ESI Grips MTB Chunky Grips: Light weight silicone grips that conform to your hand for maximum grip and shock absorption to reduce hand fatigue and arm pump. UV resistant and non-porous, they will not fade or harden. Non-slip...
Weaknesses: Too thin for me, the end caps are brittle, they break if you try to take them off ( the part that sticks in the bar end does ). Finding the "thin" spot is rather hard, especially how they "cut" the grip at an angle at the ends. A little pricey for some silicone!
Bottom Line:
I'd say it's a great grip for a smaller hand, I have big hands, and they're too thin. It might not be "thin", but they compress a little when you grip them, that's the problem.
Instillation is a breeze with 91% isopropyl alcohol. The end caps may need trimming for smaller diameter bars.
Strengths: The right size for a medium sized hand, never slick, never move, easy on and off. Reasonable price
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
They're the perfect diameter for my hand when coupled with a thin riding glove. Furthermore, they never move even without a locking collar - the lack of locking collar is one reason they're amazingly light. They're tough too, had one set going for several years of hard riding with no discernible wear or loss of squish.
Strengths: Somewhat comfortable, dont slip on the bar
Weaknesses: Installation and removal is a chore. I just cut mine off. Too expensive for what they are.
Bottom Line:
Not chunky enough, fall apart too easily. One crash will do them in. Took them off and put my Oury lock-ons back on, then switched to Velo foam lock-ons and now I'm satisfied.
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Submitted by
DudeFace
a All Mountain Rider
from Kansas City, MO
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2012
Strengths: Comfy for large hands, lots of color options, don't "throttle", very ergonomic, light weight, great price.
Weaknesses: MIght tear if you shag a tree going fast
Bottom Line:
These grips are gnar-balls awesome. I love these grips because I have huge hands (you know what that means) and the large-diameter grips are the way to go to for us "large-handed" people. I like soft grips, and these fit the bill by being soft enough for comfort on all-day excursions, but still have the stiffness necessary to control your bike. Some people might be concerned because they aren't "lock-on" grips; don't be. From the day I installed them, they haven't moved a millimeter. I bought mine in bright orange, but there are 4 other colors to choose from. The only downside is that they might tear if you're hauling the mail downhill and shag a tree. I've been riding on these for a month and have yet to damage them, but I'm just saying it's possible. Even then, I would say they're the most durable silicon foam grips I've ever used. And if you do damage them? Who cares, they're $18!
Submitted by
TCW
a Cross Country Rider
from Norman, OK
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2012
Strengths: Fairly light weight, easy to install
Weaknesses: Heavy compared to foam grips, uncomfortable, too thin, overpriced, delicate
Bottom Line:
I really expected a nice product but these are just way overpriced for what they are. Also, I found the diameter suprisingly small. Oury grips in comparison feel much larger and much more comforable. The weight is heavy compared to foam grips like offering from Bontrager. Also, they feel larger. The small diameter really forced me to use more of a death grip compared to other grips where I could realx my grip more often thereby making longer rides comfortable. When these grips get wet they become dangerously slick. If ESI made a grip from this material in a much larger diameter I'd give them a try, if the price was reasonable. Do yourself a favor and stick to grips such as Oury, if you're used to those. If you're coming from an ergo grip these will really feel puny.
Weight weenies with small hands may want to give these a try. Or if you just prefer a small diameter grip these may suit you.
Bike Setup: Tallboy carbon, XT/XTR, Haven wheels, Easton controls, XL frame, 25.7lbs. total weight
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Submitted by
funnyjr
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2011
Strengths: None
Weaknesses: The spongy feel does not allow for solid grip of the bar, its like you are on auto steer when you hit tight singletrack, not good. Definitely slows down your steering.
Bottom Line:
What the ESI claims in their website is a complete gimmick. These are nothing but silicone tubes.... I dont get all the claims they make about it being so superior of a grip. These belong on a stationary bike.
I'm not really impressed with these after all the good reviews. I got them because I wanted something light and easy to cut down to work with my SRAM GripShift but they're not very durable. Mine had a couple knicks and chunks missing after my first crash and then during a marathon race I bumped a tree and it tore the grip basically in half after just a couple months of use.
I can't speak to the comments about their lack of grip with wet hands because I always wear full finger gloves.
They didn't rotate on the bar that I noticed during use but they did slide toward the center of the bar leaving a few millimeters of bar exposed at the outside of the bar. Not the biggest of deals but kind of frustrating given the installation is a PITA compared to locking grips.
