Originally Posted by
rsbob
Another benefit of gloves is that if you crash, it has happened to all of us at least once, your palms will not turn into hamburger. I do like the cushioning gloves provide especially on gravel or bumpy roads. Bare handed would be a pain unless the bars had two or more layers of tape.
My experience on road bikes is that if you land on outstretched palms, the minor cuts and abrasions are the least of your problems. Gloves do nothing to protect you from the broken bones and/or dislocations that can result. Maybe it's different on gravel, but I've never wiped out on a path or dirt road.