Winter Cycling - Pogies / covers for road bars?

Howdy! I have switched to road bars on my commuter, and I'm already worried about keeping my hands warm. My lobster mitts are really designed to work with flat bars, so I'm getting air filtration along the sides of the fingers = cold fingers. Does anyone know where I should go for pogies/handlebar covers designed specifically for drop bars? I don't ever ride in the drops, so they only need to cover the brake hoods. Thanks in advance!

Best thing to do,is make your own.

Boooo! I have no mad skillz when it comes to sewing. :(

Be patient, someone will answer. I have seen handlebar protection that shields your entire hand from the wind but cannot remember the name of them or brand.

http://drybike.com/

Try here. They show pictures of flat bars but it is unclear to me if they also work on road bars. Contact them and see. You could obviously switch back to flat bars in the winter.

Thanks for the link! Those might work, but they're pretty open on the sides. I may be better off just making my own.

I've been wondering about motorcycle/ATV/snowmobile handlebar mitts for cold weather.

These insulated mitts from Cabelas's even have pockets for chemical hand warmers:
ATV Handlebar Mitten (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0006032520269a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&Ntt=handlebar+mitten&QueryText=handlebar+mitten&noImage=0)

Another example:
Waterproof Insulated ATV/Snowmobile Handlebar Mitts (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=101544)

You can find more by google searching "ATV OR motorcycle OR snowmobile handlebar warmer OR mitts OR mitten".

Chemical hand warmers can be saved between uses to minimize expense and trash. They work by oxidizing an iron compound (essentially making rust rather quickly). Between uses store them in a really airtight non-permeable bag (good freezer ziplock or get the ziplock bag on steroids, ALokSak (http://www.rei.com/product/697944) which are waterproof to over 100' and very good for cell phone or other nonwaterproof electronics). By storing them airtight, once the oxygen in the storage bag is used up, the chemical reaction stops until you open the bag and air with oxygen is again available.

Please private message me if you try this type of mitt. I would like to know how they work before buying.

I've been wondering about motorcycle/ATV/snowmobile handlebar mitts for cold weather.

These insulated mitts from Cabelas's even have pockets for chemical hand warmers:
ATV Handlebar Mitten (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0006032520269a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&Ntt=handlebar+mitten&QueryText=handlebar+mitten&noImage=0)

Another example:
Waterproof Insulated ATV/Snowmobile Handlebar Mitts (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=101544)

You can find more by google searching "ATV OR motorcycle OR snowmobile handlebar warmer OR mitts OR mitten".

Chemical hand warmers can be saved between uses to minimize expense and trash. They work by oxidizing an iron compound (essentially making rust rather quickly). Between uses store them in a really airtight non-permeable bag (good freezer ziplock or get the ziplock bag on steroids, ALokSak (http://www.rei.com/product/697944) which are waterproof to over 100' and very good for cell phone or other nonwaterproof electronics). By storing them airtight, once the oxygen in the storage bag is used up, the chemical reaction stops until you open the bag and air with oxygen is again available.

Please private message me if you try this type of mitt. I would like to know how they work before buying.

Those are some serious mitts and at half the price of the bicycle specific covers. Is there any issue with them fitting bicycle handlebars? I have no idea of the diameter of motorcycle and ATV bars.

"I don't ever ride in the drops, so they only need to cover the brake hoods."

If this is the case you should chop and flop your road bars or use some short bullhorns or flatbars with barends. You can use time trial leavers with external cable routing to keep acess to the breaks from the same position. This will give you the same hand posisions but make it easier to fit the pogies on them.

I have CliMitts. I used a lightweight glove under them. Sometimes I use just those cheap Xmart stretch gloves as my hands can occasionally get too warm with the CliMitts. I found a post from a person who uses them on drop bars.

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-83913.html

scroll down and look for VermontRides.

I sometimes use leather buckskin gloves with shearling lining, which is warmer than any cycling specific gloves I have tried. I haven't tried any lobster type gloves because I have already found what works for me.