Similar Products Used: Only rubber grips, this is the only foam grip I've used.
Bike Setup: 2010 Stumpjumper HT Experience Carbon 29er
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Submitted by
Oldeskuel
a Cross Country Rider
from WA
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2010
Strengths: They are colorful.
Weaknesses: These grips are complete garbage. They have no grip, and get entirely slick just from sweat. Any light spattering of rain and you will be grabbing onto your brake levers just to keep ahold of your rig!
Also, the company's sales pitch is a lie. They provide no more padding/cushioning than any other set of squishy rubber grips I've used. And, your hands do not mold the grip as you ride. This is complete bs.
Finally, the workmanship of the products is sub par. It is very seldom that I buy things online and feel like I was taken for a ride. I bought these based on reviews, and now wished I had seen a pair first--I never would have forked out $20 plus for them. They are literally foam tubes roughly cut on either end. They look like someone took a long tube of foam, hacked away at the end of them with dull scissors, and called them bike grips. After only a few weeks of riding, holes were forming from the weakness of the foam. The truth is, these grips are pathetic, and are not grips at all.
Lastly, I e-mailed the company with my concerns, and didn't even receive so much as a reply.
In trying to keep market forces working, I submit this review to do everything in my power to steer you towards a different brand. Hopefully you find a company that is honest and knows customer service. I have purchased some OURY grips to replace these. I cannot speak for them yet, but the it is obvious already, that they are of a much higher quality.
Strengths: These Chunky grips are comfortable, cushiony, smooth and fun to grip...until...
Weaknesses: ...your hands begin to sweat - then I experience a slippery surface that is slick and have none of the prior stated qualities. [In all fairness, I ride gloveless]
Bottom Line:
This product might be a great choice for some (particularly those who use gloves) - I found the cushiony grip appealing, but the wetter my hands became from sweat, the slicker the grips became. I felt unsafe and removed these.
Similar Products Used: Brooks leather grips, Ergon grips
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Submitted by
idbrian
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2010
Strengths: Everything
Weaknesses: Nothing
Bottom Line:
I'd say this is one of my favorite bike purchases i have made, along with a Woodman Seat Post. Priced right and very comfortable. Early in my riding i switched to Ergon grips due to hand pain. I felt the Ergons were messing with my ability to perform steep decents and i had been riding more and assumed my hand got used to it and would no longer feel the pain should i switch to some lock ons. I was wrong. Came across the ESI's while looking for an alternative to Ergons and love them. It is key to be careful and put them on with the thick side facing your palm. I think they look pretty cool and hold their color well. They can take a beating and i have never felt any lack of grip. I will use ESI grips for life.
Similar Products Used: Ergon grips, Lizard Skin lock ons
Bike Setup: Pivot Mach 5 - Custom
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Submitted by
smilinsteve
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2010
Strengths: Light, colors, doesn't slip
Weaknesses: A bit hot, a bit hard, a bit rough
Bottom Line:
With all the rave reviews, I thought these were going to be just what I was looking for. But as I said above, hot, hard, rough. They make my hands go numb faster than other grips.
Not horrible, but not right for me.
Submitted by
Tornadom
a Cross Country Rider
from Central Valley, California, United States of America
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2010
Strengths: Comfortable, grippy, grippy when wet and simple
Weaknesses: kind of plain looking, but who cares
Bottom Line:
Grips are one of those things you don't give much thought to most of the time, after all, their job is simply to provide your hand a comfortable place to grab, right? When you really think about it, the grips are the link between you and your front tire and one of only three places on the entire bike you touch (the other two being the seat and pedals).
Okay, maybe that is over analysing it.
These grips are one of those products you can install and never think about again. And to me, that speaks volumes about them. They are simple to install, comfortable to grab and grip your hand (gloved or bare) like nobody's business. In wet weather they still grab your hand like nobody's business and are every bit as comfortable at 95 degrees as they are at 55 degrees (haven't got to use them when it was cooler than that outside).
You want these grips if you: ride a bicycle and desire the best all around grip you can buy
You do not want these grips if you: ride a bicycle solely for looks or if you carry a gram scale everywhere you go (mine were 65g).
Weaknesses: * Hard to get on
* Foam memory after season or two of use
Bottom Line:
The best grip in my opinion. I went with the chunky and have smallish hands and they work fine. The only grip I've used that I don't need to wear gloves with.
I reviewed them on my blog: www.johnonbike.blogspot.com
Submitted by
Bmann_mtb
a Cross Country Rider
from Fredneck, MD
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2009
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.
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.
