Ergon has released a new MTB grip designed to prioritize weight and vibration damping; the GXR. Leaning on their AirCell Rubber, inspired by the AirCell Foam seen on Ergon’s saddles and new BT handlebar tape collection, the GXR rubber incorporates “countless” air bubbles throughout in a bid to damp vibrations and thus, reduce the rider’s hand and arm fatigue.
Ergon GXR Grip
The Ergon GXR sees no plastic sleeve underneath the rubber compound, or lock-on clamp at either end of the grip; it simply slides onto the handlebar. This in and of itself will go a long way to improving vibration damping versus a grip that does run on a plastic sleeve. Once the isopropyl alcohol used to install the grip has dried it should remain in place simply by virtue of the friction between the rubber compound and handlebar.
The GXR Grip is aimed squarely at XC mountain bike riders and racers, a target market who tend to consider their graft versus gram equation rather carefully. The lack of sleeve and clamp mean the grip is fairly lightweight, weighing a claimed 90g per pair in size small (32mm diameter), but it is by no means the lightest grip available. Wolf Tooth Components’ Karv Grip, also 32mm in diameter and running the same sleeveless design weighs a claimed 75g. So, if weight is your primary concern, there are other contenders out there.
The Ergon GXR is available in a large option too, with a slightly chunkier diameter of 34mm. The grips are supplied with bar ends that can be installed with the use of a rubber mallet to bang them into the handlebar.
Ergon Team Rider, Elmar Sprink, had this to say after racing the Cape Epic in South Africa, “The new Ergon grip is simply world class, no signs of fatigue, no pain, no numb fingers and always everything under control – no matter how strenuous and long the stages have been.”
Pricing & Availability
The Ergon GXR Grip is available now in black, blue, orange and red color option, each retailing at €19.95 / $24.95 USD.
