BURGTEC BARTENDER PRO GRIPS
ENDURA WOMEN’S FREEZING POINT JACKET
£164.99
SPECIFICATION Weight: 484g • Sizes: XS-XXL • Colours: Paprika, Teal, Black • Contact: endurasport.com
Even though the trails have been rinsed, on most of my rides this winter my go-to body muffler has been this Freezing Point Jacket from Endura. Why? Well I’ve been riding my e-bike a lot, which means I’m generating less heat, so I need a warmer jacket. I also find a warm jacket is really handy at the rest stop or when my dad ends up having a 30-minute conversation with someone when we’re out riding.
The Endura Women’s Freezing Point Jacket features the MT500 Primaloft Gold Active insulation, which, according to Endura’s blurb, has a class-leading warmth-to-weight ratio. Sounds like a long-winded way of saying it’s lightweight and warm. The material has fourway stretch, which does mean it fits really well and doesn’t feel too restrictive, unlike some waterproof jackets I’ve tested.
It's breathable, has good water resistance and also packs up really small should you want to stash it in a bag or an overloaded clothing drawer.
Like most Endura garments, the feature list is extensive – Silicone grip on the shoulders stops pack straps from slipping, there are two front hand warmer pockets and one hidden inside, pit zips for extra venting and a full over helmet hood. I’m a fan of hoods on jackets because I can tuck my long hair inside, which
Like the other contact points on a bike (saddles and pedals) there’s a definite love/hate thing going on with certain grips. When I first tested the Burgtec Bartender Pro, I didn’t loath them, but I was a bit lukewarm. Now they’re my favourite grip and are fitted to all my bikes.
This one is a new marble colour (called bloody Mary), but is actually the regular compound. Burgtec offers the Bartender Pro in a Greg Minnaar soft compound signature version.
The amount of traction is off the charts, but when I had this softer grip on my e-bike I dropped it and the whole end of the grip disintegrated, which to be fair, is par for the course when it comes to heavy e-bikes. When I fitted the regular grip, I did exactly the same thing and was expecting the same outcome, but there was actually no damage. No cookie cutter or flapping piece of grip; it was still solid. I’m not saying the regular Bartender Pro is e-bike specific, nor is Burgtec stops it getting covered in mud thrown up from the rear wheel. So for women with longer hair it's a real advantage.
Despite not being fully waterproof, I reckon the Endura Women’s Freezing Point Jacket is more versatile than a Gore-tex shell. In a heavy downpour you could get a bit damp, but it does dry very quickly and the thermal making that claim either, but it’s definitely a lot more durable.
The Bartender Pro is single collar lock-on and has a micro-ribbed surface. It’s 31.5mm in diameter and there’s a bevelled transition between the grip and collar.
The 7075 aluminium inner layer really keeps the heat in. Like all Endura clothing, the quality is right up there, it gets the job done in harsh conditions and if you’re wondering, there’s also a men’s version.
£21.99 SPECIFICATION Weight: 103g • Colours: Black • Contact: burgtec.co.uk
collars feature 3mm fasteners, which are less likely to round out compared to
2.5mm bolts. I also like the closed end – it finishes the handlebar nicely, keeps the dirt out and it’s more comfortable, because your hand is not riding on a piece of hard aluminium. The single collar is secure, but the grip does have a slightly tapered inner core to stop rotation. Which is why you have to jam it on slightly when fitting.
I recommend the soft compound signature version for both analogue and e-bikes because the grip level and comfort is superb. However, if you’re prepared to take a slight hit on performance and ride e-bikes exclusively, the regular Bartender
Pro is more durable and, in plain colours, is cheaper too.