I’m Now Gelling!
Written: Oct 06 '05 (Updated Oct 09 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very functional and cost effective cycling gel glove.
Cons: Only a subtle difference from standard gloves.
The Bottom Line: If you want to try a gel glove, this is a great choice.
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| Saxguy's Full Review: Nashbar 4-way Stretch Gel Cycling Glove |
Many thanks to the category lead, user openroad, for adding this product at my request.
One of the first things I learned once I started bicycling for regular exercise, was that roads and paved trails, at least the ones near me, are not always smooth. Hence, there are shocks.
I don’t have shock absorbers on my bike. While a well-designed frame can help dissipate a little shock, the rest of the vibration is absorbed in two ways: Through the hands and shoulders and through the butt. There are ways to deal with this, through use of comfortable seats with gel pads (review linked below), shorts with gel padding, moving the hands around and use of padded gloves, including more expensive gloves with gel padding, like the Nashbar 4-way Stretch Gel Glove.
The glove has the following features:
Gel The gel padding is about 1/8” thick, covers the heel of the palm and then curls around to cover the bottom of the knuckle. The padding is slightly thinner, but firmer than the standard Nashbar Crochet Glove (review also linked below). The coverage area on the palm looks to be the same as on the Crochet Glove.
4-way stretch on the back It only stretches a bit, but that’s enough the ensure a great fit when riding, whatever grip is used. The glove definitely has more stretch than the crochet gloves. What’s interesting is that Nashbar seemed to make the glove marginally smaller than the Crochet. I have XL in each, and each is comfortable on it’s own. However, when I use the gloves over the liner gloves I add when the temperature is below 50, the gel glove seems much tighter.
Oversized Terrycloth area covering the thumb useful for wiping that sweaty brow. The one on the Gel Glove is larger and wider than on the Crochet Glove.
Velcro closure This is standard among gloves and also contributes to the fit.
So, how’s it ride?
It’s a subtle difference. The two gloves seem to ride the same to me. I don’t feel any difference when I’m on the bike. What I notice, though, is that on the long rides, the Gel Gloves contribute to less forearm and shoulder fatigue and numbing. It’s fairly subtle, though. Shifting grip, arm and upper body positions with some frequency seems to have a bigger effect than the gloves, particularly on long rides and frequent rides.
I choose to rotate my gloves. It gives them a chance to air out between rides, and I feel like the rotation contributes to reducing upper body shock and fatigue. All other things being equal, I tend to use the Gel Gloves on longer rides.
How about the cost?
These gloves, like many of the Nashbar house brand items are a great value. Regularly 14.95, they are now $12.99. Branded Gel Gloves at both the Nashbar and Performance Bike web sites can cost up to $35.
So, for less than $15 at regular price, you can add a pair of these into your glove mix and see if you like the feel of gel.
You might like some of the reviews linked below:
Cycle Genius ALX 20 Squared Recumbent Bicycle
2004 Jamis Coda Comp Road Bike
Bell Double Gel Seat Cover
Cateye Astrale 8 Cadence Bicycle Computer
Performancebike.com Online Store
Nashbar.com Online Store
Nashbar Crochet Bicycle Gloves
Bell Solair Pro Helmet
Thanks for reading. God bless!
Recommended:
Yes
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