Grips

Mountain Bike Grips Buyer's Guide

Grips are the most direct point of contact between a rider and their bike. When hand meets rubber there is an instant reaction that is good, bad or neutral depending on the feel of the grip, so grip choice is a very personal one. Nothing will rekindle the relationship between your hands and your mountain bike like a new pair of grips.

Types

There are two types of grips: "lock-ons" and traditional slide on models. The gripping surface on lock-on models is attached to a plastic body, which is then held in place with aluminum lock-rings. Lock-on grips eliminate the possibility of sliding grips and have become standard issue on most mountain bikes. Traditional grips are simply a rubber sleeve that slides onto the end of a handlebar. Many riders prefer this style because it allows for a thinner profile.

Sizes

All grips have the same diameter and will fit onto any handlebar. They are available in the standard length of 130mm and 90mm for use with grip shifters.

Materials

Grips are generally made from rubber. Some manufacturers offer a variety of grip hardnesses, and even make kevlar or foam grips for a unique feel.

Things To Look For

Shopping for grips is all about feel. By using different patterns, rubber compounds and diameters, companies produce grips in a wide variety of styles. Some riders prefer smooth grips with subtle grooves, while others go with more aggressive patterns. Grips are also available in a variety of rubber compounds to improve feel and durability. Diameter also plays a big role in how a grip feels, and it is best to choose a model with a thickness that coincides with your hand size. Bigger hands may fit better with bigger grips.

How Much To Spend

Mountain bike grips range in price from $10 to $45.

Models in the $10-$20 range are available as traditional rubber grips or lock-on designs without replaceable gripping surfaces. They come in a variety of colors, thicknesses and patterns to satisfy most tastes and hand sizes.

The $20-$45 range includes lock-on models with replaceable grip refills and dual or single density traditional grips.

Product Reviews

Before buying, be sure to do your research and read product reviews. Reviews are a great way to find out specifics about a particular model, user impressions, and things to watch out for. After you've purchased a product and had enough time to thoroughly test it, we encourage you to leave a review for other people to see when they are researching bikes and parts on the web.

We hope you've found this information to be helpful. If you have a question that isn't answered in this guide, our mountain bike forums are a great place to get advice from knowledgeable riders. Your local bike shop is also a great resource.