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MTB Grips

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Types of MTB Grips

MTB grips (short for mountain bike grips) are made from specialised rubber, foam or silicone.

Mountain bike grips are designed to give your hands a secure and shock-absorbing surface.

There are 2 types:

Lock-on MTB grips

  • Have metal clamps on at least one of the ends to lock them in place.
  • Super secure, won’t twist even on wet or aggressive rides.
  • Easy to install and remove.

Slip-on MTB grips

  • Slide directly onto the handlebar and rely on friction or adhesive.
  • Lighter and sometimes comfier, but can slip if not installed well.

Features of MTB Grips

  • Diameter/thickness. Thicker grips = more cushion; thinner grips = more feedback.
  • Texture/pattern. Affects grip and comfort. Some are designed for wet conditions or with gloves in mind.
  • Material. Rubber, silicone, or foam—each has its own feel and shock absorption.
  • Ergonomics. Some have palm support or flared shapes to reduce wrist strain.

The Waffle Design

A lot of MTB grips use a waffle design. It's a collection of squares on the grip's surface.

MTB grips often have a waffle design for a very practical reason: better grip and control, especially in rough or wet conditions.

Examples of well-designed waffle MTB grips are:

Waffle MTB Grips in Detail

Improved traction. The raised waffle pattern gives your fingers extra surface area to latch onto, which helps prevent slipping, even when your hands are sweaty or muddy.

Finger placement & control. The grid layout provides consistent feedback for where your fingers should sit. That’s key when you're riding technical terrain and need to keep a firm, confident grip.

Shock absorption. The gaps in the waffle pattern allow the grip to flex and compress, helping to absorb small vibrations and impacts from the trail.

Glove-friendly. Many riders use gloves, and waffle grips create friction against fabric too—not just bare skin—so you don’t lose control when fully geared up.

Durability in rough riding. The design tends to hold up well under constant use and abrasion, especially under DH and enduro riders.

Round MTB Grips

Round MTB grips are exactly what they sound like: cylindrical in shape, with a consistent diameter from end to end. No wings, flares, or built-in palm supports—just a uniform tube that wraps around your handlebars.

They’re the go-to choice for most mountain bikers, especially in disciplines where precision, control, and freedom of movement are more important than ergonomic comfort.

Some benefits:

Maximum Control & Bar Feel

  • Round grips give you direct, unfiltered feedback from the bike.
  • That’s ideal for trail, enduro, downhill, and dirt jumping where small shifts in pressure and movement matter.

Freedom of Movement. Since they don’t force your hand into a specific position, you can adjust your grip on the fly—like when shifting weight on techy climbs or throwing the bike around in corners or jumps.

Lightweight

No added ergonomic material or palm platform results in lower weight.

Often used by racers or XC riders who want the lightest grips.

Better for Tricks & Technical Riding

For dirt jumpers, slopestyle riders, and gravity-focused MTBers, round grips don’t interfere with bar spins, tail whips, or quick handlebar movements.

Glove-Compatible

They work well with or without gloves, and textures can vary from smooth to super tacky for extra grip.

Tapered MTB Grips

Tapered mountain bike grips aren’t the same thickness from end to end—they gradually change in diameter, usually going from thinner on the inner side (near the thumb) to thicker on the outer side (near the pinky).

This design mirrors how your hand wraps around the bar:

  • Your thumb and index finger prefer a smaller diameter for precision.
  • Your pinky and palm benefit from a little more padding and surface area for support.

It’s a subtle but smart upgrade in grip ergonomics.

Natural Hand Fit

  • Mimics the anatomical shape of a relaxed grip.
  • Reduces hotspots and pressure points, especially under the outer edge of your palm.

Better Control with Less Fatigue

  • Thinner section near the thumb allows for precise bar input.
  • Thicker section near the pinky provides extra damping, helping reduce arm pump and hand fatigue.

Improved Grip Security

  • Your hand naturally locks into the shape, so it’s easier to hold on without needing a death grip.
  • Great for long descents, rough trails, or riders who ride gloveless.

Vibration Damping Where You Need It

Most trail chatter and impact hits the outside of your palm—the thicker part of the grip absorbs more shock there.

Examples of tapered MTB grips are:

  • Ergon GE1 Evo – Designed for enduro/downhill with subtle taper and aggressive texture.
  • ODI Elite Flow – Tapered with dual-compound feel and excellent vibration damping.

Dual-Profile MTB Grips

Dual-profile grips are designed with two (or more) surface textures and/or densities across different parts of the grip. The idea is to match the function of different areas of your hand:

  • The top and outer side (where your palm rests) often prioritises comfort and vibration damping.
  • The underside and inner side (where your fingers wrap around) focus on traction and control.

They’re engineered to support your grip in dynamic trail conditions—where you're shifting weight, absorbing impacts, and constantly adjusting hand pressure.

Textured Zones for Traction.

  • Aggressive patterns like waffle, ridges, or knurling on the bottom side help your fingers stay locked in, even when wet or sweaty.
  • Perfect for riders who don't want to rely on a death grip in rough terrain.

Padded or Smooth Zones for Comfort

The upper part of the grip (where your palm rests) often has softer rubber, micro-cushioning, or a smoother texture to reduce hotspots and vibration.

Better Fatigue Management

You can ride longer and stay in control with less strain on your hands, especially on long descents or all-day rides.

Optimised Hand Positioning

The shape and texture guide your hands into a natural, repeatable position—helping you maintain better bar control and consistency.

Multi-Compound Construction

Many dual-profile grips also use dual or triple-density rubber: firmer rubber around the core (for control and durability) and softer rubber on the outer layers (for comfort and grip).

Examples include:

  • ODI Elite Pro – Firm inner core, soft outer layer with strategic patterning.
  • Ergon GE1 Evo – Combines dual textures with ergonomic shaping for aggressive riding.
  • Deity Knuckleduster – Super tactile underside with comfort-focused upper surface.
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