Ergon GP1 Small vs Large: Check Your Shifter Version Before You Check Your Size

The Ergon GP1 comes in two sizes: Small and Large. However, choosing the right size isn’t the only thing you need to pay attention to because the GP1 family includes standard grips, short and grip-shift versions, and configurations for Rohloff, Nexus, and single-sided shifters.

On the other hand, the newer GP1 Evo also has its own variations. So, before buying any of them, you need to consider two things: the grip thickness that suits your hand and the version that is compatible with your shifter.

Ergon GP1 Small vs Large Size Chart

Ergon recommends the Small size for hand or glove sizes around 6.5 to 8.5, and the Large size for 8.5 to 10.5.

Here’s how the sizes compare, including the older GP1 dimensions and newer Evo weights.

Specification	Small	Large
Recommended hand size	6.5–8.5	8.5–10.5
Approx. hand circumference	16.5–21.6 cm	21.6–26.7 cm
Older GP grip circumference	92 mm	102 mm
GP1 Evo listed weight	155 g	200 g
Older GP1 retailer weight	169 g	206 g
Wing size	Same	Same
Standard grip length	Same	Same
Grip thickness	Slimmer	Thicker

By the way, Small doesn’t mean you’re getting a shorter grip or a smaller overall grip. The main difference is the thickness of the part you will hold.

The Large has a fuller gripping surface, while the Small allows your fingers to wrap further around the handlebar. So, if your measurement falls within one of these ranges, that’s the size I would start with.

How to Measure Your Hand for an Ergon GP1

To measure your hand, you need to measure its circumference. Here’s what you can do at home:

1. Hold your hand open naturally, with your fingers relaxed.
2. Wrap a flexible tape around the widest part of your palm near the four knuckles.
3. Keep your thumb outside the tape and don’t pull it tightly into your skin.
4. Record the circumference and measure again to confirm it.

For example, if your hand measures 20 centimeters around the knuckles, that’s approximately 7.9 inches, which means you should buy the Small Ergon grip.

But if it measures 23 centimeters, that’s approximately 9.1 inches, so you should go with the Large size.

One important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t confuse this measurement with measuring straight across your palm using a ruler. Width and circumference measurements are different, so they can’t be compared directly.

If you don’t have a flexible measuring tape, you can wrap a piece of string around your knuckles, mark where the ends meet, and then measure it against a ruler.

Small, Large or Right at 8.5 Inches?

For most riders, the size chart is simple.

• Below 8.5: Start with Small.
• Above 8.5: Start with Large.
• Exactly 8.5: Both sizes deserve consideration.

A properly sized ergonomic grip should allow your hand to close comfortably around its surface without completely enclosing it. A grip that’s too thick will make it difficult to wrap your fingers around the handlebar.

Three things to consider at the boundary

Consideration	Small may suit you	Large may suit you
Gloves	Thick or padded cycling gloves	Thin gloves or bare hands
Riding	More active MTB riding	Relaxed commuting or touring
Grip preference	Prefer a narrower hold	Like a fuller surface in your palm

I recommend you avoid choosing Large simply because you want more support from the ergonomic wing. Both sizes use the same wing dimensions.

Check Your Shifter Version Before Ordering

One common mistake you might make is choosing the correct grip size but ordering the wrong GP1 version because your bike has a different shifting mechanism. So, this is something you need to pay attention to:

Your bike’s shifter	Grip configuration needed
Standard trigger shifters	Two full-length grips
Gripshift / dual twist shifters	Two shortened grips
Rohloff or Nexus twist shifter	Full-length left, shortened right
Single right-side twist shifter	Full-length left, shortened right

Be careful with GP1 versus GP1 Evo

The dual grip-shift version is available in both the GP1 and GP1 Evo families. [The Evo family also includes a single twist-shift configuration, but you shouldn’t assume that every GP1 Evo supports every twist-shift setup. [When shopping online, you might simply see Ergon GP1 listed without any clear information about the generation or shifter configuration.

Besides this, the original GP1 installation documentation also specifies different mounting lengths:

• Standard: approximately 128 mm on each side.
• Rohloff/Nexus: approximately 128 mm left and 93 mm right.
• Dual Gripshift: approximately 93 mm on each side.

