View Poll Results: Keep or destroy the grab ons
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll
Are Grab-Ons C&V now?
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2,650
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Liked 636 Times
in
337 Posts
I voted (too late) but I hated Grab Ons on my motorcycle (tried them once as I got them for free) and hated them on my bicycle BITD (paid for a set). Just as bad as those huge steering wheel covers for cars. Dump ‘em. (Or place them lovingly in a box for the next person - they might be dust by then).
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,687
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
412 Posts
I first tried Grab Ons back in the '70s motorcycling to my girlfriend three states away. Now with arthritis in my hands I can tell you simple foam is far inferior to modern materials, such as gels, which provide better grip, vibration dampening, comfort, and appearance.
#28
Garage tetris expert
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 900
Bikes: A few. Ok, a lot
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 390 Post(s)
Liked 699 Times
in
334 Posts
I’ve a set of NOS foam grips if you want something in better shape. (but likely three decades old or more)
#29
aged to perfection
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: PacNW
Posts: 1,852
Bikes: Dinucci Allez 2.0, Richard Sachs, Alex Singer, Serotta, Masi GC, Raleigh Pro Mk.1, Hetchins, etc
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 851 Post(s)
Liked 1,278 Times
in
674 Posts
I used "Ultra-Thin" Grab-ons on my racing bike in the mid-eighties. They are dense closed-cell foam of a reasonably high durometer, not too squishy. I put cloth tape over them of course, I'm not a total fred. I didn't get ostracized by the other racers (especially on the odd occasions when I won), in fact I don't remember anyone even noticing them.
!
!
So I'd say maybe this treatment has authentic provenance and therefore fits in the "C & V" timeline
/markp
#30
Full Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 486
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 175 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 452 Times
in
232 Posts
Not Spence Wolf, but rather Dr. Spence the founder of Spenco whom developed and marketed a far better cushioned grip for drop bars.
They have excellent longevity and easy to clean. Though I outer wrap them with Tressostar or Newbaums. They even work with under cables / aero brake levs / end shifters.
They have excellent longevity and easy to clean. Though I outer wrap them with Tressostar or Newbaums. They even work with under cables / aero brake levs / end shifters.
Likes For chain_whipped:
#31
Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: Western Riverside county, Southern California
Posts: 31
Bikes: 07 Raleigh supercourse, 04 Specialized epic MB, Surly 1x1, Recycled Recumbents Mach 2, 63 jc Higgins racer single speed, early 60’s Armstrong roadster, KHS tandem electric conversion, GT mb electric city bike conversion.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times
in
14 Posts
If you ride this bike frequently and they feel good, keep them. If they don’t, toss them. If they look fine to you, great. If not, use tape. If this a show bike, remove and tape.
Likes For Chain smoker:
#32
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,194
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 2,321 Times
in
1,122 Posts
But I agree with others that say the OP should do what they want although it wouldn't hurt to see what 40 years of sweat may have done beneath them.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
Likes For Chuck M:
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,991
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26457 Post(s)
Liked 10,418 Times
in
7,233 Posts
.
...wasn't the next thing to come along the gel padded grip sleeves ? I vaguely remember those, but once gel corked bar tape came along, I never looked back.
...wasn't the next thing to come along the gel padded grip sleeves ? I vaguely remember those, but once gel corked bar tape came along, I never looked back.
#34
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,670
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11027 Post(s)
Liked 7,574 Times
in
4,225 Posts
Are Grab-Ons C&V now?
Likes For mstateglfr:
#35
Cantilever believer
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,623
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 554 Post(s)
Liked 1,917 Times
in
862 Posts
Harumph. So much hate for such a useful and comfortable product.
I was not aware of the thin racing-style Grab-Ons BITD, and don't recall seeing them in shops. They could have changed my life back then. Narrator: So would being broadsided by Dave Forsman's old van, but we won't let that distract from the story.
I do like Spenco grips, and agree they are a more-elegant solution. And yes, they're C&V too. I havehoarded collected several sets still in the bag. But they don't always like having cables run under them.
I'm going to console myself with the cushiness of the closed-cell foam used as grips on most of my bikes (even if not from Walla Walla), and let these macroaggressions pass.
I was not aware of the thin racing-style Grab-Ons BITD, and don't recall seeing them in shops. They could have changed my life back then. Narrator: So would being broadsided by Dave Forsman's old van, but we won't let that distract from the story.
