Frozen hands - need new gloves

[Pedalo]

It's the Sealskinz ultra grip gloves that I use, I see they do a hi viz version also....

Window cleaning waterproof and neoprene gloves from Unger and Sealskinz

Hi Tim,

Do these even cope well in sub-zero temperatures? My current gloves are fine down to about 5 degrees but go much below that and I suffer especially when there's a chilly breeze. It might still be a few weeks before I can get to the shops - so I may end up having to order something on-line.

 

[Mussels]

I use the "muffs" as pictured which work well.

Are they specific for pushbikes or did you adapt motorbike muffs?

 

[mutmost]

They are motorbike ones got from ebay a couple of years ago. They just fit with a strap and buckle.

 

[daniel.weck]

e-Gloves:

Columbia rolls out Omni-Heat Electric gloves, jackets and boots, batteries included -- Engadget

 

[Mussels]

e-Gloves:



Columbia rolls out Omni-Heat Electric gloves, jackets and boots, batteries included -- Engadget

They look good but too expensive, maybe if Sports HQ start selling them then I can afford a pair.

 

[Pedalo]

Finally got out to some shops to take a look at various types of gloves.
After much deliberation I bought a pair of specialised sub-zero cycling gloves.
I got the 2009/2010 versions which have the glove type outer layer.
The 2010/2011 versions appear to have switched the outer layer to mitten style.

I'm reasonably pleased with the gloves though they were on the expensive side. They hold off the cold better than my previous gloves and offer some flexibility in various conditions given the inners can be worn on their own.

My hands were still pretty cold this morning, even with my new gloves. They weren't so cold to the point of being uncomfortable though.

I think I probably have poor circulation because I've seen a few reviews of these gloves which say they are too warm!

I wonder if us Ebike users suffer from cold hands in general because we're not having to pedal so hard. I've found one of the best ways of keeping warm is to leave the motor switched off...

 

[Mussels]

My hands were still pretty cold this morning, even with my new gloves. They weren't so cold to the point of being uncomfortable though.

That's not good as it's not even down to freezing yet, I'm still warm in my cheap Lidl gloves that I know will be no good in January.

 

[Pedalo]

That's not good as it's not even down to freezing yet, I'm still warm in my cheap Lidl gloves that I know will be no good in January.

There was a lot of frost around and my cycle computer measured 0.3 deg C at one point so it was nearly at freezing point. But I agree - I am concerned how my hands will cope when the temperatures really start to drop!

 

[jerrysimon]

I used my SealSkinz gloves mentioned in this thread which I just purchased and my hands were still VERY cold when I got to work. Mind you I passed quite a few youngesters cycling with no gloves

I did put another thin pair on underneath and it may be a case that they were too tight. This morning it registered minus 0.5 oC.

On the way home still VERY cold but I found with just the Skinz it was better though a little uncomfortable by the time I got home.

PS I agree more pedaling helps warm things up

Regards

Jerry

 

[Morag]

I wear Segura motorbike gloves for winter, both for cycling and walking the dogs. I have a circulation problem and keeping my hands warm is essential to keeping a hold of anything. These gloves do the job beautifully but are thick making fine touch tricky, Wilma has an easy shift system so I'm good with them on.

 

[Caph]

I've tried several without much luck really.

The Warmawear heated gloves were rubbish. I could tell they were on when indoors but as soon as I got outside all sense of heat quickly vanished.

The Specialised Sub-Zero 2009 were better and I like that I can use them as separate pairs of gloves or both in combo, but I still ended up with numb fingers when I got to work.

The Sealskinz were slightly better but I'd agree that you must go for a size larger than the one they say. I still ended up with frozen fingers though. They're probably my favourite so far though because of the padding.

Those new Specialised Sub Zero gloves look worth a try though, I'd already come to the conclusion that mits were the only way to go but these look like a good compromise.

 

[daniel.weck]

I used my SealSkinz gloves mentioned in this thread which I just purchased and my hands were still VERY cold when I got to work. Mind you I passed quite a few youngesters cycling with no gloves

I did put another thin pair on underneath and it may be a case that they were too tight. This morning it registered minus 0.5 oC.

The Sealskinz were slightly better but I'd agree that you must go for a size larger than the one they say. I still ended up with frozen fingers though. They're probably my favourite so far though because of the padding.

Compromised blood circulation ?

Last winter I too suffered from cold finger tips despite the thick padded SealSkinz gloves, but I wouldn't say they were "frozen" An extra layer of tight-fitting thin Merino gloves may help, but given that the inner glove liner is already made with this highly-efficient moisture-wicking material, I doubt it would really make a difference.

