ESI Grips Unwrapped

Price Paid:  $35.00 at ESI

Bike Setup:
CAAD8 Full Dura Ace

Summary:
Nice Grips overall. Extraordinarily hard to install. Once installed, good luck repositioning your levers or replacing cables. They have a great feel and do last but my biggest complaint is the lack of cushioning. This is the only reason I switched back to cork. There is NO WAY to get gel under these, which would have solved the problem.

Strengths:
Great Feel
Durability

Weaknesses:
Not so Pretty
Minimal padding on the top sides of the drops.
Installation

Similar Products Used:
CORK

Price Paid:  $35.00 at ESI Grips

Bike Setup:
On-One Il Pompino single-speed road/cx/commuter bike.

Summary:
I admit that I was suspicious when I read these reviews. But no more. These silicone tubes are both comfortable and durable. I suppose that one day in the future even these break and then I must buy a new set, but today the grips still look new. Why would I even think of buying tapes? I can't consider about giving anything else but five stars.

Strengths:
They look nice, clean smooth.
They are extremely comfortable, with or without gloves.
They seem to be very durable.

Weaknesses:
I haven't found any weaknesses. That's the way some things are: Very excellent products exist.

Similar Products Used:
Ordinary tapes. Well actually they are not similar. They are tapes.

Price Paid:  $35.00 at esigrips.com

Favorite Ride:
Any time when the sun's shining

Bike Setup:
Cannondale six13 road and tri bikes, Dura Ace, Reynolds.

Summary:
These are GREAT!! No unwrapping of bar tape, no stickiness of the tape adhesive, no uneven surfaces, no slipping when wet and sweaty, no fatigue on long rides or cruddy roads. Just comfy grips that last forever.

Strengths:
Just what the doctor ordered. I couldn't think up a better grip if I had to.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Everything else.

Price Paid:  $35.00 at ESI

Favorite Ride:
Bible Creek

Bike Setup:
Bianchi San Lorenzo with DA 10 speed. Rotor Q-Rings; Kenda Tires; Syntace bar/stem; SDG Saddle/Post.

Summary:
I just got the ESI grips on and they are unbelievable! I have used their MTB grips for 2 seasons with great success and the road grips are everything I hoped they would be. Installation will take a little longer than tape the first time, but you will be rewarded with the ultimate comfort and control! I am now the envy of my training partners for sure.

Strengths:
Superior grip and comfort. Much more durable than any tape. Easy to clean and material "breaks in" and gets better with age.

Weaknesses:
New installation technique will challenge some the first time. However, this isn't really a weakness since it is pretty easy with patience and the outcome is simply incomparable to alternative materials.
More expensive, but this material will last several times longer than tape so who cares?

Similar Products Used:
Virtually every kind of tape.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at From Factory

Favorite Ride:
Every day on the bike

Bike Setup:
Russ Denny Custom, Reynolds fork and stays,Dura Ace, FSA Team Carbon Cranks, FSA OS 115 Stem, DT 240 Wheels.

Summary:
The stuff really works. Once you get them on they don't move. ESI's grips have no comparison. No more tape that starts to stink and get slippery from use. I put over 3000 miles on a set of grips and the only reason I changed them is because I replaced the cables when I built up my new frame. Now I am going on 5 monthes and countless miles on the new grips and no sign of wear at all. Just a good scrubbing once in a while and they look feel and (Smell) like new.

Strengths:
Stickey. Long lasting. Durable. Cool colors.

Weaknesses:
Still not on enough bikes to everyone better get past there eliteism attitudes and get with the program. There are no weaknesses as of yet, and I don't see any in the future.

Similar Products Used:
Crappy bar tape. (All kinds and flavors)