Road bike knee protection

Hello,

Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
materials.

Thank you,
Len

len wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
> protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
> reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
> least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
> cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
> shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
> prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
> knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
> materials.
>
> Thank you,
> Len
>
Perhaps you could get a large pair of stockings, cut off the feet, and
pull them up over your knees.

HTH,
EJ in NJ

How about using something from another sport? Goalie knee pads, for example.

On Feb 10, 6:18 am, "len" <marilen.corcio...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
> protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
> reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
> least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
> cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
> shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
> prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
> knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
> materials.
>
> Thank you,
> Len

Len,
Sounds like anything will do since you just want to break wind chill
factor from freezing sweat on knees. Wool leg covers over your knees
may be an economical alternative vs a high tech and high dollar
goretex material. And if you fall allot, padded kevlar may be a good
choice :-)

I have thought about the same thing, but here in Florida, I can just
pedal harder in almost any weather we get here and not feel cold on my
massive legs. But knees and kidneys are a man's weak spots, so every
preventive care towards those ends is well spent. Washable wool leg
warmers would be my vote, unless an expert here has a better and more
economical alternative. And standard textiles, unlike machinery
materials and specs, is where China really does produce some fine
products so there should be some good alternatives on web, somewhere.

len wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
> protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
> reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
> least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
> cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
> shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
> prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
> knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
> materials.

Neoprene is a good answer. Chemists/Apothekes often sell things for
knee problems that could be modified. Other than that, those old style
dance/ballet leg warmers might be an easy conversion.

Just my tuppence worth.

On Feb 10, 4:16 pm, Tosspot <FrankDotLe...@esa.int> wrote:
> len wrote:
> > Hello,
>
> > Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
> > protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
> > reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
> > least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
> > cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
> > shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
> > prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
> > knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
> > materials.
>
> Neoprene is a good answer. Chemists/Apothekes often sell things for
> knee problems that could be modified. Other than that, those old style
> dance/ballet leg warmers might be an easy conversion.
>
> Just my tuppence worth.

I think the biggest problem is to keep the wind from getting in touch
with the sweat. As a child, before all these new materials I heard
about cyclists using sheets of paper between shirts against the wind.
Wool is great for warmths but only in a stationary position. I have
tried various cut wool socks but the wind is still getting through.

Len

len wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
> protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
> reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
> least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
> cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
> shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
> prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
> knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
> materials.

Wool tights . And use them in mild temperatures before it is truly cold.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

len wrote:
> On Feb 10, 4:16 pm, Tosspot <FrankDotLe...@esa.int> wrote:
>
>>len wrote:
>>
>>>Hello,
>>
>>>Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
>>>protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
>>>reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
>>>least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
>>>cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
>>>shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
>>>prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
>>>knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
>>>materials.
>>
>>Neoprene is a good answer. Chemists/Apothekes often sell things for
>>knee problems that could be modified. Other than that, those old style
>>dance/ballet leg warmers might be an easy conversion.
>>
>>Just my tuppence worth.
>
>
> I think the biggest problem is to keep the wind from getting in touch
> with the sweat. As a child, before all these new materials I heard
> about cyclists using sheets of paper between shirts against the wind.
> Wool is great for warmths but only in a stationary position. I have
> tried various cut wool socks but the wind is still getting through.

Then my advice is neoprene. I've just had a quick google and they are
available for many applications, cycling, tennis, motorcycling, softball
and medical. For an indication of price I looked here;

http://shopping.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/ss_...e_support.html

Which is clearly UK prices. I feel sure you can get this in Romania for
half that price (at least).

The Yanks will soon be awake soon and may have more, and indeed better
advice, since they often have to deal with cold weather, so leave it a
day or two and keep us posted.

Ooooh! I see the Lei has had a divide by 10,000 revaluation! How I
miss the days of going to a cash point and taking out a cool 2 million!
Couldn't fit it in your wallet mind you, but it made you feel like a
BIG man >:-)

On 10 Feb 2007 03:18:30 -0800, "len" <marilen.corciovei@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
>protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
>reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
>least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
>cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
>shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
>prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
>knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
>materials.

Do you have some water proof material? That should be wind proof too.

I recently had some water proof material sewn on the front of my
training trousers, to stop the wind cooling my precious knees. (You
can always sew that all around the knee area too.)

On the inside of the trousers, if can't your hands on some lycra, but
you can get some old "undertrousers", normally made of thick cotton,
as used in cold climates, you could cut some part to go around the
knees, add 1 or 2 elastic(s) to keep it place over your kness.