If nothing else, I think making regular pogies to fit road bars would be rather simple, especially if you have any alteration/sewing/seamstress shops in your area. Just opening them up and making them more of a box shape rather than flat.

I have poor circulation and I tried everything from Xmart ski gloves to Pearl Izumi's top-of-the-line Amfib lobster claws and my hands were still numb after my ride to work and/or back home. Finally I found these (http://www.icebike.org/Clothing/VulpineAdaptive.htm) and haven't had any more cold hands. They even dry out in 8 hours in time for the ride home. When I first purchased them, I tested them my driving at 70 mph down the highway in 25F degree weather (dry) and sticking my hand out the window for about 2 minutes. Never felt a thing...

Good luck!

The IceBike site cited above also has a general Protecting Your Hands (http://www.icebike.org/Clothing/handprotection.htm) page showing both split finger lobster claw mitts and also pogies made for bicycles. Both pogie sources are still on the web. The Moose Mitts (http://www.trails-edge.com/retail/te_shirts/amfbikemits.htm) have internal pockets for chemical handwarmers and the site offers on-line ordering.

I go away for a few days and all these replies accumulate. Awesome! :D Y'all are very helpful!

"I don't ever ride in the drops, so they only need to cover the brake hoods."

If this is the case you should chop and flop your road bars or use some short bullhorns or flatbars with barends. You can use time trial leavers with external cable routing to keep acess to the breaks from the same position. This will give you the same hand posisions but make it easier to fit the pogies on them.
I've done the flip-chop and bullhorn thing in the past, and I don't find it as practical as good old road levers on a road bar, even though I never use the drops.


I have CliMitts. I used a lightweight glove under them. Sometimes I use just those cheap Xmart stretch gloves as my hands can occasionally get too warm with the CliMitts. I found a post from a person who uses them on drop bars.
Are the Climitts insulated? I tried an uninsulated set of pogies a few years back, and they only got me an extra 5C of warmth. :(


I have poor circulation and I tried everything from Xmart ski gloves to Pearl Izumi's top-of-the-line Amfib lobster claws and my hands were still numb after my ride to work and/or back home. Finally I found these (http://www.icebike.org/Clothing/VulpineAdaptive.htm) and haven't had any more cold hands. They even dry out in 8 hours in time for the ride home. When I first purchased them, I tested them my driving at 70 mph down the highway in 25F degree weather (dry) and sticking my hand out the window for about 2 minutes. Never felt a thing...
Just my luck, Vulpine Adaptive is out of business. I contacted Kevin Kinney [former owner/operator], and he said that there will be no more Icebike Mitts. :cry:


The IceBike site cited above also has a general Protecting Your Hands page showing both split finger lobster claw mitts and also pogies made for bicycles. Both pogie sources are still on the web. The Moose Mitts have internal pockets for chemical handwarmers and the site offers on-line ordering.
I have an e-mail into Trails Edge to see if they will ship to Canada.

I have also contacted a local outdoor gear repair place to see if they would be interested in creating something specifically for me. I hope I can get this squared away soon - the cold weather is a-comin'...

I switch from drops to flat bars during the winter so I can use Drybike hand covers. They don't work with drop bars. You can't use thick gloves with these hand covers so I'm still not happy as I have poor circulation in my fingers thanks to years of basketball. I think electric gloves would be great. Anyone know of any?

I think electric gloves would be great. Anyone know of any? There are a couple of options, but most are in the $200 range IIRC.
http://cozywinters.com/shop/zs-hgx.html

Project Homestyle Pogie has begun! Since I can only whip-stitch ["C-rack that whip!"], I went high-end with the shell and spent a bunch of money on a nicely-sized drybag [waterproof stuff sack]. It's totally waterproof, with sealed seams and all that jazz. I picked up a remnant of fleece fabric and some velcro, plus reflective tape. The construction is like a giant thumbless oven mitt with a hole in the palm. I will probably incorporate a couple of internal straps to hold it onto the handlebar securely.

