Hand protection? Does anyone use gloves?
#26
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: NA
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#27
Full Member

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 435
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From: Richmond, VA
Bikes: ’83 Bianchi Special ’96 Specialized Stump Jumper Comp ’09 Gary Fisher Paragon ’09 Surly Cross Check ’11 Surly Long Haul Trucker
I use gloves to keep my hands warm and used padded ones briefly last summer. For some reason while I was out on a 70 mile ride my hand position didn't change much. Normally I move around a lot but not during this particular ride. The result was a messed up ulnar nerve which is not unusual in the biking world. I used the padded half finger gloves to help repair my nerve damage.
#28
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,301
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From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
Always wear helmet and gloves.
Both can come in handy if you go down...
Both can come in handy if you go down...
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#29
Banned
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 190
Likes: 1
I just bought these mx gloves by Troy Lee Designs. Unless I'm just lolly-gagging with my son, I always wear gloves and I prefer full finger. Plus, TLD seems to be the only manufacturer whose gloves are touch screen compatible, which is a big deal to me.
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 430
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From: southeastern PA - a mile west of Philadelphia
Hot or cold, I always wear gloves. They add a bit of comfort and are good for wiping sweat from one’s brow (or as mentioned previously, wiping one’s annoyingly runny nose). Yes, they get washed often.
#31
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I would almost sooner ride without a helmet than without gloves. I've turned around and gone back 1/2 mile when I realized I didn't have gloves.
When it's warm, half finger gloves. When it's chilly, I use Wells Lamont motorcycle gloves - they're hi-viz yellow with reflective patches
amazon.com/Wells-Lamont-7674M-Motorcycle-Visibility/dp/B005XQKE1G
When it's really cold, I use hunting gloves, which are basically blaze orange thinsulate lined ski gloves. If you pick them up at the end of hunting season in the department stores around here, you can get them for < $20.
I've got my eye on some sweet winter gloves at the LBS but they want $65 for them. Screw that.
I was just up on Amazon looking for winter gloves. It's kind of ridiculous. You look at "cold weather, wind and waterproof" gloves, and they're all highly rated, then when you read the comments, you find out that people think that 20*F is "cold". OK, how about -20*F?
When it's warm, half finger gloves. When it's chilly, I use Wells Lamont motorcycle gloves - they're hi-viz yellow with reflective patches
amazon.com/Wells-Lamont-7674M-Motorcycle-Visibility/dp/B005XQKE1G
When it's really cold, I use hunting gloves, which are basically blaze orange thinsulate lined ski gloves. If you pick them up at the end of hunting season in the department stores around here, you can get them for < $20.
I've got my eye on some sweet winter gloves at the LBS but they want $65 for them. Screw that.
I was just up on Amazon looking for winter gloves. It's kind of ridiculous. You look at "cold weather, wind and waterproof" gloves, and they're all highly rated, then when you read the comments, you find out that people think that 20*F is "cold". OK, how about -20*F?
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Last edited by ItsJustMe; 05-21-15 at 07:20 PM.
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 143
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From: So. Cal.
Bikes: Windsor Carrera Sport, Fuji Absolute 3.0, Cannondale H400
I ride with gloves all the time. I didn't know over padded gloves can cause numbness. I may start to try other brands. I like the full finger gloves. Last January, when I took a fall (road rut), I saved the skin on my hand by using gloves.
#33
I'm actually surprised people would ride a commute without them.
#34
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,897
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From: Oakland, CA
Bikes: centurion cinelli equipe, look hinault 753, Zunow z-1, 83 stumpy sport
I use motorcycle gloves: I tend to wear out the fingers on the cheaper/summer gloves I have had (heavy old 70s dry clutches) so I cut one set to 1/2 and the other to 3/4 and made some serviceable bicycle gloves: with carbon/plastic reenforced knuckle armor to boot.
at this point it feels sort of weird to ride without them.. but i'll use them less as summer approaches as they get pretty soaked in sweat if it hot.
at this point it feels sort of weird to ride without them.. but i'll use them less as summer approaches as they get pretty soaked in sweat if it hot.
#35
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Kent Wa.
Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8
I use gloves as weather and whim dictate. Being a sedate and cautious cyclist with bikes that ride smoothly in an upright position, augmenting comfort is of little consideration, and the safety factor is a very low priority. that may change some as I'm picking up a drop bar road bike this weekend.
#36
Keepin it Wheel




Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,971
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From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
I mostly don't bother with gloves. Long rec rides I'll ride gloves, but commuting I wear full-finger gloves (road-found work gloves) only when it's cold, otherwise nothing. The only exception is sometimes I run in the gym at work and then ride home, I'm so sweaty I wear gloves because otherwise the bars get really slick.
But generally I get plenty of padding just from my bartape, because I have an old innertube as a base layer.
But generally I get plenty of padding just from my bartape, because I have an old innertube as a base layer.
#37
I always wear gloves and a helmet. The gloves I wash regularly because they get stinky. I wear half finger gloves in the summer and when it gets colder I have fully finger gloves. Padding doesn't seem to make much of a difference for me. Gloves absorb sweat, have snot wipe areas in addition to preventing road rash. Road rash can be quite debilitating. Hands are an integral part of daily life and important to protect.
#38
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 12
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From: [WeSt-CoaSt]
Bikes: 1987 Nishiki International dark blue
The only things I use for "hand protection" are the calluses that have formed from cycling haha.
Seriously though, ever since I acquired road rash between my fingers that took FOREVER to heal, I always wear full finger gloves.
The $10 "ebay special" pair I have is below:

They have a microfiber thumb section for wiping sweat, gel padding that feels just right, and matches my kit too
.
peace
Seriously though, ever since I acquired road rash between my fingers that took FOREVER to heal, I always wear full finger gloves.
The $10 "ebay special" pair I have is below:
They have a microfiber thumb section for wiping sweat, gel padding that feels just right, and matches my kit too
.peace
#39
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,201
Likes: 289
From: Vancouver, BC
Why? The probability of a high speed crash while commuting is extremely low and if you do go down and start sliding you shouldn't try and slow your slide with your hands. The times I've gone down my arms or legs seem to sacrifice their skin.
#40
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 58
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From: Qatar
Bikes: Giant Seek 3 ('14)
ive tried many gloves and must say i love the specialized bg gloves the most. many reviews say they are of low quality but i feel they are great and can last long if you take care of them.
#42
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2011
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From: The First State.
Bikes: Schwinn Continental, Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn High Plains, Schwinn World Sport, Trek 420, Trek 930,Trek 660, Novara X-R, Giant Iguana. Fuji Sagres mixte.
Full finger gloves in the winter, half finger gloves the rest of the year. I never ride without them.
#43
High Plains Luddite

Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 682
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From: Colorado
Bikes: 3x8 & 3x9
I wear gloves every time I ride, except when I ride with my young children to the park. I wear fingerless gloves when it's warm and mechanic's gloves from hardware stores when it's not too hot for full-finger gloves.
If I fall, I might not hit my head (although I wear a helmet, too), but I KNOW I'm going to land on my hands, one way or another. Putting your hands out when you fall is one of those involuntary things, like breathing, isn't it?
I'm also a guitar player, so I'm used to keeping my hands out of harm's way, when I can.
If I fall, I might not hit my head (although I wear a helmet, too), but I KNOW I'm going to land on my hands, one way or another. Putting your hands out when you fall is one of those involuntary things, like breathing, isn't it?
I'm also a guitar player, so I'm used to keeping my hands out of harm's way, when I can.
#47
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8
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Due to lack of LBS, I stopped at a department store and found baseball gloves for batting. They're perfect for me. Excellent grip. Thin padding in all the right spots. Thin enough to dry quickly, and operate phones, zippers, buttons, lighters, backpacks, and what have you. They're also made of thin leather- last time I came off the bike my palms got chewed up real good, I haven't rode without gloves since.
Edit: I forgot to mention how handy a snot wipe area on gloves can be.
Edit: I forgot to mention how handy a snot wipe area on gloves can be.
Last edited by Pedaling Around; 05-23-15 at 06:52 PM.
#50
Full Member

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 265
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: All-City Big Block, Giant Bowery, KHS Flite 100
If I get on a bike without gloves I quickly realize I forgot something. It just doesn't feel right holding any handlebars with my bare hands, unless I'm riding my indoor trainer.






