CounterPunch is almost like how droppers were in the beginning, in that you don't know you need it until you get it, and then you'll want it on everything.
I grew up riding in tight trees so I'm pretty good at (and kinda enjoy) dodging them, but I also have been wrecked hard by those damn jumping-and-grabbing trees that seem to live everywhere.
However, I actually got the CPs as grip protection, rather than specifically as hand protection, because I managed to break the endcaps off four or so Ergon GE1 Evo grips within a couple years, well before they wore out. With the CP protecting both the grip and me, I've managed to wear down a set of LoamLabs grips before breaking them, _and_ definitely saved my pinkies from some bark imprints, as well as avoided some tank-slappers thanks to the slippery-ness of the CounterPunch.
I was >< this close to just replacing the GE1s with some nice push-ons secured like a golf club grip*, and I still might go that route to experiment with comfort*, though I'm betting I'll also end up with a CounterPunch bar-end finagled into place with whatever grips I try.
*(Strong double-sided tape underneath with a fast evaporating solvent used to allow the grip to slide on over the tape. I never liked wiring, my hands always manage to notice the wire and get annoyed at it, plus it still leaves the un-wired sections of the grip free to move, especially with a very soft compound that was likely the reason for going with push-ons in the first place.)
*(The LoamLabs grips are pretty nice, but I wouldn't mind a little more rubber and a little less plastic under my hand, as well as more freedom in positioning the grip separately from the bar-end)
Jan. 3, 2023, 9:23 a.m. - Justin White
CounterPunch is almost like how droppers were in the beginning, in that you don't know you need it until you get it, and then you'll want it on everything. I grew up riding in tight trees so I'm pretty good at (and kinda enjoy) dodging them, but I also have been wrecked hard by those damn jumping-and-grabbing trees that seem to live everywhere. However, I actually got the CPs as grip protection, rather than specifically as hand protection, because I managed to break the endcaps off four or so Ergon GE1 Evo grips within a couple years, well before they wore out. With the CP protecting both the grip and me, I've managed to wear down a set of LoamLabs grips before breaking them, _and_ definitely saved my pinkies from some bark imprints, as well as avoided some tank-slappers thanks to the slippery-ness of the CounterPunch. I was >< this close to just replacing the GE1s with some nice push-ons secured like a golf club grip*, and I still might go that route to experiment with comfort*, though I'm betting I'll also end up with a CounterPunch bar-end finagled into place with whatever grips I try. *(Strong double-sided tape underneath with a fast evaporating solvent used to allow the grip to slide on over the tape. I never liked wiring, my hands always manage to notice the wire and get annoyed at it, plus it still leaves the un-wired sections of the grip free to move, especially with a very soft compound that was likely the reason for going with push-ons in the first place.) *(The LoamLabs grips are pretty nice, but I wouldn't mind a little more rubber and a little less plastic under my hand, as well as more freedom in positioning the grip separately from the bar-end)