Grips
Used mountain bike grips from UK sellers, in lock-on and slip-on designs across a range of compounds and thicknesses. Ergon, ODI, Race Face, Renthal, Deity, DMR, Burgtec, Chromag and Sensus all turn up secondhand.
What difference do grips actually make?
Grips are a cheap component that directly affects comfort and control. The right grip reduces hand fatigue, absorbs vibration and gives you confident purchase on the bar in wet conditions, which is why they are worth more thought than most riders give them when specifying handlebars and the rest of the cockpit.
Lock-on or slip-on?
Lock-on grips have an aluminium collar at each end that clamps onto the handlebar with a small bolt — easy to install, they never rotate on the bar, and they can be removed without damage. Slip-on grips are thinner, lighter and damp vibration better because there is no hard collar between your hand and the bar. Most MTB riders run lock-ons for the security and easy installation, while racers and riders chasing maximum comfort sometimes prefer the softer feel of slip-ons.
Which compound hardness should you choose?
Grip compound hardness is measured in Shore A durometer, and lower numbers are softer. Soft compounds (around 20A) absorb vibration and feel comfortable but wear faster and can feel vague in hard corners. Hard compounds (30A and above) last longer and give a more precise feel but transmit more trail buzz. Most MTB grips sit in the 25-30A range as a compromise. If you get hand numbness or fatigue, try a softer compound before adding gel padding — gel tends to reduce control.
What diameter and shape suit your hands?
Standard MTB grips are 30-32mm outer diameter. Thicker grips of 33-34mm, such as the Ergon GA2 Fat, reduce the grip force needed to hold on, which helps with arm pump and fatigue, while thinner grips give more precise bar feel. Some grips use a slightly flared outer end (a mushroom shape) that supports the heel of your hand and reduces ulnar nerve pressure — Ergon and the Race Face Half Nelson both use this design. Tingling in your ring and little fingers is the sign to try an ergonomic flare, much as numbness elsewhere points you at saddles.
Single clamp or dual clamp?
Most lock-on grips use a single clamp on the inner end, leaving the outer end free — this gives a cleaner feel at the bar end and lets the grip flex slightly under your hand. Dual-clamp grips are more secure but stiffer and heavier. Single-clamp is standard for trail and enduro, while DH riders sometimes prefer dual-clamp for the extra security at speed. Grips are one of the cheapest MTB components to change, so it is worth trying a couple of designs.