In this article I will share my thoughts about using the ESI Chunky Grips, where Chunky is the model type of ESI Grips. These are silicone bicycle grips of about 60 grams. Philipp Gante, a long time cycling friend, advised me these excellent grips after I was slightly disappointed with the stock grips on my Scott Scale 925.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key features Chunky ESI Grips
On the ESI Grips page you can read the following product description about the Chunky:
Our most popular model! – 60 grams and 32mm installed diameter. Ideal for grip shift users and cyclists seeking the industry’s top shock-absorbing grip!
- Standard Grip Length: 130mm
- Installed Diameter: 32mm (made for 22mm bars (can fit applications down to 19mm))
- Weight Variation: ±5%
- Compatible with 22mm bars down to 19mm
- Bar Plugs included. (For grip protection and simplified installation, insert Bar Plugs first.)
- Colors may vary from screen to screen. NOTE: Our Black is a dark charcoal gray
Honestly the Syncros grips on the Scott Scale 925 were for my personal preference a bit to thin, and thus resulting in more tired hands from absorbing shocks and squeezing the handle bars. ESI Grips has you covered in this personal preference thickness: going from the racer’s edge of 30 mm. up to the fatty’s model with a diameter of 35 mm. So shock absorption is a key feature here, and a bit of comfort will get you further.
The second key feature it grip. The silicone material is super grippy in all weather conditions. I couldn’t find myself in any situation where the Roeckl Mori long finger gloves lost their grip on the ESI grips. But ESI Grips now also has a ribbed Chunky in their product line up.
While weight is less relevant on a mountain bike (compared to a road bike) these grips are lightweight. 60 grams in total, simply because of the material characteristics of the silicone foam.
Only thing I’ve changed was changing the ESI Bar Plugs for Hope Tech Grip Doctor – Bar End protection. While the ESI Bar Plugs do what they need to do, the Hope Tech Grip Doctor provides a bit more protection on the outside of the bars.
Installation ESI Chunky Grips
Installation of the ESI Chunky grips is super easy. It is a 3 step process as you can see in the installation instruction (or the video above).
- Install bar plugs prior to the grips.
- Use a generous amount of evaporative liquid like isopropyl alcohol or hand sanitizer.
- Stand on opposite side of bike and pull grips onto bar with towel quickly.
I tend to use disc brake cleaner which evaporates quickly as well (without harming my aluminum bars). Removing the ESI Chunky Grips is a combination of evaporative liquid and the air-gun attached to my compressor.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price point of the ESI Chunky Grips is around € 20,00, where the new ribbed Chunky is a bit more expensive with € 21,00. Next time I might get me a pair of ribbed Chunky grips.
The ESI Grips have a lot of advantages like weight, shock absorption and grip. Available in loads of colors with matching ESI Bar Plugs. A good price-point for the value these ESI Grips bring. You probably will not use another grip on your mountain bike.
If you ride on single tracks you might get some small cuts on the ends of the grips, where thorns cut through the silicone foam material. However that is considered daily use. 🙂
- Did you know the ESI Grips ?
- Which model are you using or would you choose?
- If you use another brand grips, which brand and model ?
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