Riding without mitts/gloves

matt-h · September 2014

Since my trip to the Alps i have found riding without mitts to be really nice.
I have always ridden with mitts or gloves but a friend recommended removing them on a 2 hour climb to aid cooling and its been a revelation.
No sweaty palms, easier to get items from jersey pockets etc
I haven't worn them since back but am concerned that if i have an off, i will have no protection.

What's others thoughts on this?

Matt

thatkidpercy · September 2014

I also prefer the feeling of riding without gloves, but found that I was losing grip when it rained or on very hot days when the bar tap would start to get moist with sweat. The worry that I'd tear my hands up badly in a crash was also a bit of a concern. A compromise that worked was a pair of Giro LTZ II gloves, which are super light and have absolutely no padding in the palm. They provide just enough grip that even when it rains I don't find my hands slipping, and the feeling is honestly not dissimilar to riding gloveless as they're so heavily ventilated. If a shop near you has them, perhaps try them on and see what you think.

schlepcycling · September 2014

thatkidpercy wrote:

I also prefer the feeling of riding without gloves, but found that I was losing grip when it rained or on very hot days when the bar tap would start to get moist with sweat. The worry that I'd tear my hands up badly in a crash was also a bit of a concern. A compromise that worked was a pair of Giro LTZ II gloves, which are super light and have absolutely no padding in the palm. They provide just enough grip that even when it rains I don't find my hands slipping, and the feeling is honestly not dissimilar to riding gloveless as they're so heavily ventilated. If a shop near you has them, perhaps try them on and see what you think.

+1

cougie · September 2014

They're a bit like safety kit aren't they. You don't really need mitts until you come off.

If you have a bad off - it could be nasty. I've heard tell of pros doing it and having to have someone to carry their bags to the airport - you can't do much if you've no palms.

Best of both worlds - take them off for the climb (2 hours ? Where was this ?) and put them back for the descent ?

In the UK its probably wise to have them on all of the time.

MichaelW · September 2014

The worry that I'd tear my hands up badly in a crash was also a bit of a concern.

Unless you have some very good friends who can see to your personal needs whilst the skin on your hands heals.

I think "gloves and helmet", not "helmet and gloves".

frisbee · September 2014

I've ripped up both palms in a crash, I always wear gloves now.

prhymeate · September 2014

thatkidpercy wrote:

A compromise that worked was a pair of Giro LTZ II gloves, which are super light and have absolutely no padding in the palm.

I have these and they're really good. I've never ridden without gloves, but I don't like the feeling of a lot of padding and these fit the bill. It's a bit tricky to find a good winter glove if you don't like much padding though.

kajjal · September 2014

Coming from mountain biking I wear mitts or gloves for extra grip and protection on my road bike.

matt-h · September 2014

cougie wrote:

They're a bit like safety kit aren't they. You don't really need mitts until you come off.

If you have a bad off - it could be nasty. I've heard tell of pros doing it and having to have someone to carry their bags to the airport - you can't do much if you've no palms.

Best of both worlds - take them off for the climb (2 hours ? Where was this ?) and put them back for the descent ?

In the UK its probably wise to have them on all of the time.

Col De la Croix http://www.strava.com/activities/188710 ... 4430356784

matt-h · September 2014

Agree with you all on here.
I work for myself so damaged hands would be a problem.

I'll have a look at some lighter mitts

matt

TheHound · September 2014

I tried riding without mitts and hated it.

It just felt uncomfortable for me.

crispybug2 · September 2014

frisbee wrote:

I've ripped up both palms in a crash, I always wear gloves now.

Me too!!

If I am out riding and I realise that I've left my helmet or my mobile behind by mistake, I won't bother turning around to fetch them. If I've left my gloves behind I will turn around straight away.

robbo2011 · September 2014

I never wear mitts, only gloves when it is cold.

I'm sure I'll regret it one day..

pippi_langsamer-2 · September 2014

I can't really see any advantage of not riding with mitts...

matt-h · September 2014

Pippi Langsamer wrote:

I can't really see any advantage of not riding with mitts...

I found that when my hands were cooler it made me feel cooler overall

Matt

term1te · September 2014

I have scars on my right palm that remind me to wear mits. That said, I only wear mits when I'm wearing lycra, jeans = no mits. Although earlier this week it was 3C on my morning commute, so I should have been wearing full gloves, took about 30 minutes to defrost.

redvee · September 2014

I ride always with mitts/gloves. When I rode without them the sweat from my palms made the STI levers slippery.

robbo2011 · September 2014

Pippi Langsamer wrote:

I can't really see any advantage of not riding with mitts...

It's cooler in the summer and the avoidance of velcro type fasteners that can and has caused pulls on my expensive lycra shorts.

cougie · September 2014

matt-h wrote:

Col De la Croix http://www.strava.com/activities/188710 ... 4430356784

Oh nice climb ! Very similar to my longest hill - the Stelvio. http://www.strava.com/activities/558322 ... 1020231397

epo.wks · September 2014

redvee wrote:

I ride always with mitts/gloves. When I rode without them the sweat from my palms made the STI levers slippery.

I've actually slipped off an STi unit before as it was so hot & I wasn't wearing gloves! Always wear them now.

Schoie81 · September 2014

robbo2011 wrote:

I never wear mitts, only gloves when it is cold.

I'm sure I'll regret it one day..

Ditto. I guess its one of those things I'll have to learn the hard way but I hate wearing gloves/mitts so, unless its cold, I don't.

eric_draven · September 2014

Had an off about 10 years ago in mitts,peeled the skin back on 7 out of 8 fingers,now won't ride even in summer and in the alps last year without full finger gloves,i currently have some specialized ones that have a thin back on them,one thing i can never work out is,guys on fast sports bikes in summer go out in their full leather one piece suits,and don't wear any gloves,and go at speeds where they could grind their hands away

racingcondor · September 2014

I'm another fan of 'barely there' gloves.

Castelli's Aero mitts (no padding and a long cuff) were excellent intil they merged the fingers into one hole but the Cavendish range has what is basically the same glove. Really comfy.

matt-h · September 2014

cougie wrote:

matt-h wrote:

Col De la Croix http://www.strava.com/activities/188710 ... 4430356784

Oh nice climb ! Very similar to my longest hill - the Stelvio. http://www.strava.com/activities/558322 ... 1020231397

Thanks. It is an awesome climb, just not so well known as the legendary Stelvio and others.
Would have been a bit quicker had i not stopped for photos etc.
Well done on your effort!

Matt

DavidJB · September 2014

I don't wear them training. I do racing.

mugensi · October 2014

I never weat mitts/gloves during the summer, I hate them, they are annoying and only cause my hands to become hot and sweaty. I have Zipp CX tape on my bars which is grippy and comfortable without gloves. I'll wear gloves only when the weather gets colder and purely to keep my hands warm, once they warm up i remove the gloves again.

Riding without mitts/gloves

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