ERGON GC3 Handlebar Grips

The Ergon GC3 Grips are extremely comfortable for touring.

The main part of the grip is made from a comfortable plastic (over an aluminium core which grips the bar), and areas of softer rubber. You instantly feel the difference between these ergonomically sculpted grips and the soft rubber sleeves that normally cover the handlebars.

The long bar ends give multiple options for positioning your hands for maximum comfort, depending on how long you've been in the saddle and the terrain you're covering.

Though easy to fit, it takes some time to get the angles just right, of both the hand grip (which extends beyond the width of a bar to give you a palm rest), and also the bar ends, to ensure maximum comfort and usability. I found that there was only one position for the hand grips to be in so that I was both comfortable whilst riding and had good reach for my gears and brakes without my hand feeling slightly trapped in place. Once I got the position right I was very pleased. The bar ends work in several positions - I actually found them most comfortable when almost straight out in front, but guidance on forums suggested that this can be slightly dangerous as your centre of gravity is slightly too forward in the even of an accident or hard braking, and you're more likely to go straight over the handle bars. Lifting the far ends of the bar ends about 15 degrees from horizontal is almost as comfortable, and actually feels better when hill climbing. It's also enough to avoid the risks above, according to the advice of others, and having tried both, I can see what they mean.

I wish I'd had Ergon GC3 Grips available years ago - they've added a new dimenson in comfort to my cycling, and despite the cost, which seems excessive considering the simple materials used in construction, and the weight (this model is heavy, designed for touring - lighter models with stubby bar ends are available for racers), and despite the fact that I still think there's room for improvement with the design, I would certainly recommend them without reservation.