I tried out some ESI Grips in the weekend, and was very impressed.

I've long been a fan of ODI Lockons. I found the Ruffian model to be slim enough for my small-ish girly hands and the clamps meant the grip would never twist on the bars. Prior to using ODI Lockons, I would wrap my bars with a layer of insulation tape (making the bars fatter and providing a more tacky surface for the grips to adhere to), and use zip ties on the ends of the grips. This would work for a while, but eventually the middle of the grip would start to twist.

Given my previous expeience with standard grips, I was pretty hesitant to give up my ODI Lockons and switch to a standard soft grip. But, the rigid fork and my lack of riding mojo was starting to get to me. I wasn't enjoying my rides anymore, because my hands were aching after only 10-15mins.

Then I heard about these silicone grips. Soft, slim, and recommended to me by a couple of people that are definitely worth listening to. I got the "Racers Edge" grips which is the slimmer of the two models available - they also come in "Chunky".

I was worried about the grips twisting. I needn't have worried. I followed the instructions on the packaging... clean the bar, install the end plugs, apply some alcohol or window cleaner to bar and inside of grip, and twist the grip onto the bar... just make sure you don't stop part way through installation to read a text message! In the 10 seconds I checked my phone, the grip was almost stuck in place. I had to wrestle the grip to get it moving again, but I got it on and correctly positioned with the fattest part of the grip facing my palm. Whew!

The second grip went on without incident. Then I read the last instruction: Allow for 24 hours drying time. Ooops! I wanted to go riding that afternoon.

So, barely 2.4 hours after installation, I went riding. The grips had stuck down well enough that I couldn't twist them at all. On the trail they felt very nice. They were soft, but not so squishy that I didn't have control. They seemed quite slim, perhaps even slimmer than my Ruffians. (I've since measured both sets of grips and they are the same, 30mm diameter). My hands were much more comfortable, and did not get sore. The grips dampened all the harsh vibrations and chatter that the rigid fork fed straight up to the handlbars. I rode for almost an hour and my hands felt great.

I'm sold. Even if they are green.

Thanks heaps to Jeff at Kiwibikes for having the best grips ever!

I have a set on my bike and they are really good things

Cool review Mel.

How are they in the wet?

I'm a big fan of WD40 for getting grips on and off.

Also, how much do they cost?

it's true they rock - light too.

i've been using a smear of stans goop when mounting them to lock them in place - seems to work very well and they are still easy to get off.

Ive been meaning to try these (although not in fluro green)

I like the green
(and have dibs on Mel's green ones when her black ones come in! )

RRP is $29.95

I chose window cleaner to put mine on, as I figured the soapyness would help my girly hands manhandle the grips into place. I was worried that alcohol would evaporate too quickly. They are a tight fit - they stretch over the bars to get them on!

I'm not looking forward to taking them off. I will probably get the bike shop to do it with compressed air.

They cost a very respectible $29.90.

And yes, they are light. A claimed 50 grams, mine weighed at 47 grams (without end plugs). 55 grams lighter than my ODI Ruffians.

They are grippy wet or dry, and feel great on your hands even without gloves on. I'm tempted to ride without gloves now.

Time and adverse riding conditions will tell if water can get under them and make them twist. Even so, they would only need to be removed, cleaned and reinstalled.

Mel wrote:

They are grippy wet or dry, and feel great on your hands even without gloves on. I'm tempted to ride without gloves now.

Just remember, gloves actually protect your hands from nasty rocks and stuff if you have a crash...

I sliced a hand up on a rock early on in my biking life and have had gloves save my hands a few times since then

I have an air compressor, works a treat for getting grips on and off, anyone know where you can get these in chch?

I think only Kiwibikes has them in NZ. I'm not sure what stock Jeff has at the moment, but you can contact him via his website www.kiwibikes.co.nz

jeremyb wrote: I have an air compressor, works a treat for getting grips on and off, anyone know where you can get these in chch?

Air compressors, or the grips??!

Mel wrote: I chose window cleaner to put mine on, as I figured the soapyness would help my girly hands manhandle the grips into place. I was worried that alcohol would evaporate too quickly. They are a tight fit - they stretch over the bars to get them on!

I'm not looking forward to taking them off. I will probably get the bike shop to do it with compressed air.

They cost a very respectible $29.90.

And yes, they are light. A claimed 50 grams, mine weighed at 47 grams (without end plugs). 55 grams lighter than my ODI Ruffians.

They are grippy wet or dry, and feel great on your hands even without gloves on. I'm tempted to ride without gloves now.

Time and adverse riding conditions will tell if water can get under them and make them twist. Even so, they would only need to be removed, cleaned and reinstalled.

hair spray is the shitzor for getting them on and off!

$30? what a rip off. What happens when it rains? or after they twist due to dirt/ crap getting in at the ends?

Havng the end sealed helps to keep the rain out for a while- but these don't even have that.

Its good that your happy with them, but they won't last.