Supacaz Grizips Neon MTB-handvatten

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.

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

How to fit grips

1. 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.

2. Clean the bar

   Wipe the bar dry and clean. Remove glue residue with isopropyl alcohol.

3. 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.

4. 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.