Does anyone here use gloves while riding? Any recs? Prefer to spend under $50

I've had a bunch of the expensive major brands, but I am compelled to step out of line again and suggest that you try the basic Bell gloves you can buy at Target for $12.99. Fine for commuting, maybe even for anything else.

Papa, how are those lights working out for you?

I use them in the winter when it's cold but not now when it's warm.

Always. Nothing like brushing stiff off the palm of your glove instead of picking it out of your hand. Just tipping over onto the small sharp rocks sucks. Of course if you never hit the pavement....

I prefer no padding and no velcro - the gloves I have with padding causes pressure points and velcro rips into everything you don't want it to. Wrap your bars for comfort instead of depending on glove padding. All that is required is mesh tops including the fingers so there is plenty of air keeping your hands cooler. Lot's of so-called work gloves in black look just like bike gloves except for the logo. Wait to buy your bike gloves until you find a deep discount at least 50% 'cause there isn't anything magic about a glove. Addendum - the Bell brand Papa Tom mentioned would probably work just fine.

It's a good idea to try and hold onto the bars if you're going to crash. Resist the urge to put your hand out.

Your right - in order to better protect my bike I should probably figure out how to hang on and roll under the bike. That way I won't break a wrist while protecting the paint and bar tape.

Ha, thanks for all the replies you guys! For the record, I usually don't crash, and I've learned how to a long time ago from mountain biking.

The reason I'm looking to get gloves is because I've noticed since starting to use drop handlebars on my road bike during commutes I've been developing micro-blisters, even with the wrapping. I'll definitely pick up a pair of the Bell gloves, see if they make a difference.

>>>>Papa, how are those lights working out for you?<<<<<

The $5 Harbor Freight light is STILL working fine, but I won't DARE bring that up here Funny you should mention the light, because I was thinking the other day how unbalanced that whole argument was. I don't use my light half as much as many of the people on these forums, which is probably why it has worked out so well for me. I suppose people who ride to work in the dark every morning and every night might have a different experience.

Regardless, $12.99 gloves are not going to leave you stranded on a pitch black bike route the way a $5 light may. I say, give the Bell gloves a shot. If they don't work out as bicycle gloves, they are good for other autumn and winter activities. Today, I inspected them again, side-by-side with my Pearl Izumis that cost $27. For the life of me, I can't see or feel a difference.

I stopped using gloves because the black dye makes my neon lime green bar tape look like crap. It stays cleaner if I just ride with bare hands. For comfort, I wrap a layer of old 700x23 inner tube first, then the normal closed-cell foam green bar tape on top. Super Cush! For cold (like 40s here in San Diego?) I use a pair of work gloves I found in the road, they're orange with reflective patches, and really comfy. I looked them up online and they were I think $11.99 from Lowes or Home Despot. And if it gets really cold (winter mornings can be below freezing), then I resort to ski gloves.

Gloves are essential for me. They not only assist in cushioning the ride, they also quite literally save your skin when either falling or crashing.

I've had several spills in the past, and my gloves saved my hands from road rash every single time. Too bad my gloves didn't cover my arms, legs, and face too!

I wear a pair of the Specialized Body Geometry gloves. They work very well for me both on a flat handlebar and a drop handlebar.

I like these Taurus , from Planet Bike, because they feel better now than when they were new

I almost always wear full-finger gloves to protect my hands. There are plenty under $50. Some people like work gloves like the Mechanix brand gloves that are very similar to unpadded full-finger bike gloves but often cheaper.

For those that do not wear gloves, what do you wipe your nose with?

If you are getting blisters, it is possible you are gripping the bars too hard. Loosey goosey, and change hand position every once in awhile.

Firm Grip Large Utility Glove (3-Pack)-3001 at The Home Depot

I bought a 3-pack several years ago.
2 pairs were destroyed in crashes, and one wore out.
I just picked up another 3-pack a month ago.

I get the cheap Pearl Izumi Knock-offs on Ebay for $5.00 to 10.00 delivered. You can't beat the price and they wear about as long as the real ones. I use padded fingerless gloves above 50 degrees and full finger down to mid 30s, and below that the lobsters.

This was my problem. Few years ago the bones in the palms were getting sore. Tried gloves but they actually made it worse. Did some reading, now I hold the bars easy and shift position often.

I prefer not to use gloves at all. I have a thick gel bar tape that does enough for me. Although I should wear gloves in the event of an accident. *knock on wood*...

Sleeves.

Once it gets warm I rarely wear gloves unless I am in a race, and even then, not every race.

Yes, I almost always gloves, because they protect my palms when I fall. I like them for comfort on long rides. I keep gloves in my helmet when I get home.

Remember to wash your gloves. They get pretty skeevy.

I always wear gloves, but I've got to find a cheaper type that are more throwaway than the PI gloves I currently have. The problem is that once the stink gets in, it never comes out, except onto your hands. Washing them doesn't help, except to get the stink on everything else.

Based on the rec. above, here are PI knockoffs on fleaBay for $7.95 delivered. They look pretty robust. Personally I don't know if I want that color scheme...

THese are $10.40, and they come in grey, I'll probably get a pair of those.