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Name: Mel
Location: Hamilton
Rides: Sporadic, a few times a week, mostly urban jaunts
One Month Review:
First impressions upon opening the courier bag were that the Chipolatas looked really nice and understated – they don’t scream “bicycle gloves” like others do, so they would be okay for wearing when off the bike too. The Chipolatas are completely black/charcoal except for the white and orange Ground Effect logo embroidered on the cuff. They also have a little clip connector to keep the gloves together when stowing them in your bag.
The back of the hand and fingers/thumb are covered in “Windfoil” fabric – it looks and feels like microfleece. The palm and fingertips are covered in synthetic suede which looks like it would be hard wearing, but also feels quite soft and supple. The fingertips, edge of the index finger and outside of the little finger are also covered in this suede – I guess these are typical high wear areas.
Putting the gloves on, I found they fit nice and felt good. They seemed to curve well to fit my hand in a semi-grip position. The palm does bunch up a bit though, so time will tell if they give blisters when hauling on the bars. I noticed some pressure from the side seam on the right hand glove when making a fist, so again time will tell if this is a problem.
I was surprised the Chipolatas fit me so well – I usually buy women’s specific gloves to ensure they fit my slimmer hands. I got the small size Chipolatas, with my palm measuring 19cm (right in the middle of the 18-20cm size range for small). If your hands are smaller than 18cm, these gloves would probably feel too bulky.
When I gripped the bars I could still feel some bunching under the palm of my right hand. The left one didn’t seem to be bunching at all. The Chiploatas felt quite thick under my palms and between the fingers, but were soft and spongy so quite comfortable. I noticed that it was more difficult to hook my index finger over the brake lever, and the gloves generally felt a little restrictive due to their feeling so thick. These gloves are not really thick at all, it’s just that my preferred fair weather riding gloves are full-finger XC style, so the Chipolatas are just quite different to what I am used to. And if the gloves aren’t thick they won’t be warm. The Chipolatas are certainly warm – toasty warm.
I wore the Chipolatas on an urban ride on a day that was probably hovering around 10 degrees with a cold wind. I had considered not wearing the gloves because I thought I would get too hot, but it seemed like a good opportunity to test the potential for overheating. Well, the small bit of ankle that was exposed where my trouser leg was rolled up damn near froze! My nose was cold and the wind whistled past my chilled ears. Man I was glad I wore the Chipolatas - my hands were a perfect temperature.
So far the bunching in the palms has not been a problem. I have soft ‘office’ hands, so I was expecting a bit of rub from the seams but so far there has not been any rubbing, blisters or discomfort from the Chipolatas.
Over my subsequent rides, the ‘fat’ feeling of the gloves became less of an issue, so I am obviously getting used to them. I’ve got some slightly fatter grips on my bike at the moment, so I will change to some slimmer ones and see how that feels (the brakes levers are a bit of a stretch anyway).
On one cold morning ride, I discovered that the windfoil fabric feels very soft against your nose – and the thumb does a good job of mopping up the drips. I could feel a slight chill in my hands initially (mostly on the end of my thumb), but I soon warmed up and the Chipolatas keep my hands very warm.
Something I noted from the info on the Ground Effect webpage is that the Chipolatas can’t be put in the dryer, so choose your washing day carefully or be prepared to ride with wet gloves. Ground Effect also recommends washing the Chipolatas separately from your other clothes because the synthetic suede can stain other clothing. Incidentally, there is no care label in the gloves.
So far these gloves have been fantastic. Unfortunately the weather has not been so fantastic. Since I got the gloves, the temperatures have been mostly above zero in the mornings, or it has been wet - not the most ideal conditions for testing a pair of “winter riding gloves”. I even missed the snow at Whakarewarewa. I’ll see what kind of riding weather I can find for Part 2 of my review, due in a few months time (when it will almost be spring!).
Pros: Nice fit, feel and colour. Suitable for non-biking use. Very warm.
Cons: Washing and drying requirements.
Three Month Review:
Here we are, 3 months down the track. The weather has been warmer, but possibly wetter. I have been sicker, as have my kids. My bike has never been cooler. I’ve gotten a bit of ‘shed time’ over the past few months – enough to tinker with my bike and convert it to fixed gear. It’s much more fun on my otherwise mundane urban excursions.
The Chipolatas have been fantastic. I think I’ve used them on a further three rides… even though they were not always necessary.
My initial concerns that the gloves might rub have been allayed. No rub, no problems. Just really comfy gloves that are super warm. I’m actually looking forward to riding a bit more next winter, because I know I won’t suffer with frozen hands.
