Originally Posted by
elf 232
You didnt even bring a knife to this gun fight, no proof. I drew a diagram.
When sitting down while going down a hill all force is impacted on your palms (top diagram in yellow), making even the best padded grip innefective.
Though while standing most of the forces is put into downward force on the cranks or in tension on ones arms (represented in purple). Regardless of a standing positing, though a sudden impact (or constant vibration) on the front end of the bike will have all its force put onto ones hands. Therefore the need of a grip with -some- padding.
Your absurd diagram aside...No one is saying padded grips are bad. Yes, they can add some comfort. They do not make up for possible poor technique and bike setup.
However: If you are relying on your grips to prevent hand fatigue when descending, you are doing something wrong. Fork and setup, tire selection and pressure, body position, how you are gripping, braking technique, picking smoother lines, how you approach and land things - all are going to impact this far, far more than your choice of grip.
Maybe you just need to ride in a less namby pamby manner?