Mountain Biking - Functionality of Grips?

So what specific features make a grip give you more or less control of your bike? More comfort? hand fatigue?

For example will the ergons give you more control and a cushy grip like the ESI give less hand fatigue, but not as much control?

generally the slimmer grips give the most control, you can get a more solid grip on the bars, i really like my odi ruffians, basically what gives a grip more control is your ability to hold it, so all thing grips will be about the same, texture can matter too, i've always found big grips to be too squishy and harder to really get a solid girp on (not that i grip the bars tight, not that kinda of good grip) and i ahve avg to large hands. The ergon are comphy cause the flat top means you don't really have a pressure point on your hands, with round grips they kinda cut in and push in a small area supposedly reducing blood flow, however, the ergons arn'e the best for control cause you can't really push on them with the heal of your hand (it would slip of) so rockin down that rocky section... but alot of people still really like them, if you feel comfortable using them for your riding style then they are fine.

One function: if you have carpal tunnel, ergons are gonna be a nice improvement - they helped me.

I don't use bar ends, but FYI here's a shot I took at Interbike:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2892927731_115e5a7efc_o.jpg

Don't think much about my grips in terms of control particularly, more of a comfort/texture thing for me. I've been using Oury grips for a long time and they suit me, although I've got some ODI Ruffian and Rogue grips on a couple bikes, too. I like the tacky feel of the Oury best, though. Never considered the Ergons but don't have any particular wrist problems either. Best thing I've done with grips is use the ODI lock on clamps for ease of installation/removal and no slipping. Somewhat depends what type of glove you prefer, too (I like a very thin full finger).

The features that matter to me are: (in order of importance) not too thick, not slipping around, ease of install/removal, not turning into sticky jelly after a year. I've tried almost every type of grip and installation method and to make a long story short:road bar tape. It never ever slips around on the bar, even after digging in the dirt during crashes; I can make it as thick or thin as I want; it's easy to remove/put on if need be. Plus, one pack of road tape is enough for at least two bikes!

IMO, the upward and backward sweep and the final placement of your hands on the bars is more important to the overall handling and comfort than the grips.

From there, it's personal preference combined with hand size, if you want bar ends or not, bar width, any particular anatomical or physical issues...

Way too much to it than to just say particular grips are going to do one thing vs. another for your control.

ODI lock ons FTW. You can try several different grip inserts to see what works for you, just swapping them out when you feel like. No muss, no fuss.

IMO, the upward and backward sweep and the final placement of your hands on the bars is more important to the overall handling and comfort than the grips.

From there, it's personal preference combined with hand size, if you want bar ends or not, bar width, any particular anatomical or physical issues...

Way too much to it than to just say particular grips are going to do one thing vs. another for your control.

ODI lock ons FTW. You can try several different grip inserts to see what works for you, just swapping them out when you feel like. No muss, no fuss.

Not to mention stem length and saddle height. Crank arm length can even have an effect.

ODI lockons are so much better than the old type that I will never go back. I have big hands and the Rogues suit me well.

I have ODI Ruffian on my DH and ODI Rogue on my do-it-all. I won't go back.

I've had ODI Rogue, Ruffian, Yeti, and the Lizard Skin's smooth inserts. So far, it's a toss-up betw. the Ruffian and the Yeti for my taste.

The new Sunline "Waffle Twist" that D was pimping looked pretty schwizzle, by gum.

Somewhat depends what type of glove you prefer, too (I like a very thin full finger).

I use cut-off gloves with pads in fingers and palms, just FYI.

I used the ESI Chunkies and they were too thick for good control, i might try racer's edge, but i was dissapointed with how quickly they tear. But they were legendary comfortable.

ODI is the BEST grip on the market. LockOns are so clutch. I will not mess around with any other grips since I got my Ruffians.

ODI is the BEST grip on the market.........

Show proof.

jcook1989 :

I believe that mtnbiker66 is trying to make a point that your statement is silly/nebulous.:p

I use cut-off gloves with pads in fingers and palms, just FYI.

Haven't used those in many years on a mountain bike; I do on a road bike, altho padding is only in the palm. Cork bar tape plus the gloves give a little bit of relief from road vibration. All my mountain bikes have good front suspension, so no need for stuff in the gloves for them...

Padded gloves on a hardtail or dual suspension seems a bit redundant/unnecessary.

I dont know about that; when I do my super sized drops and bottom the fork, a bit of padding helps a lot (just kidding, I use non-padded mechanics gloves with performance brand lock ons that I got for 5$)

Grip diameter is a critical aspect, not for overall control, but in hand/arm fatigue. Generally, larger grips are hard on smaller hands (like mine) - - result in premature arm-pump when riding really demanding terrain. Too-thin of grips can do similar things.

I personally find Ourys too large for my hand and they fatigue me despite their soft compound. Sunline thin grips (they come as thicks and thins) are just a touch too thin, I've found. Most optimum diameter grip I've ever used is the Yeti-logo ODI Lock-Ons.

Single speed grips are far superior for new riders. It takes the complication of geared grips out of the equation.

Rigid grips, you mean? Help you pick a better line?

