Ergon Gloves: HE2 & HA2 Models

When Ergon introduces new products, you can expect some surprises. (Like the PC2-L pedals which we reviewed here ) Ergon's gloves are no exception. We'll get to that in a minute, but first, let's go over the models we are reviewing here:

Ergon HE2: Ergon sent us the "enduro/All mountain" type gloves from their range of gloves, which also includes fingeless and full fingered XC type gloves. The HE2 is a full fingered glove designed for all-around mountain biking pursuits.

Ergon HE2 GlovesThe HE2 is made from a combination of micro-fiber Velour leather and a Kevler insert at the butt of the palm for protection in a crash situation. The glove features minimal padding to enhance ride control feel, and has an integrated cuff closure designed to protect the wrist. MSRP is $39.99 USD.

The HE2 is recommended for All Mountain, DH, and Trail use. It has a design specifically geared toward users of Ergon's GA1 and GE1 grips, but it can be successfully used with other grips as well.

Ergon HA2: Ergon HA2The other model we received for test/review is the similarly purposed HA2. This glove features similar materials in its construction with the addition of a shiny, silicon-like material on the finger tips and across the back side of the hand. This material is there to give the rider better finger tip control on bike controls and to give the glove structure. The HA2 also features the Kevlar protection on the butt of the palm but has a different, integrated closure than the HE2. MSRP is also $39.99 USD.

Initial Impressions: The Ergon take on design is immediately apparent when you first lay eyes on these. Classy, high end looking, and dare I say fashionable? Certainly a different look than the BMX/moto cross inspired gloves we have seen and used in the past. The HE2, with its white on black look is especially fetching, I think. The HA2 looks like something a super hero would wear, with its glossy black panels and Ergon insignia on the back of the hand in a raised white rubber-like material.

The next thing noticed is the lack of bulk. These gloves remind me of driving gloves- light, well constructed, and luxurious to hold in the hand. Not your usual gloves! Putting them on is another level of disconnect from traditional gloves that has to be experienced to be fully understood.

These gloves are like a professional level cycling jersey for your hands- like a second skin, as it were. In fact, Ergon CEO, Franc Arnold explained to me that this was the intent with the new glove line. Not only should it compliment their grips, but it should allow complete freedom of movement of the hand. Other glove designs, he claimed, compromise this freedom of movement. Certainly, it is apparent that the fit is one that does allow your hands to move naturally, but it is an almost shocking feeling coming off looser fitting gloves that are the norm for cycling.

Ergon HE2: Surprisingly comfy in heat.HE2 In Use: I slipped on the HE2 and was quite certain that my hands would be totally numb within minutes. The fabric was tight fitting, and I mean on every millimeter of my skin. Surprisingly, I waited.....and waited, yet my hands did not feel anything beyond the initial compression of my skin. Weird.

So, I headed out on a ride. The gloves were correctly sized, by the way, yet I was distracted by the fact that the fit was skin tight even on my finger tips. The sensation was so strange, but not painful in any way. I continued to use the gloves on subsequent rides and this sensation, and in fact, the whole compressive nature of the HE2's, seemed to fade. My contact with Ergon U.S.A., Jeff Kerkove, explained to me that the gloves do stretch a little bit after a few wearings, but will retain their shape and fit afterward until washed, when they go back to feeling as new again.

Guess what? I didn't wash mine! I liked the way they ended up feeling. They didn't even get funky smelling either. Bonus!

Overall, the HE2 does what it says. It covers and protects your hands, but it doesn't get too hot, it allows for full freedom of movement, and is the first glove I have used that I didn't want to immediately take off the moment my bicycle stopped. In fact, small tasks that normally would have me jettisoning the gloves instantly, I did with no concerns with the HE2's on. Pretty impressive!

HA2 In Use: The HA2: Super Hero Looks!The HA2 was a similar story. Same, ultra-close fit with the same slightly claustrophobic feelings out of the gate. These also stretched a smidge, just enough that they also became more invisible. Unlike the HE2, the HA2 has an even cooler feel, since the back of the hand has a more open weave to the material.

