Last Updated on January 1, 2023
Some might say that you need not give much importance to grips.
Because they are just grips, right?
They may just be a simple piece of rubber you hold on to when riding. But they play a very huge role in mountain biking!
The grips are one of the three primary contact points you have with your bike. With the saddle and pedals being the other two.
In fact, the grips are an enormous factor in how you ride because it’s what you use to maneuver the bike. You need to give huge importance to it because of how it can affect your riding.
Hence, you need to choose the best mountain bike grips.
That’s what this article is all about. Here, we’ll show you the best mountain bike grips you can get this 2020. We’ll also include the pros and cons so you can weigh things out.
Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature
Who wouldn’t know Sam Hill? He’s the fastest enduro mountain biker in the world. In fact, he’s also the reigning Enduro World Series champion. But don’t let his impressive resume take over because he’s also got one good signature grip from Nukeproof.
The Sam Hill Signature grips feature an old-school file pattern. This provides comfort and control when tackling gnarly trails. It’s made thanks to its Kraton rubber which is very grippy even when wet.
But it can easily wear down if you don’t wear gloves often. Or if you’ve got sweaty hands. It also has twin collar fixing bolts to ensure security.
There are also end caps built into the clamps, so you won’t lose them if you hit something. It’s a great bang-for-your-buck knowing that it’s got Sam Hill’s name.
Pros
- Grippy when wet
- Comfortable
- Provides excellent control
- It has Sam Hill’s name and signature
Cons
- Easily wears down
- Simple design
Lizard Skins Danny Macaskill Signature
Then there’s Danny MacAskill. He’s also one of the most well-known mountain bikers in the world. Many even say he’s not human because of his prowess in trial riding.
Lizard Skins latched onto his popularity by giving him what he deserves with the Danny Macaskill Signature grips. They design this to ensure a firm grip on your hands after hard landings.
It also works like a suspension because of its textured pyramid checkerboard pattern. You can even recover after awkward landings or slides. They come in 6 different colors which are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and black.
Pros
- Very grippy
- Excellent shock-absorbing capabilities
- Durable rubber material
Cons
- Very simple design
- Bright-colored version can easily get dirty
Ergon GD1 Evo
Ergon is renowned for its ergonomic designs. Hence, its name. One good example is the Ergon GD1 Evo which is designed for downhill mountain biking. It has small flanges on its tip so your hands won’t slide when hitting jumps or drops.
It’s also one of the most comfortable grips, even if it’s gravity-oriented. This is made possible thanks to its slim profile and textured pattern. There are also three colors to choose from, which are black, green, and orange. You’ll also love its sleek semi-transparent material.
Pros
- Ergonomic
- Stable on rough downhill trails
- Aesthetic design
Cons
- Fast wear and tear
Renthal Ultra Tacky
We know Renthal for its durability and badass looks. This stems from the fact that they were originally a motorcycle brand. And now that they’re in the mountain bike industry, they sure have a one-heck-of-a-badass reputation!
We can see this in their Ultra Tacky grips. These provide excellent grip even in wet situations. It’s also got an ultra-slim profile which gives comfort on long rides. This one’s for you if you want superior cushioning and looks!
Pros
- Very grippy
- Excellent cushioning
Cons
- Easily wears down
- Lack of color options
Lizard Skins Peaty Signature
Lizard Skins nailed it again with the Peaty Signature grips. This is the official grips of mountain bike legend Steve Peat. This grip is very comfortable on the hands because of its superior cushioning.
They might not be the plushest of grips. But they do fine, whether in wet or dry situations. The rubber compound also provides a tacky feeling. This is what you need when riding downhill trails. You’ll also love the font of the Peaty text because of its Gothic design.
Pros
- Solid looks
- Thick and durable rubber material
- Stable lock-on system
Cons
- A bit too thick
- Comfort
ODI Elite Flow
ODI is another well-known brand when it comes to bike components. And they maintained that excellent reputation with the Elite Flow lock-on grips. This features a single clamp design, which is new compared to their previous models.
This provides better stability when riding rough trails. It also has an offset grip padding, which provides just enough thickness.
This gives your fingers a good feel of the 1.5 mm grips. This one’s for you if you always experience hand fatigue. You can even adjust by twisting the grips if you want to have the thicker portion on your hands.
