Gloves - What's best?

[Nanci]

I like gloves with gel- anything else just doesn't have enough hours of cushioning. My favorites are an ancient pair of Treks. I also really like the fit of Loius Garneau. Recently I had a glove-buying frenzy before my 600k ride, and TE sent me out four pairs of gloves after a lengthy phone consultation. I ended up choosing the Pearl Izumi Gel Vent Pros, because they fit so well and look very cool. I like having the back of my hands covered, and like having at least some terry on the thumb for nose/sweat wiping. So far they have held up to repeated machine washing hang drying, too. They don't have velcro, and are easy to put on/remove.

[bcipam]

I know, I know this is a mountain bike glove, and well, roadies hate wearing MTB stuff but check out the Fox Mojave glove. Lots of padding and protection between the thumb and forefinger. Most comfortable gloves I own. On my road bike I usually wear some Specialized glove or the other, but I would like to wear my Mojaves!

[SadieKate]

Evaluate whether you need more padding or the padding moved. I hate (you get that, HATE) PI gel gloves. The ridges of the pads fall in the wrong place and cause my thumbs to go numb. I went the opposite direction and use Assos road gloves. The palms have a very thin and even thickness with no ridges, bumps or lumps. Worked absolutely wonderfully for the 200k on Saturday.

I think the Fox Mojaves are a great glove for flat bars. Such a personal preference thing.

[Starfish]

Right now I'm still wearing winter neoprene...cheap ones from Performance, and they are comfortable, though I just ordered some windbreaker shells to go on the outside for wind and descents. For summer, I still am using the first pair of cheap Performance gloves I got about 4-5 years ago.

They work fine for me. One thing I like to do on really long rides is to smear a little neosporin in that space at the base of my thumb, between thumb and 1st finger. The bit of lube seems to condition my skin there and keeps soreness away. I suppose something like Butt'r would work, too.

BCIPam, re: mountain gear for roadies...I only ride on the road, but all my friends tease me because of my weird mix of stuff. I have a road bike with a mountain bike saddle, mountain gearing on the back, and aero bars on the front. I wear fun roadie clothes, helmet, etc, and MB spd shoes. It all works for me!

[SadieKate]

Wizzer, do you use aero bars?

I've have ulnar compression problems definitely stemming from compression in the elbow (I won't describe the tests, yeow). I find that aero bars are a problem or anything that keeps my elbows bent around 90 degrees. For typing and driving, I keep my keyboard (and mouse) and steering wheel out away from me in what most people would consider a non-ergonomically correct position, but it works for me.

Once I knew about the problem, I could avoid those positions and haven't had a problem since. Aero bars I use for short TTs and a bit of training. Otherwise, I stay way away.

[Starfish]

A little OT, but about gloves...today I tried out a new thing. I ordered some Pearl Izumi wind- & water-proof outer shell gloves. I got them to use with my winter neoprene gloves, but today I tried them over my fingerless summer gloves. It worked great. The size small was still a little big, but it didn't impact my grip or shifting. The ride was off and on rain, sun and wind. My hands sweat inside them, but they stayed warm and protected from wind/rain. I'm pleased...I think I'll be stashing them in my saddle bag with the toe covers. They stash down flat/light, but provide that emergency protection in a climate that is not to be trusted! ;-) (And also for mountain descents in cooler air at higher speed, etc.)