The grippy finger tips were not overtly noticeable. I can not say with any certainty that this would increase feel and control when things get wet, since almost the entire test period was very hot and dry. Perhaps a cooler test run in wetter conditions might prove this out, but I have not experienced that as of this posting.

Concerns: The HE2 wrist closure was an issue for me. The gloves were sized correctly, but the wrist closure semed to be slightly too short. If I closed the Velcro with a good purchase, so as to prevent accidental opening, the wrist closure would become uncomforatbly tight, and I have what I consider to be slender wrists for a man my size. The HA2, with its different style of closure, was no problem at all for me. Most of the time, I rode in the HE2 with the closure flapping in the wind. This wasn't a problem, really, since the gloves were so close fitting, they weren't coming off my hands at all.

Early runs of HE2's were also suffering from seam failures, and I ran into this as well. Ergon said they were well aware of the issue and a running change had been made to correct for this. Ergon promptly issued another pair of HE2's which have since been flawless.

Finally, there is no "snot wiper" on either of these gloves, which I found really unusual for a cycling glove. Did I miss this? Yes, to a degree, I did. It was hot, sweaty, and humid during much of the testing period, and wiping my brow with the slightly scratchy material of the Ergon gloves was effective, but uncomfortable.

Palm of the HA2 showing the Kevlar protector for the palmConclusions: The Ergon HA2 and HE2 models are excellently made, unusually close fitting, and stylish cycling gloves. There is much to like about them, and some nits I would like to see addressed in future Ergon gloves.

I liked the fit after I got over the initial shock of the tighter fit and after they wore in. The HE2 is especially great after break in, feeling like a comfortable, old shoe. In fact, I found myself reaching for the HE2's most often due to this. The HA2 is a close runner up in terms of feel, function, and wearability, but I didn't like the silicon-like bits and the overall look wasn't my cup of tea. Hey- that's just me. The HA2 worked great, and the fit was just like the HE2, for the most part.

I still am amazed at the dexterity your hands retain with Ergon gloves, and how much of this you lose with other brands of cycling gloves. Ergon nailed the design intents, that's for sure. Ergon also said these gloves would work great with their grips. They do, but not to any greater extent than other gloves, that I could tell. These gloves also work just fine with other company's grips, as well. Make of Ergon's claims here what you will, I think the gloves Ergon makes enhance the function of your hands, regardless of the grip maker.

That said, Ergon needs to address that wrist closure on the HE2. It is just too short. In fact, I would rather they use the wrist closure on the HA2 for both models. It was much more refined and comfortable, to my mind. Add in some "wiper" material on the back of the thumb area and these gloves would be winners if you get on with the unusual fit of these models. I eventually did, and have come to appreciate that hand/finger dexterity, and comfort are enhanced by this radical approach to glove design.

Grannygear's thoughts:  I was handed a set of the HE2s by Guitar Ted at Interbike Demo Days and I was immediately struck by the looks.  They were very 'un-dirt glove' looking.  I noted the small palm heel pad inside the glove and thought that could come in handy in a fall on the rocks of Bootleg Cyn.  Slipping them on was a revelation in a form fitting fit...there is a phrase to say 3 times fast...and. as GT noted they did have a 'driving glove' type fit.  I have been on them ever since and have come to some conslusions.

The snug fit at first seems too much, but never is.  I would not mind more length in the fingers as, when you first put them on,  the ends of the fingertips can feel a bit constained, but they seem to stretch during the ride and not bug me any further.  I miss a snot/sweat wipey section.  A real 'oops' there IMO.  I have had no issues really with the wrist closure, but it is kinda brief and minimal.

Unlike GT, I have hand washed them and they have come through looking and feeling fine.  I find myself reaching for them more often that not out of the gear bag and until I need a more Fall friendly glove for warmth, that is not likely to change.

Ergon PC2-L Pedals Follow-Up Review

Ergon PC2-L Pedals Follow-Up Review

PC2-L Peds

Ergon's entry into the pedal market shouldn't surprise anyone, I mean, after grips, your other contact points should be addressed, right? Ergon- ergonomic? Makes sense to me. What was surprising was that it was this kind of pedal that was introduced.

I figured something for performance cycling, but now that I have been using the PC2-L's for the summer, and now into the fall, I am glad that they didn't go that route. More on that in a bit...

If you missed my earlier Ergon PC2-L intro, click the link and check that out. I give my first impressions on the pedals there, and I won't go over that ground again here. Suffice it to say, I still feel that way about the pedals now. Long term use was the question here, and I have further to say on that subject now.

The PC2-L's, ("L" for "large", and there is a corresponding "S" for smaller feet), have been problem free for the duration of my testing. I used the pedals on a weekly basis, multiple days every week, for errands on my Xtracycled Schwinn Sierra mountain bike. I hauled heavy loads, did multiple hour rides, and just general putzing around to run smaller errands. You know- "utility cycling", for what that term is worth.

I did bang the pedals in turns a few times, and had one good impact with a bridge railing. The Ergon PC2's took it all in stride, albeit with a few scuffs here and there. The important thing here to note is that mechanically speaking, I see no reason to believe that these wouldn't hold up under general usage for as long as any other pedal.

Still spinning along

So I got to talk to the founder of Ergon at Interbike this year. He was very interested in my take on the pedals. I actually made a suggestion, (which I'll share in a bit), that he found intriguing.

He told me that the pedals are ergonomically perfected to allow for a rider to get into "the sweet spot" for pedaling most of the time. As Ergon's founder pointed out, "most of the time" is a lot better than almost none of the time, so he was okay with that. The thing is, it is pretty intuitive to find the spot you should be in. Once you do, these pedals cause no issues for most folks regarding pain, or soreness, that I could find out. Certainly, they were amazingly comfortable for me. This was great, but as I stated in the beginning, the biggest benefit to getting these pedals, and not some fancy pinned flats with straps, or clip-less pedals is something bigger than comfort.

I found that I had less barriers to using my bicycle. So what if I was wearing the flimsiest shoes I own? Boots? Stocking feet even. It doesn't matter. Gotta run down to the store quick and grab a few ingredients for supper? Bam! Out the door, grab the Xtracycle, and I was on it. I didn't worry about my shoes. (In fact, I often didn't wear a helmet, which is another story, but bear with me here.) I could literally be on my bike in seconds, and my feet wouldn't ever hurt, and I had a very efficient platform for riding. Safe, secure, and comfortable. I used my bicycle a lot more.

Some will grouse that they can not "pull up" on their pedals so these won't do. I say- these aren't those kind of pedals for that kind of cycling, ya know? These are for when you aren't trying to get a "workout" or racing whomever. These pedals are for living with a bike. Utility. Commuting. Besides, straps are another limiting factor for most cyclists that are not into fixies. (I know-hard to fathom, eh? )

The thing is, I talked with some PC2 users, and they all agreed when they thought about it. They all used the bike that had PC2's on it more than they had for more utilitarian/lifestyle cycling. To my mind, this is the biggest plus of the PC2's. Ergonomics and comfort, yes, but this increased use of the bicycle due to less barriers? Golden.

I did think there could be an improvement to the PC2's though. Notice in the upper image where the rough material is applied? I said to Ergon's owner, maybe they could make that a removable plate, and something else could be swapped in there. Say a plate with more aggressive friction, or a plate with pins for winter riding. More versatility for all seasons, basically. He said it was a good suggestion, but may require a redoing of the design. So, we'll see on that.....

Conclusion: What seemed like an odd choice by Ergon turns out to be something entirely brilliant, to my thinking: A pedal that lowers the obstacles to bicycle use in a daily setting due to its ease of use and excellent design. That's pretty much what the Ergon PC2-L has been for me. I've easily saved the money they cost in gas savings, not to mention wear and tear on my truck. They are easy to use, work with most all casual, non-cycling footwear, (even barefoot! Not that I advise you to try this!), and seem to be durable enough to last through a normal pedal's lifespan. Not a performance pedal for racing, mountain biking, or for your 14lb road bike, but they weren't meant to be that either. I give them my hearty recommendo for daily, utilitarian/commuter use for sure.

