Specialized "grail" gloves are AWESOME!
05-25-18, 07:52 AM
#1
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Specialized "grail" gloves are AWESOME!
Has anyone else tried these? Has anyone else used them?
I have always had problems with my hands going numb. Usually starts after 5 miles, and requires me to take my hands off the bar and shake them to get the feeling back. (It's not a matter of too much weight on my hands, I have really sensitive hands as part of a health condition.)
I bought a pair of the grail gloves last year, but due to circumstances, didn't get to do much riding after I bought them. Finally got to do a decently long ride yesterday (24.5 miles) and my hands didn't go numb until mile 20! It came as a total surprise when they did, because it had been so long since they have gone numb at all after getting these gloves I had forgotten that it happened at all. I shook em out, like I do, and then they stayed fine for the last few miles.
In case you are unfamiliar, the grails use a totally different theory of padding placement--in the palm only, which reduces pressure on the other nerves. There's no padding in the rest of the glove, so you have full contact with the bar, and full feedback, like riding with no padding at all.
I HIGHLY recommend these glove to anyone who has problems with hands going numb!
I have always had problems with my hands going numb. Usually starts after 5 miles, and requires me to take my hands off the bar and shake them to get the feeling back. (It's not a matter of too much weight on my hands, I have really sensitive hands as part of a health condition.)
I bought a pair of the grail gloves last year, but due to circumstances, didn't get to do much riding after I bought them. Finally got to do a decently long ride yesterday (24.5 miles) and my hands didn't go numb until mile 20! It came as a total surprise when they did, because it had been so long since they have gone numb at all after getting these gloves I had forgotten that it happened at all. I shook em out, like I do, and then they stayed fine for the last few miles.
In case you are unfamiliar, the grails use a totally different theory of padding placement--in the palm only, which reduces pressure on the other nerves. There's no padding in the rest of the glove, so you have full contact with the bar, and full feedback, like riding with no padding at all.
I HIGHLY recommend these glove to anyone who has problems with hands going numb!
05-25-18, 08:05 AM
#2
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Sounds like the holy grail of gloves, but, honestly, I cannot remember the last time I owned gloves that had padding in places other than the palm.
05-25-18, 08:09 AM
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I generally don't like gloves unless it's cold, but I'll try these on the next time I'm at a Specialized dealer.
05-25-18, 08:12 AM
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It looks like they have a smaller padded section in the middle of the palm. I looked at one of my gloves (Garneau) and they have essentially a vent window where Specialized has padding. If it works it's obviously great. I don't get numb hands with or without gloves so not an issue for me.
05-25-18, 09:47 AM
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Another grail user, I switched from their older BG style palm padding. I probably ride without gloves or unpadded gloves ~50% of the time for rides under 2 hours and commuting, and with the grails for longer rides and they make a noticeable difference in palm fatigue.
If you use this hand position a lot(i'm not nearly as low)
you won't have any padding on the outside edge of the palm when it rests on the hoods, but on the tops and in the drops or when braking is when the padded palm distribution works the best.
If you use this hand position a lot(i'm not nearly as low)
you won't have any padding on the outside edge of the palm when it rests on the hoods, but on the tops and in the drops or when braking is when the padded palm distribution works the best.
05-25-18, 11:07 AM
#6
SuperGimp
Those look like they'd put more pressure on the ulnar tunnel, which sort of goes against the prevailing logic these days... I have a couple pair of Specialized BG gloves that have the more usual padding pattern around the out edges of the hand. I tend to ride with my hands just behind the hoods, so the edge of my palm is in contact with the curved portion of the bar.
Maybe redlude is on to something with matching the padding to the usual hand position.
Maybe redlude is on to something with matching the padding to the usual hand position.
05-25-18, 11:45 AM
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I'm using them. I can't say they make a huge difference, but I do like them.
05-25-18, 03:23 PM
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Funny you post this. I just bought a new pair today. I've been using the grail for the last year during cool to warm days. I use the xc lite for hot days. The new grail are a little different, with slightly better attention to being able to use a cell phone screen.
I'd recommend both of them.
I'd recommend both of them.
05-26-18, 02:25 PM
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I've been using them for three seasons now. They made a massive difference in hand numbness for me.
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nine mile skid on a ten mile ride
nine mile skid on a ten mile ride
05-26-18, 02:32 PM
#10
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05-26-18, 05:52 PM
#11
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I almost bought a pair yesterday, but they didn't have my size at the store. I have the BD geometry gloves, which really don't work for me on the road bike. The grails seemed to be thought out much better with the padding.
05-28-18, 01:41 PM
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I picked up a pair at an LBS on Saturday and have had two rides with them so far. I'm impressed! My favorite gloves to date have been a pair of Bontrager knit-back that have a very thin pad that does completely across the palm. Unfortunately I've worn my pair out and have not been able to find another pair like them. These Grail gloves, however, are every bit as good. Rather than getting into the pain/numbness pattern after 30-45 minutes, I was good until about 2 hours and even then it was just minor. I applaud Specialized for bucking the trend of glove design these days and trying something different. I think they are on to something!
05-30-18, 07:20 AM
#13
Senior Member
Seems to me that's exactly what they are designed to prevent. Having the padding in the center of the palm spreads the pressure and diverts it from the ulnar tunnel. It definitely does go against the prevailing logic though, which tries to prevent ulnar tunnel pressure by placing pads right on top of it.
05-30-18, 07:32 AM
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I'm not a big glove wearer personally for cycling unless temps get cold but I am partial to longer gloves for fashion:
Last edited by Campag4life; 05-30-18 at 08:57 AM.
05-30-18, 11:22 AM
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05-12-20, 11:14 AM
#17
.
Sorry for the bump.
Specialized has changed the design of these gloves. The gel pad is now glued into place rather than stitched. After one ride the gel padding had bunched up at the wrist and you cannot put it back into place. Doing a bit of Googling it seems to be a common issue, now. That’s really too bad because I liked the gloves, otherwise.
Specialized has changed the design of these gloves. The gel pad is now glued into place rather than stitched. After one ride the gel padding had bunched up at the wrist and you cannot put it back into place. Doing a bit of Googling it seems to be a common issue, now. That’s really too bad because I liked the gloves, otherwise.
05-12-20, 11:41 AM
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The sizing changed too. My first pair were L. I can't get a L to start now so I bought XL.
