Bar Mitts//Review

[Selkie]

I finally capitulated and bought myself bar mitts. This morning, I tested them out in (temps were in the high 30s but there was a wind chill). I wore amfib gloves because I was going on a long ride (43 miler) and didn't want to risk getting cold/painful hands/fingers.

In sum, they work like a champ. My hands were sweating (I should have opted for lighter gloves) and the gloves were soaked by the time I got home. Regardless, my hands stayed toasty. The combo I used today -- bar mitts plus the amfib gloves -- will likely keep my hands warm/toasty when the temps fall below 32.

The mitts are neoprene and kept the wind out/warmth in. Easy to install and the zipper that accommodates the cables stayed shut. To be honest, they took some getting used to. I had thicker gloves on which made for a tighter fit but I had no trouble shifting, braking, steering, handling the bike. I was also able to get my hands in/out, with practice, while moving. Didn't interfere w/my headlights, too, even though I was on my Isis, which has a fairly narrow handlebar.

Not sure how they would work if you ride in the drops. I always ride on the hoods, so YMMV.

I went ahead and ordered a set for my bikes w/campy (they don't need the zipper since the cables are beneath the bar tape). This year, I'd like to average at least three days of outside riding a week, pavement conditions permitting, through the winter months. I didn't ride outside last winter primarily because I couldn't bear the thought of cold/painful/numb hands.

[Bike Chick]

I've never heard of these. Can you share a link so I can see what you are talking about?

[Biciclista]

thanks for the review. Do they hamper you when you need to MOVE your hands? could you get stuck in them?

[Thorn]

http://barmitts.com/products.php ?

I've been drooling over these for a while (but I'm cheap)....like Mimi asked....can you get in and out of them quickly? What if the temps rise too high, can you get them out of the way when you're out riding? And, how did you figure out what size?

[malkin]

They explain the sizing on the FAQ. It sounds like there is a small difference in the opening--so it would depend on your wrist size.

Brewer didn't like them to captain the tandem. I've used them a few times as the stoker--but I don't have any controls there at all, just cold hands.

[Selkie]

OK, I used a lighter weight glove w/them and it was much easier to get my hands in/out. If you wear a thick jacket or heavier gloves, there is potential for having a hard time getting them in and out, and less room for your hands to move around inside the mitt. Go with a larger size if you anticipate needing a heavier glove (see below). I think it's more a matter of acclimating, in terms of getting the hands in/out.

My usual cold weather hand solution is lobster gloves on top of two pairs of wool glove liners and a chemical hand warmer. Therefore, I'm used to riding with a degree of reduced hand dexterity.

One other thing, it's more difficult to ride out of the saddle. You have to take a lower position, but I did it comfortably. Just feels weird at first.

To remove them, you have to stop the bike and take them off the handlebars. They secure very firmly on the bar, which is a plus.

I guesstimated on size (got small, figured they were sized more for men -- but I've ordered medium for my campy bikes, so I will have the option of going with a heavier glove).

[lph]

Hm. So how do you signal? Or is that just a question of buying them big enough?

[malkin]

You'd have to pull your hand out to signal.

[Jaclyn]

I bought bar mitts last year (medium) for my husband as a Xmas present, and he really liked them. He uses them on both his cross commuter bike and as the captain of our tandems.

So this year I saw that the red and blue ones were on sale for $45 ($20 savings) and bought a small pair for me. So far I've only used them on the tandems (stoker) but they've been great. No, I can't easily ride in the drops so we lost a little power on the hills. It's easy to remove my hands to signal turns, slowing etc (but I don't want to because my hands are so warm inside).

We rode the Lorain Wheelmen Red Flannel ride yesterday and thought we'd need to have post a guard to watch the tandem at the rest stops - so many people were eyeing them enviously! They are a great investment if you plan to do a lot of winter riding.

[Selkie]

LPH, it's not so bad to get your hand in/out, so long as you don't wear big puffy gloves like I did during my first ride w/them. I was still able to get my hand in and out with the bigger gloves, but it was much easier when I wore a lighter glove. I ordered the mediums for the really frigid days when I want to wear the Amfib gloves.

[Thorn]

OK, I bit the bullet and bought a pair of the sale bar mitts. Took them out on a balmy winter day (about 32F/0C). I probably could have ridden with just summer cycle gloves. Toasty warm.

I just bought another pair for DH and some for the winter bikes (flat bars). Ugly as can be, but they really do the trick.

Size-wise, I went with medium. I had this fear of getting my hands in and out quickly. I could probably have gone with a small except that I have FSA Wing road bars (flat tops). This makes the bar mitt take on a funny twist, effectively making the opening a little smaller.

That said, the medium is about 17" around at the opening; once on the bike, you have about a 12" loop of bar mitt above your handle bar.

[Selkie]

I love my bar mitts, too, Thorn, and purchased a couple extra sets (one to fit my Orbit, which has campy chorus, and a second--in medium--for my Seven). Today was probably the coldest ride thus far of the season (mid-30s) and my hands stayed super warm, despite a brisk wind (actually, my hands were sweating because I wore heavier gloves). My Isis is outfitted with the small bar mitts--that bike has a much smaller handlebar than the Seven.

Like anything else, you get used to riding with them. At first, it feels a bit freaky but it's more than worth the acclimation factor for the warmth factor.