Heated bike grips. Do they really work?

**zealchick** · 28th April 2010, 22:05

Ok so i know most of you will say get some harden the f**k up. But i am really feeling the cold and my hands are unbearably freezing.... and its not even winter yet!!
I am thinking maybe getting some heated grips, but do they really work? does anyone have them? are you happy with them? and which brand do you recommend?

**DMNTD:Me** · 28th April 2010, 22:08

Originally Posted by zealchick

Ok so i know most of you will say get some harden the f**k up. But i am really feeling the cold and my hands are unbearably freezing.... and its not even winter yet!!
I am thinking maybe getting some heated grips, but do they really work? does anyone have them? are you happy with them? and which brand do you recommend?

They are bloody excellent especially when riding year round.
I have and do use the Oxford heated grips as they are affordable plus the supplier backs them 100%

**warewolf** · 28th April 2010, 22:16

One thing I've noticed is that you can regulate your temperature by flicking a switch. No need to stop to add/remove a jumper or something. Or you can ride out after work in summer gloves, but add the heat on the way back later in the evening - the type of weather where winter gauntlets are just too hot at knock-off time.

First big trip with mine, I switched them on when I got cold and noticed my toes tingling - so they must have some overall positive effect. Downside can be that they increase blood flow to the fingers so the outside layer exposed to the wind sheds even more heat.

My favourite ones are the heater elements that wrap around your bar underneath whatever grip you like. Most of the grips with built-in heating elements suck, although they are getting better these days - but so are the other grips.
Definitely worth it.

**CookMySock** · 28th April 2010, 22:22

Hotgrips are great - they make a big difference. Also they are only $100 ish so a cheap and useful addition to your bike. However, for the slimmer ladies you are likely better served to go for bulk around your torso and neck. Also consider a heated liner for your jacket.

Steve

**zealchick** · 28th April 2010, 22:55

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Hotgrips are great - they make a big difference. Also they are only $100 ish so a cheap and useful addition to your bike. However, for the slimmer ladies you are likely better served to go for bulk around your torso and neck. Also consider a heated liner for your jacket.

Steve

Yep i have done all that :-) merino top, neck tube and just last weekend leather pants that zip to my jacket that sealed the gap up my back:-) so my body is well warm now. Just my hands grr thay were so bad tonight i lost all the feeling and blood down to my first knucles :-(

**pete376403** · 28th April 2010, 23:35

Cold hands? In Auckland? Jeeze. But yeah, hot grips are really worth it. Oxfords, easy enough to install, fairly failsafe in that the controller will turn off when the battery voltage drops below about 11 (so if you forget to turn them off when you park the bike, etc) but if they are wired through the ignition switch that takes care of that problem. The coloured LEDs on the controller are pretty bright at night, and the press buttons on the version that I have are a little difficult to use with gloves on.
THe wrap around types could make the grips too fat for small hands.

**zealchick** · 29th April 2010, 07:25

Originally Posted by pete376403

Cold hands? In Auckland? Jeeze. But yeah, hot grips are really worth it. Oxfords, easy enough to install, fairly failsafe in that the controller will turn off when the battery voltage drops below about 11 (so if you forget to turn them off when you park the bike, etc) but if they are wired through the ignition switch that takes care of that problem. The coloured LEDs on the controller are pretty bright at night, and the press buttons on the version that I have are a little difficult to use with gloves on.
THe wrap around types could make the grips too fat for small hands.

I know... i'm a sook!! I really feel the cold :-( Thanks sound like i'll be looking into oxfords on the weekend

**NZsarge** · 29th April 2010, 08:00

Originally Posted by DMNTD

They are bloody excellent especially when riding year round.
I have and do use the Oxford heated grips as they are affordable

+1, would'nt be without them.

**yungatart** · 29th April 2010, 08:18

Another tip for beating the cold...wear your bra over the top of your thermal, rather than underneath!

**p.dath** · 29th April 2010, 08:21

Originally Posted by yungatart

Another tip for beating the cold...wear your bra over the top of your thermal, rather than underneath!

I wondered why superman wore his underwear on the outside. Obviously his penis gets very cold flying at high altitude.

**Rosie** · 29th April 2010, 08:21

Originally Posted by warewolf

My favourite ones are the heater elements that wrap around your bar underneath whatever grip you like. Most of the grips with built-in heating elements suck, although they are getting better these days - but so are the other grips.
Definitely worth it.

This style of heated grip is very good if you have small hands. I have small hands, and find oxford, and similar styles, have grips that are a little too big to be comfortable. With the stick on heating elements, my grips are just the same size as they would be without heaters.

**p.dath** · 29th April 2010, 08:22

I've just bought myself a pair of Oxford Sports Grips. Haven't fitted them yet (saving for a weekend project). But like you, have made the decision not to ride through another winter without doing something about the really cold hands.

**BiK3RChiK** · 29th April 2010, 08:22

Originally Posted by zealchick

Ok so i know most of you will say get some harden the f**k up. But i am really feeling the cold and my hands are unbearably freezing.... and its not even winter yet!!
I am thinking maybe getting some heated grips, but do they really work? does anyone have them? are you happy with them? and which brand do you recommend?

Just get them! They are awesome.... I've got Oxford heated grips as there was no way I was going through another winter without them. I also have a heated jacket

I have hollow bars on the bike, so I haven't had the grips on 100% yet. I'd recommend them to anyone who suffers from cold hands. It's dangerous to ride with numb hands as your reactions are much slower.

**vifferman** · 29th April 2010, 17:24

Yeah, they work.
I used to think they were unnecessary in D'Auckland as it didn't get cold enough. However, when I bought the VFR it had them on already. The first time I used them it was going over the Mamakus, and it wasn't even particularly cold, but I was. I turned them on, and ended up grinning like a loon! If your hands are warm, you feel warm.