Anyone ever use bar mitts?

[Dekonick]

http://www.amazon.com/Bar-Mitts-Campy-SRAM-Black/dp/B003RLK0FY/ref=pd_sbs_sg_5

[93legendti]

i think spiderman rocks a pair

[gone]

I have them on two bikes that I ride in the winter. Here's a review I sent to some friends after I got them and took them on a ride where the air temp was in the 20's with 20 MPH winds.

Here are my impressions:

First off, and most importantly, they work! I wore a pair of Hammer winter gloves underneath and when I was riding my hands were comfortable the entire time and actually got a little too warm after I'd been riding for a while.
They're easy to put on and remove taking no more than a couple of minutes, 3 for the mechanically inept.
They don't interfere with operating the brakes or shifters (this is a good thing!). On the negative side, they are a little disconcerting when you first start using them. You feel like you're "strapped to the bike". In truth, you can get in and out of them pretty quickly, it just feels a little weird at first but I got used to them after only a few miles of riding.
At first, you feel like they force you to keep your hands on the hoods all the time but you soon realize that you can pull your hands back to the corners of the bars and still get the benefit of having them as they create a nice pocket of dead air. This is good because it gives you more riding positions. Of course you can always ride with your hands completely out of them and on the tops of the bars.
On the somewhat negative side, they present a pretty decent sail to the wind and you'll notice the bars moving around more than you're used to for a given amount of wind. As I said, today was about 20 MPH and some of it was in cross winds and it wasn't at all scary, just that I noticed the bike moving around a bit more than I otherwise would for that amount of wind. I'd imagine a 40 MPH gust at speed would be a bit of a handful but frankly if it's cold enough to have these things on and the wind is blowing 40 MPH I'M STAYING HOME ANYWAY so what the hell do I care?
I ordered Campy/Sram, size small. I think medium is actually a better choice and I've ordered a set of mediums in Shimano for my other bikes. There's no downside to ordering the Shimano version even if you're enlightened and ride Campy and with benefit of hindsight I would have ordered just one set of Shimano mediums. Live and learn.

[Dekonick]

I have them on two bikes that I ride in the winter. Here's a review I sent to some friends after I got them and took them on a ride where the air temp was in the 20's with 20 MPH winds.

Here are my impressions:

First off, and most importantly, they work! I wore a pair of Hammer winter gloves underneath and when I was riding my hands were comfortable the entire time and actually got a little too warm after I'd been riding for a while.
They're easy to put on and remove taking no more than a couple of minutes, 3 for the mechanically inept.
They don't interfere with operating the brakes or shifters (this is a good thing!). On the negative side, they are a little disconcerting when you first start using them. You feel like you're "strapped to the bike". In truth, you can get in and out of them pretty quickly, it just feels a little weird at first but I got used to them after only a few miles of riding.
At first, you feel like they force you to keep your hands on the hoods all the time but you soon realize that you can pull your hands back to the corners of the bars and still get the benefit of having them as they create a nice pocket of dead air. This is good because it gives you more riding positions. Of course you can always ride with your hands completely out of them and on the tops of the bars.
On the somewhat negative side, they present a pretty decent sail to the wind and you'll notice the bars moving around more than you're used to for a given amount of wind. As I said, today was about 20 MPH and some of it was in cross winds and it wasn't at all scary, just that I noticed the bike moving around a bit more than I otherwise would for that amount of wind. I'd imagine a 40 MPH gust at speed would be a bit of a handful but frankly if it's cold enough to have these things on and the wind is blowing 40 MPH I'M STAYING HOME ANYWAY so what the hell do I care?
I ordered Campy/Sram, size small. I think medium is actually a better choice and I've ordered a set of mediums in Shimano for my other bikes. There's no downside to ordering the Shimano version even if you're enlightened and ride Campy and with benefit of hindsight I would have ordered just one set of Shimano mediums. Live and learn.


