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Submitted by
Bmann_mtb
a Cross Country Rider
from Fredneck, MD
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | I think they look cool and feel nice. They installed as described used window cleaner to put them on besides rubbing alcohol and with on without any issues. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing stands out yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager stockers and others. | | Bike Setup: | 2009 Trek fuel EX8 | | Bottom Line: | I am glad I went with the chunckys because the racer versions would have been too thin. I was looking for something that was a thicker grip and love these. I am 200lbs plus and tend to go numb all the time from DH and uphill climbs these have seemed to have helped out a little. Another positive my hands do not slip any when flying downhill or technical terrain not that they did before but I have a much better overall feel with these grips. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtnbiker72
a Weekend Warrior
from Republic of Cascadia
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Stella | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Easy to install, they do not twist, they remain tacky even when wet, they look cool | | Weaknesses: | Without changing anything else, actually felt an INCREASE in numb hands and hand fatigue, a tad expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Cane Creek Lock Ons, Oury, Ergon GX-1 | | Bike Setup: | 29er | | Bottom Line: | I had been using Ergon GX-1 grips, but wanted to try these as I was looking for a traditional grip shape. I was hoping they would provide less numbing and fatigue than other traditional round grips. They actually increased my numbing and hand fatigue! The "chunky" is not chunky enough and not soft at all...Oury grips are way more plush than these. I'm going back to my Ergon's and will just have to get used to the shape of them. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GoremanX
a Weekend Warrior
from Ile-Aux-Noix, QC
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Island Line, Burlington, VT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | esigrips.com | | Strengths: | Super grippy, awesome shock absorbance, never move from their place, very comfortable, no texture | | Similar Products Used: | Kona with moose pattern, generic Bell | | Bike Setup: | '06 Kona Hoss | | Bottom Line: | Wow, these are awesome grips. My hands always used to get sore from the stock Kona grips, and those grips always seemed to slowly work their way off the handlebars. These ESI grips don't budge an inch, are comfortable all day long, and don't leave an imprinted logo on the palm of my hand. I'm 6'1" and weigh 260 pounds, so I put a lot of weight on my handlebars. I never thought my hands would be this comfortable.
They slid right on with isopropyl alcohol, but once the alcohol was evaporated, they were solidly in place and didn't budge. I recently needed to remove them to change out my brake levers, and they were nearly impossible to take off. I consider this a good thing.
The ends of the grips were getting a bit chafed from when I put my bike down on the ground. I added some ODI grip clamps from purelycustom.com and now the grips never see any damage.
5 flaming chilis all around for an awesome product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
roye11
a Weekend Warrior
from mansfield ct us
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | ur mom | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | can't remember | | Strengths: | everything if you have a polished grip surface on your bars they are guaranteed not to slip. These grips absorb shock, feel great because of the cam shape, don't slide or slip, are not too slippery when they are wet, are extremely light,and they don't stretch out. | | Weaknesses: |
Hmmmmm a little $pricey.00 | | Similar Products Used: | lock-on grips (they still throttle in the middle)bmx grips they throttle and stretch out, and tons of others. | | Bike Setup: | 05 iron horse porter w transition wheels, fsa gap crank, hope mono m4 brakes, ss surly tensioner, sic stem, easton bars, and sherman 100mm 1.5 fork. Can't forget the esi chunkies! | | Bottom Line: | these grips are sic, great for shock absorption. i liked how when you get the grip the internal diameter is small so it stretches over the grip surface on your bars. that way after easily slipping them on with isopropyl alcohol and letting them dry the grips have elastic tension on the bars keeping them from sliding and throttling. it simply amazed me how rock solid the interface was between the grips and bars. you get more control with these grips because they don't move, i recommend these for anyone looking for shock absorbing comfort and more control. lost a chilly for the chaching. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
elf 232
a Cross Country Rider
from baltimore, md
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | ESI website | | Strengths: | Yes they feel pretty good, and they stay on the bar really well (i think the only way I will be able to get them off is with a razor blade) | | Weaknesses: | FALLS APART very quickly. In only the first or second ride I had 5 or 6 tears from thorns tearing the grips... not too good. They also get really grimy.
Also they dont offer the support of ergons.
Dont get the green, they soon become black with trail grime. | | Similar Products Used: | Ergons, Oury, and some rubber grips resembling Bontrager race lites | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Specialized Enduro | | Bottom Line: | If you want cushy for a FS they're all right but, theyre not as good as the ergons for hardtails, since the ergon give you a little more control of the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
flyinryan2
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkader, IA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | all of 'em | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | on-line | | Strengths: | The chunky versions rock. Lightweight, super comfy, don't twist when climbing, come in colors, clean up easily, smooth look. | | Weaknesses: | Well there is one small quibble and that is people will unnecessarily keep squeezing them and saying "wow, man those feel good." | | Similar Products Used: | Answer, Ritchey true grips, and a few others | | Bike Setup: | singlespeed with a wide handlebar | | Bottom Line: | I really like these things. Get them if you have experienced numbness cause they helped me. I have hit some trees and have some chunks missing, but overall I couldn't be happier with them. They have not rotated once since I installed them with some water and a tiny bit of dish detergent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
holiday
a Cross Country Rider
from Truckee, CA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Tahoe Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | esi | | Strengths: | light, stick well, feel secure, easier on hands | | Weaknesses: | still a bit of hand fatigue, but better | | Similar Products Used: | grips | | Bike Setup: | cdale rize | | Bottom Line: | Great product, works as advertised, doesn't twist, feels great, best grip yet... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
donopro
a Racer
from Tustin
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | SART | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Grippy not slippery when wet. No throttle grip even after crashing in mud or washing the bike. Never moves on the bar once properly installed. There's no better grip for riding in wet conditions. And, these are the lightest grips that I would ride. | | Weaknesses: | If you crash often, you will need to replace these more than rubber grips. But, the grips don't stretch out as easily as rubber grips. And even if a crash shoves a little dirt under the grips, they still aren't as prone to throttle as rubber grips. | | Similar Products Used: | Most other grips. ODI Yeti is my second favorite grip since it's cheap and durable. But, like all other non-locking rubber grips, it seems to migrate/move on the bars over time. | | Bottom Line: | Essential when riding through mud, rivers, or in the rain. Don't buy these if you crash often, find some more durable grips. They're also the lightest grips that I know of. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Strengths: | Grip, remove trail vibration, comfort, cool look! | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized enduro grips | | Bike Setup: | Voodoo Aizan with Carbon Rigid fork | | Bottom Line: | Just put these on my rigid SS. I was amazed at what difference the grips did for taking out some of the bite of the rocky PHX trails. I just added tubeless wheelset last month and the addition of the grips has really smoothed the ride out. These grips are amazing. The chunky are perfect, I wear XL gloves and the grip diameter is perfect for my hand size, the racers edge would have been a little small plus for the extra 20 grams the extra cush is perfect on the rigid. Now have to buy more for the other bikes!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin
a Racer
from Santa Maria, CA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | ESI booth at Santa Ynez Valley Classic | | Strengths: | Light, comfortable, durable. | | Weaknesses: | Gotta use chunky version w/SRAM gripshift. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, ODI lock-on | | Bike Setup: | Epic, SRAM X.0 gripshift, FSA carbon riser bars | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic grips. I only need one to take care of both sides with gripshifters. I save the other for crash replacement. The chunky version works great w/gripshift. The racer version are a little too thin to match up.
Very comfortable, never slip. Fantastic grip at a great price. I don't think I'll ever use any other grip. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Rants
a Cross Country Rider
from Montgomery, AL
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Kessels Run | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | Enduro | | Strengths: | simple design, tacky when wet (a plus in a the hot, humid south), great colors, easy on/off | | Weaknesses: | Chunky is the biggest size, an 'extra' chunky would be good for those with bigger hands | | Similar Products Used: | OURY lock ons, Ritchey, Ergons | | Bike Setup: | Astrix Rook, XTR rear mech, PG990, Racing Ralph/Crossmark, Hayes hydros, M-29 front fork | | Bottom Line: | Great grips. Combined with a carbon bar - totally cancelled out any vibrations from my 5" travel trail bike. Easy to install, tacky when covered in sweat, clean easily. Lighter than OURY lock on grips. A good alternative to Ergons if you don't need the total ergonimic corrections they offer. First set was so enjoyable, I got a second for my 29er. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Modesto, CA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Similar Products Used: | ODI lock-ons (Ruffian & Rogue) | | Bottom Line: | I needed something that was good for real-life rides that were really long. The ODI grips bothered me after 2 hours. The Ergon grips are great for long rides, but not long rides that include technical sections. I got the ESI Chunky Fuel grips and like them. They don't look more comfortable than ODI grips, but they are. They have good grip when wet and don't "throttle" once installed. It's a little hard to figure out if the thicker side is facing up and the thinner side is facing down (as instructed in the directions). I will eventually remove the grips, mark the thicker side and re-mount...no big deal. Try these grips...I'm pretty sure you will like them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Hawes/Mine Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Slippy Pig | | Strengths: | Impressive vibration dampening, very good grip, light enough. | | Weaknesses: | I've heard the silcon material is compromised by sunblock lotion. Also, a bit small in diameter for my hands. Is there a "Super Chunky" ? | | Similar Products Used: | Various. | | Bike Setup: | Haro Mary 29er single speed. | | Bottom Line: | I decided to keep my Mary fully rigid, but to start making making some upgrades to make it more comfy. Rain Man raved about ESI chunkies, so I put them on. Wow! Immediate difference felt. Better than I expected. Front end is softer and quieter. Noticed I started riding more aggressively and more confidently. Waaaay cheaper than adding a carbon fork or bar, yet without the fear of carbon failure. Very grippy, too. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Davis
