Yesterday at Eurobike, Ergon pulled the curtain back on a handful of new products, adding to its already extensive lineup. The BT handlebar tape family is growing with four new options offering various features and hitting a wider range of price points. For mountain bikes, the GMA and GMS add two new ergonomic grips to the MTB range. Lastly, following the introduction of the TF1 Bike Fitting Saddle Tool at Sea Otter, the TF2 Bike Fitting Tool completes Ergon’s fitting platform.
Ergon BT Handlebar Tapes
Ergon’s existing lineup of BT handlebar tape includes Road, Allroad, Gravel, and OrthoCell models, which have been well received. Now, the brand is doubling its BT tape options with four new models to fill in the gaps in the lineup.
BT OrthoCell Gravel
OrthoCell is a premium orthopedic comfort foam known to deliver “superior vibration damping, uniform pressure distribution, and impressive rebound in a resilient compound that resists breakdown and compression.” The entire tape is made from OrthoCell foam without a PU cover, resulting in a lighter weight than the non-OrthoCell counterparts. Ergon introduced the 3mm-thick BT OrthoCell Allroad last year, which weighs just 100g (including end plugs).
The new 4mm-thick BT OrthoCell Gravel adds another premium option with an extra millimeter of cushioning aimed squarely at the gravel market. Both the BT OrthoCell Gravel and Allroad tapes feature a non-slip surface texture to enhance grip in wet and dry conditions.
- Material: 100% OrthoCell premium foam, surface to core
- OrthoCell Allroad: 3 mm / 250 cm
- Weight incl. end plugs: 100 g
- MSRP: $47.95 / €44,95 / £39.99
- OrthoCell Gravel: 4 mm / 250 cm
- Weight incl. end plugs: 110 g
- MSRP:$52.95 / €49,95 / £44.99
- Made in: Europe
- Use: Road, Allroad, Gravel
BT GreenLab Allroad
The new GreenLab Allroad takes Ergon’s GreenLab design, which is found in the GE1 BioKork grips, and puts it in tape form. This design combines an OrthoCell material as the base, combined with 30% micronized walnut shells. The natural walnut fibers are a renewable resource, plus they provide some antibacterial properties as well as a warm, natural color.
The BT GreenLab Allroad tape is 3mm thick, and Ergon says it delivers a similar level of comfort and longevity as the OrthoCell tapes. It has a non-slip surface texture and comes in a walnut shell colorway only.
- Material: OrthoCell premium foam with 30% micronized walnut shell
- Thickness / Length: 3 mm / 250 cm
- Weight: Incl. end plugs: 105 g
- MSRP: €49,95 / $52.95 / £TBD
- Made in: Europe
- Use: Road, Allroad, Gravel
BT and BT Gel
At the other end of the spectrum, the new BT and BT Gel bring similar ergonomics and design at more approachable prices. Both tapes are built with Ergon’s AirCell foam, which was originally featured in the construction of the GXR cross-country grips. Ergon says the “AirCell Foam is a durable, resilient material with an embossed surface texture for a secure grip in all conditions.”
The BT tape is reportedly the lightest option in the tape lineup at just 50g, with a 2.5mm thickness that offers more feedback and a direct, connected bar feel. The BT Gel tape adds a 0.5 mm-thick gel layer beneath the foam for enhanced cushioning and thickness.
- Material: AirCell Foam (BT) / AirCell Foam with Gel (BT Gel)
- BT: 2.5 mm / 210 cm
- Weight incl. end plugs: 50 g
- MSRP$27.95/€24,95/£24,9
- BT Gel: 3 mm / 210 cm
- Weight incl. end plugs: 90 g
- MSRP$32.95/€29,95/£29,99
- Colors: Black, Midnight Blue, Ultra Violet, Blush Pink, Midnight Green, Clay Grey, Hazy Lilac, Gravel Grey (BT also: White Speed)
- Use: Road, Allroad, Gravel
Ergon MTB Grips
Ergon’s lineup of MTB grips is already very extensive. It isn’t necessarily growing with the addition of the new GMA and GMS; they replace existing models in the lineup.
GMA
Ergon calls the GMA “an all-mountain all-rounder.” This new grip is replacing the GA2 as the brand’s do-it-all grip. It has a tapered ergonomic shape, narrowing toward the inside and widening toward the outside of the hand. Ergon says it features a new thumb recess and outer stop which “create a more uniform contact area, reduce pressure spikes, and ergonomically support the hand in rough terrain.”
Using the brand’s GravityControl Rubber Compound with an underside texture inspired by the GDH downhill grips and Ergon’s new Smart Texture Rhythm design on the topside, Ergon says the GMA has enhanced grip and vibration damping. It comes in two diameters, regular (32mm) and Fat (34mm), to fit varying hand sizes and cushioning demands.
GMS
The new GMS replaces the longstanding GA3 as the ergonomic, supportive mini-wing grip. On the GMS, the mini-wing has been reshaped: “A smoother, trapezoidal shape creates a more consistent outer contour, while a curved profile sloping gradually toward the clamp follows the hand’s natural shape more closely than its predecessor.” The GMS also uses the GravityControl rubber and Smart Texture Rhythm for enhanced grip and comfort. It comes in two sizes, small (31mm) and large (33mm), for varying hand sizes and levels of support.
- GravityControl Rubber Compound synthesized in-house
- GMA: tapered cylindrical shape, all-mountain all-rounder grip with underside ridge textures, new thumb saddle, and outer stop.
- GMA FAT: a larger-diameter (+2mm) version of the GMA with extra cushioning, ideal for long rides and bigger hands.
- GMS: redesigned ergonomic mini-wing grip that increases hand contact area to reduce palm pressure and support the wrist.
- GMS available in two sizes: Small (31mm) and Large (33mm)
- CNC-machined aluminum clamps on GMS and GMA
- Laser-etched indices on both grips’ clamps for rider-specific rotational alignment
- Latex and PAH-free, REACH compliant, and tested free of harmful substances by SGS Institut Fresenius
Ergon launched its first bike fitting tool, the TF1 Saddle Tool, at Sea Otter a few months ago. Now, Ergon is introducing the second product in its bike fitting lineup, the TF2. While the TF1 is a saddle-based tool, the TF2 is used down by the cranks. According to Ergon, “a V-shaped notch centers the tool onto the pedal axle, bottom bracket, and handlebars, with multiple slides to ensure precise alignment throughout.”
Ergon says the TF2 helps bring more precision when measuring saddle height, saddle setback, saddle-to-handlebar length, and stem length, “regardless of bike type, frame geometry, or interface standard.” It is designed to be used along with the TF1 and will be sold together as a TF1 + TF2 Bike Fitting Tool Kit for $49.95. The TF2 will also be sold on its own for $24.95.
Availability
Interested in any of Ergon’s new products? You’ll have to wait a couple of months. They were introduced yesterday at Eurobike, but they won’t be available until September.