Ergon GD1 vs GE1 Grips - Mano a Mano

Who remembers the early Ergon products and their wildly ergonomic beauty? The early grips were seldom seen on the trails around B.C. but they’ve been spotted on occasion. The GE1 really got the attention of the masses and Ergon says it was developed specifically for mountain bikers who opt for wide riser bars.

Ergon has since updated the GE1, which now features more surface texture thanks to additional ribbing and a softer rubber compound. These two updates focus on increased grip and damped feedback felt through the bars. They’ve since also developed a gravity focused grip; the GD1. It features a different profile to the GE1 but Ergon claims they still offer ergonomic support.

Years ago I spent some time testing the Canyon Strive which came fitted with the original GE1 grips. There was no slim version or rubber compound choices but my initial experience was positive. Ergon has since updated the blocks on the GE1. Orientation is unchanged but with more ridges, or ribbing if you like...  The additional edges are said to increase surface area.

Ergon added a slim version of the original GE1 shortly after my first experience. In addition to the new GE1 Evo, there is also a Factory version used by Ergon team riders. They look the same but feature a softer rubber compound that Ergon claims wears more evenly. 

With so many options and so much marketing speak, riding these grips to see how they work on the trail seemed like the way forward. 

Ergon GE1 Evo

Having spent time on the regular size GE1, I opted for the slim version of the new grip. In recent years I went through a phase where I believed my hands preferred thinner grips and I seem to recall the original better suited this preference. I also spent a couple of seasons on the GA2, which features a similar texture and block pattern to the original GE1. 

Highlights:

• Regular and Slim (32mm and 30mm diameter)
  
• Single CNC clamp (with 3mm hex key!)
  
• Integrated grip end and inner core
  
• Optimized Inner Core helps dampen feedback
  
• “Gravity Control Rubber”
  
• 135mm length
  
• Weight: 110g (Evo)
• MSRP: Evo–34.95 USD
  
  

The ergonomic profile of the GE1 Evo is unchanged and feels great. Positioning hands at the end of the bar worked well and support at the outer ends is great. There’s also an adequate amount of rubber to the very end, preventing hard plastic from pressing into your hand. This can change after a solid spill, but some light work with a razor and a file easily removes any burrs.

After weeks of riding the GE1 Evo, I was really pleased but with the GE1 Evo Factory claiming softer rubber, it seemed things were set to improve.

Ergon GE1 Evo Factory (Slim)

After the experience with the GE1 Evo, I thought the softer rubber Evo Factory would feel like pillows. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so simple. A couple of weeks into riding the Factory GE1 and I couldn’t shake the harsher feel through the bars. It felt like I was on an even thinner grip and the hard metal of the handlebar felt more prominent. Aside from the grips, nothing had changed. All grips spent time on the same bike, with the same tires and the same settings.

Highlights:

• Regular and Slim (32mm and 30mm diameter)
  
• Single CNC clamp (with 3mm hex key!)
  
• Integrated grip end and inner core
  
• Optimized Inner Core helps dampen feedback
  
• “Unique in-house produced rubber compound”
  
• 135mm length
  
• Weight: 105g (Evo Factory)
  
• MSRP: Evo Factory–39.95 USD
  

I kept circling back to the previous grip wondering if I was mistaken. In fact, it seems the softer rubber offers less damping at the same thickness, allowing more feedback to be felt in the hand. If you enjoy really thin grips, the Evo Factory Slim will feel great, but if a slim profile that offers a bit more cushioning is preferred, I’d lean toward the Evo Slim.  

Ergon’s soft rubber compound used in the Factory grips seems to provide more compression when grabbing hold. This translates to the GE1 Factory in the regular size feeling quite good. Once compressed under the hand it felt similar to Evo slim in terms of thickness, but with a more gel feel. The softer rubber of the Factory grip also wears more quickly and despite less saddle time, it shows more wear than the Evo. 

Ergon GD1 Factory (Slim)

The GD1 grips are the newest design from Ergon. Featuring a tapered profile, they’re used by riders like Tahnée Seagrave on the World Cup. This shape offers more padding at the ends where more contact is made. Unlike most current grips, the GD1 include an inner flange. Most of us aren’t throwing barspins, so why not? Then again, what does it do for us? I never had a problem with it but also haven’t found a need for it either. It’s been designed not to interfere with gear shifters and dropper posts and in my experience, didn't obstruct reach.

Highlights

• Tapered Design
  
• Regular and Slim (30–32mm taper and 29–30.5mm taper diameter)
  
• Single CNC clamp (with 3mm hex key)
  
• Interchangeable end plugs
  
• Optimized Inner Core helps dampen feedback
  
• “Custom Rubber Compound”
  
• 144mm length
  
• Weight: 120g (Factory), 140g (Evo Factory)
  
• MSRP: 34.95 USD
  
  

Feel of the tapered profile is subtle but the lack of support at the ends provides a different sensation to the GE1 series. This is only apparent when grabbing the end of the bar and as a rider that prefers to hang hands off the edge, it wasn’t as comfortable. The outermost portion of my hand would cave around the grip, resulting in hand fatigue and arm pump on longer descents. The subtle rise at the end of a classic ODI Ruffian is enough to keep me pain-free, but that wasn’t the case with the GD1.

Grip feel with the GD1 is excellent and heaps of traction means a less aggressive hold is needed. The ribbing pattern gets the credit and while a little abrasive on the first ride,* there was no problem afterward. While this is a slim factory grip, I didn’t have the same troubles as with the thin feeling GE1 Factory Slim, thanks to the tapered shape.

*Bare hands. Gloved riders shouldn’t have a problem.

Conclusion

Grips are as personal as seats and underwear and Ergon has a larger range of options than ever. For riders that don’t need added support at the end of the bar and prefer a more traditional look and feel, the GD1 is a great option. They provide an almost locked grip feel with all of the ribs, especially in rough terrain. The GE1 series offers a different feel and felt more natural to me on the trail. Hand support at the end of the bars was excellent and for this reason, I prefer the GE1 Evo Slim. 

Head to the Ergon website for more information on their range of grips.