Mountain Biking - Foam Vs. Rubber Grips

I just replaced my kona's ************ grips for the first time since I bought my bike.

I was looking for a pair of grips that aren't going to wear out as fast.

I took a gamble with the Bontrager Race X Lite Foam Grips
http://bontrager.com/Mountain/Components/Grips/6928.php

Normally, I wouldn't buy bontrager products. But these grips looked nice and sturdy, I hear alot of pros use foam grips. And hey, they were much cheaper than rubber grips...12.99 CDN

My question is, are they going to last longer than my previous rubber grips? I don't mind if I get only one season out of them, they are so cheap, I can easily replace them.

What do you use? Rubber or foam? Any problems with either?

How long does road tape last?
-Thanks

My question is, are they going to last longer than my previous rubber grips? I don't mind if I get only one season out of them, they are so cheap, I can easily replace them.



If you are only interested in them lasting for one season, why do you care if they will last as long as rubber grips?

In my experience, rubber will last longer, but foam is lighter..which is why most pros use foam. Personally, I don't really care that much as long as either one is comfortable. I usually get gel grips when my originals wear out, but again, its a matter of preference.

I am looking to upgrade to those grips too, can you tell me a bit about them so that i will know if they are any good.

Well, i'd call it high density foam. They are UBER simple grips. VERY light. They take a little force, and hairspray to get them on a bar bigger than 120mm. They seem hard, but when you go over a large bump, or take a drop, they seem no different from rubber grips. I took them out for the first time, after I got my brakes adjusted for the umpteenth time after school with my buddy tristan, we hit up some 3 footers and they felt great.

They give you a great feel for the path, they are a little thicker too, which helps me reach the brakes, i have small hands


ROFL

Well, i'd call it high density foam. They are UBER simple grips. VERY light. They take a little force, and hairspray to get them on a bar bigger than 120mm. They seem hard, but when you go over a large bump, or take a drop, they seem no different from rubber grips. I took them out for the first time, after I got my brakes adjusted for the umpteenth time after school with my buddy tristan, we hit up some 3 footers and they felt great.

They give you a great feel for the path, they are a little thicker too, which helps me reach the brakes, i have small hands


ROFL

Just like the old Grab-ons (which I still ride). Don't worry they'll last forever. I like them much more then the nasty hard rubber grips so popular today. Good choice.

I use foam. Velo Handlz, I love them.

Does anyone here use bartape on their mountain bikes?

Nope.

Rubber here.

Woah, those velo grips look neat...so plain and simple. I don't like over the top tackey bike parts...there is usually not even a performance boosting quality in fancy colours and shapes...unless it is an ergonomic design, but screw ergo grips. I 'd rather have numb hands, so it doesn't hurt when I bite the dust...or fall off cliffs ( I had a near death experience with one :O )

And Roxter, I am thinking I will try road tape next time I need to replace. Probably around three layers, with electrical tape and some sweet bar ends :D

Doesn't everybody hate, when you don't wear gloves (or even when you do for that matter) when you get that nasty rubber residue all over your hands from it wearing away? YUK! :P

Really, so you are going to try bar tape next eh. Quite a few pros use it, so i'm sure its good, and they're called bar plugs, not bar ends.

sry...roadie backround...bar ends would be those 'devil horns' that you put on flat bars...I seem to have fallen behind on my mtb terminology

bar plug sounds too much like but plug 4 me