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I get that people crash bikes (well, I do!) and things get damaged, but if you make a wonderfully comfy grip that has integrated end caps that also form a structural/shaped part of the grip, then I would probably make them strong enough not to disintegrate when bike is crashed or falls onto the handlebar end. (not exactly an uncommon experience).
I love Ergon GE1 grips - they really suit my hands. Have them on both main bikes (enduro factory versions). And on both bikes the right hand grip is useless due to above issues. For the second bloody time on each bike. Should probably fall to the left more often, I know...
Sadly Ergon have said only 'sorry, the endcap is not replaceable' to my feedback. So, as above, not a rant, just disappointed and a bit of warning to others that they might be comfy, but not really that suited to MTB.
Poop!
Not a perfect fit, bit...
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/ergon-ga2-ga2-fat-ga3-ga20-ga30-handlebar-end-plugs-763227
I got a pair of these and sent them back, they didn't seem to live up to the hype and was underwhelmed for my £35. And putting a straight edge to the bar, the angled/offset from the bar idea seemed to be predominantly an illusion formed by the angled end cap and the angle of the grip pattern.
I'd only bought them as I'd pulled out the end cap, breaking the alloy lock collar of my existing grips after getting a bit close to some trees, so from your feedback I think I made the right choice!
I offset the £35 against some revgrips so I could pretend they weren't so expensive, luxury on a rigid bike!
I love them and have standardised them to all my MTBs. TBH I can't really see what the issue is here - they've been trashed after a fall. Do you expect glove manufacturers to sell singles instead of pairs, jersey manufacturers to sell replaceable sleeves?
Fit a basic bar end plug that’s flush with the bar OD, then fit the grip. In the 80s we did the same kind of thing but with a 1p or 5p piece in BMX grips - can’t remember which, but one’s a good fit.
Either approach stops the cookie cutter effect. Won’t prevent damage, but makes it far, far less likely.
Just checked - 1p piece should work if your bars aren’t too thin walled. 20.3mm diameter (vs 22.2mm of your bar). Fine for thickish alloy, but for thin walled alloy or carbon bars I’d fit cheap push-in plugs.
I think I might have some in the garage you are welcome to for postage if its of intrest OP..
THIRTY FIVE QUID! for grips? Jeez, bike I just bought has these and they’re ok, just grips as far as I can tell. Think I’ll look after them now! Hmm, or maybe flog em.
Thanks for the input folks. Accept the crashing thing is above and beyond, that was 1 failure. the others have been accidental bike falling over moments (without rider attached).
Get what you mean @scotroutes - but over the years I've had many bikes (not to mention those my kids) that have fallen over onto the bar end. Endcaps get scuffed but on the ride goes on. Even if the endcap breaks (which I've never had), replace later and on you go. No problems.
But if the endcap goes on these GE1s, its structural, non replaceable, and the the grips are buggered too. Not great really.
Just keep buying the same colour and hope that the law of averages applies 🙂
Totally agree, it’s not great. Anything on a mtb needs to be, should be, bloody durable and somewhat crashproof. Otherwise it ain’t fit for purpose.
I'll also accept that trashing 4, yes 4, right hand grips suggests there may be a strong element of dyspraxia or something going on with me 🤦♂️
It’s one of the reasons I use the GD1 instead
I don’t see what the problem is - makes you look like a proper enduro bro’!!😀
Do you expect glove manufacturers to sell singles instead of pairs, jersey manufacturers to sell replaceable sleeves?
Not the best analogy/comparison?
I’ll echo OP inasmuch as I have two pairs of Ergon grips and the end caps have been a pain, both falling out/getting lost and (easily) deforming. I don’t want to waste another £70-£80 and materials/resources on otherwise good/almost new grips for the sake of some little plastic end-caps.
I had a similar problem with electronic drum kit. The plastic end-cap was missing on the left hand tube of the drum stand/frame. Yamaha don’t sell them and a generic one I found on ebay is too loose so I have to look at 3D printing. I already got a 3D print (beer money/STWer) to replace a plastic shim/sleeve for a cymbal clamp. Which was nice.
Again, Yamaha would have me pay £26 plus postage for the whole clamp assembly, for the sake of a small plastic split shim
OP, would these work?
This is a bit of a worry as I've not long fitted some of these and I'm definitely prone to the odd crash.
BTW any tips on how to get these in the right position? I've tried a few different ways for UP pointing up and slowly rotating them towards the rear and the palm curve always feels like it's applying pressure rather than supporting.
I do run my brakes relatively flat (not Yoann Barelli flat) and so far on longer rides they just seem a bit uncomfortable.
Hummm. This crossed my mind the other day whilst lifting my bike past a wall; that the end of these weren’t robust like the metal end caps I had in the past. That said, I do like them (currently on the HT, and was thinking of putting them on the FS too). But you have slightly played out my concerns.
I just buy the cheapo decathlon copies 😬
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/lockon-grips-ergonomic-sport-920-v2/_/R-p-202023
(they're great, but a bit narrow would be my only criticism)
@muggomagic - takes a wee bit of trail and error, but for me I found the easiest way was align the flange on the brake lever side to crook of my index finger. That always seems to put the rest of the grip in the correct position for my hand. Which is odd, as the crook of my index finger is usually covering the brake and nowhere near the grip! However, works for me.
Thanks to this suggesting replacements bar ends: not possible. Note that on the GE1 they are not simply endcaps but a structural part of the grip that shapes and forms the grip itself. So when end gets smashed, the grip is finito.
@big_scot_nanny thanks, I'll give that a go. If it doesn't work there may be a set of lightly used GE1 evo factory coming up on the classifieds in the next week or so 😀
Timely thread - I just (finally) received a pair of these for the wife's bike - the right colour, thin, grippy, and should be good for her ulnar nerve issues.
However she is a bit crash-happy 😬 so might be best going back now instead of being an expensive experiment.
Shirley that's covered under the crash replacement part of the warranty
😁
BTW any tips on how to get these in the right position
I rotated them until they felt comfortable . I'm dead clever me. 😀
BTW any tips on how to get these in the right position?
I'm reasonably certain that there's no "right position" it's whatever makes sense to you. I've also got these and agree that the end cap s a weakness of the design, I've repaired mine with superglue a couple of times already, I'm not convinced they'd survive another crash.
I rotated them until they felt comfortable . I’m dead clever me. 😀
It's a great tip and I'm grateful for your input, but believe it or not, I tried that and they feel alright when stationary, but after actually riding for an hour or so they feel like I've got a couple of pebbles under my palms. I've moved them back a bit each time and they still feel uncomfortable when riding. I was just going to ditch them and go back to my old grips but will give the OPs tip a try before they get binned.
PS don't ride with them damaged. Wasn't fun discovering a lady impaled on her bars at Llandegla on the blue a couple of weeks back. No plugs, don't risk it.
@fossy - actually a really good point. the really bad one is basically now and open bar end. Will sort. Cheers.