So cycling gloves? I don't see how this can change my experience of riding bicycles.
Someone please explain what benefits I get from them. Maybe I would buy some if the benefits are good enough.
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Sign up to join this communitySo cycling gloves? I don't see how this can change my experience of riding bicycles.
Someone please explain what benefits I get from them. Maybe I would buy some if the benefits are good enough.
All sorts of reasons:
In practice, I use them when I am touring (long distances in the saddle - so reason 2 above), and when I am mountain-cycling competitively (reasons 1 and 3), but don't wear them when I am on my daily commute.
Additional points to Penguino's answer
Warmth - Even on a summer's day some light gloves help keep your fingers limber. Its scary to reach for the brakes on a downhill and find your fingers aren't reacting very fast. I have long arms, so my shirt sleeves never reach the gloves, so I wear some wrist wraps to seal the gap too.
Visibility - when you're signalling with your arms, it can be hard for drivers to see you. Gloves often have reflectorised strips to help show where you are indicating at night. More so if you're wearing a black top.
Grip as per comments. Some glove and bartape combinations work really well, some don't.
Sun protection - I'm a pasty computer geek, I burn on cloudy days. Gloves help protect my skin from solar damage.
Gloves are pretty handy. First of all, they offer better grip with the handlebar, without causing skin loosening or similar symptoms. Secondly, they help avoid scratches and injuries in case of fall or passing through trails with thick bushes (mtb). They are also a good piece of fabric to absorb sweat and clean your googles. Last, but not least, they might be great when theres cold/wind/rain.