by 
A few months back, some goodies from Ergon landed in my lap so I could put it all through its paces and see how it all performs. Now, like many of you, I’m a hack with little to no grace on a bicycle at all, so any gear I use has to be tough. The biggest deal breaker for me is gear that breaks down after only a few rides, so I was keeping a close eye on the goods from Ergon for signs of wear.
Keep in mind that this is only D2’s review; the other gents at DC also got some gear, so their interpretations may be different than mine.
Here’s how it all went down:
Ergon GS1 Grips:
Like most people, the first time I saw Ergon grips, I thought: boy, those sure are some nice grips for grandmothers and townie cruisers. The shape was immediately off-putting because they looked like your standard townie fare, nothing ready for use off-road.
I can’t begin to tell you how wrong my initial impression was. I love these grips. They even unseated ESI grips as my new favorite. Why? A few reasons: first, as long rides wear on, your wrists tend to sag, which in turn makes your upper body sag. The unique shape of the Ergon grips keeps you in a better, stronger riding position that won’t have your neck and shoulders aching after hour two in the saddle.
What about the downside? Unfortunately there is one. You have to get the grips positioned just right, or your hands can get squirrely on descents. My first ride, my hand slipped right off the front of these bad boys. Once I found the sweet spot, however, they were good to go. Take the time to get the proper position and you’ll fall in love with these grips.
Ergon BX2 Pack:
(apologies for the shitty photos…took them on the quick)
This was the item I was most excited to see land in my mailbox from Ergon. It’s eye catching for sure, and it looks like a stellar pack. It was, in fact, pretty awesome, though there are a few drawbacks to this one as well.
First off, let me say that Ergon nailed the fit system. I have a really long torso, which generally means hydration packs tend to feel like a second grader’s My Little Pony backpack on me. The BX2 is made for guys like me…as well as for guys and girls with short torsos. The harness system adjusts quickly and easily using a velcro strap, and it stays in place once you get it where you want. The waist strap stayed in place too, and I often forgot I was even wearing the pack.
The downside? It’s sort of a big one: NO BLADDER. WHAAAAA??? That’s right, there’s no bladder included. I threw a Camelbak bladder in there, and while it worked, you could tell it wasn’t designed specifically to work with this pack. Further, the bladder sits in the main compartment, leaving it susceptible to punctures.
Otherwise, in terms of comfort and usability, this pack is great. Lots of storage, nice and light, rugged and ready for the trail. Recommended for sure, as long as you don’t mind using a Camelbak bladder.
Ergon SM3 Pro Saddle:
I will admit, I’m not going to be nice to this saddle in this review. It killed my sit bones. It’s a light, solidly built saddle, but I would highly recommend getting your sit bones measured before investing in this bad boy. I tend to use very narrow saddles, and the SM3 just wasn’t narrow enough for me.
Luckily, 40 Hands has sit bones that seem to go well with the SM3, and he really digs this seat. So aside from feeling like I was sitting on knives, the saddle is well built and light, and it is great for anyone with slightly wider sit bones or folks who just generally prefer a wider platform on which to place the ol’ brown eye on long rides.
Ergon HA2 Gloves:
Before these arrived, I was rolling some old Answer gloves that I really loved. They had no velcro straps around the wrists, and while I wasn’t stoked to see Velcro on the HA2 gloves, it turned out to be a non-issue. These gloves are sweet. The velcro strap is small and stays out of the way; it’s on the bottoms of the wrists rather than the tops, so you never feel them when your hands are on the grips.
They were a bit tight at first, but after a few rides they felt just right. There’s an extra pad at the base of the palm meant to work specifically with Ergon grips; I didn’t feel anything especially mindblowing in this regard, but the gloves are comfortable…and durable. I’ve been riding these for a season and a half, and they’re my go-to gloves for sure. Rugged, they’ve held up great and still have enough life in them for another season or two. Padding placement is great, and while the ubiquitous sweat-and-booger-wiper on the thumbs are missing, the material is comfortable enough to wipe away whatever fluids happen to be leaking from you.
Ergon HE2 Gloves:
The HE2 Gloves showed up a bit more recently, and I’ll admit I only have about eight or nine rides on them. Like the HA2 gloves, these are very well built and stylish; I expect to get a lot of use out of them. Padding is just about perfect, and the articulation of the fingers is excellent. Gloves don’t tend to last long in my possession, since I tend to blow through the fingers and the low palms, but these seem to be durable as hell, so I have high expectations.
The downside? They are really, really tight. I’m a dude with small hands, and these were really snug the first few rides. They loosened up a bit after time, but they’re still fairly snug. Think about ordering a size larger than you normally would.
I’m also not a huge fan of the extended velcro cuff. It comes down a bit too far on my wrists, and I occasionally notice this on particularly hot days.
The HA2 gloves will probably remain my go-to gloves, but the HE2 seem just as durable, and they’re great looking. I’ll report back after a few more rides.
by 
So did you swallow after that glorious free Ergon ad??
Perhaps you should actually read the review.
Good morning to you D2. I selectively cut and pasted some of the lines that left the impression that you were sucking at the ????? of the Ergon company. You are a writer and you write creatively, I read for bullet points and never from a book or paper. I always like the inside scoop of some sweet gear that someone discovered, this just left the impression that a company was looking for free press, sent out some gear to the DC writers and you used and wrote about the chubby that comes with nice free gear.
So yes, I read the review including the quotes below. The gear probably is sweet, especially for free. No biggie, I just woke a bit sassy this morning. Have a great day!
I can’t begin to tell you how wrong my initial impression was. I love these grips. They even unseated ESI grips as my new favorite.
