MTB Grips - What mountain bike grips are right for me? [Buyer’s Guide]

MTB grips are important contact points between you and your bike. Yet they are rarely ranked among the essential parts of your MTB. Still, upgrading your grips can make you enjoy your ride much more. In this blog we will explain what to keep in mind when buying the MTB grips that are best for you.

Besides the pedals and saddle, the grips are the only point of contact between you and your mountain bike. Good MTB grips are, therefore, important for a comfortable ride. Fitting extra thick, wide or soft grips can help prevent or reduce numbness or tingling in your hands. So, what to look out for when selecting new MTB grips?

Ride surface and weather conditions

Firstly, it is wise to take into consideration in what weather conditions you will ride most often and which MTB discipline you prefer. This is because the surface on which you ride should play a role in your choice of mountain bike grips. As Enduro and Trail riding involves highly technical and rocky terrain, you need a different kind of MTB grips than in Cross-Country riding, where your hands don’t move so much and you have more control over your bike.

Are you a fair-weather rider? Then you need MTB grips that ensure good grip in dry conditions and that must not be suitable for a rainy ride. Do you ride in all weathers? Then you’re better off with MTB grips that are suitable for both dry and wet conditions. This way, you can be sure that your hands remain in the right place and cannot slip off the bars. Whichever type you choose, make sure the grips provide the right amount of grip; otherwise you will immediately feel a difference in the bike’s handling.

Ergonomic grips

Many mountain bikers experience hand discomfort every now and then during or after their ride. Such complaints can be numbness or tingling in their hands or fingers, pain in their wrists etc. If this is the case for you, you can choose ergonomic grips for increased comfort during mountain biking. Ergonomic grips have a round shape and are usually thicker than regular MTB grips.

There are pros and cons to high-support MTB grips. Advantages of low-support mountain bike grips include high freedom of movement and great feedback from the ride surface, which makes it easier to make sharp turns and react fast. A disadvantage of low-support grips is that hand fatigue can set in faster, and there are mountain bikers who get wrist problems.

So, if you often suffer from hand fatigue and/or wrist soreness we recommend opting for high-support grips. But if you often ride challenging courses, it will be more difficult to make sharp turns with such ergonomic grips. And they reduce your freedom of movement somewhat.

MTB bar ends

If the handlebars of your mountain bike are straight, you can decide to add bar ends, which increase comfort because they offer more options to reposition your hands while riding. Repositioning your hands regularly helps to prevent hand complaints. In many cases the grips and the bar ends can be adjusted individually.

Inner bar ends

Want even more comfort for your mountain bike rides? Then you can opt for inner bar ends, which go inside the grips rather than at the ends of the handlebars. With inner bar ends your hands and elbows are in a more natural and aerodynamic position, increasing comfort and allowing you to achieve higher speeds!

How to mount your MTB grips

When you have decided to use ergonomic or regular grips, you can choose between Lock-On grips or Slide-On grips. There is a difference between how they are installed. Slide-on grips are slid very tightly over your handlebars and stay in place that way. Slide-on grips are very lightweight and are suitable for most mountain bikers.

Are you planning a rougher ride? Then lock-on grips are your best choice. This type of MTB grip has a clamping band for an extra tight fit, so it stays put in all conditions. The only disadvantage of a lock-on system is that the grips weigh more than slide-on models.

Slide-on MTB grips

Lock-on MTB grips

The size of your MTB grips

Using your hand circumference, you can determine which size MTB grips you need. Measure the circumference by placing a tape measure around the hand just below the knuckles.

Grip size	Hand circumference in cm
S	18.5 - 19.5
M	19.5 - 21
L or bigger	>21

SQlab also offers a handy template to help you determine your best grip size.

The material of your MTB grips

Mountain bike grips are made from different materials such as rubber, silicone and foam. There are pros and cons for each of them.

Rubber MTB grips

Most mountain bike grips are made of rubber. Besides non-slip, rubber is also very elastic and, as such, a good material for bike grips. Plus, it lasts a long time and is highly impact-resistant. That said, it can be difficult to install rubber grips because of the roughness of the material.

Silicone MTB grips

Silicone mountain bike grips have many advantages. For one thing, silicone makes the grips conform to the shape of your hands. It also gives you plenty of grip for increased comfort, and is easy to clean. In addition, silicone grips are very light and absorb shocks well.

Foam MTB grips

Foam mountain bike grips are lightweight, feel soft and are relatively cheap. Foam also has good damping properties. A disadvantage of foam grips is that they soak up water when it rains and when you sweat a lot. This can cause them to get loose.

Style your MTB

Mountain bike grips are available in many different colours nowadays. So, upgrading your grips will not only make your ride more comfortable but also enhance your MTB’s looks! Prefer a bright cheerful colour or a more neutral option? There is something for everyone!

If, after reading this blog, you still need help choosing the right MTB grips, we recommend using our selection aid (blue button) or getting help from a competent salesperson.

Which MTB grips do you prefer, and why? Thanks for leaving a reply!