Pros
- Offset padding provides the utmost comfort
- Easily adjustable
Cons
- Easily becomes sticky
- Attracts dirt easily
Ergon GE1 Evo
The Ergon GE1 Evo is for you if you’d like the enduro version of the GD1. They design this for enduro riding because it has a moderately thick texture. It’s also very similar to the GD1 Evo.
But it doesn’t have the flanges found on the tip. It also has the same semi-transparent rubber, making the grips look more stylish. It does a magnificent job of reducing vibrations. And the angle markings help you position the grips to your preference.
Pros
- Unique ergonomic shape.
- Aesthetic design
- Absorbs vibration well
Cons
- Easily wears down, especially with sweaty hands
DMR Deathgrip
The great free-ride downhill rider Brendan Fairclough is the man behind DMR’s Deathgrip. It’s designed to provide an excellent grip on downhill and enduro trails. But it’s more than just function because it also looks beautiful thanks to its galaxy-inspired design.
There are many options, ranging from size, rubber compound, and colorways. This makes it a splendid choice if you like something unique.
You surely won’t easily find grips that are the same as yours! It features a waffle pattern similar to BMX grips. This goes along well with the single clamp mechanism that ensures it won’t move.
Pros
- Attractive and unique design
- Provides excellent grip
- Multiple options to choose from
Cons
- Awkward feel
Ergon GA3
Ergon comes with another best-selling grip with the Ergon GA3. This is perfect for those who want comfort over anything else. This is made possible thanks to its extended surface area, which lets your hands spread comfortably.
It also provides a wider contact area between your hands and the grips. This is very helpful on long cross-country rides. It comes in seven colors and two size options. There is a 29.3 mm and a larger 30.8 mm diameter.
Pros
- Very comfortable on the hands
- Reduces strain on arms
- Grippy
Cons
- Awkward shape
- Not ideal for gravity riding
Race Face Grippler
Race Face’s Grippler is what you might want if you’d want that aggressive look on your grips. But don’t take this lightly because this isn’t just all looks. This has been a favorite of many enduro and downhill riders because of its durability and comfort.
It has a wide flange on its outskirts that cover the clamps, which can easily become slippery. However, don’t expect this to be the most stylish grip because it has minimal texture patterns.
This comes in two size options which are 30 mm and 33 mm diameters. You can also choose from its ten different color versions.
Pros
- Wide flange provides security
- Comfortable texture
- Multiple size options
Cons
- Complex installation
- Metal end caps easily wear
PNW Loam
PNW isn’t best known for making grips. But they did somehow enter the grips scene successfully with the PNW Loam. It looks sleek and cool with the zigzag pattern and wavy parallel lines.
They’re more than style, though, because they make sure your hands stick to it even on the rowdiest of trails. The thin ridge and rubber end section also gives you the peace of mind that it won’t suddenly slip.
Its single clamp design makes this even more secure and simpler. You’ll also love the tapered diameter of 29.5 mm to 31 mm on the outer side. This keeps your hands on the grips. And feel free to choose from the five color options!
Pros
- Stylish design
- Excellent grip
- Tapered shape provides stability
Cons
- A bit too hard
- Dirt easily gets lodged in the grooves
SRAM Locking Foam
SRAM’s Locking Foam grip is for you if you’d prioritize simplicity and comfort. This features a very soft foam compound that ensures you won’t get hand and arm fatigue on long rides. But this also comes with a lock-on mechanism, so it won’t slip or slide when you ride on trails.
It might not be very everyone, though, because of its overly smooth and patternless texture. And it only comes in black. This leaves you with no other choice but to choose black. It also happens to be SRAM’s favorite color, red and white.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Secure lock-on mechanism
Cons
- Lacks grip
- Only comes in black
Best Mountain Bike Grips: Conclusion
In my opinion, the best mountain bike grips are:
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Choosing the best mountain bike grips sounds easy. But it’s difficult because of the many options out there.
You can, but avoid the confusion once you’ve weighed out their pros and cons. Also, consider the shape and size of the grip you want.
Prioritize stability and amount of grip if you ride downhill or enduro trails. You can focus on comfort and design if you ride on more mellow cross-country trails.
Choose wisely. And don’t hesitate to try different grips! Trust us that there’s a good chance you’ll be collecting them.
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