Though cycling involves the entire body in the physical activity, the hands are the ones to control direction and the feet to give power to the movement. Hence, for the body parts that receive most blows from weather and environment elements, the use of cycling gloves is almost compulsive; this means that no equipment is complete without appropriate hand protections. For those who don't see why cycling gloves are so important, we should mention the fact that the front part of the cycle is the one that absorbs most shocks. At the body level a bump is usually felt in both hands and the butt depending on the speed and the position assumed in riding.
Cycling gloves are gloves designed for cycling. They fulfill three functions: warmth, comfort and protection.
Warmth
Gloves are normally used to keep the hands warm, a function that is chiefly essential when cycling in cold weather. The design of most modern bicycles is such that the rider's hands remain on the handlebars while cycling, a position that leaves them bare to weather. The hands are also comparatively inactive, and do not have a great deal of muscle mass, which also put in to the possibility of chill. Gloves are therefore fundamental for insulating the hands from cold, wind, and evaporative cooling while riding a bicycle.
Comfort
Cycling places a good deal of stress on the hands, in the form of prolonged pressure against handlebars and transmission of unexpected road shocks through handlebars to the hands. The harshness of discomfort can be alleviated somewhat by riding position, but is essentially inherent in most designs of upright bicycle. However, choice of weight distribution between the saddle and handlebars is usually determined by other factors, such as aerodynamics, control and long-term comfort. Padded gloves or handlebar grips are therefore useful to increase comfort for a given geometry.
Protection
Putting a hand out to break a fall is a natural reaction. However, the hands are one of the more difficult parts of the body to repair. There is little or no spare skin, and immobilizing the hands sufficiently to promote healing involves significant inconvenience to the patient. So, many cyclists choose to wear gloves all year round to help avoid skin damage in a fall.
Qualities
An improved glove for cyclists is disclosed. The glove comprises a flexible shell including a palm side, an outside, glove fingers and a glove thumb. Resilient padding is permanently secured to the palm side of the glove shell, and extends substantially from the heel of the palm side of the shell toward the glove fingers and across the crotch area between the glove index finger and the glove thumb. The padding comprises an elastomeric layer, a layer of fibrous batting, and an external layer. Sweat from hands can make one's gloves become unpleasant quite quickly, so it is best to store them so that air can circulate inside if at all possible (for example on a radiator). After a wet or hard ride it may be best to turn them inside-out to dry. Leather gloves can be washed in cool water and are reportedly best dried out on the hands. Gloves should fit snugly but not be tight. Pay particular attention to the length of the fingers as the fingertips can become very cold if the glove's fingers are not long enough. Ideally the glove should be loose on the fingers and fit comfortably around the palm.
Types of gloves
These gloves are half finger style with cotton knitted back (see through) and leather palm. Padding is very light. Velcro closure for snug fit. All black. Fingerless cycling gloves, also known as track mitts
Winter gloves tend to be bulkier, perhaps being made in two parts, inner and outer, so that the inner can be washed. They will tend to have longer cuffs, to tuck into jackets and avoid the wrists being chilled,
Mittens
Mittens are good in extreme cold as they allow a single pocket of warm air to form around the fingers. They make use of brakes somewhat awkward
Lobster-claw
Lobster-claw gloves are a relatively recent innovation, halfway between glove and mitten. Two fingers are placed in each of two wide fingers, giving much of the advantage of mittens but making use of brake levers much easier
Weather shield
Weather shields (made by a company called Dry Bike) are small water- and windproof shields that attach to the handlebars and protect the hands from rain and wind. Though not gloves, they serve a similar purpose
Though the choice of weather to wear a pair of gloves or not is entirely yours, most cyclists do appreciate the need to wear some form of protection on their hands. Choosing a pair of gloves to answer your individual style or budget will never be a constraint,. What is important however, is that the pair of gloves you choose should be a quality produce and do its job extremely well in ordinary as well as tough conditions.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment