Bike Ribbon Gel pads

These squidgy gel pads from Bike Ribbon are a simple way to reduce fatigue and numb hands on long rides.

They come in three different flavours: soft (as tested) super-soft and firm.

You get four bits: two straights for the drops and two curved pieces for the tops. The gel has a bobbly surface which allows more movement and hence cushioning effect. You can also trim them to size by snipping off the end bits.

Fitting is dead easy, unwrap bar tape, peel backing off pads, stick to bars, re-wrap tape. The pads are quite chunky, but once wrapped under tape they add less bulk than you might expect. I fitted them to a set of oversized aluminium FSA bars, which are as fat as they come, and had no problems, although a rider with small hands might find the same bars/pad set-up a little sausagey.

There's enough pad to cover the tops and the drops. I fitted them to just one side of my bars and took off on a 200k audax across rough Devon roads. There's a noticeable difference, the pads absorb vibrations from crappy surfaces and keep your arms and upper body feeling just that little bit fresher. Racers might find that they deaden feel slightly but that's not such a big deal for randonneurs and there are firmer compounds available.

£17 for a few bits of space jibble might seem like a lot but extra comfort is worth paying for if you suffer from numb hands or want to reduce fatigue on long rides.

Verdict

Cost effective plushness upgrade for your hands.