The ErgoFix grips and ErgoSticks bar ends have been thrashed some on our local trails and here are Captain Bob and my thoughts on the combination so far.

I have been using the ErgoFix/ErgoSticks combination while Captain Bob decided to roll with just the ErgoFix grips. The bar ends are a conundrum for me. They are great to climb with, but in comparison with the “other brand”, I find that my hands have to be in one specific position to find comfort. The competitors product gives me more freedom in this regard. Otherwise, the bar ends are great. Very tacky, and they stay that way, even when sweat works its way into the picture.

The grips are not as position specific. In fact, they are quite the opposite for me. I found that the were very easy to get along with comfort-wise. Many ways to grip the platform and find a nice cushiony feeling. Again, no real slipping problems with gloves or bare hands.

Speaking of “slipping”, Captain Bob has somewhat to say on this subject. “The problem I have found with many designs for this type of grip is with the clamping design. I know some grips have a good clamp but many other companies have tried to come on board without success in my mind. The BBB’s work. They have a two bolt design that does not require much tightening at all for them to stay on without slipping. Others have missed the mark on the clamping part of their designs. I have owned or tried at least four other grips from others that have not worked at all. My thoughts are, “If they slip, why sell them as clamp-on grips!” Simple as that.

In addition, I would like to add that the two bolt design uses 2mm Allen head fasteners that are super easy to over tighten. If you do, you will break the inner part of the clamp, effectively ruining the grip. They are super low torque fittings, so be aware! Even with the minimal amount of torque necessary to tighten the grip onto the handle bar, they are easy to keep where you want them. Just be careful with that Allen wrench! In this regard, we would perhaps like to see a redesign to prevent the breaking of the clamp, which is really too easy to do.

Captain Bob goes on to say: “My initial thoughts was that the grips are too big for my smallish hands. They are much larger in diameter than any grip I have ever used. Once mounted I noticed how grippy the rubber is. Really grippy. After I have logged some pretty good miles on the grips I can say that they are by far the stickiest grips on any of my bikes. I can even ride without gloves and not slip off the grips. The best part of about them being so tacky is that I don’t have to grip the bars nearly as tight since my hands stay planted so well. I am sure that have the nice large paddle is helping relieve most of my hand pain. The paddle is really big. There was one other concern that I had and that was where the hard plastic clamp area joins the rubber part of the rider side of the paddle. You can smush down the rubber and that leaves you with the hard plastic part sticking out. My fear was that I would feel or be bothered by that plastic part. That it would poke into my palm. Never happened though. Now I don’t even notice it at all.”

I also thought that the clamp area might be a concern, but I didn’t notice anything during my riding either. The softness of the grips is nice. They are definitely less apt to cause hand bruising or pain because of this, especially after long, rough rides. The combination of the non-noticeable clamp and the plushness of the grips is intriguing. I am looking at doing some multi-hour riding to see if they hold true to form.

Captain Bob and I plan on doing more off roading with these to get a feel for the long term durability and comfort of the ErgoFix grips and ErgoSticks bar ends. Stay tuned for more in a few weeks.