The Ergon GP3 Evo grips bring the brand’s comfort-focused offering into a sleeker, more eco-friendly package. With redesigned bar ends, they’re a solid upgrade for riders looking to improve hand comfort and control on flat-bar bikes. They’re primarily intended for commuters, tourers and e-bike riders.
Ergon says the GP3 Evo grips deliver enhanced ergonomics and reduced environmental impact thanks to a new rubber compound sourced from ‘bio-based materials’ and a lighter, refined shape.
The idea is simple: combine a supportive wing-style grip with a mini bar end for multiple hand positions and reduced numbness. They’re aimed at those who spend long hours on the bike and want a more natural wrist position.
Ergon says that, ‘brand-new innovations from Ergon will continue to provide holistic relief, more control and better performance on the bike – whether you are a professional athlete or an amateur cyclist,’ and this philosophy is clear in the design quality of the GP3 Evos.
The grips are, ‘manufactured from certified SGS pollutant-free rubber of the highest quality,’ and, quite neatly, also available in cork for the even more eco-conscious. This is something I really value in most modern products, so that’s a big thumbs up from me.
I’ve long suffered from hand discomfort on my mountain bike on rides over an hour or so. I find the pressure build up on my ulna becomes quite uncomfortable, so anything that can offer relief is something I’m curious to try.
Installation isn’t hard, but it’s not exactly a two-minute job either. The angle of the palm platform is crucial – a few degrees too high or low and you’ll either lose support or feel your wrists bending unnaturally. Fine-tuning can be fiddly, and angling the bar ends will probably take a few rides to get exactly right – but once it’s all set up perfectly, your wrists and palms will thank you.
Once you’ve achieved this, they’re rock-solid, with Ergon’s trademark attention to detail in the lock ring, end plugs and moulded texture. Everything feels well made – as it should at this price. I typically find flat bars less comfortable than drop bar alternatives and these were a bit of a game changer for me. I didn’t suffer from any soreness, numbness, or discomfort across the whole test period and the contrast to the standard lock-on grips that came on my mountain bike (I believe a stock set of BMC in-house ones, no obvious branding is apparent) was stark.
The wide platform spreads pressure evenly across the palm, which is a godsend on long commutes or multi-hour rides. Numbness and tingling, which I found a regular occurrence with straight grips, was drastically reduced, if not totally eliminated.
The integrated mini bar ends also offer a genuinely useful alternative hand position without adding much bulk. On climbs or smoother trail sections where you can move your hands away from the brakes with confidence, they feel great. It did take a while to get the position nailed, but they were great to use.
Riders used to slimmer, rounder grips may find them a bit disconnected on technical trails or fast descents. They’re not bad, but not ideal if you like a locked-in, direct handlebar feel.
After a hundred or so kilometres in mixed weather, the surface still looks fresh and the compound hasn’t shown signs of premature wear. Ergon’s rubber mix feels firm enough to last, yet still has some give. The bar ends use glass fibre reinforced composite rather than metal, which helps keep weight down without feeling cheap.
At £54.99, the GP3 Evo grips sit toward the top end of the ergonomic grip market. Similar options like the Brooks Cambium Ergonomic Grips – which lack the bar end – are priced the same, so the price feels about in line with what you’d expect for a premium offering.
For context, Ergon’s GS1 Evo grips cost £31.99.
If you’re upgrading from basic rubber grips, the GP3 Evos will feel transformative. If you already own the previous GP3s, or other touring style grips, you may not find them quite as drastic a change. However, the quality and finish of the grips aligns with Ergon’s other products so, if you’re after the best, this is a great shout.
Verdict
Very good comfort upgrade for touring and commuting, with eco credentials and high build quality
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Ergon GP3 Evo grips
Size tested: One Size
Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The GP3 Evo grips are designed for commuters, tourers and e-bike riders who want more comfort and wrist support. Ergon claims improved ergonomics and eco-friendly materials. While comfort is excellent, the upgrades over the old GP3 are modest.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
The GP3 Evo grips use a bio-based rubber compound, a single lock-on clamp, and glass fibre reinforced composite bar ends for multiple hand positions.
Build quality is top-notch, with clean moulding, solid hardware and a premium feel that matches the price.
The angle adjustment is key to getting the best support, but once they’re set up, these are game changing for hand comfort.
High end materials and solid design mean that after a month of testing in mixed conditons, they are still looking fresh.
For me, they provided relief from longstanding discomfort on a flat handlebar bike.
I think the price is fair given the construction, materials, and quality.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
The GP3 Evo grips delivered very good comfort on long rides, significantly reducing hand-numbness and wrist strain thanks to the broad palm wing and integrated bar ends. They did the job they’re designed for – providing ergonomic support and multiple hand positions.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
I particularly liked the wide support platform for the palm that distributed pressure effectively, as well as the built-in bar ends which gave a useful alternate hand position for climbing or just to mix things up.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The somewhat bulky feel and the fiddly setup (especially aligning the bar-ends) might put off riders who prefer minimal-profile grips. They take a bit of tuning.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
I’d say for a premium grip with included bar ends, the price is fair.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Ergon GP3 Evo grips are well-made, comfortable and thoughtfully designed; exactly what you’d expect from the German brand. They do their job very well, but the high price is hard to ignore – although, if comfort is your top priority, I’d say they’re worth the investment.
About the tester
Age: 30 Height: 175cm Weight: 67kg
I usually ride: Road (Tarmac SL8) My best bike is:
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, mtb, Occasional Ultra Racing
1 thought on “Ergon GP3 Evo grips”
Think you might have got your
Think you might have got your photo captions mixed up – grey section on grips should be uppermost, I believe….?