Components Grips

Bicycle grips

Although sometimes the handlebar grips, grips or sleeves, are one of the elements to which less attention is paid when buying a bike or choosing a replacement once we wear out the ones we have, they have more importance than many may think.

Like the saddle or the pedals, they are a fundamental part of our comfort and enjoyment, and as with all points of contact between rider and bicycle, their choice is very personal and conditioned by our own criteria.

As a general rule, grips are divided into two main groups: locking and non-locking.

Locking bicycle grips

The lock is a washer that is placed at the end of the grip and that we tighten to leave it perfectly fixed to the handlebar. There are versions with locking at one end and with locking at both ends. By means of these locks we ensure a perfect fixation to the handlebar, so important in a mountain bike, although generally these models are a little heavier and thicker, since its structure is usually a hard plastic base, with washers and screws, with the rubber to which we cling glued on top.

Bike grips

On the other hand, in the versions of grips without locking, its structure is simply the piece of rubber (silicone or foam) that serves as a handle, which serves both the outer side for us to grab it, as the inner side to stay fixed to the handlebar.

It is for this reason that if it is not a quality grip, as they are not glued to the handlebar by any other element, they are more likely to not be properly fixed to the handlebar and be quite annoying. They are also more difficult to attach and remove from the handlebars, and you need some liquid or an air compressor to attach them correctly.

how to choose a bicycle grip?

The characteristics that must meet a handlebar grip or handlebar tape for road bike to be considered good are 4: That it does not move even a millimeter, it is very annoying because it disconcentra when you are enjoying your route and could even become dangerous A thickness of the grip according to our tastes and our hand.

Generally, for aggressive riding, such as downhill or enduro, thinner grips are recommended, which can be gripped tightly across their entire diameter, and which allow you to pull the handlebars aggressively in changes of direction, jumps and when overcoming obstacles. A material with a pleasant feel, this is totally subjective depending on the rider. It should absorb as many vibrations as possible, its performance will depend on the thickness and material of the sleeve. It is as if it were a kind of handlebar suspension... The softer and thicker they are, generally speaking, the better they will absorb the vibrations produced by the terrain over which we ride, notably relieving hands and forearms from the fatigue produced by the constant vibrations that are transmitted. This feature is especially noticeable in non-locking grips, and in a quality model, you can notice a lot of difference.

Buy bicycle grips at Bicimarket

Find in Bicimaket the best selection of grips and handlebar straps on the market. We have a multitude of variety and recognized brands in the sector such as ESIGrips, OnOff, ,Massi, Catek, Prologo, Sram, KCNC, Ges, OXC among many others.