The Bottom Line
- Good Asymmetrical Form Fitting Shape
- Knee Protection Wraps Around Sides
- Decent Air Flow
- Tight Stable Fit that Doesn't Slip
- Ankle Padding
- Some Knee Chafing After Long Days of Pedaling
- No Knee Cup Ventilation
Description
- Anatomicly shaped impact plastic.
- Vents in shin section & perforated imact foam for better ventilation.
- Wrap around Knee protection.
- 5 strap fit system.
- Open back for cooler fit.
- Nearly identical product as the Race Face Rally FR Armor.
Guide Review - Roach Clothing & Protection Rally FR Armor - Quality Knee/Shin Guards
The best thing the Roach Rally FR knee/shin armor has going for it is the shape and strap system. The asymmetric plastic impact sections are molded to fit the right and left legs' natural shapes. They wrap considerably around the legs providing a good tight stable fit and a lot of protection.
Unlike some brands of knee/shin armor, the Roach Rally FR knee/shin armor doesn't like to spin out of the way just when you need it most. With three straps on the lower leg and two holding the knee cup in place, the Roach Rally FR knee/shin armor does not like to move.
Most of us who have banged the inside of our knees up on the frame one way or another really appreciate the wrap around feature of the knee cup.
The ventilation of the shin section of the Roach Rally FR pads is adequate and you can feel some airflow as you ride. The knee cup, however, has no ventilation. When it's hot you may wish for a little more air over the knees.
The only significant complaint we had about the Roach Rally FR armor was a little chafing on top of the kneecap when we head to do a lot of pedaling. This may have been compounded by the lack of ventilation over the knee. The problem persisted after adjusting and loosening the straps, but seems to have decreased as the pads have worked in.