This was the item I was most excited to see land in my mailbox from Ergon. It’s eye catching for sure, and it looks like a stellar pack. It was, in fact, pretty awesome
First off, let me say that Ergon nailed the fit system. in terms of comfort and usability, this pack is great. Lots of storage, nice and light, rugged and ready for the trail. Recommended for sure… Tough, water-resistant, sexy
So aside from feeling like I was sitting on knives, the saddle is well built and light, and it is great for anyone with slightly wider sit bones or folks who just generally prefer a wider platform
These gloves are sweet. I’ve been riding these for a season and a half, and they’re my go-to gloves for sure. Rugged, they’ve held up great and still have enough life in them for another season or two.
Like the HA2 gloves, these are very well built and stylish; I expect to get a lot of use out of them. Padding is just about perfect, and the articulation of the fingers is excellent.
The HA2 gloves will probably remain my go-to gloves, but the HE2 seem just as durable, and they’re great looking.
Ok, so what you’re saying is you cherry-picked certain lines without reading the rest of the review, and that means I’m only stroking Ergon.
In other words, you looked only at the nice things I said and ignored the critiques (you know, the critiques that would indicate this was a fair review of product…).
Gotcha. I totally understand you now.
I don’t know, Ribsteak… Maybe D2 just likes the stuff and is being honest. I got a similar package and I have my opinions too.
The pack – I use it every ride. Light, simple, and not to much useless bullshit.
The seat – love that thing. I got one gifted, then went out and bought 2 more for my other XC bikes. But seats are hard to judge. Asses are like snowflakes, every one is different
The grips. – I fucking hate them. They make my hands go numb and I think they look goofy. And we all know you have to look good to feel good…I heard a rumor that if you have ever had a broken hand these grips don’t work well..and I have broke both hands multiple times
The gloves – I don’t wear gloves unless there is danger of my hands freezing. Since I live in the desert, this is rare. I just passed them along and have nothing to say about them
so there ya have it. We speak the truth here and don’t try to shine it up. Our friends and sponsors are told that right from the start if/when they want to send us product.
As the late great ODB said “Here’s the truth. Better start wearing bullet proof”‘
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nslpN9lgYcs
“Just want all’yall to know the reason why I buy or dont buy Ergon is cause my Dirty and D2 threw up these reviews.” O.D.B
Dakine and BCA packs don’t come with a bladder also. Why should they bother? You can get a Camelbak bladder separately and it will be better than most anyone else’s design.
Agreed those particular grips suck for everything except fireroad climbs.
@bigworm, you are such a follower
The Ergon seat makes my pussy wet, just saying. That shit balls hard.
has anyone tried the pressurized bladder with this pack yet? i.e. http://www.geigerrig.com/
Umm, the only bullshit line I could find in D2’s informative review was:
“I tend to use very narrow saddles, and the SM3 just wasn’t narrow enough for me”
Come on D2, we all know you’ve got a big ‘ole fat ass.
@hack:
Okay, you got me.
Yeah, I use the Geigerrig pressurized pack all the time. It kicks ass. Well thought out, nice amount of pockets and separation between compartments. It’s fucking great for walking the dog in hot weather cause I can just shoot water at him instead of getting slobber all over a water bottle. Also, the bladder is 3 gd litres- that’s a shitload of water and it’s got an inline filter so you can reload from questionable streams.
I run the Ergon grips and love ’em. (I admit, I ride a lot of fire roads.) I got the ones with bar-ends so’s I can untwist my wrists from time to time. The only danger with bar-ends is, after I stop for a big ol’ gnarly “safety break,” my lizard brain thinks I’m riding on the hoods of my road bike and sometimes I’ve reached forward for brake levers that were not there. Zing!
My Dakine pack came with a bladder.
Full-finger gloves are sweaty and gross.
@azcutter — i bought a geigerrig — it works GREAT! Never Suck Again…. jus’ sayin.
D2 and 40 rollin on their new Ergo saddles
http://www.sternfannetwork.com/xen/index.php?threads/remember-these-fat-basterds-guinness-book-of-records.676252/
The ergon saddle is the best damn saddle I have ever owned- hands down. I have never bragged about a saddle to any of the people I ride with until I got to rest my dynamic taint on this amazing ass hugger.
I’m with Caveman….recently purchased and have been using the saddle on my SS. Love that thing. Super comfy. Was using WTB Silverado prior to that. cheers
@hack: you told me you’d never share that photo with anyone! Now I’ll cry myself to sleep.
Love the ergon grips. Ride almost all rocky singletrack. Broken both wrists. Haven’t used any of their other gear. Saddles, gloves, helmets, and shoes are all the hated big S for me.
I cant imagine how you feel when stuff comes from good companies, cus i feel good buying the products that companies like ERGON and Topek…
They rock and do more for cycling thats good not just in your face advertising.
Great reviews and honest…
I did product reviews back home, tested winter gear in WI.
Midwest honesty… people listen.
I agree with you concerning the gloves – very well stuff. With regard to the saddle I have a quite different opinion. I love the SM3 and using it at longer bike trips. It’s well shaped and lightweight.
Picked up the grips on your recommendation a few weeks back…WOW these things are comfortable. The LBS suggested some anti-bacterial ones with a cork in them or some shit. Apparently I look like a scumbag plagued by bacteria.
Two weeks in I am still loving them, thanks.
Right on, Mike. Glad you dig them. They’re not for everyone, but I love them on my 29er and have no complaints at all.
In semi order.
The grips do nothing for me. I ride a Cannondale 400 from way back and the rubberized grips are fine.
The backpack looks like a boner waiting to happen. Gotta try one of those.
The saddle ?? I have a fat squishy ass and I require a fat squishy saddle.
Gloves ?? We don’t need no stinking gloves.