Do you want snappy handling and to feel secure on the trails? Having the best mountain bike grips can be just the thing to achieve this!
Finding the best MTB grips can increase your ability to stay in your saddle for longer so something you want to consider investing in - think about those epic rides!
Below we'll look at different mountain bike grips for each style of riding and share our thoughts.
You can also check out our buyers' guide to make sure you end up with the best grips for you!
Importance of Using Good Mountain Bike Grips
The difference between a good and bad grip is worlds apart!
A quality pair of grips will give you the padding needed to keep you comfortable on your ride and minimize any vibration.
The poor quality grip can lead to hand cramps and general discomfort, taking all the fun out of your ride!
Let's not forget that you want your hands to grip to your bike so you stay in control at all times. That is why it's important to get high-quality grips.
Slide-on vs Lock-on Grips
If you have been reading about MTB grips, you may have come across the phrases, "lock-on" and "slide-on" grips.
What do they mean and what's the difference?
Lock-On
As the name suggested, lock-on grips are held in place using a locking collar system.
This collar system can be built either into one end (single clamp) or both ends of the grip and is a metal ring-shaped clamp. The clamp can be adjusted using an Allen key so that the grip can be clamped down onto the handlebars.
One of the great benefits of this style of mountain bike grip is that they are in effect bolted onto bars so they are very secure. You will find that lock-on grips are sturdy and firm. The clamps are metal and between the clamps is a tube that is either constructed from plastic or metal. This slides over the handlebars with ease.
What this also means is there won't be any movement as you ride, giving you a nice secure feel. Should you want to remove these MTB locking grips, simply loosen the collar and they'll slide off with ease.
Overall, the lock grip is incredibly comfortable and very grippy so could be the best mountain biking grips for you!
Advantages
Disadvantages
Slip-On
Moving onto slip-on grips. Again, the name gives the game away somewhat. Slip-on grips literally slide onto your handlebars and into place.
Rather than a collar keeping them in place, these grips for mountain bikes are held in place with friction. They work very well as the grip diameter will be smaller than the handlebar diameter. This makes for a tight fit and means there's no movement from the grips.
Unlike lock-on grips, slip-on grips are not rigid. They are usually made from materials that are stretchy so we're talking things like rubber, foam, or silicone.
If you chat to other riders you might find that they apply glue or wrap the wire around the ends of slip-on grips to make sure they stay in place. From this, these grips can sometimes be known as 'glue-on' or 'push-on' grips.
Advantages
Disadvantages
How to Choose the Right Mountain Bike Grips
Not quite sure what to look for when looking for the best mountain bike grips? Carry on reading for what you should be looking out for!
1. Material
You will find that most grips are constructed using rubber compound material.
The quality of these will vary depending on which manufacturer you use and to some extent your budget.
Having said that, most will provide a solid mix of grip, cushioning, and padding so rubber grips can be a great option.
If you're a fan of cross-country or touring then you might want to consider silicone foam grips.
For those out on their bikes all day this style of grip will give you the most cushioning. The downside to these is that you won't have the durability or quite as much grip. Trail riders may find rubber bike grips to be the best option.
2. Bar Plugs
Designed to protect your handlebars and grips from damage. These are incredibly useful!
If you crash or find that you're navigating through tricky terrain, bar plugs will provide the protection you need.
Commonly they are made from plastic or polymer. They are designed to slot into the handlebars.
One benefit of these is it keeps debris out. You may not think much debris will get into your handlebars but it can mount up quickly and cause issues.
Riders who have carbon fiber handlebars will find that bar plugs add an extra bit of stability to those lightweight bars!
3. Shape & Length
Finding the best mountain bike grips is a bit of a personal thing. Our bodies are all different so what works for me, may not work for you.
A grip is usually between 130mm and 140mm in length. However, if you have smaller hands then no fear! There are options out there and the shorter grips are around 90mm.
If you have the opposite issue with larger hands then 150mm may be your ideal length.
The shape also needs to be considered.
You will find that the most common shape is one that is the same thickness over the length of the grip. This is particularly good for downhill riders as it maximizes their grip, which is really important when you're heading downhill at speed!
Cross country riders tend to favor a grip that has an ergonomic design as it provides support for your hands and wrists, which is often needed when you want to ride without gloves or for long periods of time.
Our Top 5 Picks
1. Race Face Half Nelson Locking Grips
If you own a mountain bike then you've probably heard of Race Face. They have one of the best names in the MTB industry and the Half Nelson are worthy of the Race Face name.
These mountain bike grips are lock-on style and will be held in place using a metal lock ring. The great thing is, these MTB grips won't be going anywhere until you've worn them out and need to replace them.
