Road Cycling - Three miscellaneous questions

Why do most pro cyclists wear mitts all the time? What benefit are they when the weather's decent?


Are arm/leg warmers a reasonable substitute for proper long-sleeved/legged clothing?


Can a hand-held pump be sufficient for race tyres? Mine have some ridiculously high rating (125psi?), and I can't make them solid with my hand-held. Is it me, or is a foot-pump absolutely necessary?

1) Gloves have padding that helps make the hands more comfortable. Some people also say they help protect the hands in the event of a crash.

2) Depends on how cold it is and your tolerance for the cold.

3) A floor pump is a lot easier and quicker. Most floor pumps can inflate tires to 160 psi.

The main reason for wearing gloves is to stop the hands getting damaged in a crash. Also helpful to wipe sweat away. Get a floor pump, and absolute necessity for home use.

CHEERS

Mark

1) As previously posted.

2) I like wearing arm warmers (as opposed to long sleeved jerseys) on those days that start out cold but warm up before the end of your ride. They're great because you just roll them down (ultimately take them off).

3) A floor pump is mandatory for home use. Use the hand pump while out on rides.

1. 'Nuff said
2. I like Arm and leg warmers. easy to peal down/off if I get to warm.
3. Floor pump before each ride, small pump for emergencies (flats).

Can a hand-held pump be sufficient for race tyres? Mine have some ridiculously high rating (125psi?)

That isn't ridiculous. I've had sew-ups that went to 190.

That isn't ridiculous. I've had sew-ups that went to 190.

And a Zefal HPX frame pump can get close to that rating. I had a trackie friend who was a little crazy. One day he decided to see what would fail first... the Zefal pump or the tire.

The pump lost at about 170-180 psi. Now it didn't break, it just got too hot to for an internal seal anymore.

1. Crash protection is the main reason. My leather gloves have been abraided right through, in a crash. Never ride without them.
2. arm/leg warmers are for variable temp. If you start and finish a ride with them, you will be more comfortable in leggings/long sleeves.
3. CO2 systems will give you racing pressure and quick change, burt for everyday training, a minipump will get you home.

Why do most pro cyclists wear mitts all the time? What benefit are they when the weather's decent?

As mentioned before, some protection in crashes and wiping sweat. I think the primary reason is to give the hands a little padding and help prevent pinching nerves in the hand from holding the handlebars. Another bonus is if you go through glass, you can use the gloves to wipe any glass off your tires whilst riding - if you try this be careful though.


Are arm/leg warmers a reasonable substitute for proper long-sleeved/legged clothing?

In marginally cold situations, many people like them. They take less room and if it warms up, they can be easily stowed in the rear pocket of a jersey. I used long sleeved jerseys and tights myself.

Can a hand-held pump be sufficient for race tyres? Mine have some ridiculously high rating (125psi?), and I can't make them solid with my hand-held. Is it me, or is a foot-pump absolutely necessary?

I use hand held pumps to inflate my tire after having a flat on the road. I can put in enough pressure to get me home all right. There are some of the larger hand held pumps that are rather like miniture floor pumps and you can get as much inflation with them. There are even some compact hand held pumps that have narrow barrels and you can get a fair bit of inflation with them. They just take a long time to pump up a tire.

Like most said,gloves for a crash and for sweat.Hand pump to carry for a flat,not to use all the time.I get by with leg warmers and a ls base layer and ls jersey.Sleeveless vest if its real cold but thats only in the 30's here in so cal.

Thanks for the answers. Shopping time!

The Topeak Road Morph, and Topeak Mountain Morph are like mini floor pumps. They will pump to 160 psi and you can get models that have a gauge that goes to 120 psi.