Ergon Downhill Range Launch, Les Gets 2016

Jun 15, 2016 at 4:40
by Paul Aston  
Ergon Downhill Series 2017

Ergon is another brand from the mountain bike powerhouse of Germany, and one that is striving to create new and innovative 'contact points' and who's "Goal is to increase riding comfort for every cyclist.". You won't find any re-badged catalog products here as everything is designed in-house and then manufactured in Taiwan. In collaboration with Tahnée Seagrave and Fabien Barel, Ergon present their first range of downhill specific products for 2017, available at stores in October.


Ergon Downhill Series 2017

GD1 Factory Grip Details

• Tapered grip shape
• Anti-slip profile
• Low-profile flange
• Two sizes: Standard and Slim
• Single aluminum CNC machined clamp
• Custom rubber compound
• Interchangeable end plugs
• Weight: Standard 145g / Slim 130g
• Colour: Frozen Black / Frozen Orange
• Price: €34.95
• www.ergon-bike.com

The main goal with the GD1 grip was to conquer arm pump and sore hands when riding downhill. To attempt this, Ergon specially formulated a grip compound to be soft for good damping and absorption, but to also have a strong rebound. If a grip is only soft it can create a feeling like an underinflated tire, giving a 'swimming' feeling. Increasing the rebound force of the rubber should give a more precise feeling and better recovery between impacts.


Ergon Downhill Series 2017
Ergon Downhill Series 2017


Secondly, the grip has a tapered shape. Towards the inside, the grip is thinner to give a precise feeling at the thumb, and thicker towards the outside to spread the pressure on the palm of the hand.


Ergon Downhill Series 2017
Ergon Downhill Series 2017


The whole surface of the grip has been sculpted to help dissipate shocks and increase friction against the palm. The small rectangle shapes underneath the grip are slightly hooked to contact the fingertips when pulling up to manual or hop. Ergon has also made covers that are great for keeping grips dry when you're waiting patiently at the top of the hill, in the rain, waiting for your start time.

bigquotesI consider grips as an important part on a downhill bike. Your hands get so many hits within 4 to 6-minutes. I mean a countless number of hits. A grip should not be too soft either, but convey the impression of the bike to become one with your hand. - Tahnee Seagrave



Ergon Downhill Series 2017


Ergon Downhill Series 2017


SMD2 Saddle Details

• Anti-slip seating surface
• Low-friction sides and nose
• 'Wheel gap' to avoid tire contact
• Three models
• Cromo or solid Ti rails
• 360º edge padding
• Weight: 205g - 220g
• Colour: Black
• Price: €59.95 - €149.95

A saddle's contact points for gravity riding are different to other disciplines. When riding downhill, the main interaction is between the inner thighs and the sides of the saddle opposed to your sit bones in most other disciplines. The sidewalls of the SMD2 shell are constructed vertically which allows all the sides to be padded even at the nose.

Ergon Downhill Series 2017
Ergon Downhill Series 2017


For the SMD2 Pro model, Ergon opted for a solid titanium rail when they could have saved a few more grams with a carbon rail, but after a lot of lab testing they decided that carbon is the wrong material for hard and sudden impacts found in DH racing. In the worst case scenario a saddle with Ti rails should bend but not break, allowing you to complete your race run.


Ergon Downhill Series 2017
Ergon Downhill Series 2017


The rear of the saddle has a very low profile to allow tire clearance for riders who like or need the saddle to be as low as possible, especially since the introduction of larger wheels.

Ergon Downhill Series 2017


The low friction, microfiber surface on the sides and nose of the saddle was chosen to allow the bike to move freely between your legs. The anti-slip, dimpled surface is there to keep you in place when seated and add some grip when muddy.


Ergon Downhill Series 2017


bigquotesMy first impression of the SMD2 prototype concerned the dimension. Exactly the right length, especially at the saddle nose for better control plus the grip and the stability of the rear surface. I could move freely, but had lateral contact with the inner leg when necessary. These were definitely the key facts for me. - Fabien Barel

MENTIONS: @ergonbike


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82 Comments
  • 67 1
 dimpled seat for extra pleasure, is there a his and hers model?
  • 11 1
 Im sure I read somewhere that the ladies is "ribbed for her pleasure'
  • 36 1
 I will say this, I NOW swear by Ergon grips. I have Ulnar nerve damage (shoulder/elbow/wrist) from riding. Someone suggested I try a set of Ergons. I scooped a pair GE1's and noticed the pain was SIGNIFICANTLY reduced almost Completely gone. best $30 I've ever spent on a MTB product..
  • 6 0
 I have been struggling with my ulnar nerve for the last 2 years, it's horrible. My pinkie starts spasming up when I'm riding, and when I'm not riding, it's sharp pain along the entire nerve. I'll definitely give these grips a try.
  • 4 1
 was getting pins n needles in hands/wrist on trail rides, ge1 grips fixed it. might of been me dropping wrists when tired but the thumb cut keeps them at right angle now. would be keen to try the dh ones when my odi's wear out again.
  • 4 0
 @bat-fastard: put me on the list of GE-1 superfans. I got the slim versions and i'm never going back to traditional grips. solved alot of pain and fatigue issues. i was an avid ODI ruffian used for years but the GE-1's have the same diameter and much better padding and a more ergonomic shape, as the company name suggests.
  • 1 0
 odi rogue for me on dh bike, don't give me any trouble until they wear down.
  • 3 0
 No nerve damage here, but love my Ergon grips, hand pain has virtually disappeared, and they also seem to hold up really, really well.
  • 2 0
 @fabdemaere: I'll probably get some too, I had a nasty car accident where I was burnt nearly ten years ago now and my hand is more of a claw!! When getting back on the bike I used them and it made a huge difference in comfort. I'm now back to normal grips, but I'll get these once out for sure! Highly recommended.
  • 2 0
 yep, i was getting nerve pain along my wrist - the only thing that finally fixed it was Ergon GE1's. not even the other ergons, like the gs1, with the wider palm areas helped. the fact that you can just rotate the GE1's until you have the right grip angle means it works for lots of different people. i have mine turned almost upside down
  • 1 0
 Double post*
  • 34 0
 So are you telling me a don't need to cut sections off my bars to fit the grips......
  • 4 0
 Seriously, the WTB guys should take note.
  • 2 0
 .......and a single lock aswell!
  • 14 0
 Did anyone else see a ping pong paddle in their somewhere?
  • 1 0
 LOL
  • 7 0
 Hey Guys,

here are the diameter informations for you:

GD1 Regular:
Thinnest point: 30mm
Thickest point: 32mm

GD1 Slim:
Thinnest point: 29mm
Thickest Point: 30,5mm
  • 8 0
 That saddle looks like some sort of spanking device....
  • 2 0
 Anyone with Ulner Nerve issues should try specialized Sport long finger glove -they have padding around the palm area that totally eliminated nerve issues for me alltogether and the padding hasn't affected my riding one bit. I had Cannondale ODI grips that were pretty thin and unforgiving but it didn't matter when I had the gloves on. BUT I did just upgrade the grips to Ergon GE1s for when I don't want to wear gloves riding. Hoping for similar good experiences as reported here.
  • 6 0
 diameter of the grips?
  • 4 0
 Yep the most important bit of info is missing. I has some race face half nelsons on my yt, obviously designed for girls or small children. They ruined my hands.
A set of lizardskin northshore & the feeling came back after 4 months and has been fine ever since.
Manly grips for manly hands.
  • 3 1
 @mcozzy: Try Cam Zink's Sensus Disisdaboss grips. I don't know how your manly hands will like them but they are pretty comfy.
  • 1 0
 @mcozzy:Yep they left off the clincher; diameter! Love the lizard skins northshore too! I use the slide on with a bit of rubber cement to hold em in place. Never rotate.
  • 4 0
 GD1 Regular:
Thinnest point: 30mm
Thickest point: 32mm

GD1 Slim:
Thinnest point: 29mm
Thickest Point: 30,5mm
  • 2 1
 Makes me wonder why we don't have anti vibration gloves like the ones builders/landscapers/arboriculturalists have for using heavy vibrating tools. They have a thin rubbery gel on the palms, for reducing the effects of vibration white finger. Having said that I have found that gloves with traditional padded palms tend to give me more blisters/calluses than thinner ones as they add pressure and pinch certain areas of the hand. Not tried these grips, but I'd give them a go before making judgements.
  • 2 0
 My view is that I tend to get through far more pairs of gloves than grips, regardless of brand, or quality I just destroy them! Adding more to the gloves may bump the price/manufacture up a bit so I'd rather spend on grips than gloves. That could just be me though.
  • 1 0
 I like the grips so far but not the saddle. Why do they use so much padding on a DH saddle? In my opinion a real Dh saddle should be slim and minimalistic, like an iFly for exemple. Sure the shaoe needs to be right but who needs a comfy saddle on a DH Track?
  • 2 0
 Ever slip a pedal landing a jump?
  • 1 0
 Wonder how different the rubber is vs their other grips, The GA-1s were super comfy, but had that stupid plastic outboard lockring, the GA-2s are less comfy & have much harder rubber. I was decently happy with them for my trailbike, but when I put them on a rowdier bike, the rubber started feeling really harsh. I do kinda like their shaping, but I like a sticky grip, especially for DH type stuff.
  • 1 0
 Ergon fan here. First ran there ge1 grips and loved the comfort and reduced ulnar pain so when my saddle broke I decided to give there "enduro" saddle a go on my sb66. Great saddle really works well supporting your backside on the sit bones as it supposed to. Takes a couple of rides to get used to the pressure in a different area but no more but chafing for me. Liked it so much I now run there marathon saddle on my xc bike too.
  • 6 2
 Nice stuff..... well though out it would seem
  • 3 0
 Even Ergon has some thought in to their products unlike some other company...
Ahem, (WTB Padloc) ahem, cough...
  • 1 0
 Why are the "downhill" saddle so long? It is said "for control", but I don't see how to use the nose when riding downhill?
I only use the wide part of the saddle, maybe i'm doing it wrong?
  • 4 4
 Are you sure about that?

