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Title: Hot to trot. Post by: Manky Monkey on February 20, 2006, 12:37:48 PM My missus, Rainbow, passed her test about 6 months ago & she's already kitted out in far better riding gear than I've ever owned. I've spent years shivering in jeans & leather jackets & only recently switched to modern Goretex style jackets & over trousers. She's got several sets of Winter gear, some very snazzy two piece red & black leathers, a couple of helmets, thermals & a million other sartorial choices. She keeps her digits toasty warm with electrically heated handlebar grips & fleecy handlebar muffs too on the 40 minute daily commute to work on her Fazer.
Most recent addition to her wardrobe was a pair of heated socks. What a brilliant invention! Plug 'em into the bike battery & she stays warm & dry & frostbite free all the way to work. Until they go wrong. Her socks have short circuited. Haven't seen the offending footwear yet but she's got a nasty burn on each ankle. I assume they had a warranty & would think at the very least she could claim her money back. Never had dangerous socks before. A few tasteless ones but none that actuallly bite back. Didn't Elton John sing about Electric boots & mohair suits? Bet his didn't endanger his tootsies. :o Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: summer on February 20, 2006, 03:38:42 PM yeah I'd be wary of anything that plugs into the battery then touches your person - especially on wet days ::)
there must be some kind of British Safety Standard for such things - don't forget the CE mark is useless so don't think a CE mark means it's safe or good quality and try not to buy stuff made in the far east difficult I know, but I worked in the industry - I know what I'm talking about! (makes a change lol) Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: wizzkitt on February 20, 2006, 06:47:31 PM Her socks have short circuited ... dangerous socks ... (http://users.pandora.be/eforum/emoticons4u/happy/023.gif)(http://users.pandora.be/eforum/emoticons4u/happy/023.gif)(http://users.pandora.be/eforum/emoticons4u/happy/023.gif) Well, it is funny... Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: Manky Monkey on February 20, 2006, 07:35:59 PM Unless yours are the toasted toesies in question.
Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: wizzkitt on February 20, 2006, 08:17:52 PM Having never been daft enough to buy heated socks (what is wrong with an extra pair of thermal socks? ???), I can live without fear of that ever happening! ;D
Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: Manky Monkey on February 20, 2006, 08:48:38 PM I must be getting old cos I really feel the cold these days. Been very tempted by the heated clothing stands at shows myself. Heated grips or gloves would make a huge difference cos sometimes I get off the bike & it feels like someone's whacked my finger tips with a hammer. So cold it hurts.
Yes, I AM a fair weather rider! :D Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: rainbow on February 20, 2006, 08:55:49 PM Maybe i should think about getting myself lots of nature layers to keep me warm ;D
Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: wizzkitt on February 20, 2006, 08:57:48 PM Might sound daft, but silk socks. Wear them under normal socks and they will keep you as warm as electric ones. Mountaineers wear them.
Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: Manky Monkey on February 20, 2006, 09:03:26 PM Will silk socks keep my hands warm?
Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: wizzkitt on February 20, 2006, 09:05:14 PM Probably. As you're a man who dresses in the dark, I can imagine you wearing socks on your hands... ;D
Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: Manky Monkey on February 20, 2006, 09:15:07 PM Yeah, good job I wear a uniform to work or God knows what I'd find myself in when the sun comes up. I have an eclectic, but not electric, collection of loud shirts just awaiting the right occasion to wear. An open topped rod would be the ideal debut I think.
Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: BikerGran on February 21, 2006, 06:24:01 PM I've been thinking about heated socks cos my mended leg is super-sensitive to cold - but as the electrics on my trike are a bit dodgy anyway, I was thinking of getting battery operated ones - wonder if they're any safer?
What make were they Manky? I've heard that Gerbing are the best (for the ones that plug into the bike I mean). Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: rainbow on February 21, 2006, 07:47:36 PM I've been thinking about heated socks cos my mended leg is super-sensitive to cold - but as the electrics on my trike are a bit dodgy anyway, I was thinking of getting battery operated ones - wonder if they're any safer? What make were they Manky? I've heard that Gerbing are the best (for the ones that plug into the bike I mean). Hi Bobbi It is the Gerbing socks that i have got. Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: yoda on February 23, 2006, 06:30:18 AM how good are the socks and stuff
http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=208521 do they keep you warm??? - i meam worthy of spendinh money on? Yoda Title: Re: Hot to trot. Post by: Manky Monkey on February 23, 2006, 12:47:25 PM Rainbow swears by her heated grips -unlike the socks which she swears AT.
Yes mate, they do work. The grips took 10 minutes to fit & kick out a suprising amount of heat. Of course a lot of that is lost once you start moving, which is why she uses handlebar muffs to contain it. Only problem is she has to switch them off as soon as she stops or they drain the battery. The socks were very effective too. To be fair I think she was just unlucky with hers. They consist of 2 layers of wool with wires in between. Maybe she pulled them on too hard or maybe they were just poorly stitched but a couple of the wires had poked through the inner layer, pressed against her ankles inside her boots & left a burn. I've always suffered with painfully cold fingers when Winter riding so I'm seriously thinking about wiring in a set of heated grips when I rebuild the trike. |