Ergon has announced their first downhill specific equipment, promising better control over the bike with gravity-ready grips and saddles. Grab a seat, and check past the break to see what’s to come…
Ergon’s grips have traditionally put a little (or a lot) more meat on the outside edges to cushion the hand and support the palm, and the GD1 are no different. They get a negatively (inward) tapered design, just less dramatic, and add a flange on the inside edge to help position the hand. A CNC’d aluminum collar locks it into position.
Wrapping around from the top to front of the grip is a custom anti-slip compound. On the bottom half are deep grooves for better traction when pulling on the bars. By incorporating all of these features, the amount of grip-strength required is lessened, hopefully slowing the development of “T-Rex” hands during long runs.
With the grips available in black and orange -plus interchangeable caps coming in black, blue, and red- complementing your bike shouldn’t be a problem. The grips are available in two different sizes, standard (large, 145g), and slim (small, 130g), and hold a €34,95 (~$39) price point.
Also with the lineup is the new SMD2 saddle, available in three options: Standard, Comp, and Pro Titanium. All provide an open bottom design that gives the tire additional space when the rear shock is fully compressed.
Key features include:
- 360° padded seat edge
- Shock resistant rails
- Smooth nose for easy maneuverability
- Robust fabric on the rear maintains longevity
- Non-slip design for secure positioning while sitting
Models and specs:
- SMD2 – (shown, left) nylon shell, cromo rails / 220g / €59,95 (~$69)
- SMD2 Comp – carbon shell, cromo rails, anti-slip cover / 215g / €99,95 (~$113)
- SMD2 Pro Titanium – (shown, right) carbon shell, solid titanium rails, anti-slip cover / 205g / €149,95 (~$170)
