Ergon GP5 or Ergon GP3 - Flatbar Touring

[Aushiker]

While I have Ergon grips on my Jones H-bar, they do not have bar ends. My new 'touring bike' has flat bars and a Rohloff E14 Shifter and is currently fitted with Ergon GP1 Evos, but I would like more hand positions.

Hence, I am tossing between the Ergo GP5 BioKork grips and the GP3 BioKork grips.

Does anyone have experience with either? Is the GP5-L just too much for long-distance multi-day rides?

The alternative is SGLab's 702 and a set of their innerbands. I am unsure about this idea, but I am interested in others' experiences.

[Leaf T]

I have the gp5 on my daily commuter/tourer and think they're excellent. Lots of various positions and particularly useful for leaning forward on the ends when in a headwind.

[Aushiker]

I have the gp5 on my daily commuter/tourer and think they're excellent. Lots of various positions and particularly useful for leaning forward on the ends when in a headwind.

Thanks for your input, Leaf. My brain says the GP5s but I was wondering if the size was too much, but your point about leaning forward is a key in the decision.

[robbo mcs]

My bike came with the GP2, which were just too stubby. I changed to the GP4, which for me work really well. I did consider the GP5, but thought they might be just too big. With the GP4 I can get really aero if I want to, lay the back of my forearm on flat part of the grip, brace my arm at the side against the bar end, and stick my hands out front, curled around the front of my handlebar bag. Hard to describe, but works really well and feels stable.

One thing to be aware of, there are Rohloff variants with a slightly shorter grip on the right hand side, and not all of them have that option. That may not be an issue depending on the length of your bars. I reused the grip from the GP2 with the bar end from the GP4

[Leaf T]

Another thing with the ergons whichever barend you choose is that you can mount a busch and muller mirror in the end of the handle bar with a simple mod. I'll upload a picture tomorrow.

[Aushiker]

My bike came with the GP2, which were just too stubby. I changed to the GP4, which for me work really well. I did consider the GP5, but thought they might be just too big. With the GP4 I can get really aero if I want to, lay the back of my forearm on flat part of the grip, brace my arm at the side against the bar end, and stick my hands out front, curled around the front of my handlebar bag. Hard to describe, but works really well and feels stable.

I did consider GP4s as a comprise between the GP5 and GP3, but they do not appear to do a Biokork version

One thing to be aware of, there are Rohloff variants with a slightly shorter grip on the right hand side, and not all of them have that option. That may not be an issue depending on the length of your bars. I reused the grip from the GP2 with the bar end from the GP4

I have an electronic shift, and the grips on the bike are GP1 Evo, so I think standard grips should be fine.

[Leaf T]

Tried to upload a pic but it's been so long I've forgotten how to do it here. Looks like you already did similar with the mirracle mirror anyway. I find the mirror works well in this position and I can still use the full range of positions. Using a Rohloff twist shifter if that matters.