I do like Spenco grips, and agree they are a more-elegant solution. And yes, they're C&V too. I have
I'm going to console myself with the cushiness of the closed-cell foam used as grips on most of my bikes (even if not from Walla Walla), and let these macroaggressions pass.
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
#37
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,670
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11027 Post(s)
Liked 7,574 Times
in
4,225 Posts
Is 'c&v' suddenly only a category for quality stuff that's old? Seeing what's commonly posted on here for the last decade, thats quite the hot take.
#38
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Seattle
Posts: 147
Bikes: Masi Gran Criterium, Derosa, Ron Cooper, Davidson, Miyata 912, Le Jeune, Klein Rascals, AMP Research B3, B4, B5, PX10,Holdsworth, Schwinn Paramount, Frejus, Erickson, Simoncini SLX, Cecil Walker
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
52 Posts
I recall they had a reputation 'back then' for causing irritation to the forearms on long rides. Anyone else hear this?
Likes For Steel Charlie:
#40
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,660
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3909 Post(s)
Liked 6,520 Times
in
3,232 Posts
Likes For SurferRosa:
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,177
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3817 Post(s)
Liked 6,742 Times
in
2,625 Posts
Likes For nlerner:
#42
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,946
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1499 Post(s)
Liked 1,099 Times
in
644 Posts
I'm going to come at this in two directions.
1. I've never dreamed of owning a Cinelli, much less two of them. (If I ever own an Italian bike, it's going to be a Frejus) However, if I ever owned a Cinelli, I would never dream of fitting them out with grab-ons. It's like killing kittens right in front of Karma.
2. Grab-ons are legitimately C&V and if they're in good shape, they're viable options on some bikes - namely those that originally came with safety levers - though I'd not call someone out on them if they happened to find themselves on a bike with a generic steel frame without butted tubes.
I even have grab ons on my Bridgestone 100 Fixie.
1. I've never dreamed of owning a Cinelli, much less two of them. (If I ever own an Italian bike, it's going to be a Frejus) However, if I ever owned a Cinelli, I would never dream of fitting them out with grab-ons. It's like killing kittens right in front of Karma.
2. Grab-ons are legitimately C&V and if they're in good shape, they're viable options on some bikes - namely those that originally came with safety levers - though I'd not call someone out on them if they happened to find themselves on a bike with a generic steel frame without butted tubes.
I even have grab ons on my Bridgestone 100 Fixie.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
#43
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,654
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1300 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4690 Post(s)
Liked 5,837 Times
in
2,297 Posts
next up:
Are turkey levers C&V?
Are turkey levers C&V?
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Likes For gugie:
#44
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,670
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11027 Post(s)
Liked 7,574 Times
in
4,225 Posts
next up:
Are turkey levers C&V?
Are turkey levers C&V?
Some of the topics and comments posted in this forum are a real head scratcher.
It's like some just woke from a decades old slumber and haven't managed to look around before posting.
On a related note- 'are wireless drivetrains and housing internally routed through the head tube modern now?'
That's the level of this thread.
Likes For nomadmax:
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,065
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3017 Post(s)
Liked 3,817 Times
in
1,413 Posts
Some of the topics and comments posted in this forum are a real head scratcher.
It's like some just woke from a decades old slumber and haven't managed to look around before posting.
On a related note- 'are wireless drivetrains and housing internally routed through the head tube modern now?'
That's the level of this thread.
The issue at hand is the definition of C&V. You probably read a couple dozen of the hundreds of threads that try at that foolish endeavor. But, in general, most agree vintage is an age (25-35 years) and classic means "stands the test of time" and is not faddish, like the OP topic. I decided in my post to split hairs and say indeed these fugly things are vintage, and not classic as only a mother could love that ugly baby. Others have decided not to split that hair, either they are classic AND vintage, or you are not. They have a point, whether you agree with it or not, is irrelevant.
Getting to turkey wings, I'll split hairs again, certainly old, certainly a waste of metal.
#47
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,670
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11027 Post(s)
Liked 7,574 Times
in
4,225 Posts
No.
