I also got my Nurse Ben handle mount over the weekend (thanks Ben!). I installed it today and took it for its first ride.
Until now I’ve only ridden with the grab handle that comes stock on the KH freeride saddle; I’m really impressed with how much better having a bar to grab onto is. More comfortable to hold, more control and power when pulling on it, easier to manipulate the brake lever. I won’t go back.
My only concern with the new handle is crashing - it looks a lot more vulnerable to damage than the plastic bumper, and looks like it could do more damage to me if it punches me in the ankle. I was limping for a couple weeks after the plastic bumper hit me hard on the same ankle, twice in one ride… but so far the only crashes were on dirt, with no damage done.
As far as the actual mount, I had the same issue with the soft aluminum getting chewed up, exacerbated by trying three different sets of bar ends to see which I liked best. I did try to expand the bar end clamp to reduce the damage, but it’s only limited help.
Other than that, I really like the mount. It makes it really easy to put the handle, and the brake, just where I want them. The previous brake mount only gave me limited fore-and-aft adjustment; now I can move it back and forth, up and down, and adjust the left-right angle to match my grip. Being able to angle the grab handle to match my grip is nice, too.
Here’s a photo of what I ended up with. I might switch out the rubber grip for something that doesn’t want to twist around on the bar end quite so much; I tried to clamp it down with some twist ties. I left the brake mount longer than necessary, but once I’m convinced I have it where I want it, I’ll trim it down.
Bottom line, I like it a lot, glad I got in on Nurse Ben’s offer, and thanks much to him for making it all happen.