These measurements are for the documented original GP1 configurations. Check the instructions for the exact model you’re buying, particularly when ordering an Evo.

Before you buy

Check these four things in this order:

1. Identify your shifter: Does it use thumb-operated triggers, a rotating grip on one side, or rotating grips on both sides?
2. Choose the matching version: Regular, Gripshift, or the relevant single-twist configuration.
3. Select Small or Large: Use your hand measurement instead of just relying on glove letters.
4. Confirm the product listing: Check both grip lengths, the actual model generation, and the seller’s return conditions.

This simple check will save you from receiving grips that fit your hands but won’t fit your handlebar setup.

Why Do Some GP1 Size Charts Disagree?

This is something that can easily confuse you. In the older Ergon documentation, they mention a circumference of 92 mm for the Small size and 102 mm for the Large size.

However, the GP1 Evo information lists 95 mm and 100 mm, respectively.

They aren’t identical figures, and the listings don’t consistently explain the measurement method.

It’s possible that they reflect different generations or measurement points, but I couldn’t confirm the exact reason.

For choosing a size, I’d trust Ergon’s current sizing recommendations over an older grip-circumference number. Maybe the retailer has made an error while listing.

Glove letters can be confusing too

Some retailers offer an alternative chart based on glove labels.

Glove label	One GP1 retailer’s recommendation
XS	Small
S	Small
M	Small
L	Small
XL	Large
XXL	Large

I found a lot of contradictions. For example, different sellers list different measurements for Large glove sizes.

So I recommend that you don’t rely too heavily on glove measurements. I found one seller mentioning 16.5 to 21.5 cm for Small, while another rounds it off to 17 to 22 cm.

Does GP1 Sizing Carry Over to GP3 and GS1?

Ergon has long used the Small and Large system across its GP and GS ergonomic grip families.

A few things I found consistent are that the Small size has a thinner gripping area, while the Large size is thicker. But the Small GP1, GS1 Evo, and GP3 don’t feel the same. They have different shapes, are designed for different uses, and have different support wing designs.

The GP3 has a bar end, while the GS1 Evo has a slimmer, more sport-oriented wing.

These differences affect how your hand rests on the grip, even if the size label is the same.

For the current GP3 models, the recommended hand size is again similar: around 6.5 to 8.5 for Small and 8.5 to 10.5 for Large.

Which GP1 Should You Order?

You should start with the shifter and then choose the grip thickness. For a standard shifter bike, you can select the regular-length GP1 or GP1 Evo in the size that matches your hand.

A bike with a twist shifter needs the corresponding short-grip configuration, and the available version will depend on whether you’re buying the original GP1 or the newer Evo.

As for sizing, I’ve already told you that Small is recommended for hand sizes of 6.5 to 8.5, while Large is for 8.5 to 10.5. So, you have to use your own preference here. I would choose Small because my hands are small.

In conclusion, I would say to match both the shifter configuration and your hand size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ergon GP1 sized by glove size or hand size?

Ergon uses hand or glove measurements, but actual hand circumference is the best way to choose.

You can measure the circumference around your four knuckles and compare the result with the recommended size range.

What should I choose at exactly 8.5 inches?

Both Small and Large are at the published boundary. So, you should consider your glove padding, preferred grip thickness, and whether you will mainly ride on technical trails or relaxed routes.

Which GP1 version fits my shifter?

You can use a Regular for conventional trigger shifters, Gripshift for dual rotating shifters, and the appropriate shortened-right-grip configuration for Rohloff, Nexus, or single twist-shifter systems.

However, check the exact model because GP1 and GP1 Evo availability differs.

Do Ergon GP1 grips come with handlebar plugs?

Some retailer packages list two bar plugs, but package contents may differ between models and sellers.

Therefore, I recommend you check the product description.

Can I use GP1 grips on a mountain bike?

Yes, Ergon itself includes MTB touring and e-MTB among the intended applications of the GP1 Evo.

But for aggressive technical trail riding, though, you may prefer a grip that allows more hand movement than the GP1’s larger supporting wing.