Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Let's talk gloves

Sunday Jethro made it to the big city of Indy. After a nice 13 mile ride with CraigB, we went LBSing as I am looking for a better dropbar to my Cross Check. I want a 46 cm center to center so I didn't expect to find any and was looking mostly at how they were designed. In the second LBS we went to I found the bar I'd considered ordering online a FSA Glossamer 46 cm. I'd call it a 45 so the trip was worth it In that I won't be ordering one now.

Another problem area I have ordering online is gloves. I've never met anyone with larger hands and after a couple poor buys I'd found Serfas gloves that fit although @ $10 They aren't very good but they've held up well. The LBS had 3 styles that I could get my hands in and I ended up buying a pair of Louis Garneau Mondo Gloves for $39.99 plus tax. http://www.louisgarneau.com/us-en/product/305560/1481102/Road/MEN_MONDO_GLOVES

Although I wouldn't say they're perfect they are quite a bit better than what I had. Any tingling in a two hour ride was contained to my finger tips and a quick 2 second shake of my hand eliminated that. I did ride 1 1/2 hours before any discomfort and most likely the real problem was fatigue setting in.


So what do you people wear?

I don't wear gloves in the summer.

I'm currently using some specialized BG gloves that are supposed to combat hand numbness... I also have some gel under the bar tape and heck, I get numb hands all the time. Riding in the drops sometimes helps, but I don't really enjoy that, and sitting up and riding with hands off the bar helps, or a quick break. Nothing that's going to stop me from riding but if you find something that fixed hand numbness better than anything else I'm all ears.

I just saw these in a bin at Home Depot last week, and picked up a pack.
They are *perfect* for summer cycling.
They have a bit of thin, firm padding in the palm, and across the knuckles.
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Garden-Tools-Gloves/h_d1/N-bx4pZ5yc1v/R-202203753/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

I'm currently using some specialized BG gloves that are supposed to combat hand numbness... I also have some gel under the bar tape and heck, I get numb hands all the time. Riding in the drops sometimes helps, but I don't really enjoy that, and sitting up and riding with hands off the bar helps, or a quick break. Nothing that's going to stop me from riding but if you find something that fixed hand numbness better than anything else I'm all ears.

As long as you never ever let the 41 find out, you might benefit from a set of aerobars, which will give you a new position, and take the weight off your hands, shifting it to your elbows.

I usually wear an XL glove, and recently tried on a pair of Spenco Classic gloved at one of my local shops. They were too big for me and I actually need the L, which was not in stock. So I believe the Spenco's are sized on the larger side and might suit you.

I've also used the Specialized Body Geometry gloves and the older ones I have are nicely designed and padded in the right places.

I have really big hands too and I just wear "mechanix" brand gloves, they're like $15, available everywhere and one of the few gloves cut for my big mitts. Haven't ever missed the padding.

http://i.imgur.com/uCffzm.jpg

I have a pair of insulated Garneau gloves in XL which fit pretty good too.

jethro: I am in the same boat as you bro.

As long as you never ever let the 41 find out, you might benefit from a set of aerobars, which will give you a new position, and take the weight off your hands, shifting it to your elbows.

I've thought about that! I do a lot of solo riding, I'm sure it would provide a noticeable benefit.

If this guy can do it and still be cool maybe I can get away with it. That's pretty much my dream bike right there. Those are profile design Tmag aerobars (they're much lower than many of the clamp on style)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/452315-Hot-r-Not?p=14148858&viewfull=1#post14148858

If I ever came across one of those hard core 41 guys on the road, they'd be so busy critiquing everything else about me they'd hardly have time to notice aerobars. :D

That's a nice-looking bike!!

I had a set of aerobars on my CX bike. Somebody asked me in a group ride "So, you doing a lot of time trials lately?" I told him they gave me another hand position on long rides, then he told me about someone he knew who also used aerobars on long rides ... and then we started talking about the best places to go for long rides.

They weren't a magic bullet for me, but they helped a bit to put my shoulder soreness off.

As long as you never ever let the 41 find out, you might benefit from a set of aerobars,

LOL. That's funny....and sad. And so true!


I had a set of aerobars on my CX bike.

And they still let you in the 41? Or are you keeping secrets?

I don't wear gloves in the summer.

... on both days? :roflmao:


I put on gloves to keep my hands warm.
though I do have some Spenco Iron Man 3/4 fingerless ones ..
very good palm pad stuff. ..

Maybe check with your LBS on a "quick" bike fit. Many times numbness can be related to saddle position or bar height.

And they still let you in the 41? Or are you keeping secrets?

Oh, I haven't mentioned it over there. I was going to bring it up once, but pCad was talking to himself for about 15 pages, and by the time I could get a word in, I forgot what I was going to say.


