KT043

I was wondering about real world experience using the BG targa gel grip bar ends? I like that they are pretty low profile but do they give you a good optional way to place your hands while riding? I am considering a lower model (sport) and may want to add the type you see on the higher models (comp, elite). Would I be better off with ergon brand or something similar?

AtlanticOcean

I have a sirrus sport and swapped out the grips it came with. I ran bar ends and the extra hand position was of no value to me. But I'm not climbing much here in florida. If you want the ability to change hand positions, I would suggest a different bar, not bar ends. Like mustache bars or something else. I encourage you to read this: https://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/handlebars.html

Here is my bike:

These are my grips: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=64428

KT043

Thanks for your response. It looks like those grips are just straight on the bars, correct? I was looking at adding these:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=64418

They stick out a bit on end, but not as much as some bar ends I've seen. I tried feeling them on a Comp. model in the store and they seemed to do the trick. It's different though on a bike for a few hours though. I am not looking so much to pull on them to get up hills. They look like they might be too small for that. I was looking for some way to change hand positions if I am doing a MS 150 ride. Most bar ends to me look like they stick out way too much and always seem like an ill-fitted add on. I know they are there for function but I still want it to look cool. I may do the ergon route. I like how they look a bit more seamless with the bars, but these BG Contour grip/bar ends intrigue me.

AtlanticOcean

Hard to say really. Its like shoes I guess. I still think a trekking bar might be a better fit for what you mention, but I would argue they dont look cool. At a $45 price point, if money allows, buy and try, sell on CL or BF if you're not happy. If my hands get achy in one position for too long, I rotate them so that the knuckles are facing out and rest my palms on like the last inch of grips.

Korax

I just added these:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...4537&gold_ses=

to my new 2012 sirrus and am VERY happy with them! Very comfy and ended my numbness probs.

RollCNY

I had a 2010 Sirrus, and switched to Ergon grips and never regretted a moment of it. It was not just the bar end that was superior (easier to adjust, to keep in position, and to not bend), but the grip area itself was far more comfortable. I used the "2"'s (GR2 and GX2), and love that length bar end, but see many folks with the "3" models.

jimnolimit

saturday i installed a set of forte kor bar ends ($20) on my bike. i put 60 miles on the bike saturday and i'm glad i had those bar ends.

p.s. i have no personal experience with the models you listed.

Njperkins

I put a soma sparrow bar on my sirrus. It's a narrower touring bar that is compatible with a variety of grip and shift models. I like them a lot but if you really want a great bar end look at the Ergon Grips with bar ends built in.

etw

I have the same ones which came standard on my '11 Sirrus elite. They are very comfortable and give me some other options to change up hand position. I would recommend them as a good choice.

bjjoondo 

The Ergon grips are worth every penny, jmho and I use a cheap set of Orgin 8 bar ends, ($11.00 retail) for a second hand position and REALLY like them when climbing up the hills, that are everywhere here in Colorado Springs! YMMV.

maximushq2

I have a 2012 Sirrus Comp that came with those bar ends. I also have the Specialized Dirt Rodz bar ends on my Rockhopper Comp and for me the DIrt Rodz give me more room to hang onto b/c they are longer and curve at the ends so I actually like those better, but still the Targa bar are Ok too. I had a set of Specialized Carbon overends and I took a good spill on a patch of ice and hit directly on the right side one and cracked it. Not sure any of the bar ends would survive that b/c I went down like a ton of bricks. Out of all three the Dirt Rodz are my favorite.

Stomper

I use the bar ends that came with the Specialized Sirrus Comp. I also have a set of Ergons with Forte Bar ends. Although the Sirrus bar ends are flexible and thin, I really like the Ergon/Forte combination and will continue to use both configurations.

Stomper

The link you pasted above does not work. Please paste a revised link so that we may see what you added. I have Ergon grips with bar ends on one bike and the Specialized Sirrus Comp grips with bar ends on another. The bar ends give you an additional option for hand positioning as well as light palmar support. This helps reduce hand and wrist pain that may be attributed to repetitive stress, especially on longer rides. The options are not as great as drop or mustache handle bars, but they do bar ends can make a difference.

Korax

Specialized revamped their site a few weeks ago. Here's the current link:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb...rendz-bar-ends

Stomper

These bar ends are not the ones that are on the Sirrus Comp. They actually appear to be sturdier because they don't have the cut out section. I bet they feel really nice.

Korax

I think they may have been standard on high end Sirrus models before 2011. They are very comfy and sturdy - no flexing and very ergonomic. I would like to compare them to the larger Ergon models like the GP5.

S. B. Mason

Same bar ends I bought for my Quick 3....only have 15 miles on them, but they seem great.

johnread

I have the Ergon GP2's and they are great. My wife uses the Ergon GP3's and I like them a little better - a bit longer for my larger hands. Here are the GP2's on my Sirrus Limited:

terrapin44

Another fan of Ergon grips on a Sirrus. I have the Ergon GP5s on my Sirrus Sport. That said, the stock grips were pretty good. However, once I starting going on 20+ mile rides, I wanted a few more positions to put my hands.

Stomper

Update - the Forte bar ends from Performance are beginning to show wear even thought I have had them for about one month. They still do the job but I was anticipating greater durability. The Ergon grips have no signs of wear whatsoever. Both continue to do what they were intended to do. Buyer beware!

terrapin44

Someone asked in a private message how I set up my grips. I couldn't figure out how to send images in private, so I figured I'd post them here.

creonte

I just got the same grips, do you use yours to get aero leaning forward?

pierce

on my sirrus-like bike with 550mm wide flatbars and gp3's, I find the outboard grip is a little less aerodynamic than the regular grip position. mostly, its a different angle for my wrists and hands.

I had one bike, that was more cruiser than hybrid, that I would put my elbows on the bar ends and hold the bars near the gooseneck for a very good aerotuck. it had longhorn style bars that were covered with black foam sleeves. it was a 5-speed (later 7-speed), with a friction thumb shifter, and 26x1.75" semi-slicks.

this picture is later in that same bikes life, the foam sleeves are gone, and I had too much junk on the bars for doing the tuck, but you can see the geometry

Lars Halstrom

Looks nice Edward! I'll be getting a pair soon. But I will be shortening the width of my flat-bar as well. Just have to figure out how much. At least 2 people posted 550mm so far.

Lars

pierce

take your grips off, move the brakes/shifters a couple inches inboard, and ride around a parking lot or trail or something, holding the bars at whatever width fieels comfortable. pretend to hold the 'ends' at these imagined widths, and see what works for you. then see how much extra you have.

plan B, have someone measure you from shoulder to shoulder and armpit to armpit, while you're standing up straight with your shoulders back like you're at attention. split the difference, that will be pretty close. 550mm is about 22 inches.

To cut the bars, use a fine tooth hacksaw blade, ideally in a high tension hacksaw frame. If you can, put the bar in a vise (held in with plastic or wood 'v' blocks to prevent scratching) as something that doesn't move is always easier to cut, but I managed to cut mine while it was still attached to the bicycle. I used blue painters tape to mark my cut and as the guide. Take your time with the hacksaw and you'll get a smoother cut (don't force it). I then used a medium smooth cut file to smooth off the end and round the edge of the cut, and I had a little half-round file to take the sharp edges off the inside of the cut too, but thats less important.