www.pinkbike.com/photo/13593750/?s5
  • 5 3
 What am I supposed to see in this picture? I don't even think he is touching the saddle with any part of his body on this picture. And if he is, there is 30-40mm of unused saddle nose.
  • 4 0
 @faul: The saddle is nestled up high on his right thigh; I think the entire length of the saddle is in contact with his leg. Its an important leverage point, needs to be shaped right to be usable in fore/aft riding positions.
  • 3 0
 @twozerosix:
My bad, I was looking at the wrong leg. I understand now, thank you!
  • 4 0
 Glued to my seat by this gripping article.
  • 3 3
 OK. Ergon grips are awesome, over the last year I have come to run GE1s on all three of my mtbs. I also have an Ergon seat on one and it is super comfortable. BUT this, "The low friction, microfiber surface on the sides and nose of the saddle was chosen to allow the bike to move freely between your legs" just makes me mad, Seriously, f*ck off.

Nobody has ever said, "Shit my bike seat got stuck on the side of my legs!"

Regardless Ergon makes comfortable gear, they just don't need to make up BS like this or they are going to be the new SRAM with their 12 speed drivetrains and Boost technology.

And if anybody replies trying to justify boost and 12 speed cassettes I'll chase you down and kill you with my 10 speed drivetrain and regular 12x142 / 15x100 hubs.
  • 1 0
 I was psyched to see this as I'm in immediate need for new grips...but, can anyone else not find these for purchase anywhere?? Uh, good story I guess. Let me know when I can actually buy them.
  • 3 1
 I'm holding out for some enduro specific grips, like I'll be so much faster
  • 3 0
 You mean like their already well established GE1 "MTB Enduro series"? Chop-chop, off you go to the nearest shop, no more holding out.
  • 1 0
 A bit surprised they didn't opt for a swallow tail version of the saddle, it seems to have some merits on certain bike designs.
  • 2 0
 I'll keep running my 4 season old Ruffians, those things are like hand dildos at this point.
  • 2 1
 Grips presented on PB and not featured on official web pages? Not cool for sure...
  • 1 1
 www.ergonbike.com/en/article-downhill-products.html
  • 3 0
 I like the Ergon grips.
  • 2 0
 revgrips.com suspension for your hands
  • 1 0
 Expensive but comfy
  • 1 0
 Ergon, generally does what they say on the tin.....
  • 1 0
 October ehh....okee dookee then
  • 1 0
 i think my odi loc ons are not failing any time soon.
  • 1 0
 Those little coloured Ergon bar end caps are neat.
  • 2 2
 Sensus top grips.
  • 14 16
 Use grips to conquer arm pump?
Try loosening off the death grip and learn how to set up your suspension.
  • 3 1
 Yea I thought that was a reach too... although for me brake lever angle and better grip strength is what finally helped.
  • 7 0
 @millsr4: I'm a rock climber and I get pumped.
  • 18 1
 Yeah because Tahnee Seagrave obviously has no technique and of course her suspension set up is just awful.... Seriously though grips obviously aren't the only solution to armpump but I bet they do help a load
  • 21 0
 After almost twenty years of riding downhill I can honestly say you are a dick for saying this. It is a genuine problem that affects some more so than others. People told me it was death grip. people told me it was lack of riding, people told me it was suspension etc etc..... And none of those things were true. I have spent a stupid amount of hours figuring out a solution to arm pump and i can honestly say there is no absolute cure. This is after various conditions of riding between mellow years of riding only for fun to living Whistler for a long time and riding every day. You can mitigate it by way of training, suspension setup, grip choice, powerball, other activities such as climbing but for some people it will simply always be there. After 6 or 7 full dh runs my fingers can at times feel broken. They simply stop working. People are built differently, and for those that have no arm pump issues they will never know the frustration that lies with arm pump.
  • 4 7
 @speedyjonzalas: there is little exercise that can do more for your riding than increasing your grip strength, as simple as that. You can use 6 pot calipers, 300mm rotors it just won't do the job. Death grip being a symptom of general lack of skill and strength, eventually poor bike setup, is the main cause for arm pump. These grips MAY or MAY NOT relief a tiny portion of such stress. My personal experience of obviously limited value, with GE1 grips, points out at rather counter-productive nature of such design. Just like some other brilliant ideas like running super thin grips or no gloves. Please DO test stuff, your cockpit setup is after all one of the most important features of a well running bike. Not bashing it, just stating a quite big lack of hope in this thing's capacity to fix outcomes of my poor form. Yes Tahnee would smoke me big time, leaving me minutes behind her, but I don't have her hands to tell. There is noooo way I'd take her or Fabiens, or anyone's testimony as an incentive to try those. Unless off course a huge portion of MTB population says those made a meaningful difference. I found staggering differences between potentially identical grips. As with everything in cockpit department: don't believe anyone, test stuff for a prolongued period of time, IF you are willing to put your money on the line.

