Mountain bike grips Black Friday: lock-on discounts, bar ends

Before buying grips: mounting, diameter and length

A lock-on grip is secured by one or two collars tightened on the handlebars: they don’t rotate and can be removed in an instant. Slip-on grips, without a collar, are lighter but require careful installation. The outer diameter should be chosen based on your hands and gloves: several models on the page come in both thin and thick versions, such as the Leatt ReaFlex 6.0 or, from Deity, the Slimfit compared to the Knuckleduster. Finally, check the length: on a loaded handlebar, with a dropper post orpedal assist, a shorter grip makes room for the levers.

Understanding the designation: what is not a grip

The page mainly gathers handles, but also some related parts: Shimano lever bodies, RockShox TwistLoc controls that manage the suspension from the handle, replacement handles for Sram Grip Shift controls, city bike grips. These products do not replace traditional grips: make sure the item meets your needs. To mount bar ends, choose an open-ended grip or one that can be trimmed, and only if the handlebar manufacturer allows it.

Grips on sale: compare what’s included

For the same name, a discount refers to the same content: pair or single, with or without collars, with or without end caps. Then look at the thickness, length and rubber, whether single or double density, then check the colour, before comparing the struck-through price with the displayed price. A promotion on a grip that is too thin or too thick for your hands remains a bad deal: if in doubt, check the thickness of your current grips if you are happy with them. Materials, profiles and bar ends are detailed on the MTB grips page.

Around grips: the rest of the cockpit

Grips are mounted on one of the MTB handlebars from Black Friday, held by a stem; the pedals and the saddles form the other contact points. The whole set is presented in the MTB components of Black Friday. The rest of the year, discontinued colours go to clearance, and new models appear in the new arrivals.

MTB grip brands in Black Friday

Progrip, an Italian manufacturer of handles for both motorcycles and bikes, combines in its double density grips, like the 838, a harder inner layer that holds on the handlebars and a softer outer rubber for grip.

Deity secures its Knuckleduster and Lockjaw grips with a conical inner sleeve and a single collar; the Slimfit reduces the diameter for those who prefer a slimmer grip.

Leatt features a non-Newtonian gel in its ReaFlex 6.0 grips that dampens vibrations, with a single collar on the inside and two diameter options, thin or standard.

Frequently asked questions

How to choose the thickness of MTB grips?

A hand closed on the grip should leave the tips of the fingers close to the palm, without tension. Small hands and riders seeking feel prefer a thin grip; large hands and long bumpy descents prefer a thicker grip. Consider the thickness of your gloves.

How to install slip-on grips?

Degrease the handlebars, moisten the inside of the grip with a fast-evaporating product like alcohol, then slide it on with a twisting motion. Allow to dry before riding. Never use grease or soap, which would cause it to rotate.

Do lock-on grips fit on all MTB handlebars?

On almost all: the part of the handlebars that receives the grips measures 22.2 mm on MTBs. Just check the available length between the end and the controls.

Are grips a good gift idea?

Yes, it’s one of the simplest MTB gifts: no size, easy installation quick. Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving, comes before the holidays, and at Vélo-Store, its discounts on grips last all November. If you’re unsure about the thickness, choose a standard model, or a model offered in two diameters and look at the cyclist's hands.

Why one collar instead of two?

A single collar, placed on the inside, allows the end of the grip to remain soft under the palm and extends the usable surface. Two collars lock the grip down more, which some riders prefer when descending.