Most of us look for little ways to customize our bikes. Swapping components, adding different colored housing and caps, whatever it is, the goal seems to always be making your bike stand out and to make it yours. Now there’s a new way to really add a custom touch to your bike with Custom ESI. The brainchild of industry veteran, owner of SOS Neutral Race Support, and expert bike builder (including custom Di2 setups) Julian DaSilva, Custom ESI will add just about anything to your new grips to help set them apart…
Using a laser engraving machine, Julian has figured out how to engrave ESI’s grips without tearing them apart, or burning straight through. After getting ESI’s permission to run with the idea, Julian set up shop to sell custom grips in Racer’s Edge, Chunky, Extra Chunky, and even the Fit XC and Fit CR tapered grips. Due to the nature of the tapered shape of the Fit grips, the engraving gets a little shallower in the middle, but it still allows for a straight shot. Pricing ranges from $24.99 for the Custom Racer’s Edge to $40.99 for the Fit CR and XC grips. While Julian doesn’t set any character limits, he does note that the longer the message to be engraved, the smaller the font. If riders are looking for a custom font, or want logos incorporated, you’re encouraged to contact Custom ESI and they’ll try to make it happen. Between the design software that gives a good indication of how it will look, and the ability to do test runs, Julian says the final design is really up to the customer.
Whether it’s your name, nick name, logo, or maybe that thing that no one calls you except your significant other – I anticipate some entertaining results after holiday gift giving this season.
Aside from grips, Julian has also been toying with other products including this custom bottle opener. With an opener mounted to the top, and a box below to catch the bottle caps, a custom opener might make a fun gift at $29.99.
The Custom ESI page also shares space with Julian’s other venture, SOSNRS. Using 3D printing, Julian has created a few custom Di2 junction box mounts to facilitate his custom builds. In addition to the mounts, there is a slick little number plate holder that will zip tie to your bike with minimal real estate. The twin bolt holder sells for $9.99, and all of the Di2 mounts go for $24.99.
