None of the TdF guys have to swim before their TT either. They can put on whatever they want before their start and not have it effect their time.
yep. Found out family history of Dupuytren’s contractures. Chronic micro trauma such as vibration increases the likelihood. Doc said gloves a must or would have claws for hands in 15 years.
Also, ditto the responders who say they are protective. Had a bad crash hands first. Without gloves, probably would have some gravel in my palms still.
I’m thinking about putting some on in t1… Should only take 10 sec max… Just curious if anyone else does this?
I did it as an amatuer for many years, doesn’t take any time, put them on as you are running to your bike. May cost you aerodynamically on the bike though.
I am seriously curious as to how you did this. Did you leave the gloves at swim exit and pick them up enroute to the bike; have them stuffed in your wetsuit or skinsuit, or seek outside assistance and have someone hand them to you?
I’m thinking about putting some on in t1… Should only take 10 sec max… Just curious if anyone else does this?
I did it as an amatuer for many years, doesn’t take any time, put them on as you are running to your bike. May cost you aerodynamically on the bike though.
I am seriously curious as to how you did this. Did you leave the gloves at swim exit and pick them up enroute to the bike; have them stuffed in your wetsuit or skinsuit, or seek outside assistance and have someone hand them to you?
I think the context here is Ironman, so I’m going to assume changing tent. Change what you’re going to change, hand T1 bag to whoever when you’re supposed to, keep bike gloves in hand and put them on while running from tent to bike.
That said, if I’m doing at least a 70.3, I’m wearing gloves for grip and comfort if nothing else. I don’t make a living doing tri, and I am not a threat for the podium… my swim takes care of that.
I didn’t think of that, but it would slow me down a little as the running time from the tent to my bike is way less than the time it would take me to don the gloves…typically just 50 to 100 yards…something else to practice I guess.
On training rides I use OLE gloves which fit like a second skin, have no fastener or Velcro, and appear to be more aero than going without gloves although I don’t know for sure. I have always raced without gloves but no doubt would regret it if I ever crashed in a race.
I wear gloves for all my rides. Only reason I wear them is for protection if I go down.
I think a dental dam would be far more effective
It depends on how much climbing I’ll be doing during the race. I train with them all of the time for comfort (and I guess in case I wreck), but with only one exception, I don’t race with them. The only exception to date was at Lake Placid this year. I knew there was an aero penalty, which bugged the hell out of me, but as much as I sweat and as much climbing as there was, I felt the secure grip and extra comfort on the bullhorns was more important. I will definitely not be wearing them at Arizona.
The only time I’ve worn gloves in a triathlon was the Ironman Lake Tahoe 2013 when it was 32 degrees coming out of the water. Then again, I also wore tights, booties, and a thick riding jacket over my tri suit…and I was STILL COLD!!!
http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-and-gear-features/previews/revenge-nerds
“And wearing gloves in a time trial will slow you down more than using a nonaero front wheel.”
Definitely true in 2006 and 2010 when Bicycling ran articles on this. I’m a big Cote fan, but without knowing which glove and the position used for testing, it’s hard to know. I suspect things might be different now with skin tight aero gloves.
I wear gloves for all my rides. Only reason I wear them is for protection if I go down.
I think a dental dam would be far more effective
^^ This!
Plus, why are you crashing in an IM anyway? I’m always astounded that there are as many crashes as there are given you don’t ride that close to people, cars or road furniture
It depends on how much climbing I’ll be doing during the race. I train with them all of the time for comfort (and I guess in case I wreck), but with only one exception, I don’t race with them. The only exception to date was at Lake Placid this year. I knew there was an aero penalty, which bugged the hell out of me, but as much as I sweat and as much climbing as there was, I felt the secure grip and extra comfort on the bullhorns was more important. I will definitely not be wearing them at Arizona.
Try some Gamma Grip II racket tape over the regular tape on the bullhorns. Light, cheap, and great grip when wet.
I’m thinking about putting some on in t1… Should only take 10 sec max… Just curious if anyone else does this?
I did it as an amatuer for many years, doesn’t take any time, put them on as you are running to your bike. May cost you aerodynamically on the bike though.
I am seriously curious as to how you did this. Did you leave the gloves at swim exit and pick them up enroute to the bike; have them stuffed in your wetsuit or skinsuit, or seek outside assistance and have someone hand them to you?
I put them in my T1 bag. I don’t do this anymore but that is how I did it.
Why not? Depending on how you do it, you either incur a very miniscule time penalty or none at all. Unless you’re a top pro or top age grouper where seconds could mean a lot, why not? It’s a lot safer having them than not (better grip, protection in a fall). And if you’re used to wearing them, then comfort also matters. For that matter, I really don’t know why more people just don’t take the extra minute or so to change into attire they are most comfortable with in the bike and run segments (again, unless they are vying for pro or age group awards where any lost time may be valuable). I prefer running in running shorts and a singlet. I always change. Those two minutes or so are well worth it to me on the run being comfortable. Others obviously disagree. But everyone should make their own choice and not simply follow what others do or tell them to do.
I have done 34 IMs, never worn gloves. #35 is coming up in a few months and I am seriously thinking about wearing gloves. My Kona days are over so if there is a aero-penalty I am willing to take it. I use them in training and my grip and control of the bike makes me more confident than w/o gloves. Virtually little chance of hands slipping. I say if it helps you wear them. I can’t imagine the aero-penalty is that big, unless you are going for a KQ, where every second counts.
I really don’t know why more people just don’t take the extra minute or so to change into attire they are most comfortable with in the bike and run segments (again, unless they are vying for pro or age group awards where any lost time may be valuable).
Maybe a tri kit is what we are most comfortable in.
Why not? Depending on how you do it, you either incur a very miniscule time penalty or none at all. Unless you’re a top pro or top age grouper where seconds could mean a lot, why not? It’s a lot safer having them than not (better grip, protection in a fall). And if you’re used to wearing them, then comfort also matters. For that matter, I really don’t know why more people just don’t take the extra minute or so to change into attire they are most comfortable with in the bike and run segments (again, unless they are vying for pro or age group awards where any lost time may be valuable). I prefer running in running shorts and a singlet. I always change. Those two minutes or so are well worth it to me on the run being comfortable. Others obviously disagree. But everyone should make their own choice and not simply follow what others do or tell them to do.
Blasphemy here.
I really don’t know why more people just don’t take the extra minute or so to change into attire they are most comfortable with in the bike and run segments (again, unless they are vying for pro or age group awards where any lost time may be valuable).
Maybe a tri kit is what we are most comfortable in.
That is likely the case for most. But given the sheer numbers of participants, I would wager in a heartbeat that there are more than a few who would prefer to change, but they don’t because they would stand out or simply think that this is “not what they should do”. For those I say do what is most comfortable for you. It’s a long race.
Hello konaexpress and All,
I usually wear gloves … they just feel right … but yesterday it was so damn hot here in Escondido (104) that I after a short bike ride I could not wait to get them off … man did that feel good to get them off … phew …
I may use the outside air temp to make the glove choice in the future …
I think I will try some of the tennis wrap suggested or similar tape and see how that works with bare hands
In the past I have used small pieces of skate board deck with gloves for great grip … and a minimal aero penalty but it saws up the gloves after a while.
I have some TT 4 fingers/together aero gloves but they are rather fragile with thin spandex like material and they wouldn’t last one ride with my skateboard material grips.
What to do? I will experiment some more … but looks like no gloves and sticky tape might be the way to go in the future.