specialized body geom grips

[jeffhop]

ive just bought some specialized body geometry grips for the oz as ive had some serious problems with numbness in my hands in the past (and elbows but thats a different matter,  or is it? ) i was just wondering if anyone on here has tried them. my first observation of them is the size of them and secondly, what angle is the pad supposed to be?, they are quite large for a grip, but i think that may be a good thing for me as my grip will be more relaxed especially when tootling up a fire road or spinning up a climb in the granny ring. if anyone is interested ill keep people posted on how the grips perform as im sure im not the only one who suffers numbnes.

[bmwcarver]

I have these on my ride and I really like them.  The angle I have them set at is with the wording nearly straight up with the thicker part of the grip going nearly horizontal straight toward the rear of the bike.

The numbness can be caused from locking the elbows instead of keeping them slightly bent.  Locking the elbows can cut the circulation down, same with the knees if standing at attention in a band or military, they say to keep the knees slightly flexed for that very reason.

[jeffhop]

mmmmmmmmmive got my black bits ( its hard to describe ) at about 45 degrees poss 60 degrees. will have to post a pic of it

[junkster]

I had these and found having them with the black raised bits facing in the direction of the seatpost lug in the frame. I got rid of them as they put pressure on my hands in a different place. Club roast do a good range.

Specialised BG saddles are the coolest - I have an thin ergo one and even 6.30hrs straight cycling on it was still more comfortable than any gel padded granny saddle I've owned.

[Matno]

Specialised BG saddles are the coolest - I have an thin ergo one and even 6.30hrs straight cycling on it was still more comfortable than any gel padded granny saddle I've owned.

Wow! Finally someone who actually likes them. Everybody I know who has tried them (myself included) hates the entire BG saddle line. I've only ridden two of them (one REALLY cushy one and one racier model) and both felt almost exactly the same - that is, they felt fantastic for about 100 yards, then kind of uncomfortable, and then after 10 miles unbearable. I've blocked out my memory of the pain at 30 miles... I'm not sure how such a soft saddle can actually feel rock hard, but they both did. That was at a time that I was switching regularly between 3 totally different saddles, none of which bothered me at all...

[Colin]

I've got BG "Sport" saddles on my XP-X and 4000se
and I've got a BG "Comp" to put on the 5500.
I absolutely love them for both on road (XP-X) and off-road (4000se).
I used to get the old "numb knackers" on any ride over about 20 minutes long, but not any longer! So these are a great blessing for the Mrs!
It's obviously important to get the seat position right (tilt angle, for/aft postion etc.) But I put the BG's on at exactly the same position as the old saddles so that's eliminated.
I believe they also do them in different "sit bone" widths but unless you're unusual in that dept., standard ones should be OK.
I also use their gloves and these have virtually eliminated "numb hands" and my tennis elbow has not re-occurred (touch wood).
I want some BG grips but havn't seen any.
Also their shoes look good.............(I am the Imelda Marcos of the bike shoe world)

I'm a Convert!

Hallelujah! Specialized BG saved me!
(can't stand their tyres though...! <GRIN>)

[jeffhop]

colin try wiggle.co.uk for the b/g grips. ive also tried the b/g saddles i had a pro version on a roadbike and got rid of it after about 2 rides, way too hard, but having said that, my arse also doesnt get on with flites either.

[shovelon]

My LBS offered a discount on the BG saddles. He talked me into trying one. The parking lot ride was OK, then I planned a ride, and after a couple of miles I was in agony. Honestly the 2 ridges were flogging my rump so badly, I had to return home. I returned the saddle for a refund.

Yep, I tried maybe 15 different saddles before I found one that was as comfy as my 2 pound springer seat. Oh how I miss it.

Terry

[jeffhop]

been out for my first proper ride since buying the grips and i have to say im impressed by the comfort level, no numb hands or elbows so these grips definately get the thumbs up.

[Frankd3000]

I wish I had seen this thread before.

I absolutely MUST tell you about Mary. No, Mary isn't a nurse that massages your hands and arms.

On-One's Mary handlebar. They're based in the U.K. (see, all the best stuff out there!). http://www.on-one.co.uk/

Through the year I had a growing concern with numbness in the palms of my hands. I figured i'd go and buy one of those "I-gotta-have-a-riser-bar-too" fad pieces to "solve" the problem.

Nope. I tried a few at the LBS and they only have a few more degrees sweep in them. Not enough considering the BODY'S needs and natural tendencies.

The problem wasn't the grips - they're just along for the ride (pun not intended). The problem is the shape of the bar and what the body considers "normal"

Do this... stand up, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths. Shake your arms to loosen them up. Now take a few more deep breaths. Shake your arms again Now raise both your arms forwards to where your handlebar would be. Stop. Open your eyes. What position are your wrists in? That doesn't look like the shape of a normal handlebar, now does it?

It's beyond me why so many people put up with the numbness, for sake of a band-aid fix with grips.

Jeff, if you want the pain GONE because you're interested in buying parts that work, then buy this bar. No, I don't work for them. I'm not getting any kickbacks. I'm just VERY adamant about this bar.

If you don't like it you can always put it on E-Bay and make most, if not all, of your money back.

Pics...









Same goes for anyone else out there, with any kind of bike. Currently Mary is only available in aluminum, powdercoated black. She hits the scales at 300 grams. Still comparable to many bar/end combo's.

Many apologies if anyone considers the info or my approach as spamming or otherwise. Don't we all deserve parts that are made FOR us? I think that's worth shouting about.

Think about it, Jeff.

[jeffhop]

hi frank, ive looked at the bars in your pic, very interesting. i especially like the `from the seat pic`. i did as you said and shut my eyes , shook my hands and made a grip like you said infront of the pic on the screen, i seem to be inbetween a normal bar and mary, i can definately see what your getting at. does mary have a sister? good job id only been to the pub for a couple before doing this otherwise i might have fell over!!  lol

[jeffhop]

oh yeah frank i see your getting good at the pics now, no more little red crosses in the box? i wish someone could explain it to me in even simpler terms  lol i havent a clue how to do it  

[Frankd3000]

Mary - actually, Mary does have siblings. Check out On-One's site for the "family tree". It's worth the "risk".

P.M. sent about downloading the pics.

[bmwcarver]

Too bad she doesn't come in Carbon!  I had a chance for a bar somewhat between Mary and a Moustache bar and I let it go.  Would've been very comfortable, but wasn't sure how it would hold up in the trails.  This definitely looks like something to check into though!