Thanks! I am looking to buy a pair. I'll just get the shimano because of your review.

[93legendti]

http://barmitts.com/products.php

[robertt8883]

I use the mits the only way to go for cold or bad weather riding. You need only a light glove inside if you use a glove at all. be sure to order a pair one size above what you would normally wear because you need to have room to be able to move inside and especially if you are going to use a warm weather glove I use them for mountain biking and all the club riders in my area (Tahoe) use them

[rugbysecondrow]

Mike, you can try them out at Princeton sports if you wanted to try them out.

Are your hands still cold from our ride last week?

[Dekonick]

Mike, you can try them out at Princeton sports if you wanted to try them out.

Are your hands still cold from our ride last week?

:) Hah! Had to cut off 3 fingers... No. That wasn't bad at all but today I saw Some guy riding up Oella and he had bar mitts on his bike. I like the idea!

Now - as far as cold... Yesterday I froze my arse off in the reservoir for several hours while we practiced ice rescue. Rule #1 - don't send the fat guy out to do the rescue :beer: Rule #2 - don't go out on the ice. Period. It isn't worth it. Rule #3 see rule #2.

It was fun and a good refresher. It also refreshed my memory of what cold really is... even in a gumby suit, cold water is cold. Brrrrrrrr! Think I will never be an Alaska king crab fisherman!

[Dekonick]

http://barmitts.com/products.php

Thanks!

Just saved a few bucks! Blue mitts on the way to my Bedford.

[rugbysecondrow]

:) Hah! Had to cut off 3 fingers... No. That wasn't bad at all but today I saw Some guy riding up Oella and he had bar mitts on his bike. I like the idea!

Now - as far as cold... Yesterday I froze my arse off in the reservoir for several hours while we practiced ice rescue. Rule #1 - don't send the fat guy out to do the rescue :beer: Rule #2 - don't go out on the ice. Period. It isn't worth it. Rule #3 see rule #2.

It was fun and a good refresher. It also refreshed my memory of what cold really is... even in a gumby suit, cold water is cold. Brrrrrrrr! Think I will never be an Alaska king crab fisherman!

I had an incident falling through the ice as a kid. I don't know what was worse, the cold water, the cold air walking home or having to face my mother when I got home. :no:

[93legendti]

Thanks!

Just saved a few bucks! Blue mitts on the way to my Bedford.
My pleasure. I wasn't really looking, but at that price I picked up a red pair. Now, the 3-4 days/year of single digit temps will be a little more tolerable on the bike.

[93legendti]

I had an incident falling through the ice as a kid. I don't know what was worse, the cold water, the cold air walking home or having to face my mother when I got home. :no:
Me too! Thank G-d it was only in knee deep water and it was in our back yard. I still remember the cold walk home.

We have lots of ice fisherman on the lake at the end of our block and I always remind my young kids they can never go on the ice without a parent telling them it's ok.

[spiderman]

i think spiderman rocks a pair

i have them on the pug
but will use them on the kirk yet this winter...
above zero wind chill, smart wool gloves are all you need
below zero i wear my lobsters in there, too.
plenty of room with the mountain bars that way
it could be a little cramped on the road bars,
but methinks they'll work well with either setup.
enjoy...they've been a frostbite saver for sure!

i really think anyone riding that seriously in winter
should pile on the may i just say
with some quality shots of your decked out winter ride!

[93legendti]

My red ones just arrived-perfect for cycling in 13 degree weather.... :crap:

[Dekonick]

Just got mine today! Rugby - ready to ride tomorrow? Avalon - want to tag along? (casual ride for the fun of it)

[93legendti]

I must have done something wrong...they feel cramped and don't look like the installation photos. I bought the large size. :crap:

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/adambaker29/a1987db7.jpg

[utdentite]

I have never seen those. I will have to get a pair.

