Bicycle Grips With Shock-Absorbing Tech Hidden Inside Walnut Wood

In Design by Emily, September 15, 2017

The Sen Comfort bicycle handlebar grips from Munich’s Velospring combine beautiful, ageless aesthetics with innovative technological design. The warm walnut wood covers a spring suspension system that minimizes jarring impacts on the hands and wrists.

Velospring bicycle grips hide Shock-Absorbing tech in walnut wood

Photo Credit: Velospring / Petra Schramböhmer, PS Fotodesign, Munich

You might not be accustomed to seeing finely oiled and polished wood as bicycle grips. It’s much more expensive than run-of-the-mill rubber and doesn’t seem like it would necessarily grip that well or feel that comfortable during actual cycling.

However, Velospring designer Klaus Mildenberger has a lifelong passion for both wood and cycling. He decided to team the know-how he’s gained from his decades of crafting wooden furniture and home decor pieces with his love for cycling, creating a bicycle component that looks as uniquely beautiful as a piece of fine, handcrafted furniture.

Wood stands for pure beauty, exquisite aesthetic, sensual haptics, and natural individuality

Velospring explains: “The natural grain of the local walnut wood makes every grip pair very special and unique.” You might be wondering if wood can perform that much better due to its priciness.

Photo Credit: Velospring / Petra Schramböhmer, PS Fotodesign, Munich

What is known is that the 11-oz (310-g/per pair) Sen Comfort grips are more than just stylish accessories for ultra-expensive show bikes. Each grip features spring-based suspension hardware that provides a bit of impact-absorbing cushion. The spring action allows the grips to twist a small amount, smoothing out the impacts and vibrations of rough ground and ensuring the ergonomically whittled walnut doesn’t become harsh and uncomfortable in the cyclist’s hands.

The Sen Comfort grips took home a Green Award at the 2014 Eurobike show and were a BrandNew Award finalist at the ISPO Munich show in 2015.

Photo Credit: Velospring / Petra Schramböhmer, PS Fotodesign, Munich

The grips might be a bit expensive but if you’re looking to put together a high-spec commuter bike with outstanding looks, you’ll probably have trouble finding another set of grips with the same level of high-tech, high-style design. Velospring has a network of dealers around various European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

If the price is too much for you but would still like to have something similar to the Sen Comfort grips, the small market includes some lower-priced products that still look awfully nice, including these $70 grips from Nisnas Industries.

If you enjoy the wooden design featured on Velospring’s grips, you might take a few moments to check out Mildenberger’s furniture design site. The site is only available in German and Russian, but the photos speak for themselves.