Ergon GC2 Magnesium Grips
Specs:
Multi-position grips with integrated cold forged alu barends, which have a dual function acting as the clamps for the grip. The shape of the grip is identical to the GP1. The GC2 is the replacement for the older R1 model. It features a longer, ergonomically optimized barend, which is adjustable in terms of its angle on the bar. Its size and shape are ideal for small to middle sized hands (Size S: 6.5 – 8.5) as well as for middle to larger sized hands (Size L: 8.5 – 10.5). The barend and the support platform on the grip can be independently adjusted for the correct angle to allow optimized fit for individual saddle position and riding style
Sizes: S, L GC2
Sizes: S, L GC2 Gripshift® compatible
Sizes: S, L GC2 Rohloff®/Nexus® compatible
Gender • Unisex
Size • Small, Large
Clamp • Forged Aluminum
Use • Mountainbike, Touring
Price (MRSP) 29.95 $US
I’ve been riding with the GC2 grips for about 4 months now. During the test period, the grips were mounted on the Sette Reken Single Speed project bike. This bike has seen various trails such as the Fullerton Loop, Turnbull Canyon, Aliso Woods, Southridge and many more.
Pros:
-Easy to install
-Very comfortable
-Multiple position possibilities
-Great bar ends for climbing, a must on single speeds
-Black, the best color in the world
-Bar end doesn’t stick out too far, great for aesthetics
Cons:
-Not the best grips for tackling very technical terrain
Installation of the grips were very easy. The outer portion of the grips have a lock on feature that keeps them in place. The grips are excellent for climbing, thanks to the bar ends. I’ve used other bar ends that attach separately from my grips and I didn’t like those because they would cause you to lose bar space since they needed an additional 3/4 of an inch on both sides to mount. But what I liked about the GC2 is the all in one grip set. Not only do you have the bar end attached to the ergonomic grip, but it also fully adjustable for your needs.
The GC2 are very comfortable grips to use, they allow multiple hand positions in which you can even rest your palms on the wider portion of the grip. Changing hand positions during a long grind can help prevent hand fatigue in the long run.
My only beef with these grips would be the feeling that I wasn’t getting enough to grab. From what I understand, Ergon Grips are supposed to give you more hand coverage of their grips over standard grips. But what the weird thing was the feeling that I would get when going down trails like Rock-it and Lynx, both rocky and technical trails. Each time I rode down these trails with the Sette Reken, I found my hands grabbing harder on the bars, which then lead to hand fatigued. When I experienced hand fatigue, I would have to stop and shake my hands until I the burning would go away.
Summary:
Would I recommend it? I’m a bit on the fence on this one. The grips are comfy, the bar ends work great especially for climbing with a single speed. But I just didn’t like that feeling like I didn’t have a full grip. So with all that said, if you are doing strictly XC riding where technical downhills are at a minimum, then sure these would be great for you. But if you plan on using these grips on an AM bike, I’d pass.
I use a similar Ergon grip, and love it. I’m indifferent about the horns, but the actual grippy part, the main contact area is amazing if you have hand stress and your hands often get tired or numb during rides. Since I started with my Ergon, I have not had that problem once.
The horns however, are very slippy. Useful, but very slippy.
The plastic endcaps that fit in the bar to cover the hole aren’t entirely useful in all cases… I had to shave mine down to fit in my bar. Then when I moved to another bike, I needed them the original size, and the shaved down wouldn’t fit. 🙁 (Has to do with inside diameter of handlebar tubing.) I think a great improvement to these bars would be making that area flat, where the endcap didn’t require a proprietary oval tilted piece.
Just my 0.02 🙂 Thanks.