Grips

Funn Hilt MTB-handvatten met lock-on (Amazon.nl)

The Funn Hilt is a set of mountain bike grips with a single lock-on clamp. The clamp holds the grip on the bar without glue, so you can fit and remove it yourself.

What you get

Set of MTB grips
Single lock-on clamp
Funn Hilt model

Why good grips?

Your hands carry part of your weight and take every bump. Grips that are too hard or too thin cause numb fingers or blisters. Grips that fit well keep their hold with wet or sweaty hands and prevent cramp.

There are two ways to fix them. Slip-on grips slide onto the bar and stay put through friction or a little glue or hairspray. Lock-on grips have one or two clamps that you tighten with a hex key. Lock-on is firmer, never twists and is easy to swap. Slip-on is lighter and simpler.

The bar has a diameter of 22.2 mm; grips have their own outside diameter of about 29 to 34 mm. Thinner grips (29 to 30 mm) give more feel and suit smaller hands. Thick grips (32 to 34 mm) damp more and are comfortable for large hands, but can be harder to hold. Length is usually 130 to 135 mm.

Material counts too. Rubber is tough and long lasting. Silicone is soft and grips well. Foam and cork are light and damp well, but wear faster. Ergonomic shapes with a platform support the palm, which spreads the weight better on long rides.

How the types compare

The fixing and the shape decide how secure and comfortable the grips are.

Type	Fixing	Comfort	Watch for
Slip-on	Friction or glue	Soft, light	Can twist, needs some glue or hairspray
Lock-on, single clamp	One hex-bolt clamp	Good, thicker on one side	Will not twist
Lock-on, double clamp	Two hex-bolt clamps	Good, firm and even	A little heavier, tighten with care
Ergonomic with platform	Usually lock-on	Palm supported, for long rides	Your hand has to suit the shape

Also check the type of shifter on your bar: a twist shifter needs a specific grip.

Choose it if

You want grips that cannot spin on your MTB handlebar
You like swapping parts yourself and prefer to avoid glue
Your grips are slick, hard, torn or twist on the bar.
You get numb fingers or blisters and want a different thickness or shape.

Choose something else if

You ride a drop-bar bike: these grips will not fit there
You have a road drop bar: that takes bar tape, not grips.
You have a twist shifter and the grip does not match. Check the combination first.

How to fit grips

Remove the old grips
With lock-on, loosen the clamps and slide them off. Slip-on grips come off with a little compressed air under the rubber, or you cut them.
Clean the bar
Wipe the bar dry and clean. Remove glue residue with isopropyl alcohol.
Slide on the new ones
Slip-on goes on more easily with a little alcohol or hairspray, which dries quickly. Lock-on slides on dry and you adjust the angle.
Fix in place
With lock-on, tighten the clamps to about 2 to 3 Nm. With slip-on and hairspray, let them dry for a few hours before you ride.

Good to know

Check that the diameter matches your bar and that your levers keep enough room
Confirm on the product page that a clamp is included for each grip
Do not overtighten the clamps: too much force breaks the clamp or damages the bar, especially carbon.
Make sure the grips do not press on the brake lever or shifter. Leave a small gap.
Clean grips with water and mild soap. Solvents make rubber soft or sticky.
Replace grips that are hard, slick or torn. Poor grip is a safety risk.

What you get

Why good grips?

How the types compare

Choose it if

Choose something else if

How to fit grips

Remove the old grips

Clean the bar

Slide on the new ones

Fix in place

Good to know

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