I recently found myself in need of a fresh set of grips. Wanting to avoid black grips again, I began searching for brands offering red options, leading me to Ergon. However, my interest in Ergon wasn’t solely driven by color preference. Their extensive range includes discipline-specific grips catering to diverse needs.
Utilizing the grip selector provided insight into which grips would best suit my requirements. Answering six questions accurately yielded personalized recommendations, along with two alternative options.
To my delight, the GA2 FAT grips emerged as the top choice from the selector. Interestingly, these were the same grips that had caught my eye previously, indicating alignment between my preferences and the selector’s suggestions. Moreover, luck was on my side as these grips were available in red, matching my desired aesthetic.
In this review, I’ll share my firsthand experience with the Ergon GA2 FAT grips, tested on my hardtail mountain bike.
Mounting and Testing of ERGON GA2 FAT Grips
I opted for the GA2 FAT grips due to their versatility, excelling on various terrains. The thicker FAT version provides extra cushioning, ideal for riders with larger hands. Moreover, as an enthusiast of longer MTB and marathon rides, the additional padding appealed to me.
I noticed with my previous, thinner grips that comfort diminished over extended rides, making the enhanced cushioning of the FAT version a valuable asset.
Mounting
Installing these Ergon MTB grips is a breeze. Begin by cleaning the handlebars thoroughly. Then, it’s simply a matter of sliding the grips onto the handlebars. Ensure you align the right grip with the right side and the left grip with the left side; they’re clearly marked. The “up” indicator should face upward, as indicated by its name.
Once the Ergon grips are in place, slide them onto the handlebars until they reach the end. The stoppers ensure a perfect fit, preventing them from sliding too far or ending up too short.
Next, adjust the grips to your preferred position. Near the “up” indicator, you’ll notice several bars. Use these as a guide to rotate the grips until they align perfectly for you. This adjustment process is easily customizable and can even be done on the fly.
Finally, tighten the grips using an Allen key, preferably with a torque wrench for precision. The maximum torque is clearly marked on the lockring, ensuring you tighten them to the specified force. For these GA2 FAT grips, the recommended torque is 3 Nm (Newton meters).
Once the grips are securely in place, you can hit the trails right away, and that’s exactly what I did. After the initial ride, I made some minor adjustments to the position to better suit my preference. Since this adjustment is highly individualized, I won’t delve into the specifics.
Testing the GA2 FAT grips
Upon my initial ride with these new Ergon grips, the first thing that struck me was their thickness, as expected from the “FAT” version. It took some adjustment, particularly coming from worn, thinner grips.
However, once on the trails, the grips truly excelled. The promised extra cushioning of the GA2 FAT grips was evident, providing remarkable comfort. This additional padding proved gentle on my hands and wrists allowing for a much more comfortable ride, even on challenging and rugged terrain.
The only adjustment I needed to make was to tilt the grips slightly for a better fit in my hands and fingers. On the subsequent ride, the grips felt even more comfortable, especially when paired with MTB gloves.
For me personally, the grip and damping provided by these GA2 FAT grips are truly invaluable, particularly during longer rides.
Ergon GA2 FAT review and final thoughts
The GA2 FAT grips from Ergon emerged as the go-to choice for me from their grip selector, and I had already been eyeing them before. It seemed like the perfect fit, and in practice, that turned out to be entirely true. These grips are a perfect match for me personally. The extra cushioning is truly noticeable, and I absolutely love it!
If I weren’t into endurance and longer MTB rides, I would probably have opted for the GA3 or the standard GA2 grips or even the new GXR series. The only thing that held me back from choosing the GA3 grips was the mini-wing. I was a bit unsure if it would feel comfortable for me. The extra wrist support could be beneficial, but so far, I haven’t experienced any wrist issues.
Furthermore, the GA2 FAT grips are incredibly versatile and serve as excellent all-around grips that can be used on rugged trails as well as for endurance rides. I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. In fact, I found them even better than the immensely popular ESI Chunky grips…
Have you tried the GA2 FAT grips or any other Ergon models? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
