. So my compromise with myself is a Fox Dropframe which has more protection around the templs/cheeks than a half shell and I wear a mouthguard. Not sure how a mouthguard compares to a chin bar in terms of protecting teeth but it’s better than nothing and not much faff.