[gone]

I must have done something wrong...they feel cramped and don't look like the installation photos. I bought the large size. :crap:

What size gloves are you wearing? I usually just wear fairly thin gloves, like Assos liners or Hammer winter gloves. Insulated but not super thick. You don't need super thick gloves underneath, let the bar mitts do the work. They create a nice pocket of dead air that'll be significantly warmer than ambient.

Also, there is a sense of feeling "trapped" (as I alluded to above) but I found it very easy to remove my hands if needed.

[rugbysecondrow]

Just got mine today! Rugby - ready to ride tomorrow? Avalon - want to tag along? (casual ride for the fun of it)
Of course. How does a 7 am ride sound? I can go at 1030 also.

[Dekonick]

1030 - 7 am I hope to still be snoozing...

[93legendti]

What size gloves are you wearing? I usually just wear fairly thin gloves, like Assos liners or Hammer winter gloves. Insulated but not super thick. You don't need super thick gloves underneath, let the bar mitts do the work. They create a nice pocket of dead air that'll be significantly warmer than ambient.

Also, there is a sense of feeling "trapped" (as I alluded to above) but I found it very easy to remove my hands if needed.
I just tried them bare handed and my hand seems cramped. Also, the way the Mitt is crimped/folded I worry that if I take a hand out to drink I may get hung up upon reinsertion. On the website it shows the Mitt "billowing" outwards from the bar and seems to stay wide open. Maybe they aren't made for shallow drop/reach bars?

[BobbyJones]

I must have done something wrong...they feel cramped and don't look like the installation photos. I bought the large size. :crap:


I got a pair as an Xmas present- I've installed them but haven't ridden outside with them yet.

I feel that they are too tight at the front of my hands when in position on the hoods. I'm reserving judgment until I use them in the real world.

Let us know how you make out.

[rugbysecondrow]

For the guys who use them and like them, what size hands do you have? Also, do you use campy or shimano?

[gone]

For the guys who use them and like them, what size hands do you have? Also, do you use campy or shimano?

I have them on both Campy and Shimano equipped bikes. I wear a size large glove.

[gone]

I must have done something wrong...they feel cramped and don't look like the installation photos. I bought the large size. :crap:

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab27/adambaker29/a1987db7.jpg


I just went out to the garage and looked at my setup and it's similar to yours in the photo. It's late but I'll take a picture first thing tomorrow and post it.

[93legendti]

I just went out to the garage and looked at my setup and it's similar to yours in the photo. It's late but I'll take a picture first thing tomorrow and post it.
cool. thanks.

[93legendti]

I contacted the co. and got this email:

"The short reach bars do mangle the Mitts. I have made a few for the compact bars to help resolve this problem when it arises. If you would get me your address I will get them in the mail to you with a return shipping package for the ones you have. I think you will see a much better fit. Hope we can make it work out if not they can be returned.
?
Thanks for trying Bar Mitts."
?

[gone]

Here are three pictures. Looking at your setup more closely, it does look like the shallow drop bars might be the problem.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p170/ghsmith54/IMG_0707.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p170/ghsmith54/IMG_0709.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p170/ghsmith54/IMG_0708.jpg

[93legendti]

I took them off after 2 minutes.

[Dekonick]

Went on a ride today with Paul. I have short reach bars (poco's) and they do mangle the mitts a little bit, but I was comfortable and did not feel cramped. NOW I must admit I did not use the brakes from the drops, but instead from the top of my hoods. With my Paul Racer brakes and Campy hoods, I have plenty of stopping power from the top of the hoods. I can lock up the wheels if need be...

I like 'em.

FWIW - was 27 degrees with gusty winds when we started our ride. We also saw a bunch of FBI, Search & Rescue folks and Balt CO FD. out - they did not look happy and when I returned my wife told me they might be looking for a missing girl. Sad.



