Gel Mitts

milesbehind
milesbehind Posts: 25
edited August 2012 in Road buying advice
Looking to buy some gel padded mitts (short fingered gloves) to help relieve tingly/numb fingers. I know it may not be the magic cure, but I'm wiling to give them a try. Any recommendations?

Comments

  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    Specialized BG Gel mitts are very good IME:

    http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... uctID=9233
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • jordan_217
    jordan_217 Posts: 2,580
    Also, might be worth checking your bar set up and position on the bike. Having a saddle pointing excessively downwards would cause you to slip forward more and put pressure on your hands. If you're riding on the drops - are the shape of the drops suitable for the size of your hands and riding position? Fitting Pro Vibe bars to my bike led to numb little fingers after 30 mins or so of riding. Which got pretty painful after a few hours. Changed the bars and no more issues.

    Other things to consider are a different bar tape and possibly some gel pads for under your tape. I find Fizik microtex tape and Cinelli pads a good combo. You should be able to get both for around £15.

    I would check set up first though, as that won't cost you anything.
    “Training is like fighting with a gorilla. You don’t stop when you’re tired. You stop when the gorilla is tired.”
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,414
    it's worth wearing mitts for comfort/grip

    but if you are getting pain/tingling, i would examine technique...

    are you leaning on the bars? - don't, most weight should be on the pedals, and most of what's left on the saddle, if you just can't avoid putting weight on your hands it may mean you need to improve core strength and/or the bike is not set up correctly for you

    are you gripping the bars tight? - don't, most of the time a light grip is all you need, relax

    are you changing hand position every now and then? - do, it helps avoid pressure causing soreness/other problems

    ...as you ride, try to stay aware of what you are doing with hands/weight, if you catch yourself tensing or leaning, correct it, in time it'll become natural

    if your hands have got a bit bruised/tender, it may take a few days to recover, so dont expect instant relief from adjusting technique or wearing mitts
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    Specialized BG mitts are very good, as mentioned above. As the other chaps have mentioned though it would be worth a second look at your set up. I suffered with wrist and hand pain until a bike fit sorted me out in an instant. The changes looked fairly minor to the naked eye, but the difference was instant, no pressure on the hands / wrists. For me it was a case of raising the lever hoods a little higher on the bars and turning them in ever so slightly - the result that gave was just a natural position for the hands to drop onto the hoods. Another common problem is having the bars rotated too far forward, so the drops do not sit parallel to the ground.
  • benkxk
    benkxk Posts: 151
    Had a bike fit yesterday and was worth it. Turned out I had a too long stem on and was having to put more pressure on my wrists because of over stretching. Ok for an agressive race look but not for comfort!

    Also, I have Bontrager mitts and I love them. About £15 I think...

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