handlebars/grips for cross?

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Permalink Reply by cyclocross magazine on August 9, 2009 at 1:44pm

beth's hbar

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Permalink Reply by Michael Dolan on August 9, 2009 at 2:12pm

I can see a few places on a cross course where that would be an idea barl setup, supersteep berms especially. Definitely throw some bar ends on there, trust me. It's good for you and good for the other racers. Here's my horrific no bar end wound as a graphic warning (I actually did this on my BMX, but I think the logic applies even more so to cross because of how crowded the tracks can get).

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Permalink Reply by Darkness Merkin on August 9, 2009 at 5:47pm

Bar ends are illegal in OBRA land.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Hamon on August 9, 2009 at 10:35pm

Yeah, I was gonna say the same thing but you beat me to it.
Besides, with the sweep-back on these bars, bar-ends wouldn't work anyway.
(They'd stick out to the sides too much.)

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Permalink Reply by Michael Dolan on August 10, 2009 at 6:04am

No, not extensions, caps on the end of the bar to cover up the bar opening, so you don't get poked.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Hamon on August 10, 2009 at 12:44pm

Oh. Yeah. Did that since this photo was taken. (No fair taking core samples on the course..!)

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Permalink Reply by Darkness Merkin on August 9, 2009 at 5:45pm

ESI silicon foam grips (Cyclepath on MLK has them):

They are overpriced, you have to glue them on so they don't slip, and if you crash they will tear easily. I don't think I will ever use anything else!

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Permalink Reply by andrew on August 9, 2009 at 1:47pm

if your hands aren't too small the heavy Oury grips are comfy and cush. That's the reason they've been popular for 20 years! The ergon grips can distribute the force over a wider area, and come in different sizes. Also, low pressure, supple tires, maybe even tubeless will help too but maybe you're riding pretty low already? Guessing you could ride mid 20s psi in the front tire on your mtb.

good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Brian Wright on August 9, 2009 at 2:21pm

I ride a fully-rigid geared Bontrager on east coast trails. I started off with WTB grips and changed them out for Ergon grips. They are a little different at first but it will be the best money spent. If you go that route and you like them you will not go back! I also agree with Andrew on the tires.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Dolan on August 9, 2009 at 2:15pm

I always notice that the first 2-3 weeks I start taking mt cross bike off the pavement, I have some pain in my fingers, wrists and palms. There is definitely a period of adjustment, and while cross doesn't (usually) have the giant bumps you get on a mtb, what you get instead is constant smaller bumps, that chisel away at the well being of your hands.

I bet in a few more weeks of being on different terrain that pain will fade somewhat as your hands and wrists get used to it.

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Permalink Reply by Katsu Tanda on August 10, 2009 at 6:19pm

I use ESI Silicon foam grips on my mtb. I have no issues with slipping like Darkness Merkin says. If you install them correctly like they say (use compressed air or rubbing alcohol) they won't slip. They were a pain to get on with compressed air.

They will tear if you crash hard on them but I think they are the best grips I've used.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Hamon on August 17, 2009 at 9:09am

I went with the Oury grips this past week. So far, so good (at least with my padded summer gloves).
Not sure what I'll do when the weather turns cold but there's time to figure that out still. Thanks. --B

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