riding gloves

[1st bike]

any suggestions? i went for a little ride today...everything else was fine, feet, face, everything. but my hands were killing me. so cold i was literally having trouble pulling the clutch. best riding gloves...any thoughts?

[crazy steve]

It's not so much what brand is 'best', but what fits you right and does the job. Price doesn't always equal performance.

I've got multiple pairs of gloves; a couple of light pairs for nice weather and a heavy insulated pair for those chilly days. The latter are designed for skiing/snowmobiling and are heavily insulated on the back of the hand and fingers and around the wrist, but lighter on the gripping parts of your hand. Wish I could tell you where I got them or the brand (I think I got them at the dealer, but really can't remember), but I've had them for years. They've kept my hands toasty at any temp above freezing and give decent dexterity; I don't ride at temps below that, as I live in Washington and there's usually too much of a chance of ice on my local roads.

For the 'light' pairs, I've got a lined pair in black leather for the not-too-hot days, and a unlined pair in light tan for the hot sunny days so my hands don't get as hot. I never ride without gloves anymore, as the last time I did so I acquired a rather large scar from a momentary lapse of reason....

'78E original owner

[MrFreeze5]

These are my heavy gloves. Tour Master Cold Front Carbon.




Theyre very! warm. My hands can sweat at freezing temps. Ive ridden comfortably down into the 20s with these gloves before. The biggest problem I have when riding in the cold is my hands will get stiff, and my thighs get really cold and fatigue.

[Pat Kelly]

Best way to keeps hands warm and dry:

http://www.hippohands.com/

I have had many (winter) gloves over the years. The only part I have never been able to keep warm is my thumbs.

[DiverRay]

My gloves plug in to the bike! I don't plug them in all the time, as they are warm without the extra help. But on COLD rides, such as "over the hill" at 7:00am, they can't be beat! They are NOT cheap, most places want about $150 a pair for the gloves and harness. I was lucky and picked up the gloves missing the harness for about $35 in Reno one year, and ordered the harness from the manufacturer for about $35. The bike WILL power the gloves easily if the RPM's are above 2500 most of the time.

[trbig]

The only thing that I have found that works for me isn't gloves.. it's Thinsulate lined mittens. Gloves keep your fingers seperated.. the mittens keep your fingers together for warmth. The only setback with mittens though, is you have to brake/clutch with all your fingers, but it's not that big a deal.

I ride down into the single digits with no problems.. but it also helps to throw one of those air activated heat pads in there when it gets that cold and you'll be riding any length of time. For my thighs, I use insulated coveralls. When it gets down really cold, I throw my thin rain pants over those to block the wind.

Tod

[CatatonicBug]

I have a similar problem. I have gloves that are similar to MrFreeze's, but I still get cold digits when riding in the low 30's or lower. I can't afford the $150 for heated gloves, so I've thought about getting some glove liners. I went to Cycle Gear this weekend, and the only ones they stock are the most expensive ($30) ones they offer on their website. Are liners worth it? Do they really do the job they claim?

[1st bike]

The biggest problem I have when riding in the cold is my hands will get stiff, and my thighs get really cold and fatigue.[/QUOTE]

i have been thinking about a twist clutch for this very reason....expensive, but kinda cool. does anyone have experience with these?

[CatatonicBug]

Please excuse my ignorance, but can you explain how a twist clutch would make any difference in the cold? Your hands still have to be on the grips, and that very fact is what causes the wind-chill on the backs of your hands/fingers.

[yamahansolo]

i have wasted many a dollar on gloves... g oto your local cyclegear or go online and order the 29.00 grip heaters. they hook right to your battery also i got a pair of feildsheer eskimo gloves that have 100 grams thinsulate in them and they also come with a lobster claw outer fold up zip up shell. it it's rainy or windy it unfold out of the gauntlet and covers the gloves. i ride all winter. except in the ice...

[CatatonicBug]

i got a pair of feildsheer eskimo gloves that have 100 grams thinsulate in them and they also come with a lobster claw outer fold up zip up shell. it it's rainy or windy it unfold out of the gauntlet and covers the gloves.

Those look pretty cool! The rain guard makes you look like a TMNT!

How about these? They look a lot like the original Hippo Hands.

[MrFreeze5]

Please excuse my ignorance, but can you explain how a twist clutch would make any difference in the cold? Your hands still have to be on the grips, and that very fact is what causes the wind-chill on the backs of your hands/fingers.

With a twist clutch, you wont have to unclench or move your fingers much to actuate the clutch, whereas with a lever clutch you have to open and close your hand.

A twist clutch is a nice idea. Do they make hydraulic versions?

[cueball]

"Barkbusters" nothing to do with Dogs

Friend here had to spend winter couple years ago riding near 40 miles each way for work. Fitted set of "Barkbusters", wind deflectors with alloy frame made for Trail bikes. Only needed to wear light gloves to keep hands warm. Also marketed here as "Stormbusters" from memory. Wonderful protection from rocks and hard shelled bugs in warmer weather. Possibly available from Bavarian Money Waster (BMW) dealers for their GS range.

[b.walker5]

For winter riding ....

I use these.. http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...uxe_muffs.aspx

I have a really good pair of Darbi gloves which are a top quality leather glove down here (not sure if thier available anywhere else) but they dont quite cut it in the middle of winter. The Brass Monkey rally in Central Otago routinely see's temps of -5 to -15 degC and I have long thin fingers with poor circulation, so when the blood stops flowing they get numb and painful. Anyone that rides in the winter knows what I'm saying, but with the muffs on the controls and gloved hands inside them my hands stay toasty warm and in control. I have heated grips fitted as well but I havent used them for years as they dont help with the wind chill and my hands still froze anyway.

The muffs look a bit agricultural (our sheepshaggers (farmers) use them on thier quad bikes all the time) but they work really well and I'd recommend them to anyone who winter rides in colder climates.

[1st bike]

With a twist clutch, you wont have to unclench or move your fingers much to actuate the clutch, whereas with a lever clutch you have to open and close your hand.

A twist clutch is a nice idea. Do they make hydraulic versions?

i don't know if they make hydraulic ones, but i found one on exile cycles, pretty pricey.... and mostly that was in reference to someone's comment on hand fatigue in cold weather, but you are right the less movement the better, and it would make mittens more palatable.