I know it's not a very exciting topic but I searched but could not find a thread that only discussed handlebar grips (it was kind of mixed in with a bunch of stuff). I just can't make up my mind all I know is that my Speciaized "Ergo" non-locking type have got to go. Although on straight flat stuff thes grips let you rest your palm on the flat part, as soon as things get rough they are all over the place (kind of like my first girlfriend you never know where they are going to end up. So help me out here guys.....
SPECIALIZED BODY GEOMETRY GRIPS (The standard version that came with my Rockhopper were not the lock-on-type shown here). "I don't like anything (paint's o.k.) white on a bike" said DirtyHank, and while I'm *****in and moanin, IMHO what I don't like about Specialized is their tendency to value engineer their product to death and go a tad bit cheaper on componentry than they should to support their otherwise excellent product line. I think they must have board meetings where one by one they wheel each of their new bikes in and then throw out the question; "O.K. so Billy just bought this bike from us, what is he going have to buy next from us."
First thought is to be "brand-centric" and get the Specialized (now isn't that special) locking type. They sure look nice like most Specialized Products.
SIP LOCKING GRIPS $25 (kind of "Plain Jane" not that that's a bad thing)
ENDURO XL LOCKING GRIPS $25 (Nice styling but like with women, looks aren't everything)
In theory, the next two grips (Oury and Odi) are more to my liking because unlike the Specialized grips both the inboard and outboard ends are secured with clamps.
OURY LOCK-ON GRIP $20
Not totally a fan of advertising the name Oury and not sure of what seems to be a design that looks like it may be tough on hands and gloves. Definitely don't like silver clamps. Would be o.k. with black and think I could get them direct from Oury. (being fussy)
The Odi Rogue Lock On Grips $18.98 (Price Point)
The Odi's get all five star review comments with the exception of one guy that says his kid trashed his set in a couple of months damaged the end cap and was ignored by customer service. It would appear that the Oury's have a screw-in-expansion-type end cap which in my mind makes it more secure but I'm not too worried about it.
Conclusion:
I know there's other stuff out there and without hearing any hands-on (pun intended) experience I'm still undecided. I'm looking forward to hearing and seeing pictures of what Grips you guys are using and what you have to say based on riding with them.
Super 77 doesn't really harden up. It stays greasy like rubber cement. Believe me, I used to apply that stuff by the caseload to graphic design projects, speaker grilles, carpet, etc. It's good for porous stuff, but not this.
You know, back in the day before the clamp on grip thing, I never had any issues with my grips slipping. You sprayed cheap hair spray in them, slid them on, and then stuck the air compressor chuck between the grip/bar (holding the grip) and blasted it...never budged.
I got the Ergons with the large "wings" to help with wrist numbness. Although I liked them at first, I realized they don't work well (for me) on technical singletrack... especially hilly stuff.
When you go back off the saddle on a downhill, the wing interferes with the grip by pushing your wrists back. Try gripping it tightly with the wing pressing into your wrist... this is what it's like when you're holding on tight down a rock garden. Essentially your middle finger is bearing all of the weight... and that was with 1-finger hydros. If you do 2-finger breaking it would be even worse. I sprained my finger because of them and they came of the next day in favor of some Ourys.
To each their own. I agree with the money back guarantee, just make sure you ride down some technical downhills as part of the eval. On flat riding they felt great.
What GotoDengo says about the "ergo" shaped grips is a more experience explanation of what I feel about ergo grips for me. Although I like them for the few times I ride my MTB on the street, on single track and rough downhill I always feel like I'm wrestling with my grips for control of my bike. Maybe my riding is improving and I can handle more dirt on my plate.
I use different grips for different bikes (ODI Ruffian on the FS and beater bike, ERGON GP2 on the SS and commuter, Cinelli cork tape on road bike)but came across these at interbike this year:
I love the Ergon GA1's. Not too large, but enough swell in the palm to help those with larger hands. I also used to use the ODI Rouge grips in the past as well. But prefer the GA1's
odi. The odi tld grips are the best grip by far. They have awesome color choices which you can play around with to make them look great on any bike. They are insanely secure because of the clamps on both sides. E/t they have a inboard locking clamp, they have flanges at both ends that help your hands. Best grips ever! You can also find them for about $18
odi. The odi tld grips are the best grip by far. They have awesome color choices which you can play around with to make them look great on any bike. They are insanely secure because of the clamps on both sides. E/t they have a inboard locking clamp, they have flanges at both ends that help your hands. Best grips ever! You can also find them for about $18
Use roadie bar tape. Wrap it as thick or thin as you want. It won't slip. You can make it as comfortable as you want. It's cheap. It's light. It's durable. It comes in a ton of color options to match whatever fashion statement you want to make. I switched to this when I first started running gripshift as I could never find a short lock-on grip I liked. After using it for a while, I can't imagine using anything else. It's like buying a custom tailored suit in China - fits exactly the way you want, but costs less than TJ Maxx.
