Arm pump, fatigued forearms and cramping hands are common issues on long, rough descents. This is precisely where the AXESS UNLTD GET A GRIP bar ends come into play. The idea came from World Cup downhill racer Joe Breeden, who was looking for a way to reduce strain on his hands during racing. After numerous trials with other approaches, he eventually developed the current bar end concept together with his father and girlfriend, which are both engineers.
The GET A GRIP bar ends are designed and handmade in Sheffield, UK, and retail for £65. They ship worldwide. Installation is quick, but requires a small modification to the grips: a hole must be drilled into the outer end of the grip, through which the bar end is bolted in from the inside. How securely the system sits depends on the grip model – sturdy end caps ensure a tighter, twist-proof fit. We conducted our test with the BURGTEC Bartender Pro. Both a full and a half version are available – we tested both, but focused on the half version. The material itself is relatively soft and flexible, easy to bend, but provides enough resistance to prevent the hand from slipping off.
The idea is to reduce arm pump, fatigue, and cramping. But does that actually work in practice, and how much do the bar ends really influence the ride feel? We put them to the test to find out.
GET A GRIP Bar Ends on Test
When you first get on the bike, the bar ends feel a bit like clipping your hands into the handlebars – a bit like clipping your shoes into the pedals. The GET A GRIP bar ends instantly create a noticeably firmer contact point, preventing your hands from sliding outwards. This provides a feeling of stability, but can also feel a bit restrictive. Especially for riders with bigger hands, there’s only limited grip width left, which can reduce hand mobility on longer rides. While the added support enhances stability, it also limits the freedom to reposition your hands. Riders who want to use the bar ends on their enduro and trail bikes for longer tours may see the reduced flexibility as a downside – especially on climbs, where you typically shift your hand position more often, the bar ends can feel obstructive.
That said, the sense of security increases significantly – particularly without gloves and on long descents when sweaty hands tend to slip. The outer stop reliably prevents the hand from sliding off, allowing you to relax your grip without fear of losing control at the first bump. As long as you don’t completely open your hand, you stay securely “hooked in”, giving your hands a chance to rest and recover.
In downhill scenarios, the bar ends also provide a degree of protection. When brushing past trees or rocks, the flexible material and metal end-piece absorb some of the impact – a bit like mini handguards. They also allow you to apply subtle pressure when cornering, slightly improving handling. However, this effect only becomes noticeable if you consciously keep your hands loose – with a firm grip, you can achieve the same effect without bar ends.
All in all, the GET A GRIP bar ends are clearly designed for a specific use case: long, demanding descents where arm pump and fatigue come into play – or race scenarios where saving energy is key. For short home trails or tours with lots of climbing, they’re less suitable – but then again, that’s not what they were designed for.
If you’ve got the right trails and the right mindset – meaning long descents in one go and a willingness to get used to the “locked-in” contact point – the GET A GRIP bar ends provide noticeably more security and allow for a more relaxed grip on the bars.
Conclusions about the GET A GRIP Bar Ends
The AXESS UNLTD GET A GRIP bar ends are an intriguing solution for long, demanding descents and race scenarios. They improve grip, boost confidence, and can help reduce arm pump – provided you actively use them to relax your hands while riding. On climbs and during long tours, however, they can restrict your freedom of movement, and they’re rather unnecessary for short home trails. But with the right mindset and the appropriate trails, they can definitely offer tangible benefits.
Tops
- Improved grip on the handlebars
- Added protection
- Can reduce fatigue
Flops
- Limited freedom of movement
For more information, visit the website of AXESS UNLTD.
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Words & Photos: Peter Walker