Knee pads refer to a common piece of safety equipment used in the extreme disciplines of bicycle riding. BMX riding, or bicycle motocross, involves high speed racing competitions as well as trick riding contests. Many riders in the early 1990s opted out of wearing knee pads due to the bulky construction. However, modern technology has created lightweight and slender knee pads that do you hinder your movement on the bike.
Identification
Knee pads protect your knees from scrapes and bruises that may occur during a bailed trick attempt. A common bailing technique involves sliding across the riding surface with the slick protective cover of your knee pads. As well as being used in BMX, knee pads are often utilized by downhill and dirt jumping mountain bikers. According to Vital Mountain Biking, the outer cover of the knee pads often has a lightweight Kevlar construction. Knee pads often have a sock-like component made of neoprene that wraps around the back of your knee.
Function
As well as protecting your knees from the rough riding terrain, knee pads often shield your knees and shins from the metallic components of your bike. High-impact tricks may cause your feet to slide off the stainless steel or titanium pedals of your BMX or mountain bike. The knee pad can deflect the sharp edges of your bike pedals from making contact with your knee caps and upper shins. Sliding across the plastic or wooden surface of a biking ramp can tear your skin. The knee pads enable you to slide to safety when bailing from a high-speed maneuver.
Types
Knee pads for bike riding have two distinct designs. The basic knee pad construction covers the entire knee cap as well as the bottom area of your quadriceps, located above the knee. Another type of knee pad, commonly utilized in bike racing, covers the knee cap and the shin. The knee-shin pad stretches from the lower quadriceps to just above your ankle bones. According to Vital Mountain Biking, the knee-shin pad offers increased protection but may hinder your movement
Features
Each variety of knee pad features an internal component known as the knee cup. The knee cup has a concave shape that fits around the front and sides of your knee cap. According to Vital Mountain Biking, some models of knee pads feature a knee cup with a pre-bend construction. This means that the knee cup has a rigid design that does not mold around your knee until it is in the bent riding position. While pre-bend knee pads may feel awkward while standing up straight, they will form to your knees as you begin to pedal.
Size
According to professional BMX riders Gary Young and Brian Kachinsky, the knee pad designs of the 1980s and 90s had a bulky design that required you to wear shorts. As the sport of BMX and mountain biking has continued to grow, so has the safety gear technology. As of 2010, modern knee pad designs can comfortably fit under a normal pair of pants.
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