Skip to main content

O’Neal Dirt knee pads


O’Neal’s Dirt pads are hot and sweaty, but they offer secure, low-profile protection at a bargain price. If you’re after breezy or easily-removable day-ride protection, these pads aren’t for you.With only a thin strip of mesh fabric up the rear of the otherwise neoprene construction, they don’t take long to heat up and get sweaty even in winter. The snug, tubular design isn’t easy to whip off in between enduro stages either – that’s what O’Neal’s Junction Lite pads are designed for. That sweaty hug, plus broad top and bottom Velcro straps, gives them excellent security when you crash, though. The segmented ‘IPX’ foam is pliable enough that you can still pedal OK but hardens on impact to meet EN-1621 L2 motorbike protection standards. They’re slim enough to sneak under skinny jeans, too, and at $67 are a bit of a bargain.

Price $67



Popular posts from this blog

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

DRC X-Monitor SP1 lap timer

While smartphone apps such as Strava can be a useful way to keep tabs on your mountain bike rides, sometimes you just can’t beat the simplicity and instant feedback that a good old-fashioned stopwatch style lap timer provides.

Scott Stego MIPS helmet

Scott’s top-end aggressive trail helmet is only available with MIPS, as the Swiss brand were early adopters of the system. The EPS extends low at the rear without clashing with the retention system and the strap attachment points are external to the liner, maximising the amount of material around the temples. This is the closest-fitting helmet on test, with very little clearance inside the liner. Despite this, and although the Stego has fewer vents than some other lids here, we never felt too hot-headed. Scott spent time developing the ventilation system using a wind tunnel and it seems to have paid off. The thin pads don’t offer quite as much comfort as some competitors’, and while the short peak is removable, it doesn’t offer any height adjustment. Weight 340g Sizing S, M, L Price $180

SANTA CRUZ NOMAD

Santa Cruz’s new enduro focused dream bike While the Santa Cruz Bronson has been causing a commotion on the enduro scene as one of the lighter and more capable bikes, the Californian company have been working on something better suited to the more gravity orientated courses.

Fulcrum Red Power XL wheels

THESE WHEELS CERTAINLY don't look like some of the cheapest on test, and the adjustable-preload bearings are some of the smoothest and longest lived at any price.