Product Review: Ergon GP3 Grips

The Ergon GP3 is a grip developed to support the palm of your hand, it now features a composite 3-finger bar end with anti-slip rubber inserts and aluminium clamping mechanism.

Adding 10mm in length to the bar end (compared to the previous version) the Ergonomic form has been optimized. The bar end and the grip platform can be independently adjusted for the correct support angle and provides the perfect fit for your individual riding style.

As hand size is different from person to person, Ergon manufactures the GP, GC, GR, GS, GE and GA ranges in two sizes – Small and Large. This difference is in the diameter of the grip. The reason for this is that a larger hand is better able to grip a larger grip with less stress and effort. This is the same in reverse for small grip. A smaller hand needs a smaller grip to allow the hand to close around it. Of course, this is all also down to personal preference.

Features:

Regular grips with no length difference for Shifters.
Material: Composite with rubber inserts (Bar end)
Use: Mountain bike, Touring
Bar size: 22.2mm
Standard grips are 140mm in length
Gripshift grips are 110mm in length
Rohloff/Nexus grips feature one short 110mm grip and one regular 140mm grip

Ergon Gp 3 Review:

These grips are the Ergon GP3 model, a new addition to the Ergon family. The GP3 incorporates an aluminium clamping mechanism on the bar end to make the grip lighter. Coming in at 95g for the pair they are the same weight as the GP Pro which has the same build and the same clamping mechanism but don’t incorporate the three finger bar end. You may be wondering about the difference in the two model names as the GP3 is definitely a new design on the market.

Fitting/Installation:

The grips come with a set of loose fitting end caps and a tight fitting one to go on the bar so you get a choice to fit it on the bar with the end cap fitted or to leave it off for a more relaxed set up. There is also a brand new blue locking bolt and bolt cap for this model. I’ve had good occasions with Ergon grips and bad, the down side being that they sometimes become loose on the handlebars, but with these new additions I think the changes will provide a positive improvement to the reliability of the product. The grips are 110mm long but can be cut down to a length between 90 and 110mm which makes them interchangeable with the standard 140mm length and the 110mm length.

The only thing I would like to see Ergon add in the package is the locking caps for the ends as they are easily lost and then you need to invest in a replacement second hand.

On Your Hands:

I was pleasently surprised by how well they fitted onto the bar compared to some of the older models I have used. The new bar end is very high quality and works really well with the locking bolt system, which I have had issues with on previous models. With the locking bolt on tight the grips stayed perfectly in place through all riding situations and became as tight as you could get them to be without breaking the grips. I also found them to be very comfortable with my hands fitting around them perfectly but I tended to keep the end caps off so that the grips could swivel a little bit more than being fixed on the bar, which is probably why the grips seem more comfortable.

Riding Impressions:

I used the grips on a couple of hairy off road rides where I needed all the help I could get and liked the way the grips completely supported my hands. I also used them in the city on lighter trail tours and found them to be much more comfortable than regular grips and I still find them to be more comfortable than most of the grips out there. Specifically I think they can become a little bit better when it comes to the dampening of vibration, but all together I really like the way they have shaped over my hands and I feel a lot more confident in my riding than in previous situations where I had used Ergon grips.

I think the Ergon GP3 is a very successful (maybe the best) grip that addresses the grip issues with Firm grips. I think they will relieve a lot of the discomfort in hands that the grips cause and I like the fact that you gain a bit of ground clearance when you un-screw the end cap. In my opinion the Ergon GP3 is one of the best grips you can buy and for the moment I think everyone should try them out for the full Ergon experience.

Ergon is a German brand, which makes ergonomic grips since 1990. The philosophy of the company is to focus on ergonomics in the connection between the rider and the bicycle. The products of the company are developed for the comfort to increase the safety during the ride. Their intensive research in hand mechanics led to the development of the Ergonomic Grip Design. The connection between the handlebar and the grip is essential for the comfort. This is what Ergon is focusing on. By placing the hand in the right position on the handlebar, comfortable steering is achieved leading to safe riding. The most important thing for Ergon is the best possible connection between rider and bicycle.

Pros: