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LP Composites Grips
By James Sharp
When I started mountain biking in 1987, most mountain bikes had riser bars. Then came the early nineties and risers went the way of the Dodo bird. Flat bars ruled the day and the must have add on were bar ends. They were popular for a couple of reasons, one, they provided additional hand positions and two, they helped the rider get extra leverage for steep climbs. Well, risers are back and unfortunately, bar ends aren’t seen as a must have item any longer. Equally unfortunate, is that they are going away not because they aren’t useful anymore, but because they look silly on riser bars.
There is hope! LP Composites has been known for years for their comfortable Braids and Braids Jr. bar ends. Not a company to rest on their laurels, LP has raised the bar on comfortable bar ends. Their latest offering, called Grips, takes the level of comfort available in a bar end to new levels.
The best way that I can describe the shape is like this: take a lump of clay, put it in your hand and squeeze, the shape that comes out is about the same shape as the Grips bar ends. They fit your hands so well you might not want to let go! This could be a problem since you can’t brake from the bar ends.
I put the Grips through their paces on a recent all day epic in southern Oregon. By the end of the ride my hands were raw, the only place that I could hold on to without pain were the Grips bar ends. The curve of carbon fiber fit my hands so well they didn’t cause any pressure points, pure heaven after more than 12 hours on the bike.
Summary: Feel free to mock anyone who thinks that there is no place for bar ends on today’s “modern” mountain bikes. They still provide additional hand positions and extra leverage on long or steep climbs. The Grips go one step beyond by having the most ergonomic, comfortable shape of any bar end I have ever wrapped my paws around. Too bad they weren’t around in 1993! The Grips are available in a black/yellow carbon/Kevlar weave or all black carbon fiber. They weigh 160 grams and cost $75.
James Sharp is a contributing editor for GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.
For more information, contact:
LP Composites, Inc.
P.O. Box 977
White Salmon, WA 98672
Phone: 509.493.4447
E-mail: inquiries@lpcomposites.com
www.lpcomposites.com
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