Cycling Gloves

need? ... no, but they help cushion the ride on a road bike & protect your hands in a fall so you may want them after a while

They keep your handlebar tape cleaner and drier too by absorbing some sweat.

mcgr said:

I am starting out and joining a club, do I need cycling gloves or not?

Many years ago I went over the bars sliding on my palms in a mix of asphalt and gravel. It was bad and bloody. I spent the entire summer re-growing the skin on my palms. I have always worn gloves ever since.

I have only had one spill on a bike. The knees got it, the arms got it, road rash on the legs and arms, and split palms from catching myself. I'm glad I did because I wasn't wearing a helmet. I have always worn glovres since then. I use black handlebar tape so I cannot tell if they keep it cleaner or not. They are really inexpensive and you can't tell you're wearing them after awhile.

kdelong said:

I have only had one spill on a bike. The knees got it, the arms got it, road rash on the legs and arms, and split palms from catching myself. I'm glad I did because I wasn't wearing a helmet. I have always worn glovres since then. I use black handlebar tape so I cannot tell if they keep it cleaner or not. They are really inexpensive and you can't tell you're wearing them after awhile.

Did that also teach you to always wear a helmet?

Also very important: gloves are great for cleaning up the detritus from snot rocket launches.

airosen said:

Did that also teach you to always wear a helmet?

No it didn't. At the time I thought I was still indestructable, didn't realize that I could have killed myself if not for my hands. I went for 39 years without a helmet and then became a member of this forum. It was then that I realized I was living on borrowed time, so now I own my first helmet.

alienator said:

Also very important: gloves are great for cleaning up the detritus from snot rocket launches.

I thought that was what the sleeve of the jersey was for, and that those who ride sleeveless were just messy.

I can't stand gloves and I never wear them - too hot for me.

On the other hand, if you go down, gloves will come in very "handy" (nyuk nyuk). Because of this, I expect that one of these days I will start wearing them again.

I boguht gloves when i had a mongoose MTB & it had that really annoying mongoose on the grip that did nothing but gave me blisters, so i quickly got some cheap gloves & loved them since... i havn'e used them on my road bike yet cuz i thought i only had2 right handed gloves, but the left hand was inside out... next time i am out i will be wearing them

Gloves with the right padding help pad a set of nerves in your palm that will over time lead to numb hands in most people.

I use specialized Body Geometry comp gloves...they work great and only cost 25 bucks. there is a lower glove, but i liked the comp ones better.

I have an OLD pair of FOX gloves for MTB that are 6 years old, its time to get new ones as they are pretty nasty, and they dont pad my hands very well (not comfortable anymore) I like full finger for MTB, and regular half finger for road...i fall a lot MTB, never fallen on the road *crosses fingers and knocks on wood*

I used to get a numbed fingers. Tried a cheap pair (more like weight lifting glove) and it didn't help. Then got a good pair and no more numb feeling - worth it. Good for wiping the sweat too.

J5311 said:

I boguht gloves when i had a mongoose MTB & it had that really annoying mongoose on the grip that did nothing but gave me blisters, so i quickly got some cheap gloves & loved them since... i havn'e used them on my road bike yet cuz i thought i only had2 right handed gloves, but the left hand was inside out... next time i am out i will be wearing them

I've been using fingerless gloves with the web back and they cool nicely.

Bike gloves selection for novice and experienced biker - gloves for all riding conditions - selection of best and proven models.
Dakine Ventilator Gloves. Good ventilation as for full-finger. All mountain gloves.
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Six SxiOne Raji gloves. Lightweight gloves for XC with minimal padding - legend gloves
[IMG]biking-gloves.com661 raji gloves.jpgOpen ↗[/IMG]
Spenco Ironman T.2 Elite Good extra gel padded gloves. Fresh 2008 model
[IMG]biking-gloves.comSpenco Ironman Elite.jpgOpen ↗[/IMG]

Rustyhöle said:

need? ... & protect your hands in a fall so you may want them after a while

The BIGGEST reason to have gloves. When you crash, and you will, you stick your hands out and torn up palms makes it hard to ride at all.

Peter@vecchios said:

The BIGGEST reason to have gloves. When you crash, and you will, you stick your hands out and torn up palms makes it hard to ride at all.

Torn palms makes a lot of things more difficult.

When I do wear gloves (I prefer not to this year... don't know why, they bother me), I prefer a thin racing glove. I currently have two pairs of 2007 Campagnolo racing gloves in my cycling clothes drawer that I use for longer rides.

I strongly dislike thickly padded gloves...

Powerful Pete said:

When I do wear gloves (I prefer not to this year... don't know why, they bother me), I prefer a thin racing glove. I currently have two pairs of 2007 Campagnolo racing gloves in my cycling clothes drawer that I use for longer rides.

I strongly dislike thickly padded gloves...

The new Sugoi C9, I think, gloves are supposed to be good, as are the Capoforma gloves.

Funny, I've Campy racing gloves that I only use on short rides.

Do you NEED gloves? If you want to keep your hands looking and feeling pretty, then yes, you will NEED gloves when you ride.