a Racer
from Medford
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | any you can ride a bike down | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Raffle from the guys at the Jedi | | Strengths: | INCREDIBLE grip. I put these on my RIGID SINGLESPEED & instantly noticed how awesome they are. I have never felt so attached to the bar. Wet, Muddy, Dry, Hot, Cold, you name it these grips work. My hands feel better for longer. Excellent vibration dampening. I have yet to have any numbing in my hands. They go on easy, come off easy. No Gluing necessary, they don't throttle. Super light weight. I just can't say enough about them | | Weaknesses: | Not popular enough to find easily. I have tried for almost a year trying to get local bike shops to stock but due to unfamiliarity no one would carry them. | | Similar Products Used: | ODI Ruffian, Rogue, Ruffian(BMX Style) WTB dual compound, Foam, several standard rubber & Dual compound type grips OEM & Other. | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Exile SS (Single Speed) RIGID!!! IRD steel fork, Avid 7 brakes, Race Face crank, Spot rear Hub, Surly Tugnut, Wipperman chain. Thompson Masterpiece seatpost.
Giant Trance 2 - Fox Talas, Race Face Dues crank, XT Compo, etc...
Jamis Nova - Mostly Factory | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line huh..... I recommend these grips so much I have given 2 sets away to fellow racers.(Not including the sets I got for ALL of my bikes! I normally don't write reviews but this is a product worth supporting. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Lauderdale, FL .USA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | ESI | | Strengths: | Value,better than other foam grips,light weight. | | Weaknesses: | compared to ODI Ruffians, slippery when wet,hotter hands. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Racelite foam, Crank Bros dual density foam,ODI Ruffians. | | Bike Setup: | KHS Team ST,Mavic crossrides, Marzocchi MX Comp, Avid bb7. | | Bottom Line: | I read the other reviews here, and bought these. To try them I removed one ODI Ruffian, and installed ESI on one side, then went for 20 mile ride. Not bad at first, nice comfy grip. But on the ODI side my hand was noticably cooler, just a little air flow through the textured grip.
later I found the ciculation in my hand on the ODI was a little better. After a rest stop where I washed my hands I tried to twist the grips with wet hands, again the ODI had better grip. This isn't a completey fair comparison because the ODI's cost twice as much and weigh more than my handle bars! That's why I'm still trying other grips. I like these grips for good value and light weight, better than other foam grips I've tried. I'll give them a four! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, NH
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Webs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | www.enduroforkseals.com | | Strengths: | They don't make my hands numb or give me blood blisters/caluses | | Weaknesses: | Not as tough as rubber | | Similar Products Used: | ODI Ruffian, Oury, Rocky Mountain lock-ons | | Bike Setup: | Wojcik 29er | | Bottom Line: | These grips work awesome. I have ridden them for a solid year and they work awesome. They let you run white knuckle speeds without cramping your hands. They are also nice and soft so your hands don't get too beat up. Try a pair out to see the difference! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ezra
a Racer
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | enduroforkseals.com | | Strengths: | Relatively light weight, provides better control of the bike on descents, damp vibrations nicely, easy to install.
Comfy without gloves! | | Weaknesses: | Dont completely resist twisting on the bar, compress too much where my weight rests. | | Similar Products Used: | various rubber grips
| | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Definitley a good product but not perfect, as they tend too compress a little too much on longer rides, which was unexpected because I only weigh ~130lbs.
That said, im not going back to rubber grips! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt wittler
a Racer
from rough and ready, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | downieville polly creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | tour of nevada city | | Strengths: | these grips are sweet, they take the edge off of bumpy courses, and let you run a slightly higher front shock pressure. they won't go moto on you when conditions get wet, and they happen to be super light! for us who like to get creative with a gram scale. | | Weaknesses: | not too many people are willing to try these grips, using the excuse that they have tried "foam" grips in the past. *these are not foam grips | | Similar Products Used: | sram grips, stock with xo, oury, oury lockons, wtb grips, some kona grips, | | Bike Setup: | kelly delux steel frame, sid world cup, dt swiss wheels, michelin tires, hayes brakes, ESI GRIPS, xo drive train, 2x9 with a carbon crank, dura ace bb, and a spaced out 9 spd cluster with only 8 cogs, you can tell i'm proud about that one | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is these grips rock. they're all i've used for the past 3 years. i made the expensive mistake of trying lockons on my single speed, but after 2 rides esi was back on my bike.
just try them, you'll like what you feel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from New Orleans
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | enduroforkseals.com | | Strengths: | Tacky, don't spin on the bar when wet | | Weaknesses: | relatively expensive, compresses too easily | | Similar Products Used: | ODI, OURY, SRAM, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Moto-Lite | | Bottom Line: | Good grip and all the advertised advantages are true. BUT the soft silicone compresses too easily which results in a "hot spot" on the hands where the rider's weight is concentrated. If you're very light on the bar, this probably won't be a problem.