To give some perspective, on cold days I wear a Merino wool "Buff" (neck gaiter) all the way up onto my nose, which is kept reasonably warm despite the *very* thin layer of wool. Of course the heat generated by breathing is not available on the finger tips, and the blood circulation is probably more likely to be a problem in the hands...

Talking of body parts, those LIDL tight-fitting acrylic leg warmers are pretty good for the money ! (9 GBP) I should have bought 2 pairs.

Cheers, Dan

 

[yusstay]

so far i have 5 pairs of gloves, normal mountain biking bikos with wool gloves inside but they felt the cold so i used skiing gloves which were not bad but a bit bulky. I then raked out my old military gortex style gloves with mits options which were fab but actually left me sweating or removing the mits too often... so i then invested in a pair of £30 sealskinz which have been brilliant in the current scottish weather.

 

[Pedalo]

I'm now using 3 layers of gloves! My silk inners from Decathlon followed by the two layers of Specialised sub-zeros. I also put the gloves on the radiator for 10 minutes before I leave so my hands start out warm.
This seems to help and I've been not too bad this last week or so with temperatures down to -3.5 and windchill at something like -10C

Sometimes my hands do still feel very cold but I think I must be getting used to it. I am looking forward to the end of this cold snap though!

 

[aseb]

My problem is compounded because of spondylosis, I can get pain in my thumb/finger gripping the throttle but it is guaranteed with thick gloves.
I can often be seen with 2 different gloves on- warmer, thicker left hand glove!
A trial showed a thumb throttle was much worse. I've decided to try one of the crampbusters but think I'll need to change over to a full width throttle from the half width one. There's 5 different models, and some other makes but the should help by reducing the grip needed to hold the throttle open, so I should then be able to use warmer gloves.

I also keep thinking I might try taking the throttle to bits to try and reduce (or remove) the return spring tension, but think I should get a cheaper spare in case things go wrong (I've not found any disassembly guides for the throttle so it would be experimental) which then comes back to getting a full width one with a crampbuster.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Aseb, I've taken a full width throttle apart. I guess it's similar to the half width type but maybe there's lots of different ones. Inside is a torsion spring, with fixed end positions, so it's not possble to change the tension, but you could remove the spring altogether and bring the added danger that you could accidently open it when not intended - not such a problem if you have a throttle isolation switch.
To disassemble it, you must remove the whole assembly from the handlebar and then you can lever off the bit that you turn from the main body (the grip). It's held on by internal clips which are locked when it's on the handlebars.

 

[Synthman]

My £20 cycling gloves have been useless for anything below 6° and I struggled to use the throttle or the brakes because my hands were that frozen. I looked on a motorbike forum and some people said to use those surgical gloves under normal ones for short journeys. I did try that and it stopped the cold for a few extra minutes, then had the same problem.

If I had a petrol scooter I would probably have handlebar heaters installed. I'm now interested in heated gloves but don't want to spend too much. Just need something for up to an hour's journey, and not too bulky as I won't be able to use the indicator or light switch properly. Any recommendations?

 

[rustic]

I bought a pair of Sealskinz based largely on recommendations of forum posts here last year. After initially being impressed (they are quite flexible & easy to use throttle / brake with them on), I have subsequently found them to be largely ineffective in colder / wetter weather such as we have had recently and they have been a slightly disappointing purchase.

If you are going to buy a pair then I completely echo other members comments about purchasing one size larger than you think you will need. I downloaded their hand size guide, printed it off & I checked my hand against it. My hand appeared to fitt comfortably in the middle of the large zone, so I confidently ordered a pair of large gloves. When they arrrived the gloves were way too small, I had to send them back & get a pair of XL ones. My hands are actually quite long & slim and the xl gloves are a reasonably tight fit.

 

[eTim]

I have a battery that powers my EXO2 heated waistcoat when off the motorbike. They also sell heated gloves which are quite expensive and I've no idea if they can be battery powered, may be worth a look though....

Exo2 Heated Clothing and Heated Motorcycle Clothing UK

OK, I've just noticed that their mitts are battery powered and they also have ski gloves that are battery powered and probably more appropriate for cycling, but at £165............I'd have a pair

Just need someone to take the plunge and test them out

 

[aseb]

Aseb, I've taken a full width throttle apart. I guess it's similar to the half width type but maybe there's lots of different ones. Inside is a torsion spring, with fixed end positions, so it's not possble to change the tension, but you could remove the spring altogether and bring the added danger that you could accidently open it when not intended - not such a problem if you have a throttle isolation switch.
To disassemble it, you must remove the whole assembly from the handlebar and then you can lever off the bit that you turn from the main body (the grip). It's held on by internal clips which are locked when it's on the handlebars.

Mine is like this with no kill switch, there is a screwed plate on the side nearest the bar centre so I thought that may be the best way in. It may just access the charge lights though.