I used the ALICE the other day to drop off some sleeping bags at a homeless charity. The bars still didn’t feel right and I just couldn’t work out what it was. I went for a short run on my mountain bike as a comparison and it felt so different. It was either the width of the bars or the grips. When I got back inside I swapped one of the grips over and that seemed to improve things. I realised that the cork grips I have on the mountain bike are size small and the rubber ones on the ALICE are regular.

So, I’ve ordered a set of small, Ergon GP1 grips. Although they are the same length the diameter is smaller. The CG1 set I bought along with the Koga bars only comes in the wider version. It’s difficult to tell if the difference in shape between the two versions will mean much for comfort but I won’t know before I try the two on the bike. Ergon have actually started selling an upgraded version but the only real difference seems to be the position of the retaining screw. As I couldn’t find a discounted upgrade set the £15 additional price decided for me. (I subsequently found a pair at nearly the same price so cancelled the first order!)

Once they arrive I’ll have hopefully sorted one of the final issues with comfort. Selling the surplus set on e-bay should mean it hasn’t cost too much.