Impression and assembly

To put it bluntly, the horns are not sexy. They look a little bulky, but this is intentional for the sake of ergonomics. They allow a natural hand position. They are made of fiber composite plastic and weigh 104 grams on the kitchen scales. The black things have orange end pins and are screwed onto the handlebars between the grip and brake lever. This means that they do not restrict you when riding downhill and do not get in the way in any other way. The purpose of the position of the horns is that you can also operate the brakes when riding straight ahead if necessary.

What is missing here, however, is a hinged clamp for easier mounting. Currently, the handles have to be removed first. This is not a lot of work, but many cross-country and marathon riders in particular swear by plug-in grips that are not so easy to take off and put on again. The horns can also be fitted to carbon handlebars without any problems. Assembly paste is supplied to guarantee a better grip. This means that the clamping screws do not have to be overtightened.

The best way to determine the right angle is to sit on the bike. If they are not tightened, the croissants can be moved up and down until the grip feels comfortable. While riding, you can then quickly feel whether the position really fits or not. Personally, they lay relatively flat in the hands best.

Hands flattering for long uphill rides

The first grip on the inner bar ends is a bit of an aha moment. The small stubs nestle against your hands like a hand flatterer. The result: you don't want to let go of them on the way up. The position of the hands is relaxing and this benefits you in the long run. A day trip with one and the same grip position can be tiring for the hands and arms. Thanks to the change of grip to the croissants, the grips stay fresher even during long descents.

The same applies to long flat sections. You like to rest your hands differently on these, and it's not just your hands that relax. Your shoulders and even your back can relax too.
The braking factor comes into play for the first time on flat sections, as it doesn't hurt to have the brake levers within easy reach in an emergency. These are also easy to reach from the inner bar ends, but more with the middle and ring fingers. These fingers may not have the same sensitivity, but braking is surprisingly easy. The purpose of averting rear-end collisions or otherwise slowing down is therefore fulfilled. Off-road, however, the hands have no place on the horns, as they are not designed to control trail riding.

Conclusion

If you don't mind the extra 100 grams, the SQ-Labs Innerbarends are a useful touring companion. They provide significant relief for the hands, arms and even shoulders, especially on long rides with long climbs or flat sections. Whether you like the horns or not is up to you.

www.sq-lab.com/innerbarends