They are secure in every sense!
Mountain bike handlebar grips need to give you that sense of being secure, that your hands are going to stay in place.
Fortunately, Race Face nail that requirement with the Half Nelsons. The rubber is super tacky and the topographic pattern of the rubber means that moisture has places to go.
It's a really neat feature because it should prevent your hands from slipping during hot or sweaty days (and we all have sweaty days).
As grippy as they are, these grips from Race Face are also very comfortable. The rubber while, strong in the durability sense, is also soft so you can have long days in the saddle without issue. You will even find that riding without gloves is comfortable!
Length: 203mm
Best For: Cross Country/ Enduro/ Downhill
Pros
Cons
2. Ergon GA3
Calling touring riders! These MTB grips are ideal for you!
Using a specially designed ergonomic style, these grips are the best MTB grips for numbness. If you experience things such as hand pain, numb fingers, sore wrists, or arm pump while riding then here's the answer to your problems.
Ergon bike grips provide support to the hand and wrist and keep you in an ergonomic position.
So if you like to spend a long time out in the mountains or on the trails then the GA3 grips may give you that comfort on those longer rides that you can't get anywhere else.
Ergon didn't stop there will the design of the GA3, to minimize the road vibration you experience the core is double-butted. Road vibration can really add to your fatigue over the course of a ride so this feature is really valuable.
The designers seem to have thought of everything, leaving no corner unturned with these grips. There is UV protection built into them, meaning that they won't dry out and crack when exposed to the sun, adding to their durability.
Size of hands isn't an issue as they are available in two sizes, so whether you have small hands or big hands, you will be able to get the perfect fit.
Length: 136mm
Best For: Enduro/ Touring
Pros
Cons
3. Vktech Soft
If you're looking for the best value for money then the Vktech grips could be ideal for you. Simplicity is key with these mountain bike grips.
Slide these grips on and go enjoy your ride!
Constructed from a rubber compound, these grips are soft and tacky, providing a good grip. Especially thanks to the raised waffle pattern.
It's a small touch but increasingly important, the rubber is antibacterial. Riding is dirty, we all know that and we like that side of it too. It doesn't mean that we don't want to stay germ-free!
Length: 120mm
Best For: Occasional Mountain Biking
Pros
Cons
4. ODI Rogue
When things get slippery you want to know that your grips aren't going to let you down and these from ODI are there to keep you in place in the worst conditions!
The pads are raised and give you that extra level of friction to help with your grip. This is really noticeable and appreciated when you're hitting a muddy course.
Dirt and debris are no match for these grips as they are designed with deep grooves so it keeps unwanted things away from your hands.
One feature we can't help but like is that you can personalize them. ODI can laser-etch things into the clamps, making things truly your very own.
Due to the size of these, they are some of the best mountain bike grips for big hands.
Length: 130mm
Best For: Cross Country/ Enduro
Pros
Cons
When you're hurtling downhill at speed you want the best mountain bike grips available to make sure you're in full control, am I right?
DMR Brendog is here to do just that!
They know what they're talking about as they teamed up with Brendan 'Brendog' Fairclough with this design.
Death grips are there to ensure that the mountain bike handles exactly how you want it to, without much effort.
The pattern is varied with a combination of waffle and knurl, this helps to keep your hands in place, even without gloves on, no matter the terrain!
Length: 140mm
Best For: Downhill
Pros
Cons
Common Questions & Answers
1. How do I choose mountain bike grips?
This depends on what style of riding you do, also whether you have big or small hands.
To choose the right ones for you, start by considering what type of mountain biking you like to do. Above we have marked which grips are best for which style of riding so that should help!
2. Are lock-on grips good?
Yes!
They are the best MTB grips to go for if you are concerned about stability. Thanks to them being locked in place, they rarely move.
3. Are all mountain bike grips the same size?
No. They vary.
The majority of grips are between 130mm and 140mm. If you have small hands, grips as short as 90mm are available. Equally, if you have larger hands, there are 150mm options.
4. What are lock-on grips?
Lock-on MTB grips will use either a single clamp or multiple clamps to lock your grips in place.
The ensures that they don't move around when you're plowing down a trail.
5. How to remove mountain bike grips
Lock-on MTB grips - Using an Allen key will loosen the grip allowing you to slide it off.
Slide-on grips - Same way as you installed them, slide them!
Final Verdict
After weighing everything up, the best MTB grips are the Race Face Half Nelsons.
They provide ultimate comfort without comprising durability.
With moisture channels built-in they are super grippy in all conditions. Worthy of the title of best mountain bike grips!