Handlebar Grips for Bicycle Touring

Have your hands ever gone numb on rough roads? Have you experienced cramps in your hands from riding too far? Have you ever used rubber grips that have turned into a bubblegum state of stickiness? I have.

After testing all kinds of grip and glove combinations over the years I have found that grips make one of the biggest differences to rider comfort on the road; especially on rough roads. Many experienced cyclists will tell you that the ‘contact points’ are the most important part of the bike to optimise comfort, and I agree. You should invest in good quality pedals, shoes, grips, handlebars, seats and seatposts. Your body will thank you.

This article explores three different types of grip that I use and recommend for bicycle touring.

Silicone Grips

My Recommended Brand is ESI
These grips have been my choice on a mountain bike for the past four years. They are the most comfortable grips I have ever used on rough terrain, and if I toured with flat handlebars would be my pick of the bunch. Those with larger hands can opt for the “chunky” version of the grips.

Ergonomic Grips

Ergonomic grips make sense. They have ‘wings’ which stick out and provide support for your wrists when your arms get tired and your posture is suffering. The key to set up is to make the ‘wings’ a bit lower than where your wrists naturally go, which means that when you relax the ‘wings’ keep your wrists in an ergonomic position.

My Recommended Brand is Ergon
This ergonomic component manufacturer almost has a cult following for their saddles, seatposts, pedals and grips. They make lock-on grips suited to small and large hands, with and without bar ends. I recommend these over every other brand: most are just basic copies of Ergon’s design.

Foam Grips

Foam grips were the go-to grip for mountain bikers about five years ago until silicon grips took over. Chosen because they are light and grippy in wet conditions, foam grips provide a more comfortable ride than most rubber grips I’ve played with. The downsides are that they are easy to tear and lose their spring after lots of time in the sun. Beware of foam grips that are almost rock-solid, they won’t do much for rider comfort.

My Recommended Brand is Ritchey
These guys make the most popular low-density foam grip available – despite cheaper options available. A lock-on model is available too, which reduces the risk of tearing and is definitely the smartest option for a bicycle traveller.

Bar Ends

I recommend using bar ends for three reasons:
– They create an extra position for your hands to rest on, using different muscles and allowing your nerves a bit of time off
– They give you more leverage when standing up out of the saddle; and
– They protect silicone or foam grips from being damaged at the end.

Gel Cycling Gloves

Another way to get the most out of your hand comfort is to use gel gloves. On really rough off-road racecourses, gel gloves stopped a lot of cramping in my hands and forearms – I now don’t ride a mountain bike without them.

My Recommended Brand is Roeckl
They are a tad expensive and really only last a season or two under me, but they’re super comfortable.

What grips do you use and recommend?