Mountain Biking - What grips?

Looking at my grips as I cycled in this morning (....must remember to watch the road instead ;) ) I think I ought to start thinking about replacing my grips - they're not too bad at the moment but the knobbles are wearing fairly quickly.

I'm sure I grip the bars too tight...

I've got short Grip shift shifters (the ones roughly 1 1/2" wide) is this likely to narrow my choice?

Almost forgot :D - what are peoples recommendations?

Thanks Richard

Grip choices are like saddle choices. What one person loves, the other will hate. I've used several and personally like the dual compound type. My favs are made by Yeti. I believe they came in the shorter lengths for GS. A ton of people I know like the OURY grips, they have a softer compound! I am currently running some Cannondale or CODA grips(dual density) on my bike and I'm quite pleased with them.

Pedals are another story all together. Are you using clipless? Is this on your commuter? For my clipless I prefer TIME ATAC pedals. They have a lot of float and work in all conditions including very sticky mud! I've had absolutely no problems with mine! I have the composite version, not the carbon. I think I paid about $100 w/ cleats for mine. I've seen the current models on ebay for under $100.00.

Flat pedals, I'd go with some Atom Lab's. They're a BMX company and this is a very nice and low rise platform pedal.
I also have a pair of SHimano 646, platforms with a clipless in the middle. I only used them once or twice and loaned them out to a friend and haven't seen them since!

BTW, why the name change Lat?

I also need to replace my grips soon. How about some advice on installing/removing grips (mine are on so tight, how do I them off without cutting them. and, when I get them off, what's the best way to get the new ones on?)

some soapy water inside the new grip should get it easier to slip on, then wait to dry and it should stick. about removing grips, i just cut mine, but i guess u can pry it off from the inside and pull real hard?

lift the grip up from the opening as much as u can and spray some soapy water in it.. if done correctly itll just slide off

To get gripd off, soapy water seems to work good. Just make sure it drys really good before you slip some new grips on though, or you could have a nice surprise some day when you go to fly around a corner and the grips come off in your hands or start spinning. Sometimes, simply pulling really hard as you twist the grips is enough to get grips off, if you want to try something before the soap and water. Something to consider is to get something like the ODI lock-jaw grips when you replace the ones you have. They are very easy to get on and off, as there are just two clamps with small allen-head screws that grip your bars. These can be loosened and removed very easily at any time. ODI also offers many different levels of thickness, padding and lengths to accomodate different riding styles and shifter arrangements. I use the Rouge style grips for XC use.

I'm using the Race Face Good & Evil grips and I really like them as they are very comfy and have cool designs. As for removing and installing grips. The best thing I've found is using compressed air in a can that you use for dusting off computers. Just place the tube that comes with it under the grip and then spray the air and pull. Extremely easy and the grips will come off and go back on smoother than butta!!

akmtnbiker

Yes, i highly recommend the ODI lockgrip system. I love them, they don't rotate at all, and they don't weight much.

If you have access to an air compressor, you can usually plug one end of the handlbar and just blast out the other side's grip while pulling on it..hope it makes sense, if not, plain water will get them off (as long as you didn't use glue or paint to put them on in the first place) once you get a bit under the grips..

Grip choices are like saddle choices. What one person loves, the other will hate. I've used several and personally like the dual compound type. My favs are made by Yeti. I believe they came in the shorter lengths for GS. A ton of people I know like the OURY grips, they have a softer compound! I am currently running some Cannondale or CODA grips(dual density) on my bike and I'm quite pleased with them.

Pedals are another story all together. Are you using clipless? Is this on your commuter? For my clipless I prefer TIME ATAC pedals. They have a lot of float and work in all conditions including very sticky mud! I've had absolutely no problems with mine! I have the composite version, not the carbon. I think I paid about $100 w/ cleats for mine. I've seen the current models on ebay for under $100.00.

Flat pedals, I'd go with some Atom Lab's. They're a BMX company and this is a very nice and low rise platform pedal.
I also have a pair of SHimano 646, platforms with a clipless in the middle. I only used them once or twice and loaned them out to a friend and haven't seen them since!

BTW, why the name change Lat?

Yeah I think Grips are important too - I mean they are the first contact between rider and grips - I found some really good dual density ones on this website if your interested
http://www.bike-force.co.uk
good prices from Herrmans - who are really good value for money - I got the primergo flite grips - they are sweet.

For removing grips: Cut them or use compressed air (warning...compressed air can balloon the grips and they might never go on tight again.)
For installing grips: Hair spray. Dries tacky. A quick blast of air under the grip makes it dry faster. Don't use too much hairspray.

Grips I like: Ergon GS-length, RaceFace Good & Evil (as already mentioned), Grip Shift (yes, I like the stock GS grips that come with the shifters), Rav-X also makes some nice lock-on grips that I'm fond of.

Lock on's that suit ya.

Ran GX1 couldnt get rid of the numbness, got the new GP1 Superlights, Problem solved. Ergon is the way to go, they cost more than your average grip but IMO, well worth it.

Don't bother with the fancy ways of getting your grip off unharmed. If you're gonna take off your grips then you might as well replace them with lock-ons. So cut those old grips off and get some lock on grips and never have to worry about hairspray and soapy water ever again.

http://www.esigrips.com/

I've always wanted to try the ESI grips but I find it so convenient to pick up what ever my LBS has. On my rigid, I run some chunky Oury grips. On my bikes with a front suspension, I run a dual density mostly.

I'd also like to try the foam grips that seemed pretty popular about 2 years ago.