Product Test: Ergon GS1 Leichtbau Grips
Tech features:
The GS1 grips feature a lock-on construction that secures to your bars via a single 4-millimeter bolt for easy installation and removal. The GS1 has a large wing or palm plat- form that sits on the outside edge of the grip designed to support the hypothenar eminence of your palm (the pinky finger side). The platform is intended to keep the rider’s wrist in a neutral position, reducing the potential for nerve irritation or impingements that can cause pain or numbness. These grips are designed for trail riding enthusiasts, endurance racers or any rider who is suffering from hand numbness while riding. Ergon offers the $40 GS1 grips in either small or large sizes in black or white. Our pair of small-size GS1s weighed 5 ounces.
Field test results:
The lock-on construction allowed for a quick install, and our grips proved slip-free. The key to getting these grips set up is getting the angle of the wing dialed. We had the best results when the wing was angled down slightly. The palm of your hand should feel cradled by the wing when you are in your normal riding position.
The GS1s felt bulky at first, but the more we rode with them, the more we appreciated the wider palm contact area. It may take a ride over two hours to really notice the difference, but we finished these rides without numbness issues or having to constantly search for a more comfortable position.
There is a trade-off while descending; the grip’s flat surface doesn’t permit your hand to wrap the handlebar like a conventional grip. This is not an issue until you brake on a steep, technical section. These are much better than Ergon’s GP grips, but if technical riding is your thing, the GA1 or another conventional round grip is a better way to go.
Still, the endurance riders on the wrecking crew and those with numbness issues found the GS1 to deliver. If $40 seems a bit dear for a pair of grips, or if the weight seems excessive, we bet you’ve never suffered from numbness issues. It is a small price to pay in both money and weight to eliminate numbness.