The Chipolatas have also been used whilst out walking. They’re perfect for this because they are pretty much a solid black colour and don’t look at all out of place. I’ve also used them when digging in the sandpit! They provide a good grip feel on the spade handle, and I could articulate my fingers to operate the dump truck with ease. Sweet.
I stand by my original list of pros and cons – no change. Someone questioned the washing and drying requirements as being a con. Well, it was the only drawback I could find! I will definitely be washing these gloves because I wipe my cold dripping nose with them! (Ew! ), so I don’t think they’d be very attractive after a few weeks of regular riding. Unless I throw all caution to the wind and ignore the wash instructions, I will have to find a nice sunny dry day to wash and dry the gloves – that could be difficult in the middle of a wet cold winter.
The third part of my review is due at the 9 month mark. That’s March 2009. I’m guessing I won’t have used the gloves at all between now and then, as it’s just too warm. Time will tell.
Pros: Nice fit, feel and colour. Suitable for non-biking use. Very warm.
Cons: Washing and drying requirements.
Last edited by Mel on Wed 22/Oct/08 8:09pm; edited 1 time in total
Good review, but i feel the need to add my own impressions, i hope you don't mind.
As you say, a 10 degree ain't cold enough to test this sort of product, so here is my coupla cents worth.
I've tried a few different types of gloves for early morning frosty commutes and late night winter riding in chch and dunner's where temps are often negative. Gore Windstopper fleece seems like a great idea but isn't actually that warm, so i then bought some nice fleece gloves which were super warm but fat, so getting a good grip of the bars wasn't easy - not so cool when plummeting down Dyer's at terminal velocity.
So this winter i treated my digits to a pair of Ground Effect Chipolatas. Good fit, nice casual styling, good price. But are they warm? My first outing with these gloves was night riding at Bottle Lake, on a brutally cold evening. So cold that the usual puddles of water around the place were pretty much frozen solid - perfect for testing winter riding gloves! The good snug fit made for an good grip on the handle bars and dexterous use of brakes, but most importantly my hands were warm. Not overly toasty, but definitely warmer than they would have been in any other glove i have tried.
Interesting about the washing instructions, I never bothered reading them so they get the same treatment as the rest of my clothes - i just chuck 'em in the machine then out on to the line. No problems yet!
Joined: Mar 05, 2006 Posts: 1,625 Location: Auckland, Mt eden
Posted: Mon 21/Jul/08 2:10pm Post subject:
I've had mine for a year or so, and use them to ride to work every day and they have lasted whell ( still look new), they were a bit stiff when I first got them.
Joined: Mar 18, 2002 Posts: 3,700 Location: Hamiltron
Posted: Wed 22/Oct/08 8:13pm Post subject:
Here's the latest in the Chipolata saga...
(also added to the first post.. with a photo! )
Three Month Review:
Here we are, 3 months down the track. The weather has been warmer, but possibly wetter. I have been sicker, as have my kids. My bike has never been cooler. I’ve gotten a bit of ‘shed time’ over the past few months – enough to tinker with my bike and convert it to fixed gear. It’s much more fun on my otherwise mundane urban excursions.
The Chipolatas have been fantastic. I think I’ve used them on a further three rides… even though they were not always necessary.
My initial concerns that the gloves might rub have been allayed. No rub, no problems. Just really comfy gloves that are super warm. I’m actually looking forward to riding a bit more next winter, because I know I won’t suffer with frozen hands.
The Chipolatas have also been used whilst out walking. They’re perfect for this because they are pretty much a solid black colour and don’t look at all out of place. I’ve also used them when digging in the sandpit! They provide a good grip feel on the spade handle, and I could articulate my fingers to operate the dump truck with ease. Sweet.
I stand by my original list of pros and cons – no change. Someone questioned the washing and drying requirements as being a con. Well, it was the only drawback I could find! I will definitely be washing these gloves because I wipe my cold dripping nose with them! (Ew! ), so I don’t think they’d be very attractive after a few weeks of regular riding. Unless I throw all caution to the wind and ignore the wash instructions, I will have to find a nice sunny dry day to wash and dry the gloves – that could be difficult in the middle of a wet cold winter.
The third part of my review is due at the 9 month mark. That’s March 2009. I’m guessing I won’t have used the gloves at all between now and then, as it’s just too warm. Time will tell.
Pros: Nice fit, feel and colour. Suitable for non-biking use. Very warm.
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), so I don’t think they’d be very attractive after a few weeks of regular riding. Unless I throw all caution to the wind and ignore the wash instructions, I will have to find a nice sunny dry day to wash and dry the gloves – that could be difficult in the middle of a wet cold winter.
![Glove [640x480].jpg](images/attach/glove__640x480_.jpg)
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