Mountain Biking - Are certain handlebar grips prone to blisters?

I changed mine about 6 weeks ago to Oury and I've been getting blisters on my palms (opposite each knuckle) every time I go riding. 4 blisters per hand every time!

http://www.freshtripe.co.uk/Freshtripe/Grips%20&%20Tapes_files/Oury%20Black.jpg

I'm using the same gloves as last year, have a 4 pair rotation going.

So this leads to the questions: Are certain handlebar grips prone to blisters?

I have a similar issue.

On my NRS, I have some cheap grips, similar to ODI Ruffians. They tend to give me blisters, while the WTB 4-Front grips on my Filter don't give me blisters at all.

Actual blisters, or callous? If you didn't have them before swapping to the larger diameter grips, that is likely your answer assuming nothing else has changed. Go back to thinner grips.

I build up some wicked thick callouses at the bases of my fingers, particularly the last three. Doesn't matter what glove/grip combo. Keep 'em trimmed, no big deal. Don't think I've ever had any sort of blisters.

Any contact point (saddle, shoes/pedals, handlebars/grips) is going to be a matter of personal preference. I love Oury grips, but some might not.

Actual blisters, or callous? If you didn't have them before swapping to the larger diameter grips, that is likely your answer assuming nothing else has changed. Go back to thinner grips.

I build up some wicked thick callouses at the bases of my fingers, particularly the last three. Doesn't matter what glove/grip combo. Keep 'em trimmed, no big deal. Don't think I've ever had any sort of blisters.

Blisters that turn into callouses, and at the next ride turn into blisters that turn into callouses again, and so on, and so on...

You may have a point there about going back to the original grips. They sure feel small in the hands, though. :(

Blisters that turn into callouses, and at the next ride turn into blisters that turn into callouses again, and so on, and so on...

You may have a point there about going back to the original grips. They sure feel small in the hands, though. :(

Well, so long as they aren't causing any pain, and you aren't losing grip, or having any other problem with the thinner grips, so what?

If running them for comfort, soften up your fork, run a few psi less in the tires, run different gloves, don't ride with a death grip on the bars/brake levers, try some grips that are between the two sizes.

IMO, if depending on the grips for softness and comfort on a mtb, you're doing it wrong. I want my grips to give a solid interface between me and the bike, not be slippery uner my gloves, and not slip on the bars.

Well, so long as they aren't causing any pain, and you aren't losing grip, or having any other problem with the thinner grips, so what?

They are definitely causing me pain!


IMO, if depending on the grips for softness and comfort on a mtb, you're doing it wrong. I want my grips to give a solid interface between me and the bike, not be slippery uner my gloves, and not slip on the bars.

Hey! They are slippery... so that's the problem... slippery grip = blisters.

I think I've found my preferred grips. Been using various thin grips for years and have had lots and lots of pain on all day rides. Bought LizardSkin Northshores for my fully rigid and now it's the one bike that doesn't blister my hands while the blistering bikes have suspension. Northshores are fatter than regular grips and quite smooth compared to some others, I guess that's my ticket right there.

So this leads to the questions: Are certain handlebar grips prone to blisters?

No, grips can't get blisters.

Just don't grip them that way.

-Sent from my iPhone

I use those same Oury grips and do not have problems in long events

I use those same Oury grips and do not have problems in long events

Okay thanks for the feedback.
I reinstalled my previous grips so the next outting will confirm if the problem comes from the grips or elsewhere, i'm thinking maybe my gloves are too old or too loose, although they don't seem to be.

I wouldn't use those grips unless i was worried about muddy gloves. They look like they'd make a few pressure points on longer trips. A smoother grip with finer knobs would be easier on your hands i think. It also helps to select a grip with a diameter appropriate for your hand... too small and you'll get blisters.