Handlebar grip question
#4
Speechless
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,842
Likes: 39
From: Central NY
Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,
I second the "Ergon". I also have large hands, and they are available in large sizes. They also clamp to the bar so they are easy to adjust and they stay in the position. I have personally used GR2 and GX2's, brother has GC2 and GR2's, and friends girlfriend uses GC1's, all with no complaints.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Bikes: Trek FX 7.2
Another vote for Ergon. I got the GC3 model because my hands seem to be sensitive to pressure on the ulnar nerve and they allow me several positions to switch between in addition to spreading out the pressure across my palm.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: East Central Illinois
Bikes: Scattante road bike, Sporterra hybrid
Another Ergon user here. I switched over mine to the GR2's after I started having some major issues with my wrists/hands after rides. These keep my wrists in alignment very well and also have stub bar ends which are great for another hand position. My wrist problems are quickly going away after using these for about 2 weeks.
#8
Senior Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 237
Likes: 10
From: Idaho
Bikes: 2002 Novara Ponderosa HT MTB 2011, Brompton M6L
And yet another enthusiastic thumbs up for Ergon. I just had some installed this season after a couple rides. A night and day difference. Absolutely worth it. I really don't even need gloves at this point.
I'm using the GP-1 Leichtbau
https://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/gp1-leichtbau
I'm using the GP-1 Leichtbau
https://www.ergon-bike.com/us/en/product/gp1-leichtbau
Last edited by CSG; 07-02-11 at 11:41 PM.
#13
Has anyone else tried the Grab On grips? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012KUD4K I've used them on my motorcycle for 35 years and love them. Had a pair on my previous bike and liked them there as well. Now I'm using a pair of Ergon flapper paddles and I'm having numbness problems in my left hand. I am still adjusting the bike, so I can't say for sure that it's the grips or the handlebars being a little too low, but I've ordered another set of them as well as a higher stem. I went from a 7 deg stem on my Mendota to a 25 deg stem and it made a big difference in my stiff neck problem, but so far the hand numbness is still there. The bars are still below the seat height so I've ordered a 40 deg stem and we'll see how that does. I plan on swapping them one at a time so I can figure out which is causing the problem. I'm just curious though as I've not heard any chatter on the Grab Ons and I like them quite a bit.
#14
2 Fat 2 Furious
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 2
From: England
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc, 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport RIP
I bought Specialized Body Geometry ergonomic grips. Cheaper than Ergon and they work very well for me. Curiously I found the smaller ones more comfortable than the larger ones. I say "curiously" because I'm 6'4 and have big hands.
#15
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Bikes: Mongoose MTB & 2011 Specialized Crosstrail Sport
I have these now and after the 2.5 hr ride I took today, my hands are still a bit numb. I'm looking at the Ergon GC2 or GC3. Hopefully one of these will be better than the stock Specialized that came on my bike.
#16
2 Fat 2 Furious
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 2
From: England
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc, 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport RIP
Another thing to check is that you're not putting too much weight on your hands. If you're supporting your weight on your sit bones with your core muscles you should be OK. If you're leaning heavily on your hands then chances are whatever you put on the handlebars will only help so much.
Of course it may be you just don't get on with the grips and need something a bit chunkier
#17
I'll have to agree with the Ergon crowd. I just put a pair of GC-3's on my bike and really like them. As stated above they can be easily adjusted because they clamp onto the end of the bar. There is no flex in the body of the grip but the softer rubber inserts provide some cushioning for the palm. I have the bar end mounted vertical so I can maintain control of the bar when I want to sit up in the seat. I'm more concerned with adjusting back position than hand position and these grips allow me to do that.
Shabo
Shabo
#18
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Bikes: Mongoose MTB & 2011 Specialized Crosstrail Sport
Curious. Are they adjusted correctly? I know it sounds obvious but when I put mine on at first I didn't set them quite right with the result my wrists were rotated unnaturally and my weight was still awkward.
Another thing to check is that you're not putting too much weight on your hands. If you're supporting your weight on your sit bones with your core muscles you should be OK. If you're leaning heavily on your hands then chances are whatever you put on the handlebars will only help so much.
Of course it may be you just don't get on with the grips and need something a bit chunkier
Another thing to check is that you're not putting too much weight on your hands. If you're supporting your weight on your sit bones with your core muscles you should be OK. If you're leaning heavily on your hands then chances are whatever you put on the handlebars will only help so much.
Of course it may be you just don't get on with the grips and need something a bit chunkier

This helps. I do tend to ride with weight on my sit bones, but I've also noticed that after a while I tend to lean heavily on my hands. Thanks again for the advice.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 659
Likes: 0
From: Geelong, Australia
Bikes: Cannondale Supersix Hi-Mod / Scott Spark 930 / Scott Sportster 20 / Jamis Allegro 2.0
My last bike came with ergons and they were fine. But my current bike came with "normal", fairly thin grips and they feel amazing in comparison.
I'd also suggest come bar ends for added comfort.
#20
Banned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,155
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Bikes: rockhopper, delta V, cannondale H300, Marin Mill Valley
Not since the 1980s.
They were the grips of choice for a while, I used them for years.
Sorry toi hear about the numb hands that you and others are experiencing with the ergonomic style grips. My desire for Ergon is waning.
The only problem I can recall with the Grab-Ons is that they can slip in wet conditions. I prefer lock-on type grips for that reason, but I've found that "dual density" grips stay put too, I think because the stiffer inner layer isn't very stretchy.
If you don't ride in the rain much, the foam grips should be fine. Well, you know they work for you. Good luck on solving that numb hand situation! If you don't have barends yet, you should get them. Being able to change hand position helps alot to prevent numb hands.
They were the grips of choice for a while, I used them for years. Sorry toi hear about the numb hands that you and others are experiencing with the ergonomic style grips. My desire for Ergon is waning.
The only problem I can recall with the Grab-Ons is that they can slip in wet conditions. I prefer lock-on type grips for that reason, but I've found that "dual density" grips stay put too, I think because the stiffer inner layer isn't very stretchy.
If you don't ride in the rain much, the foam grips should be fine. Well, you know they work for you. Good luck on solving that numb hand situation! If you don't have barends yet, you should get them. Being able to change hand position helps alot to prevent numb hands.
Last edited by qmsdc15; 07-13-11 at 06:31 PM.
#21
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,585
Likes: 122
From: Tampa, Florida
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Ergon's on the hybrid. Great product.
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Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
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