Introducing Ergon's PC2 Pedals: On Test

Ergon- The company well known for those paddle shaped grips and the back packs? Yes, well now they not only have gloves, (a separate review coming soon on those), but also pedals. Pedals? Is Ergon getting into components now? Well, not really. Ergon is interested in contact points though, and when you think about it, pedals are, well........pretty dang important when it comes to contact points!

The Ergon PC2 pedalSo it was that Ergon sought to do what it had done for grips and back packs with pedals. What took me a bit by surprise was that they chose to do commuter pedals and not mountain biking pedals.

Re-inventing flat pedals for commuting is no small task. Flat pedals are out there in so many variations that it is hard to imagine how Ergon could have done anything much different, not to mention revolutionary. Well, they may have done just that with the PC2. But before we get ahead of ourselves here, let's take a closer look at what Ergon has here in the PC2 pedal.

"A More Efficient Pedal": Ergon sought to connect the foot with the bike more efficiently than other designs have done in the past. Here is their statement concerning this from the website:

" Ergon introduces the first flat pedal (or Contour Pedal as we call it) to provide an ergonomic and positive connection between bike and user. The first pedal designed with biomechanics and correct foot position in mind. Advantages are increased power transfer, more control and fewer hot spots and knee complaints. The Ergon PC2 is the first non SPD-type pedal constructed with the ergonomic biomechanical demands of the user as a priority."

"Contour" is the definitive word here. The PC2 is chock full of contours, and it is easy to see how a foot would be cradled by the pedal when you lay eyes on it. The profile of the PC2 shows how the pedal is concave, and not just simply curved, but complexly so. Obviously, the styling of the pedal works with this complex platform to enhance the visual aspect, but even some of this works towards better ergonomics. To call the PC2 a "flat pedal" is really doing it injustice.

The PC2 is heavily contoured in a complex and precise way.Sure- We've seen "free ride" flats that were concave, but Ergon took that idea and made it work better for folks that do not necessarily wear cycling shoes, and don't use pedals with binders, like Shimano's SPD's. The shape actually is designed to promote a better connection with the foot, and a surface treatment with a rough, sandpaper-like material by 3M helps in this regard as well.

What is more, Ergon has also, in their typical fashion, made the PC2 in two different sizings to accomodate those with larger or smaller feet. We have recieved the PC2-L, (large), for testing and review. It is a pretty big pedal, and is probably larger than most flat pedals barring a few, dirt jump/free ride specific pedals we've seen.

You can really see how the foot would be cradled from this view.I have taken these pedals and mounted them to my Xtracycle. Upon my first ride, it was readily apparent that these were not your average ol' pedals here.

The foot finds a place that is "happy" right away, and the 3M material, contouring, and size all work together to make your foot feel so much more relaxed and pressure free, you wonder if you are pedalling hard enough at first. I'll get in some more ride time before I flesh out my opinions further, but suffice it to say, there is something good going on with these pedals.  I'll put in some miles and time with these and we'll try to acertain how the PC2 is to live with, and how the pedals hold up to the daily uses of a utility bike. Stay tuned....For now, let's take a look at the technical information from Ergon's site:

Ergon GP1 BioKork Review

Last weekend at Frostbike in Bloomington, Minnesota, I was visiting with my friend and former co-worker, Jeff Kerkove who gave me these new Ergon Bio-Kork grips to try out.

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Mini-Review: Ergon GA1 Grips

When talking mountain bike grips, everybody has their favorites, but when Ergon grips made their appearance here on these shores in 2005, a lot of people took notice. The "paddle" style grip is nothing new, but Ergon's take on it was unique, and many riders made the switch to using them.

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