Over time, bicycle grips wear out. The material becomes slippery or brittle, which can affect your grip. Weather conditions and hand sweat can also make grips sticky over time, which is often perceived as annoying. The crucial point, however, is that worn grips offer less control over the bicycle and thus increase the risk of accidents. Additionally, increased friction can form blisters or calluses on your hands. 

Comfort also plays a crucial role, as bicycle grips are your direct connection to the handlebars, the control center of your bike. Especially on more extended tours, poorly fitting or old grips can cause pain in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, and back. Ergonomic wing grips, such as the GP1 Evo from Ergon, offer much better hand support and can significantly reduce pressure points. The wing shape, perfectly adapted to the hand, effectively distributes the intense pressure over a larger area, thus preventing discomfort. Ergon touring grips are available in two different sizes, as a larger hand has a better fit on a thicker grip than on a thinner one. Accordingly, a thinner grip fits a smaller hand better. 

Simon Schumacher, head of the ergonomics department at Ergon, also advises changing your grips more often: "New or ergonomic grips usually offer better cushioning against vibrations and shocks from the ground. This can make the ride more comfortable and reduce fatigue, especially on bumpy trails or mountain biking." Too loose, worn, or poorly positioned grips can make it difficult to control the bicycle and pose an increased safety risk. In contrast, new, properly installed ergonomic grips offer better grip and improve riding safety. 

"The grips should also match the intended use," says the ergonomics expert. "A grip originally intended for longer bike tours has different requirements than one used, for example, in downhill biking." Therefore, Ergon offers grip models specifically designed for each application. In this case, for example, the GP series is for touring, and conversely, the GD series is for downhill sports, and the GA/GE series is for more technical mountain biking. 

There are also grips optimized for specific handlebar shapes, such as the Ergon GC1 grips, which are designed explicitly for handlebars with a pronounced backward bend. "With handlebars that have a pronounced backward bend, conventional grips can cause the wrist to bend," reveals Simon. The result can be various types of discomfort and pain. However, the GC1 is anatomically and ergonomically ideal for this type of handlebar and corrects misalignments of the hands. You should also consider what material your grips should be made of, as the feel also plays a significant role. For example, Ergon grips are made from the highest quality, toy-certified rubber – Made in Germany – or from organically grown bio-cork in Portugal. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that some manufacturers also offer grips made of leather or even wood. 

Here's a tip: If you're unsure which grip suits you best, try our Online Grip Selector on the Ergon website. 

As you can see, many good reasons exist to change bicycle grips. Moreover, changing and installing ergonomic grips is not rocket science and offers a great way to significantly increase the comfort and safety of your bike, especially on longer rides. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it yourself. 

Tools you will need:

Loosen: For ergonomic screw grips, you must first loosen the screws. Use an Allen key, usually size 3 or 4, and unscrew the screws at the inner or outer end of the grip. 

Release: If the grips are not fastened with screws, you can loosen them with some soapy water, alcohol, or brake cleaner. Gently slide a screwdriver between the handlebar and grip and drip or spray one of the above liquids into this gap, then gently move the screwdriver back and forth between the handlebar and grip. Remove the screwdriver and then move the grips back and forth to loosen them. It works even better with compressed air for those lucky enough to have a compressor in their workshop or garage. 

Pull off: Pull the old grips off the handlebar. If they are still difficult to remove, you can again slide a flat screwdriver under the grip to make removing it easier. But be careful not to damage your handlebar, especially if it is a carbon handlebar.

Before installing the new grips, you should thoroughly clean the handlebar. Remove all adhesive residues or dirt to create a clean and secure base for the new grips. You can also treat heavily glued areas with alcohol or brake cleaner.

Preparation: Some bicycle grips require the application of a special adhesive or hairspray to better attach them to the handlebar. You should do this before sliding on the grips. With Ergon grips, you don't have this problem, as they can usually be easily fixed with their high-quality screw clamps. 

Slide on: Slide the new grips onto the handlebar. It is best to slide Ergon grips with screw clamps on without end caps so that you can see if they align with the end of the handlebar. If they are difficult to slide on, spray alcohol or brake cleaner between the grip and handlebar. Alcohol and brake cleaner are better suited than soapy water, as these liquids evaporate better, and the grip is ready for use more quickly. Here, too, ergonomic screw grips are advantageous, as they generally slide onto the handlebar without any problems. However, ensure they are correctly aligned, and the ergonomic shape fits your hand. Important: For ergonomic wing grips, such as the GP1 Evo series, GS1 Evo series, GC1, GT1, etc., the wing must be directed backward so the palm can rest correctly. 

Secure: If the grips have screws, tighten them lightly with an Allen key. Please ensure the grips can still rotate so you can adjust them perfectly to your body and seating position.

Adjusting Grip Rotation: Stand up and clamp the top tube between your legs – even better, sit on your bike while a partner holds the bike or lean against a wall with your shoulder to begin the fine adjustment. Ergonomic grips usually have a wing for a larger contact area, ensuring a natural hand position and preventing pressure points. The grip wing supports the palm and keeps the wrist almost straight –neither bent nor overstretched. You can rotate the grip about 10 degrees downward or up to 20 degrees upward from this neutral starting position, according to personal preference. Once the desired position is found, align the shift and brake levers with the new grip and secure everything with the necessary torque. Make sure the grips are adjusted so that your thumb and index finger can easily reach the brake and shift levers while the rest of the hand rests comfortably on the grip surface. Now, insert the end cap. All aesthetics and design lovers must ensure the Ergon logo is positioned correctly. 

Caution: If you don't have a torque wrench at hand, don't overdo it with tightening the screws to avoid damage. Be especially careful with carbon handlebars! If necessary, have the clamping torque checked by a specialist dealer.

Take a short test ride to ensure the new grips are firm, comfortable, and in the correct position. Make sure nothing wobbles or slips. With these simple steps, you can easily change and install ergonomic grips to make your rides more pleasant and comfortable.

As mentioned, changing and installing ergonomic bicycle grips is not rocket science. However, fine adjustment is a very individual process and depends on your personal preferences, the anatomy of your hand, and your seating position on your bike. The correct position should support your wrists in a neutral, relaxed posture and evenly distribute pressure on the palms. Test different angles and positions until you find the setting that is most comfortable for you.