Bontrager IsoZone Bar and Grips a Marketing Ploy?
 

Yes, in my opinion they are a marketing ploy. I say that only because that's the exact bar and grips that are stock on my Trek 7.3 FX and I notice no difference versus the traditional bar I used to have on my old bike. In fact, I'm getting ready to replace them both.

If you have this bar and grip combo, what are YOUR thoughts?

Vibration dampening material inside metal bars, is proven technology......

They work great. As comfortable as you can get without bar ends.

I notice no difference, proven technology or not. And this setup may indeed dampen the vibration, but I can't say that it seems to dampen it any more than a traditional riser and good grips. Switching to Oval Concepts 200 bar (in white) and Ergon GE1 grips.

I have about 200 miles on the IsoZone bars and grips. I'll soon be selling them.

It's your money, and you can spend it how you please......

I like the IsoZone bar and grips, my palms don't feel numb at the end of the week the way they did without them.
I have the same bike, a Trek 7.3FX and I take short rides <5miles without gloves.

Just did a 20 mile ride today on the Trek and felt great afterwards. :thumb:

I've had the isozone grips on 3 bikes now and for my typical rides (less than 40 miles), they work great to reduce vibration especially when I hold them "loosely" over really rough surfaces. from a ton of reading I've done online, there's no single answer to whether or not they're good for you. some people swear by them, some people say they add zero value. the answer will vary based on who you ask and this goes for almost any product you buy :)

my only (small) gripe with them is that they sometimes move but that's when I am holding on tight or twisting them for some reason haha :lol: aside from that, they do a good job. on my rides north of 40 miles, my wrists get fatigued but I think that's caused more by riding for 3+ hours than the grips themselves.

I've noticed the grips move also. They twist. And since they have that little palm rest you notice when they twist a little. My rides are generally 10-15 miles.

Thanks for that, Mr. Obvious. Haha! However, if you're implying that I've spent a significant amount of money to replace the bar and grips you're wrong. After I sell the Bontrager bar and grips I should come pretty close to breaking even thanks to eBay.

No idea if the Bontrager IsoZone grip is the same design as the Bontrager Satellite Elite, but I had the same problem with mine twisting an eighth of an inch or so with a clicking feeling and driving me crazy ... coincidentally I posted a fix yesterday on the TREK DS thread #539:

http://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bic...l#post17782449

Changed the bar and grips!

Thanks for the heads up, steve. I read through your post and I will try your fix out this weekend. enjoy the ride!