NOTE: if you cut these for use with Grip shifters, understand that the installed length is about 1/8" shorter than their non-installed length - put 'em on the bar first and THEN trim the length while they're installed or they'll be too short. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rain Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Local singletracks. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | ESI | | Strengths: | This review is for the ESI "Chunky" Silicone Grips.
Soft..very soft and comfortable to hold, never move on the bars, grippy even when soaked. | | Weaknesses: | None whatsoever. Not a single weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Just about every grip on the market. | | Bike Setup: | SIR 9 SS Rigid. | | Bottom Line: | These are the best grips I have ever used in over 55 years of bike riding.
They are so nice to hold ... soft and comfortable. They compliment my JJ H-bars so well.
The feel of these grips is like no other.
They never slip on the bars, provide excellent grip even when soaking wet or bloody, can be fitted using plain water, are relatively cheap to buy, prevent arm pump, damp vibes, can be held anywhere along their length because they are the same diameter, and seem to be pretty tough, so far.
After using these grips I won't touch anything else. These are the finest grips you can buy. They easily outclass anything else on the market.
I use the "Chunky" model and I love them. Once the word about these grips gets out to the general riding public, ESI will sell a million of them.
Try them. They make all other grips seem like junk in comparison.
A wonderful product that deserves to do well.
100% x 100% !
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christina Smith
a Racer
from Denton,Texas,USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Cameron Park, Waco,Texas | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The ESI Grips are Awesome! I have callus's on my hands, which usually bother me when I ride, but since the first time I tried ESI Grips, no pain!! They feel great! I am very Happy with my ESI Grips | | Weaknesses: | Only Black/Blue/REd are available for the time.. Would like to see some more color options. | | Bottom Line: | These are great Grips/You must Try To Believe!
I am a Pro Mountain Bike Racer, whom has tried many types of Grips, and these are one of a kind.
The Grips will help any level rider. Weather it be on the road or trail there a must buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jillybean
a Racer
from Tucson, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 401, Crested Butte | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Strengths: | After using hard rubber grips, which wear quickly, then changing over to ESI grips, which wear very slow, the difference is incredible, not to mention the performance. They grip well, don't get slick when wet, and the main benefit for me, that other grips don't have, is that they're very cushy, so they've really helped my wrists not fatigue so much from riding on the massively rocky trails of AZ. | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | Whatever came with the bikes or I could find laying around. | | Bike Setup: | Racer X, Manitou R7, maxm carbon bar and seatpost, | | Bottom Line: | Get some. They're so worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Jenkins
a Racer
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Tony Grove Trail, Logan canyon, Utah | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | I.E Bikes | | Strengths: | Nothing out there even comes close to the feel and grip of ESI grips. I have been on them for quite a while and will never go back to the old hard rubber that everyone else uses. You can't beat the performance of these grips in any condition. We just recently returned from Sea Otter and if you were there you would appreciate how bad it was. The Grips didn't move. Even after crashing in the Pro short track in 18 inches of mud. The grips simply rule!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | There are none. Not even one. | | Similar Products Used: | Sram, Serfas, ODI, | | Bike Setup: | KHS XC 904 R. Avid Juicy Carbon Brakes, Easton bar stem and seatpost, R.S. Reba team, MC3R Rear Shock, Ringle wheels | | Bottom Line: | If you want performance ESI is where to find it. If you want just another grip, Don't look here | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Hart
a Cross Country Rider
from San Bernardino
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | If I can roll over it, it's good enough for me | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | Incycle San Dimas | | Strengths: | These are the bets grips on the market today, hands down! Never before have I used a grip that gives the same performance wet or dry, with or without gloves. They never take shape of your hands causing wear spots and KILL vibration. Pair them up with a good carbon bar and feel a world of difference. I have used them with trigger shifters and now with Sram X.O Grip shifters. With the Sram shifters you would think that the two should come together as a package because the diamiter of the two match up so well. | | Weaknesses: | ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO and did I mention ZERO | | Similar Products Used: | ODI, Specialized, Sram and many others. THESE ARE THE BEST! | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Scalpel 3000. Carbon Lefty, Carbon bars, Sram driveline and usual light weight XC stuff | | Bottom Line: | Get yourself a set of these grips. You will not be sorry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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