If you're not feeling like you need them then you probably don't. I was noticing that as my rides got longer (25-35km) I was trying to shift my hands into a different position for comfort. I can't say it ever approached the levelof pain, but the desire to move my hands to a different spot was definitely there, only there was no other spot to move them to. Now I shift them as needed from the bars to the end grips without even being aware of it, and I am enjoying the longer rides even more. That and clipless pedals have been the biggest improvements to my riding experience.