Home-made Bar-Mitts. Cheap and easy. And they work, too.

I've been working on this for a couple of years now. The sets I made last year were just about right. Good enough that I'll use them again this year. And since they're inexpensive and pretty easy to make, I'll offer the how-to to anyone who can make use of it.











Be careful with the soldering iron. In tight spots, like where the handlebar passes through the mitt, it's easy to burn a hole that's larger than you want.

These things are waterproof. Very handy in cold November rains. And your grips, shifters, cables, etc., are protected from the weather.

They're also warm. I haven't motored much in the heart of winter. But on my plain old pedal bike my hands are plenty warm and comfortable down to a few degrees F wearing only gloves that are not much thicker than brown jersey gloves.

Toadmund said:

Hmmm, that's cool, now to re-direct the exhaust through the handle bars. (or the seat)
Got me thinking now...

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Now that you mention it.......

An exhaust extension could be routed up toward the seat.....

Those exhaust gases might still be a bit hot. But in the wind they might not burn the legs or the butt.

Ratt_Bones said:

The mits seem like a good idea, but I think in terms of "what about emergency situations" That's when they scare me.

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Well, it's not a bad point. I've thought about the same thing.

In my experience they take a little getting used to. But only a little. With just a bit of practice I can take my arm out to, for instance, give a hand signal. And I can slip it back in and on the grip without needing to look or feel around.

I'm also pretty confident that I can get my arm out quick in an emergency situation. But I haven't faced one yet in, I think, three winters now of using these.

I tend to ride pretty slow and deliberate in winter. That's going to help.

So I wouldn't feel honest if I discounted your concern completely. But I'm not overly concerned about it either.

Oh! I'd forgotten one thing. They definitely increase your visibility to drivers. They stick out like a sore thumb and people are curious and even a bit bewildered. That safety plus might even balance out the potential safety minus.