... on both days? :roflmao:

Since you're from Oregon, I can only assume that you know how gorgeous this spring has been, but that you, like me, have been sworn to secrecy about beautiful Pacific Northwest weather. When I moved to town, I had to sign a contract about how I'd drink at least four cups a day of coffee, and never, ever let anyone find out that the sun shines here. It said if anybody ever asks me about the PNW, I'm supposed to answer "You wouldn't like it here." ;)

I am not a big fan of gloves. I use 'em in the winter but cant stand them any other time. Over time and with the help and guidence of my LBS I have finally found Lizard Skins bar tape. This stuff rocks. Real cushy, and almost on the verge of sticky. I have yet to ever feel like im going to loose my grip. Sweaty hands have no effect on it.

Oh, I haven't mentioned it over there. I was going to bring it up once, but pCad was talking to himself for about 15 pages, and by the time I could get a word in, I forgot what I was going to say.


Now THAT is funny right there!

Home Depot, Lowe's and Sears all have a good lineup of "Padded Work Gloves" like the mechanix pictured above. The prices are reasonable and have a variety of padding. You can get the Jack Hammer operators glove if yo like cushion. I have been cutting back on padding and surprised on not missing it. A poster once cautioned in a similar thread that the construction gloves don't protect the nerves like a true bike glove. In 3 years I haven't noticed a problem. But it could be a real concern.

Maybe check with your LBS on a "quick" bike fit. Many times numbness can be related to saddle position or bar height.

If you're talking to me I've been messing with saddles, saddle height, bar height etc and while other things get better or worse, hand numbness remains the same. I plan on getting a real live pro fit some time in July when I have skinnied up a bit more. :)

This probably will just be an irritant to those of you having trouble finding big enough gloves, but I found that buying one size too big in the no finger gloves made them a lot more comfortable. Before the little short fingers would bug me after a number of miles. I think my hands might swell a bit after riding while.

I recommend cycling specific fingerless gloves, with padding placed specifically where it helps minimizes numb fingers. They also help with protecting your palms if you go down (I know you aren't supposed to break your fall with your hand, so as to prevent breaking your collarbone, but everyone instinctly seems to). And lastly, the back of the glove gives me something to wipe the sweat off my face while riding.

I'm using XXL Specialized BG's and they don't seem to be very durable. Next up will be some Pearl Izumi's in an XXL if I can find them for a decent price.

I wear inexpensive finger less gloves (~$12). Granted they don't have the padding etc. of more expensive ones, but, I've never really needed the padding, I guess.

I wear them mostly to protect the hands in case of a spill.

In reality just about any glove will do - I say this because of the difficulty I have had treating patients with road rash on their hands...

I wear mechanix gloves too, they work well enough and I can wash them with the laundry when they smell too bad.

What I dont understand are fingerless gloves, if you go down in those, you will hurt your fingers even your palm is covered.

I wear mechanix gloves too, they work well enough and I can wash them with the laundry when they smell too bad.

What I dont understand are fingerless gloves, if you go down in those, you will hurt your fingers even your palm is covered.


The fingerless glove lets you do the fine motor things with your hands you need to do while riding, like open a Clif Bar or unzipping/zipping your jersey.

I wash my gloves after every ride. Good ones last.

I must be hopelessly retro - I still wear the fingerless gloves with the crocheted backs when it's warm enough. When it's cold out, I wear any sort of gloves with thinsulate, and if it's really cold, I add glove liners to those.

I must be hopelessly retro - I still wear the fingerless gloves with the crocheted backs...

Me too. Love those crochet gloves, but not many shops carry them anymore. Natural/cream colored are the best. The black ones "bleed" when my hands sweat. I've had to resort to on-line vendors, and gloves are something that should be tried on before purchasing. I feel naked when cycling without gloves and once turned back after being several miles into a ride because something just didn't feel right and then realized that I rode off without my gloves. Went back to get them.

Must be something from my youth. Maybe from having fallen once or twice and getting all kinds of gravel in the palms of my hand as I braced my fall.

I just saw these in a bin at Home Depot last week, and picked up a pack.
They are *perfect* for summer cycling.
They have a bit of thin, firm padding in the palm, and across the knuckles.
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Garden-Tools-Gloves/h_d1/N-bx4pZ5yc1v/R-202203753/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051
I have some of these and they're great. Also, carpenter's framing gloves are nice in warm weather. Palms are shock-protected with thin gel padding, thumb and index fingers are bare for fine motor tasks. Good for carpenters, mechanics, and cyclists.

I use the Specialized Pro BG gloves. I get numbness in my right hand, mainly thumb and index finger. I assume I am putting too much weight on my right hand.