Some noob questions regarding Enduro Gear..
- Thread starter kiwi
- Start date
I should have said some those are the open ended plastic ones on that bike that should break if you go over them. Not the ones with the metal bar that wraps around. It was Chris Birch who recommended against the wrap around type ones and said he prefers not running any.Well then there's this guy
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I use solid wrap-around handguards mostly to protect my levers, not my hands. Without them, a simple tipover speared the left bar into soft ground and snapped the clutch perch right off. The guards are angled down quite far to match my levers (for 95% standing) so it would have to be a very unusual crash to get tangled up in them. But I also tend to bail off the bike early when things start to get out of hand; the bike really can hurt you if you stick around until the end, especially if you get a leg torqued under the bike
blackcamaro
Well-known member
For the guys that don't want to run hand guards but are concerned about breaking levers wrap some teflon tape around the bars where your lever perch are going to go before bolting them up. They will stay in place while your riding but when you crash will rotate on the bar saving your lever from bending or snapping. After you crash just knock the levers back into place.
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I use the open ended ones that do not wrap around. They have saved my hands from the casual miss calculation against a branch etc, they have served me well.
After having a low side on my race bike and breaking my thumb because the brake guard didn't allow me to move my hand out of the way I don't want anything restricting me from sliding my hand off the grip. Just my personal preference
After having a low side on my race bike and breaking my thumb because the brake guard didn't allow me to move my hand out of the way I don't want anything restricting me from sliding my hand off the grip. Just my personal preference
Supernam
Well-known member
I agree with this and quickly took off the wraparound guards on my wife's bike. I still have it one mine, but that is only because I crash enough that I have perfected ejecting myself off the bike most of the time.
Supernam
Well-known member
Also, watch all these videos from Barry Morris when you have time. Very entertaining and informative.
https://youtu.be/lhj2QtnsA90
https://youtu.be/lhj2QtnsA90
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I see the reason for guys not running them. I was looking closely at some pictures and it seems that lots of guys run guards that don't wrap around but they still have a solid metal brace to give structure. I rode without them for many years but prefer to have them now. I ride harder knowing that if I misjudge a tree by a cm that I can deflect it instead of hitting my fingers.
Very different riding styles. You're not leaned over with your hands 12" from the ground while gripping the end of the bar. Also getting your hand stuck between dirt and your bar is more forgiving than asphalt.
I'm not saying you need to run wrap around guards, just playing devils advocate.
kiwi
Well-known member
Interesting discussion about the handguards. I always saw them as a plus as I've hit small trees before.
Another observation.. Are the boots. Looks like MX style boots which a lots of people use have smoother thread on the soles.. Probably good if you're drifting your foot around a corner MX race style.. Not so great in the woods if you're off your bike?
The majority of boots I see on sale are all MX oriented..
Gonna have to shop around.
Another observation.. Are the boots. Looks like MX style boots which a lots of people use have smoother thread on the soles.. Probably good if you're drifting your foot around a corner MX race style.. Not so great in the woods if you're off your bike?
The majority of boots I see on sale are all MX oriented..
Gonna have to shop around.
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I use mine on trees that don't have much give and it's the curved outside that attaches to the bar that makes contact as you brush/check them when passing by.
I've always worn MX boots and have no problem walking around a bit in them. Generally my feet are on the pegs at almost all times as I rarely sit down. If you're walking in mud the treads will be packed full and you'll slide around anyway. I prefer the smooth bottom as it doesn't hold mud and won't catch on the pegs at all when moving my feet around.
kiwi
Well-known member
they actually have a new Tech 3 boot out now.. and it comes in an Enduro option
http://www.alpinestars.com/tech-3-enduro-boot#.Wbk9OrKGOM8
I've seen the old model on clearance at some retailers...
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MX style boots for me. Tech 7's and I don't find any grip issues.
I have scrapes on both forearms from trees/branches from Mondays Ganny ride. I'd also have had a nasty crash or two from small trees hitting my front brake lever (or smashed pinched fingers) had I been without handguards.
I have scrapes on both forearms from trees/branches from Mondays Ganny ride. I'd also have had a nasty crash or two from small trees hitting my front brake lever (or smashed pinched fingers) had I been without handguards.
kiwi
Well-known member
Is that the Tech 7 MX or Tech 7 Enduro? They come with an Enduro sole as well.
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MNSTR
Well-known member
I'm talking more about wet roots, rocks, logs, etc.... nothing will give you traction in mud. I hated MX boots. A course like this years Mexican 500 enduro would have been a nightmare without some traction. Most days you don't need it, when you do, I'm glad I'm wearing them. Everyone's riding style is different.
I think the benefits of wrap around hand guards out weigh any negatives. My fingies have been saved countless times!!
Be prepared to spend a long time trying on boots. I was thinking about getting a set after messing up my ankle and it took a lot of tries before I found a boot that fit my feet and calfs comfortably. Each manufacturer is designed for a specific shaped leg, I apparently have Gaerne shaped legs.
I'm talking more about wet roots, rocks, logs, etc.... nothing will give you traction in mud. I hated MX boots. A course like this years Mexican 500 enduro would have been a nightmare without some traction. Most days you don't need it, when you do, I'm glad I'm wearing them. Everyone's riding style is different.
I think the benefits of wrap around hand guards out weigh any negatives. My fingies have been saved countless times!!
Yep I prefer to ride over that stuff unless I'm out of gas lol. Feet on the pegs!
