General Cycling Discussion - Fancy flat grips any good?

I have been seeing these (http://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/gp1) fancy grips popping up all over the place and was wondering if anyone has tried them. Are they much better than normal flat bar grips?


I get the principle but im curious about whether or not it actually works well.

I find them more comfortable on our flat bar tandem.

I have never used them- but the normal shape grips come in a variety of types. The material is normally rubber but can vary in densitiy and diameter. I like a firm grip with a large diameter and use a couple of types that fit my hands comfortably. If they are good enough for a 6 hour ride without making my hands ache----They work for me.

I've got a pair with the attached bar ends and like them quite a bit. FYI, they come in two sizes so make sure you get the ones best for your hands.

I've got those on two bikes now. I like 'em. The only drawback is that they don't work so well in other riding positions like crouching low out of the wind. But, once set up for how you ride most often, they're excellent.

With grips like these, it helps to find a good angle. Spend the first few rides with them set just a bit loose -- loose enough that you can turn them, but tight enough that they'll stay in place under normal circumstances. You could even set them at different angles and see which one feels better.

They are very comfortable! I have them on my flat bar mountain bike. They fit great in the palm of my hand...

I have them on all my bikes.Definately set them when riding as explained in previous threads.I find doing that, i get them perfect.One side on all my bikes is set slightly different showing my body is outa wack, which is why its good to set them on bike while riding.It has cured my sore wrists,shoulder and neck problems,completely.

My partner has the Ergo grips on her touring bike, she can ride for hours without discomfort.
On a bike before the Ergo grips, her wrists would be uncomfortable after a couple of hours.
Also important is bike fit- we invested a lot of time and effort in tweaking the touring bike
to get the fit perfect.

Stock on The Black Pearl, and I'm loving them!

I have them on all my flat bar bikes. I'm spoiled now. On my loaner bike I use for friends everyone loves them and asks where I got them.

I have them on my two main commuters, after I found the most comfortable position, my hand numbness diminished dramatically using these grips as compared to the numerous round grips that I've tried.

Ergon grips rock.... have them on all my bikes anymore... converted my wife, son and friend to them after they complained about hand pain.

I love my ergon grips - without the bar ends.

I have a pair that aren't currently in use because I don't currently have a flatbar bike, but they're amazing.

they'll probably go on my dad's touring bike this spring.

I love mine too, though I made the mistake of getting the bar end version. The bar ends suck. How do those of you with real hills like them? In Chicago, we don't have many hills but I would imagine they aren't ideal in really hilly areas. Am I off the mark?

They're good stuff, worth the cost.

I love mine too, though I made the mistake of getting the bar end version. The bar ends suck. How do those of you with real hills like them? In Chicago, we don't have many hills but I would imagine they aren't ideal in really hilly areas. Am I off the mark?

Not sure why you'd think they're a problem on hills. I use the bar ends when I'm standing up a hill, just seems to give better leverage and comfort. Also use them for a hand position change on seated efforts, so overall I like the bar end version. Different strokes, ya know.

They got rid of my sore wrists, and the occasional hand numbness.

I love mine too, though I made the mistake of getting the bar end version. The bar ends suck. How do those of you with real hills like them? In Chicago, we don't have many hills but I would imagine they aren't ideal in really hilly areas. Am I off the mark?

I have a touring bike with flat grips and a moustache bar. The bar is road bike sized, which lets out the Ergon grips, but I found a Satelite something or other from Trek or Specialized, and the setup is just great on hills. Since they fit like a conventional grip instead of clamping like the Ergons, you've got to get the right angle on the first try. They are impossible to adjust without removing and reinstalling, but they work well on both level ground and hills. Actually, the moustache bar setup is pretty comfortable with any grip.

Not sure why you'd think they're a problem on hills. I use the bar ends when I'm standing up a hill, just seems to give better leverage and comfort. Also use them for a hand position change on seated efforts, so overall I like the bar end version. Different strokes, ya know.

Because mine fingers don't fit all the way around them. I would think you'd want more than 2 fingers holding on to the handlebars when you are speeding down a hill or working your way up.

I liked mine while it had it on my flat bar cannondale. They were great once I got them adjusted to where I do most of my riding. I'd probably still be using them if I didn't swap out my flat bar for a Nitto Moustache bar (see my avatar).

Because mine fingers don't fit all the way around them. I would think you'd want more than 2 fingers holding on to the handlebars when you are speeding down a hill or working your way up.

Try angling the bar ends almost straight forward, maybe 15 degrees up. When standing I wrap my entire hand around the bar ends and the end of hand grips, feels like holding a steering wheel. Granted it's a compromise when seated, but I prefer the bar ends climbing while standing.

Because mine fingers don't fit all the way around them. I would think you'd want more than 2 fingers holding on to the handlebars when you are speeding down a hill or working your way up.

If I'm wrapping my entire hand around the bars, I'm working too hard.

Remember, Ergons come in sizes. Most people find the large size to be very large, indeed. They're pricey, and I don't think I would change a large for a small unless it were a really big problem, but it is something to keep in mind if you buy a set for a second bike. Could be your bike shop only stocks the large, and you didn't realize there was a choice.

I've come across these Ergon-like grips for a fraction of the price. I had no idea that other companies made them!

Link (http://www.amazon.com/BBB-Bicycle-Handle-Bar-Grips/dp/B0015GRFYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1261352849&sr=1-1) [amazon.com]

The problem with most of the Ergon type knock off's is that that slide on like regular grips and dont bolt on. With preasure from the rider they tend to move. Do yourself a favor and by the Ergons.

The problem with most of the Ergon type knock off's is that that slide on like regular grips and dont bolt on. With preasure from the rider they tend to move. Do yourself a favor and by the Ergons.

The grips are bolt-on.

I've come across these Ergon-like grips for a fraction of the price. I had no idea that other companies made them!

Link (http://www.amazon.com/BBB-Bicycle-Handle-Bar-Grips/dp/B0015GRFYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1261352849&sr=1-1) [amazon.com]

I looked at the different brands of these grips in a bike shop. Six different brands at different prices. We could hold 3 different brands to see how they fit and feel. The real cheap ones are worthless. After you hold the grips for a few minutes you see why the ERGON grips are expensive compared to the others. No question. I laid out the money for the ERGON small for the wife and the large grips for me.

The grips are bolt-on.

Maybe the ones from Amazon are, but trust me many of the cheap ones are not. Worked in a LBS last summer, and would have to explain the differences in them to customers.

Last summer I went on an overnight camping/biking trip. Was 40 miles back. Regular grips on a flat bar bike.

When I got back, my left-most 2 fingers were numb. Anything I touched with them, I could just barely feel it. Scared the crap out of me. I posted here, and everyone said it was unular nerve compression, a result of my flat grips.

Took 2 months to heal up. Scary.

Everyone said Ergon grips would prevent the nerve from getting compressed. So I bought a pair - unfortunately I can't say if they worked or not, as after that I mostly just took my curly bar road bike on longer trips, and for non-related reasons that bike has seen purely winter riding duties since this summer, so I can't say. But that's one of the things they help with.