Sorry, I can't remember anything else any better.

Oh - don't try to pretend you don't have knee problems; don't push too
high gears for knees, so that you can keep cycling longer, even if
slower.

Good luck!

Greetings from Portugal (where I have many Romenian friends)!

jbr

Ride your 2 wheels, but in order to ride them yet another day!
bbb

On Feb 10, 10:00 am, "len" <marilen.corcio...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Feb 10, 4:16 pm, Tosspot <FrankDotLe...@esa.int> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > len wrote:
> > > Hello,
>
> > > Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
> > > protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
> > > reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
> > > least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
> > > cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
> > > shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
> > > prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
> > > knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
> > > materials.
>
> > Neoprene is a good answer. Chemists/Apothekes often sell things for
> > knee problems that could be modified. Other than that, those old style
> > dance/ballet leg warmers might be an easy conversion.
>
> > Just my tuppence worth.
>
> I think the biggest problem is to keep the wind from getting in touch
> with the sweat. As a child, before all these new materials I heard
> about cyclists using sheets of paper between shirts against the wind.
> Wool is great for warmths but only in a stationary position. I have
> tried various cut wool socks but the wind is still getting through.
>
> Len- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Len,

Since you've tried Wool, REI has good generic brand goretex pants and
jackets.
They are expensive on most things, but their generic goretex pants and
jackets are the best
price available anywhere. I use it on my motorcycle for rain gear. And
now may use on bicycle,
but I don't mind getting rained on at these temperatures on a bicycle
with bike pants.
Nothing fancy, just get a size larger to be sure and roll ends up. or
fasten with some type of elastic band.
Machine washable which is nice, drip dry which is very fast dry time.

On Feb 10, 9:00 am, "len" <marilen.corcio...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I think the biggest problem is to keep the wind from getting in touch
> with the sweat. As a child, before all these new materials I heard
> about cyclists using sheets of paper between shirts against the wind.
> Wool is great for warmths but only in a stationary position. I have
> tried various cut wool socks but the wind is still getting through.

Yes. Plastic sheeting, whatever. As much insulation below the wind
shield as possible. Make sure (opinion, experience) you don't press on
the kneecap. Snug IME is OK, tight is not.

Somewhere I've seen tights with multiple knee layers. I've used
waterproof "rain pants" which helped but were only "comfortable" so to
speak when it was very cold, as they really hold heat in when you're
pumping your legs.

There are various muscle rubs with wintergreen, camphor, eucalyptus,
and capsaicin. Especially with any of the "pepper" (capaiscin) types,
be very careful as to amount used, and covering treated areas. Burns
and blisters are very possible. I guess it could be placebo effect,
but this stuff really helps my poor old aching knees. --D-y

On Feb 10, 6:18 am, "len" <marilen.corcio...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
> protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
> reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
> least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
> cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
> shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
> prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
> knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
> materials.
>
> Thank you,
> Len

best thing, simplest, is vasilene aka petroleum jelly. smear it on, no
need to be to sparse, it works and works very well;I used it on 4 hr
training rides -20c my face and had no frostbite

len wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
> protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
> reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
> least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
> cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
> shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
> prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
> knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
> materials.
>

If you can find a way to keep it in place, plastic material from garbage
bags works very well to keep in warmth and block wind / wet. I used such
material as a vest when running distance.

-paul

On Feb 11, 9:54 pm, Paul Cassel <pcasselremo...@comremovecast.net>
wrote:
> len wrote:
> > Hello,
>
> > Could anyone give me some pointers on how to build some efficient knee
> > protections? I am a road bike fun but recently I have some form of
> > reumatism which almost blocks my knees in pain when exposed to the
> > least bit of cold. Unfortunately I live in Romania (http://www.len.ro/
> > cycling/cycling-in-romania) and equipment is scarce in the 2-3 cycling
> > shops available. I think I need to build something for the knees to
> > prevent the wind and cold to get to the sweet which forms on the
> > knees. I'm good with sewing but cannot hope to find too many exotic
> > materials.
>
> If you can find a way to keep it in place, plastic material from garbage
> bags works very well to keep in warmth and block wind / wet. I used such
> material as a vest when running distance.
>
> -paul

Thank you very much you guys for all the help. I'll take a short brake
this afternoon and visit all the shops in the town which could hold
these items (I guess no more then 5 shops in all).

Len
www.len.ro