I ride no-handed most of the time..so I'm not particular about grips.

I ride no-handed most of the time..so I'm not particular about grips.

You squeeze the saddle with your butt cheeks too?:thumb:

^^ why you gotta go there man?

I hate it when I grip too tightly and get arm pump.
































What?

















(odi ruffians or rogues for me. like both, even though the rogues are fatter and squishier.)

Haven't used those in many years on a mountain bike; I do on a road bike, altho padding is only in the palm. Cork bar tape plus the gloves give a little bit of relief from road vibration. All my mountain bikes have good front suspension, so no need for stuff in the gloves for them...

I dont use them for any deficiency in my bike, I got them for free from a friend, so i decided to get the wuss out and save 20 bucks.

Man up and don't use any at all. Especially on that really cool 9er.

I shall wrap them in 40 grit sand paper.

I want to see the pics.

Pronouns, pronouns.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd223/justinm231/2018836.jpg

That is multi-surface sandpaper. You need single-surface sandpaper. Multi is too complex for the new rider. Single will be much better. You have said so, yourself.

Oury. Cool colors reduce fatigue.

For all you ODI lockon fans, the cross-trainer doesn't get much hype but it's worth checking out - it's got the grippy without the sticky.

There is no excuse to not have ODI grips on your bike... they come in a variety of sizes and styles that would can switch back and forth from with only owning 1 paid ofr locks...

some of my favorites are:

lizard skin peaty grips (http://tripxamerica.com/?p=153)

race face diabolous grips (http://tripxamerica.com/?p=89)

and the ones on my bike right now:
odi rogue (http://tripxamerica.com/?p=69)

That is multi-surface sandpaper. You need single-surface sandpaper. Multi is too complex for the new rider. Single will be much better. You have said so, yourself.

:lol::rolleyes:

That is multi-surface sandpaper. You need single-surface sandpaper. Multi is too complex for the new rider. Single will be much better. You have said so, yourself.

I have seen wittier comments in owner's manuals.

So ESI racer's edge in white or the peaty's?

elf - the peatys are super tacky, and slim profile. so if you are looking for a thing grip id go with the peatyy.....

but WHITE GETS DIRTY!

lizard skin peaty grips (http://tripxamerica.com/?p=153)

I know but my bike is mostly white.

IDK about the peaty's, I already have something similar, and they have plenty of grip, but they have no padding and hand fatigue very quickly on downhills, do the peaty's have any padding?

they have a decent amount of padding, i have the ruffians on my jumper bike and they have more padding that those, but less than say the odi rogues...

I have seen wittier comments in owner's manuals.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,snap!!!!! Burn!!!!!! Owwwwwwwwww yeah!

if you're relying on your grip padding to prevent hand fatigue while on downhills, you're doing it wrong.

try not death gripping your bars, moving your brake lever reach closer to the bars, and grabbing/using less/not riding your brakes.

I have some brown ODIs. The didn't start out that color though.

i live in fl, our downhills aren't that long haha

if you're relying on your grip padding to prevent hand fatigue while on downhills, you're doing it wrong.

try not death gripping your bars, moving your brake lever reach closer to the bars, and grabbing/using less/not riding your brakes.

I dont know what kind of downhills you ride but if I held my grips any looser than i currently do, i would definetly be at risk of having them taken out of my hands. I went on a 20 mile full of downhills and my new brakes arent even broken in yet. I find this advice sub-standard, you need a certain amount of padding in your grips for the shifting of your body forward.

I dont know what kind of downhills you ride but if I held my grips any looser than i currently do, i would definetly be at risk of having them taken out of my hands. I went on a 20 mile full of downhills and my new brakes arent even broken in yet. I find this advice sub-standard, you need a certain amount of padding in your grips for the shifting of your body forward.

That's the pot calling the kettle black! All the mindless **** you put up and you wanna call out Scub? Thats rich.

Gloves are on...
http://marriageconfessions.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/ladies-boxing-gloves_11.jpg





Elf, you're an idiot.

I dont know what kind of downhills you ride but if I held my grips any looser than i currently do, i would definetly be at risk of having them taken out of my hands. I went on a 20 mile full of downhills and my new brakes arent even broken in yet. I find this advice sub-standard, you need a certain amount of padding in your grips for the shifting of your body forward.

You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?

Those were just *general* suggestions about things that may help.

However, I stand by my statement: If you are relying on your grips to prevent hand fatigue when descending, you are doing something wrong. What thay might be, I have no idea.

That's the pot calling the kettle black! All the mindless **** you put up and you wanna call out Scub? Thats rich.

So, because I am 'supposedly' wrong 'allegedly' often, that makes scrublover's statement less absurd?

Nawp.

So, because I am 'definitely' wrong 'assuredly' often, that makes my statements a complete waste!!

Jeah.

Fixed it for you elf.

You know sir, I don't feel that I'm picking on you because you keep asking for it. Not in an active "please sir, can I have another" sorta way...but more like a "the sky is under my feet and purple elephants exist" sorta way. You just have to be corrected so the people who come here for education versus entertainment won't be mislead.

You really are a *****, my good fellow.