Bicycle gloves don't like me... ??

Hi guys!

I usually don't ride with bike gloves. I don't get numb or tingly unless the road is pretty bad. Most of the time I get that on my feet after 8-10 miles...but that's another story. Cold weather is setting in and Im thinking gloves would help keep my hands warm.

I've tried a couple in the past- I didn't buy cheapy versions- I went with nice ones (Pearl Izumi and another brand, I think it was Specialized) that were womens-specific. They fit well but after a couple of miles, my hands went numb and I ended up taking the gloves off.

ANyone experience this? Any suggestions? Point me in the right direction?

:p

A very likely cause is that the edges of the pads on the gloves are causing a problem. Many gloves have separated pads so there are edges that can put pressure on nerves. PI Gel Lites do this to me. I wear Assos sport level gloves because they have a very thin even thickness pad -- no edges.

A lot of the long fingered gloves don't have as much padding as the short fingered, but look for this. There are lots of winter gloves with no padding at all. Have you tried any of these?

I've had issues with the PI gel lite gloves, as well. I have a pair of the thin Specialized BG (women's) gloves and I like them. I'd like to get a pair of the Assos full-finger summerweight gloves for the sun protection.

My hands used to get tingly and numb with bike gloves until I figured out that I had to leave the velcro closure wrist strap REALLY REALLY LOOSELY closed, with an actual little 1/4" gap left open. The clsoing straps made my hands tingle and get numb just when they were closed with a 'normal' snugness. This happened on two completely different pairs of gloves, so you might want to test that possibility.

I feel your pain. Or I did but it's gotten better.

Two things other than gloves: have your fit checked by your LBS. I didn't realize it but I was pitching way too forward and for a lack of a better way of doing it, handstanding on my handlebars. The LBS raised the bar up and it's almost perfect.

Second, work on your core strength. Not being able to hold yourself upright will put stress on your wrists and hands to hold you up.


I go through a pair of gloves a month. My suggestion is to buy them at REI. They carry PI but not Specialized, and they have their own brand which is so-so, but the best thing is they have a no hassle return policy and when they don't work anymore, bring them back in and exchange them for the same kind or try a different kind.

I tried women specific gloves but they weren't padded enough for me. I buy men's gloves instead.

Good luck! Karin

I was having a lot of numbness after I would ride as well as some pain. He figured out what I was doing and told me to stop it. I was putting more weight on the pad at the base of my thumb. He said I needed to work at not putting as much weight on my hands, and not resting that part of my hand on the bars. I actually had the very beginning of a bone spur trying to develop from doing that. I'm also scheduling an appointment to have a fit done on my new bike.

Try bigger gloves. I don't like PI gloves (except the Lobster Gloves for winter). I prefer the cheapo Performance gloves for comfort, not too small.

I wear men's. Women's gloves are way too tight on my knuckles and will pinch between my fingers. For new gloves that haven't stretched, I have to frequenly pull them towards my fingertips, because riding sometimes pushes them farther back on my hands. All that pinching can lead to tingling.

Thanks guys- REI just opened a new store in my town so Ill head over there and check out their bike gloves! Good idea about returning em if I dont like em :)