You're missing the point here, if your core temp was fine your extremeties i.e. fingers would be fine, a symptom of your core temp not being fine is cold fingers. Get a vest and forget about treating a symptom, but curing the cause of it.
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You're missing the point here, if your core temp was fine your extremeties i.e. fingers would be fine, a symptom of your core temp not being fine is cold fingers. Get a vest and forget about treating a symptom, but curing the cause of it.
Thanks for your advice, but I'm struggling to be convinced about that.
I have been cycling before in cold weather and you can still have problems with your extremities in near freezing temperatures when you are sweating and needing to remove clothing.
But it certainly something to think about, so I will give it some thought. Thanks.
Consulting a basic human physiology textbook would show you how the body's temperature control systems work. The reason your fingers get cold is because the lack of efficiency of your body's insulation and the inability to maintain the core temperature by stoking up the metabolism means that the core temperature starts to drop. Then peripheral circulation is shut down to keep the important bits (like your brain!) working for as long as possible, and the warming blood that should be flowing out down your arms to your fingers is restricted. Ultimately of course, you get frost bite. Having hot grips CANNOT get the blood flowing if core temperature has dropped, the heat applied to your hands just makes the nerves feel nice and warm. You'll still chill from your hands and feet (so hot grips, muffs, rubber gloves, plastic milk containers all help), but if you can keep the core temp up, you WILL keep the blood flowing. So a heated vest treats the disease, the heated grips the symptom.
Agreed to a point. There are other factors involved other than just core temperature such as the individual and their circulation, wind chill factors, duration of exposure etc. I have a full heated jacket liner which not only heats the body but also arms (to the wrist) and neck. I still get a cold nose, fingers and toes even if I'm overheating my core temperature. In my case this is not caused by a lack of core temperature, more a lack of circulation which conducts energy and therefore heat around the bodies extremeties. It can be a viscious circle as if the body feels cold extremes, it goes into a "shock" mode, starting with shivering (to generate energy) and will start to shut down circulation to concentrate on the the vital organs. Fingers and toes are not vital as far as your body is concerned.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch9128
Frostbite sufferers quite often have not experienced a drop in core temperature, but their internal heating circulation has been overcome due to extremes and duration of low temperatures at their extremeties.
I, like Sue, have Klan. I don't know whether it was bad luck or the fact that i ride every day, but they didn't last long. Got a new pair from them free of charge though, as they were still under guarantee. So top marks for service! Not sure about quality though, will let you know at the end of this winter ;D
I have tried wearing just my waistcoat without the gloves and doesnt work for me. Need the gloves! Maybe its a woman thing lol
I also have heated grips which dont work for me as I also keep hand open for levers.
Thanks for the comments.
There is another option that I might try which is these handguards.
http://www.barkbusters.net/
Lurkalot has some knuckle guards on his fairing and he says they make a huge difference.
I appreciate what Mitch is saying about core temperature but there are definitely some localised problems that need adressing.
My bike is aircooled which means that my feet are sweaty and sometimes my left leg feels like I'm going to spontaneously combust.
So if you ever see me jump off my bike in traffic then now you know why.
If I roll around in the grass as well and there's smoke coming off, then that's a bad sign ;)
Aldi do heated gloves now and then which is where I bought mine from. They only set me back £39 and I think they're awsome.
I've also used a pair of issued close contact gloves inside a thicker pair of winter gloves and have found they do the same. If you let me know your glove size, I'll see if I can get a pair of close contact gloves from work or I may have a pair at home [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
But layering up may be a better, cheaper option than paying loads for winter attachments to your bike [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
If it's motorway where you suffer then hand guards would definately help, as the wind chill would affect to some degree. Have you given these http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/p...oducts_id/3688 any thought, they keep 2 fingers together and this helps keep the fingers warm, they really do work.
Ghost has a pair of these and thinks they are magic. He commutes just under 70 miles each way all year round. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Mitch9128
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