All Arround MTB

While these slide-on grips won’t break the bank, it’s worth noting that they work best if you stick them in place with Renthal’s Quick Bond Grip Glue, which will set you back another $10. On the bike, we love the soft, super-grippy feel of the Push-Ons. The ‘Ultra Tacky’ rubber isn’t just grippy, it also helps to take the sting out of chattery sections of trail. Not everyone will like just how narrow they feel – we’re talking roughly 30mm in diameter – and, used with a stiff bar, the outer edge of your palms can start to feel a little battered on really rough trails. This is no worse than with other slim grips though, and we reckon it’s a price worth paying for the damping and grip on offer. Since gluing (not wiring) our test grips in place, they haven’t lifted or slipped, even in the sopping wet. The downside is that it’s unlikely we’ll be able to remove them without cutting them. Price $18

The SE Elites are fairly chunky, at 32mm in diameter. They’re made from a reasonably soft yet not overly tacky rubber. While they only have a single lock-on collar, it’s secured with a relatively chunky 3mm Allen bolt and our grips didn’t slip at all. The lack of an outboard collar means a little extra bar real-estate for your hands. That thick construction means they’re better for those with bigger hands and/or who want a little extra insulation from harshness through the bar. The pattern is grippy with or without gloves, in both dry and wet conditions. Price $45

With a dual waffle and knurled pattern and the choice of two diameters and rubber compounds, Brendan Fairclough’s original signature grips have proven popular. Now DMR have released a Race Edition version with a softer ‘secret super-tacky formula’ rubber for more comfort and control when it matters most. They use the same single lock-on ring, tapered core design as the standard Deathgrips, come in ‘thick’ and ‘thin’ versions, and are available with or without a flange (flangeless standard grips are now available too, for $25). We can only assume we’ll be whipping it sideways like Brendan with these on our bikes. Price $30

Nukeproof’s Horizon grips come in two compounds. The Endurance versions are made from firmer, harder-wearing rubber, while the softer Race grips we tested offer that bit better damping but are likely to wear faster – though ours are still holding up well after a month of use. They’re made from 15-durometer rubber and use a multi-directional pattern that adds comfort over the rough stuff and gives plenty of purchase when pulling up on the bar. The tapered shape (31.5-33mm) won’t suit everyone though. Twin lock-on collars hold them in place and the integrated end caps do a good job of protecting you from the end of your bar. You’ll need to fiddle around when clamping them on though, to prevent the end caps from rattling. We’re big fans of the inner flange, which is cut away on the underside to ensure plenty of clearance for your controls. Price $30

Deity use a single lock-on collar and tapered inner sleeve to keep the Waypoints secure on your bar. The bolts are chunkier 3mm numbers, which means you don’t have to be quite so delicate when torqueing them up. That single-collar design means you can sit your hands right at the end of the grips and make full use of the 122mm of rubber. We found the diamond pattern to be grippy both with and without gloves, even when sweaty. They’re not the skinniest, at 31mm in diameter, but their width and reasonably soft rubber mean they’re reassuringly forgiving on your hands. Integrated bar end plugs finish them off nicely. Price $22

With a single lock-on collar, a low-profile design and a simple knurled pattern, the Bartender grips look great on paper. A built-in bar-end cover means you don’t need to faff around putting a plug in there. They’re $13 less than our benchmark Renthal Ultra Tacky lock-ons but don’t feel cheaper in the hand, although they’re made from a slightly harder compound, which is more like Renthal’s Kevlar option. From new, they offer plenty of grip even with sweaty hands and no gloves. They felt at their best after bedding in, which took two to three rides. But once they got dirty, bare-handed grip was reduced, so we’d recommend using them with gloves. Unlike softer grips, they don’t cause the glove fabric to pinch when you reposition your hands. The lack of an outside lock-on collar increases comfort for riders who hold the grips at the very end and also helps them absorb trail buzz. Price $24

Ergon offer the GD1 grips in ‘Regular’ (L/XL gloves) or ‘Slim’ (S/M) diameters. They’re side and position-specific too, due to the shape and grip pattern. Thankfully, all the info you require is etched into the single lock-on collar, which fastens securely to your bar with a meaty 3mm bolt. We found it took just minutes to get used to the slight taper (they get wider towards the end) Ergon have employed to help reduce vibrations through the hands, and were instantly impressed by the grip pattern and rubber compound used. The channeled, angled block design used on the underside of the grip adds purchase when you’re pulling back on the bar. This is particularly noticeable when your gloves are wet and you’re clamouring for traction, both on the trail and on the bar. Though the GD1s aren’t cheap, the build quality and well-executed design go a long way to justifying the price tag. Price 45$

Fabric now have a range of six grips. The Semi Ergo combines the hexagonal pattern and medical-grade silicone construction of their Silicone grip with a fattened centre and subtly flared outer end. It’s not angle-specific like a winged or off-centre grip, so you can still adjust hand position easily. The silicone gives good wet or dry tactile grip when clean, as well as a noticeable amount of buzz damping for extended XC/trail rides. It can get slippery when dirty though, and the ‘full handful’ feel won’t suit all, especially on rough descents. Price 27$

These grips are a little more traditional in terms of shape than what we’re used to seeing from Ergon. Though there’s still some of the German brand’s signature ergonomic shaping, the GA2s’ curves are far more subtle than those of the GE1s, which we’ve had mixed experiences with in the past.As a result, they’re easy to get on with straight from the off, no matter what you’re riding.

Brendan Fairclough’s new signature ‘Grip for the brave’ is a strange mash-up. The outboard section is knurled with a waffled underside, while the inner end is ribbed, with a flange, for your comfort (ooh er missus!).

THE LOVE HANDLES are bulged in the middle (they increase in girth from 28 to 30mm) in a bid to offer a more natural fit. They’re made from a tacky silicone compound with a dual-pattern design.

CREATED IN CONJUNCTION with one of the steeziest riders we know, Brendan Fairclough, these grips are designed to give ultimate control and comfort everywhere from the canyon gaps of Red Bull Rampage and the savage rock gardens of the World Cup circuit to the loamy singletrack of the Surrey Hills.

ODI’S NEW ELITE Series grips use a single lock-on clamp with a larger than usual 3mm Allen bolt and slimmed down, rounded profile.

RENTHAL’S KEVLAR GRIPS have long been a hit, but with the new Ultra Tackys they’re attempting something a bit special. When you remove these UK-made grips from their packaging they’re sticky to the touch.Wrap your fingers around them and there’s noticeably more adhesion than normal.