Happy New Year! I look forward to working with you all again this year!
Well then, for my very first blog post of the new year, I’d like to introduce some highly recommended grips!
Aren't there just too many types of grips?!
What criteria do you use when choosing bicycle grips? Appearance? Shape? Or perhaps the material?
There are all sorts of ways to choose! Just like tires, grips are parts that need frequent replacement as consumables, so every company has an extensive lineup, and I imagine many people find it difficult to decide which ones to pick.
So, this time, I’d like to introduce [My picks for when you’re unsure which grips to get!] categorized by how they are used!
These are recommended for city bikes!
OURY GRIP Mountain Grips V2
[SPEC]
Length: 135mm
Weight: 122g
Price: 2,420 yen (tax included)
A true classic and the pinnacle of cuteness: OURY GRIP Mountain Grips V2!
With their wide variety of colors and a cute look that isn't too over-the-top, I think these are fantastic grips that are easy to use and go well with any bike!
ESI Chunky Grips
[SPEC]
Length: 130mm
Weight: 60g
Price: 2,900 yen (tax included)
The natural enemy of rubber grips: stickiness... ESI Chunky Grips prevent that! The secret lies in the fact that, unlike rubber grips, these are made of silicone material!
Unlike rubber, silicone has the property of being resistant to degradation from water absorption, oxidation, and temperature changes!
These are recommended for those who ride hard, like on an MTB!
Generally, grips aren't bolted onto the handlebars. So, if you ride aggressively, they can inevitably shift or come off.
That's why I recommend lock-on type grips!!
Lock-on means the grip comes with a clamp to secure it to the bar. Thanks to that clamp, it won't slip even when you’re riding hard!
WTB Wafel Clamp-On Grip
[SPEC]
Length: 130mm
Diameter: 30mm
Price: 2,420 yen (tax included)
In particular, the WTB Wafel Clamp-On Grip is soft, has excellent vibration absorption, and provides a secure hold that prevents fatigue even during long rides! Its simple design makes it easy to match with any bike, and another reason I recommend it is its very reasonable price compared to other lock-on grips.
This is a grip I highly recommend for those who enjoy trail riding or active gravel riding!
These are the ones for track bikes with flat bars!
ODI F-1 Series Float Grips
[SPEC]
Length: 130mm
Weight: 70g
Price: 2,750 yen (tax included)
These grips use A.I.R.E. compound, a foamed rubber material independently developed by ODI, which incorporates air into the rubber to make them about 30% lighter than other grips!
They offer high grip, so I definitely recommend them to anyone looking for performance while wanting something as simple as possible.
Actually, the black ESI Chunky Grips have been out of stock for a long time, and I found these when I was looking for a good alternative. They’ve been working great, and personally, because of their simplicity, I recommend them for track bikes.
How was that?
The grips I’ve introduced this time are some established favorites as well as my personal recommendations, but at the shop, we select all sorts of other grips, including those with flashy colors or designs focused on a specific grip feel.
As I said before, grips are consumables and need to be replaced frequently, so it’s easy to challenge yourself and try something a bit different next time. You can actually hold them and test them out on your bike at the store, so I look forward to seeing you there!