As to the saddle it is laughable. You want a saddle with big side surfaces like WTB pure to minimize effects of it ramming against your thighs and crotch area
  • 3 0
 best thing I had for arm pump was the spank vibrocore bars. they really do work, and I'm running avalanche suspension which is already butter in my forks. I'd say grips are more for blisters as you find out easy enough with wrong ones..
  • 2 0
 2 runs at whistler and I had so much hand pain on a rented tr500, went to the shop and had them soften the front up for me and the pain went away. Never had that happen in the passed. Buddy soften up his front end and his arm pump is much better. I think the stiffer your fork is the harder you need to grip.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: this time I have to agree and disagree! Yes the only way to know is to try it & also everyone is different. Saddle pedals, bars and grips are the only things I never used to recommend to anyone when I was in the industry. As one mans blood is another mans poison n all that. However I have used Ergon grips in the past and likely will again. They are a tad odd to begin with, but I'll give it to them, they worked wonders in my hours of need!
  • 2 0
 @speedyjonzalas: your absolutely correct personal physiology is the determining factor with so many things, arm pump being just one. Sounds like you are in a position to give advice to those with a similar problem. Its logical always to listen to sufferers of the same condition rather than to take advice from those who have never suffered. Im one of the lucky ones who doesnt have issues with arm pump but i also have a different background of being a track sprint cyclist for many years. Much of my training was in the wgt room which highlighted grip strength. My skill level on a dh bike is ok but my strength both in my hands and arms can help when my skill level wanes! Now as i said i dont feel as though im in a position to give advice as i dont have issues with arm pump but i do know that my years of wgt training helps me a lot on the dh bike. Take from this as you like!
  • 1 2
 @slowrider73: this self victimization is just silly. I do not know anyone who doesn't suffer from arm pump, Aaron Gwin included. Last year I could not ride down a 3 minute track in one go and it wasn't particularly bumpy. I could not get half way down the mountain where in the past I could do all the way down, time and time again. That is at least double resistance difference between being trained and untrained, and I don't mean any big ripping on the gym, So where's your suffero-meter?
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: perhaps i should have been more specific. I dont suffer any arm pump that is detrimental to performance on the tracks i ride regularly. I do not race dh and never have. All my racing was on the velodrome. I do get arm pump but not to the point of it being a standout problem. I fatigue holistically and my hands/arms are no more tired than is my quads or glutes or shoulders or any other body part. I dont go through periods when my arms/hands fatigue any mor or less than normal.
As far as self victimization goes, i am interested in hearing how it relates to either my comment or those of @speedyjonzalas or the OP. Im not on this site to argue with anyone, im too old for that! Im hear to give/comment on any opinions/stories that i feel i may have something valuable or amusing to add. Ta.
  • 1 0
 @Sshredder

You are way off there....

I used to suffer arm pump and hand fatigue....I switched to fatter grips and I've never had the problem since...width is critical and so is a soft but solid feel.

IMO Anyone getting hand pump should try different grips after checking their brake/shifter angles.
  • 1 0
 @Travel66: so you like fat grips? You see this is what I'm getting at, everyone is different and just because someone calls his product ergonomic, doesn't mean it works. Back to far grips, Dirt wrote once that thin and hard grips are proven to reduce arm pump which I called BS, because I will never forget that weekend in the bike park on a rental ike with super thin grips. It was a torture and in the end I was sure that I forgot how to ride a bike. But thickness is a BS too, because of all grips the comfiest ones for me are Ruffians which are nearly identical in diameter to Peatys and Bontragers that I tried. And Bontragers are the worst suiting me grips I ever had.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: yep fat works for me.....as I say width is critical....as for ergonomics well I've only seen a few that look "smart" to me.....I want to try the GD1 as they are fat but shaped a bit....see if they beat my superstar Excel!

ODI rogues work for me on trail but a bit of shape like the newer odi would be good to try....
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