I've just ordered a pair of these: http://www.joe-brown.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/079d8d90283e1de7f62ed4f0f18f0a3b.jpg
http://www.joe-brown.com/outdoor-gear/norhcape-skye-overmi-899.html

Big baggy overmitts meant for climbers. They look like they come a long way up past your wrist, and are meant to fit over other gloves. Nearest thing to pogies I've seen (that would work on drop bars).

Then I'll team them up with other gloves depending on the weather.

Ha-HAAA! I finally finished my road bike pogies! We had a stretch of balmy weather [-8C LOL], but it got cold again, so I decided to whip-stitch the second one. The outer is made of a seam-sealed ripstop nylon drybag. Overkill for sure, but I don't care, and I also can't sew. The inner lining is a windproof fleece. The construction is basically just a bag within a bag, with a 2" velcro strip to allow for easy addition or removal from the handlebars. One problem I did encounter was keeping the pogies from rotating around the handlebar. I cut two small slits where they meet the end of the handlebar, and ran toe straps through to hold the pogies in place relative to the brake levers. I may tweak that a bit further and have the bar ends poke outside of the pogies, since I don't use the drops anyway.

As far as riding with them goes, I am able to get my mittened hands in and out of them with ease. The cold [-20C] weather causes the nylon to stiffen up very nicely, so that when I take my hands out, the pogies maintain their shape. I was signalling turns, adjusting my pack, fixing my glasses and zoop - my hands go right back in every time. The best part is that my hands are actually warm all the way to work. My forearms even started to sweat a little. :D I need to sew some reflective tape [or maybe a blinkie] on the outside of the pogies, since they now obscure a side view of my bar-mount light.

Pics to follow!

Yes, please post some pics! I've been drawing some sketches for a set of road bar pogies myself.

Bob Chmara
Southfield, MI

one can use plastic canvas from arts craft store and use that as an internal stiffener and to give the home spun pogie an structured form to accomodate its function.

one can also use midweight fleece from wallyworld that one might use as a throw -cutting of a nice portion for the home spun pogie project.

http://www.trails-edge.com/retail/te_shirts/amfbikemits.htm

I think Trails edge makes a road bar version of the moose mitts that you can look into

I am not sure if the original poster is still looking. The best thing I have found for my road bike are Bar Mitts: http://barmitts.com/ They are very warm and keep your hands dry as well. I use them on my winter commutes almost every day.

I hope this helps.

Matt

http://www.trails-edge.com/retail/te_shirts/amfbikemits.htm

I think Trails edge makes a road bar version of the moose mitts that you can look into

Yep, Trails-edge makes them.

I rode out of the shop yesterday and Mike, the owner let me try out a pair on my ride. It was about 25*F and probably 15mph winds. Since I wasn't expecting to use them, I wore my swix lobster gloves. The combination was beyond hot. I took my gloves off and just wore the moose mits. In the drops they were fine, but on the tops, they were just a little on the cool side. If I would have paired it with a thin pair of gloves it would be perfect. They were one of his "preliminary" versions which he said was a bit smaller then the current ones, and even with wearing the lobster gloves, there was enough room to shift no problem. They are nice, and would recommend them.

One can also use a three liter soda bottle which is made of polypropylene (water/windproof thin tough plastic) affixing that to the handlebars so that it does not fall off or twist around.

One places ones left/right hand half-fingered gloved hand within the protective enclosure formed by the soda bottle protective wind shielding enclosure.

Additionally, one can also further augment the retention of warmth by using the fleece remmant material within the soda bottle protective wind shielding enclosure also as well.

Finally, one can also further augment the generation of warmth by using one of those hot hands 2 portable hand warmer chemical packs hunters use by also placing them inside the fleece pocket formed by the soda bottle/fleece combination.

When one places their hands inside this homemade spun pogie protective enclosure one is afforded a warm refuge from the cold buffeting winds while cycling; while only wearing half finger winter bicycling gloves.

A bunch of people I know swear by these
http://barmitts.com/