Ill post pics soon

[93legendti]

Here are three pictures. Looking at your setup more closely, it does look like the shallow drop bars might be the problem.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p170/ghsmith54/IMG_0707.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p170/ghsmith54/IMG_0709.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p170/ghsmith54/IMG_0708.jpg
Yeah, the first pic looks like the mitts would be comfortable and not touch yoru hands. On my bike, I wore glove liners and the outside of the mitt was pressing on my hand. The mitt also presses on the lever slightly and makes it harder to brake.


FWIW, I switched to my Ibex Shak wool liners, Ibex wool mitts and REI taped mitt shells and my hands were toasty. Temp was 13 degrees when I left.

[rugbysecondrow]

I didn't use them this morning, but I can attest to their functionality. Mike didn't complain once the whole ride. ;)

Went on a ride today with Paul. I have short reach bars (poco's) and they do mangle the mitts a little bit, but I was comfortable and did not feel cramped. NOW I must admit I did not use the brakes from the drops, but instead from the top of my hoods. With my Paul Racer brakes and Campy hoods, I have plenty of stopping power from the top of the hoods. I can lock up the wheels if need be...

I like 'em.

FWIW - was 27 degrees with gusty winds when we started our ride. We also saw a bunch of FBI, Search & Rescue folks and Balt CO FD. out - they did not look happy and when I returned my wife told me they might be looking for a missing girl. Sad.



Ill post pics soon

[93legendti]

I just got an email from the co. They are shipping out new ones on Monday. They should be here in a few days and I can report back on how they work with compact bars.

[rugbysecondrow]

I just got an email from the co. They are shipping out new ones on Monday. They should be here in a few days and I can report back on how they work with compact bars.
At least it seems their customer service is top notch.

[93legendti]

At least it seems their customer service is top notch.
Sure does. They also offered a full refund as an option. Heck, the emails were on a Sunday. I can't ask for anything more.

[Dekonick]

Pics from the ride today - Notice all of the ice on the dam. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a great shot. All of the white is ice. The Paptasco was frozen over in many of the slower moving portions of the river. In others, there was a solid ice bottom with water flowing over - pretty blue color you don't see often around these parts. Cold - 27 degrees when the pics were taken.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5340775184_61fec49057.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340775184/)
IMG_3558.JPG (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340775184/) by corinneg (http://www.flickr.com/people/goyette_family/), on Flickr

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340759998/" title="IMG_3557.JPG by corinneg, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5340759998_671321d60a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3557.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340747814/" title="IMG_3556.JPG by corinneg, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5340747814_b2d5b1d40f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3556.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340128011/" title="IMG_3555.JPG by corinneg, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5340128011_b5ab3c7281.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3555.JPG" /></a>

[Dekonick]

try this again. The river has an almost solid 1-2" sheet across the top.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5340759998_671321d60a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340759998/)
IMG_3557.JPG (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340759998/) by corinneg (http://www.flickr.com/people/goyette_family/), on Flickr

Me and Paul getting ready to leave for the ride. Yes, I am using the dorky ski helmet.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5340747814_b2d5b1d40f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340747814/)
IMG_3556.JPG (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340747814/) by corinneg (http://www.flickr.com/people/goyette_family/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5340128011_b5ab3c7281.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340128011/)
IMG_3555.JPG (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340128011/) by corinneg (http://www.flickr.com/people/goyette_family/), on Flickr

[rugbysecondrow]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5340128011_b5ab3c7281.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340128011/)
IMG_3555.JPG (http://www.flickr.com/photos/goyette_family/5340128011/) by corinneg (http://www.flickr.com/people/goyette_family/), on Flickr


Mike kept telling me to smile, I told him I was.

Good ride today. :)

[utdentite]

I gotta try those. They look a little funny but also look like they would get the job done.

[93legendti]

Ok, got the compact bar specific bar mitts today.
The company included a USPS priority mail envelope with prepaid postage. NICE SERVICE!!!!!

The new mitts went on 2x faster and easier than the other pair.

I can slide my hands into the mitts with no problems. They are very comfortable and don't press on my hands at all.
Looking forward to my next ride.