Recreational & Family - weightlifting gloves for riding?

Hi, I just started riding a couple months ago (bought a Bianchi Cortina). I ride about 5 - 7 miles a day in Prospect Park before work and my hands get pretty slick after the big hill. I have some Nike weightlifting gloves I'm not using (shoulder problems mean I'm not allowed to lift anymore) - can I use them or do I need special cycling gloves?

You can use them.

You can use them, but they suck pretty bad in my experience.

I used to use some cheap Nashbar riding gloves for weightlifting and they worked pretty well.

I'm assuming you could do the opposite.

Cycling gloves aren't expensive. They have padding in the right places of the palm so there is little to no discomfort in the hands. Get some gloves. I have about 6 pairs for the different bikes and rides I do. Then there's cooler weather and winter gloves. We'll discuss those in a few months.

I used to use some cheap Nashbar riding gloves for weightlifting and they worked pretty well.

I'm assuming you could do the opposite.

Just cause you can use a large screwdriver to pound in a nail doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea to try to use a hammer to tighten down a screw.

Point is, the weightlifting gloves might work okay. However, I know of at least one bike commute blogger (http://warren-t.blogspot.com/2008/07/still-i-felt-like-jerk.html) who had used weightlifting gloves and much preferred the switch to bike-specific gloves.

Besides, as has been said, Bicycling Gloves can be had cheap (http://www.google.com/products?rlz=1C1GGLS_enUS291US303&sourceid=chrome&q=nashbar+cycling+gloves&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=giB7SuyJOJW-Ntq2zeUC&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5)

Cycling gloves aren't all that expensive, but since I didn't have $20 bucks I got myself some weightlifting gloves instead.
I gotta say, they really have reduced my calluses.
I'm new to cycling though so I never knew that you had to wash gloves. My gloves have no tags or anything, so I guess I never thought of it.
But considering the snot and sweat I've wiped off over the past weeks, I'm giving these a wash this upcoming weekend!

Cycling gloves aren't all that expensive, but since I didn't have $20 bucks ...
$20???
Try these:
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/pvthfg/biketiresdirect_half_finger_gloves/pp.htm
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/184-Gloves.aspx
http://www.pricepoint.com/thumb.htm?dept_id=1&deptName=Clothing&sub_id=865&subName=Gloves&category=False&cat=&sort=lprice&ascend=0

Thanks for the replies and links!

I tried out my lifting gloves on my ride this morning, and they definitely kept my grip dry, but they are a bit stiff for keeping my hands curled for 20+ minutes. I'll get some cheap cycling gloves (only cheap thing about taking up cycling so far) and give those a try.

Just because something was not designed with a specific activity in mond, does not mean it will not work well for that activity.
e.g.

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/pisimp/ironclad_impact_gloves/pp.htm

This glove is a mechanic's glove intended for use with impact tools.
But you notice it is being sold by an online bike shop.
It is also the best d*mned "bike" glove I have ever used, and is more durable than any other bike glove I ever used.

Just because something was not designed with a specific activity in mond, does not mean it will not work well for that activity.
e.g.

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/pisimp/ironclad_impact_gloves/pp.htm

This glove is a mechanic's glove intended for use with impact tools.
But you notice it is being sold by an online bike shop.
It is also the best d*mned "bike" glove I have ever used, and is more durable than any other bike glove I ever used.

You are absolutely correct. However, I believe, if you look at all the responses, pretty much everyone said "you can try, it might work, but it'd probably be better to just by an inexpensive pair of cycling gloves".

I wouldn't spend money on "trying" something that may or may not work when there are reasonable options that will. If it weren't marketed as a "bike" glove I certainly wouldn't spend $30 on a random mechanics glove in hopes that it would work for biking.

I'm new to cycling though so I never knew that you had to wash gloves. My gloves have no tags or anything, so I guess I never thought of it.
But considering the snot and sweat I've wiped off over the past weeks, I'm giving these a wash this upcoming weekend!

With Borax, or your hands will eventually smell like feet:D

SF

Thanks for the replies and links!

I tried out my lifting gloves on my ride this morning, and they definitely kept my grip dry, but they are a bit stiff for keeping my hands curled for 20+ minutes. I'll get some cheap cycling gloves (only cheap thing about taking up cycling so far) and give those a try.

1. take a feel inside of the glove palm - there should not be any protruding seams
2. there is no guarantee that $40 gloves will be better that $10 gloves


Have Fun

SF