The issue at hand is the definition of C&V. You probably read a couple dozen of the hundreds of threads that try at that foolish endeavor. But, in general, most agree vintage is an age (25-35 years) and classic means "stands the test of time" and is not faddish, like the OP topic. I decided in my post to split hairs and say indeed these fugly things are vintage, and not classic as only a mother could love that ugly baby. Others have decided not to split that hair, either they are classic AND vintage, or you are not. They have a point, whether you agree with it or not, is irrelevant.
Getting to turkey wings, I'll split hairs again, certainly old, certainly a waste of metal.
The issue at hand is the definition of C&V. You probably read a couple dozen of the hundreds of threads that try at that foolish endeavor. But, in general, most agree vintage is an age (25-35 years) and classic means "stands the test of time" and is not faddish, like the OP topic. I decided in my post to split hairs and say indeed these fugly things are vintage, and not classic as only a mother could love that ugly baby. Others have decided not to split that hair, either they are classic AND vintage, or you are not. They have a point, whether you agree with it or not, is irrelevant.
Getting to turkey wings, I'll split hairs again, certainly old, certainly a waste of metal.
When it comes to opinions on something that has no agreed upon definition, sure everyone then has a point even if I or you don't agree with it.
Thst isn't some revolutionary observation.
It's a message board and discussion is meant to exist here. If responses weren't meant to exist, there would be no quote button. But there is a quotr button and responses are encouraged. So yeah, responses to opinions will happen.
Grab ons clearly aren't modern, so i said they are c&v sincethe status for the specific item is pretty binary to me.
Others hated on it and declared it's bad and therfore not c&v. I asked if only nice stuff can be c&v.
^!thought a recap could help you see that multiple opinions have been given and we all recognize that there is no clear line for what is or isn't c&v from a date or quality perspective.
A wise man taught me that even if you disagree with my comments here, I have a point and your disagreement is irrelevant. Since it would be absurd to post an irrelevant reply, it's best thst you don't.
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,065
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3017 Post(s)
Liked 3,817 Times
in
1,413 Posts
This is a common response from you in this forum and it never gets old.
When it comes to opinions on something that has no agreed upon definition, sure everyone then has a point even if I or you don't agree with it.
Thst isn't some revolutionary observation.
It's a message board and discussion is meant to exist here. If responses weren't meant to exist, there would be no quote button. But there is a quotr button and responses are encouraged. So yeah, responses to opinions will happen.
Grab ons clearly aren't modern, so i said they are c&v sincethe status for the specific item is pretty binary to me.
Others hated on it and declared it's bad and therfore not c&v. I asked if only nice stuff can be c&v.
^!thought a recap could help you see that multiple opinions have been given and we all recognize that there is no clear line for what is or isn't c&v from a date or quality perspective.
A wise man taught me that even if you disagree with my comments here, I have a point and your disagreement is irrelevant. Since it would be absurd to post an irrelevant reply, it's best thst you don't.
When it comes to opinions on something that has no agreed upon definition, sure everyone then has a point even if I or you don't agree with it.
Thst isn't some revolutionary observation.
It's a message board and discussion is meant to exist here. If responses weren't meant to exist, there would be no quote button. But there is a quotr button and responses are encouraged. So yeah, responses to opinions will happen.
Grab ons clearly aren't modern, so i said they are c&v sincethe status for the specific item is pretty binary to me.
Others hated on it and declared it's bad and therfore not c&v. I asked if only nice stuff can be c&v.
^!thought a recap could help you see that multiple opinions have been given and we all recognize that there is no clear line for what is or isn't c&v from a date or quality perspective.
A wise man taught me that even if you disagree with my comments here, I have a point and your disagreement is irrelevant. Since it would be absurd to post an irrelevant reply, it's best thst you don't.
And since you went off on some long diatribe that has nothing to do with the more or less agreed upon definition of classic, You are going down a rabbit hole you created. How exactly is that relevant?
#49
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,670
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11027 Post(s)
Liked 7,574 Times
in
4,225 Posts
I provided a clear explanation of the objection. "Nice stuff" had nothing to do with, yet you bring it up again. Why?
And since you went off on some long diatribe that has nothing to do with the more or less agreed upon definition of classic, You are going down a rabbit hole you created. How exactly is that relevant?
And since you went off on some long diatribe that has nothing to do with the more or less agreed upon definition of classic, You are going down a rabbit hole you created. How exactly is that relevant?