Used the Ritchey WCS foam (hexagonal) grips and really liked them. Good for larger hands but some may not like the hex shape with a bulged center. My others are Odi Rogues and they're decent, but not as comfortable to the Ritcheys.
I have larger hands and love the ODI Rogue lock-ons. They are comfy, offer good grip, and never move. Unless you need to take them off for maintenance, swapping bars ,etc, and they're off in seconds. Never again will I be gluing or air-compressor-ing grips.
Dirty Hank - The ODI lock-on rings are expensive, but unless you need a different color than what comes with the grips, I don't know why you'd need to buy a separate set. The grips are available as "refills" without the rings at a discount, so you don't have to buy new rings when the rubber is worn out.
I admittedly don't have experience with a lot of different grips, but I probably tried 4 or 5 varieties before I settled on the ODI Rogues. I still pick up every grip I come across. I have fairly large hands (actually, large palms - my fingers aren't all that long), and the Rogues fill my hands nicely. I still get some hand numbness if I'm riding on the road, but Cane Creek bar ends take care of that by giving me more positions. They lock into the ODI grips. Awesome combination, if somewhat heavy (so am I). Also, the Rogues seem to be pretty durable - after a season of riding mine are not showing any wear - although I don't ride nearly as much as some around MTBR.
Almost, but not quite as cushy. I have one on one bike and one on the other. I do prefer the lock on due to the easy on and off and the security of never twisting. I have adjusted to the lock on Oury's and don't notice the reduced "cush", really it is just a little bit less.
I used hair spray to install the regulary Oury's one time and about half way through a 12 mile ride they started twisting. So I used some type of glue (I don't remember which) and they stayed on ever since. However I like the ability to be able to easily remove the lock ons and reinstall them without the mess of removing all the old glue. Easier to change handle bars or move grips from one bike to another with lock ons.
Well I made a decision. I couldn't find anything but good reviews about the ODI Troy Lee Design Lock-on-Grips. I found them on eBay for $21.99 and to Jensons credit they price matched, but tax and shipping pushed them into the almost $30 range. I called ODI in Riverside CA. Customer Service got in touch with their sales rep for my area. ODI called to let me know Price Point is a 15min drive from me AND I can Will-Call the item. So just $21.99 + $1.92 tax $23.91. I'd rather have 2 gals of gas and not pay for shipping any day. My time isn't worth anything anyway these days.
I think I'll like them, but who knows. My main purpose for changing from ergon-type non locking grips is 1. Not using a grip that defines where I have to place my hands. 2. Not having to hassle twisting my grips back into place during and after every every hairy part of the ride. 3. Being able to fine tune my cockpit so I've got 4 digits holding on and one finger braking.
Thanks everyone for your help, suggestions, tips & tricks. Riding Gear is a personal thing one of those things in life that there is really no right and wrong. All that counts is that you are good with it.
Ever since jive handles came out in the late 80s I've been using sticky slim grips. If you like grips like that the new Renthal lock ons look great. They come in 4 different compounds.
The ODI TLD ones are great, have them now.
Don't get the ESI love. I found them slippery and they pack down like all foam does. 2 thumbs down.
Installed the ODI TLD grips. I like the feel of them the rubber seems top quality and the tread design seems perfect to me grippy but not too harsh on the hands. I adjusted the cockpit to allow one or two finger braking. I think I'll like these and if it stops raining will find out this weekend.
Ergon GP1 Large grips on both RIP9 and Gt Peace 9R SS, cured numbness and never had a problem when the trail gets sketchy even with 2-finger braking, tried a ton of grips over the years before hitting these, search over.
Well, my of thinkin says I need to use bar tape to make my grips sense my 29er uses 700c rims..
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