Grips

BMX Grip Buyer’s Guide

Grips are those simple rubber sleeves that cover the ends of your handlebars, and they are the reason so many of us have calluses on our hands. There are literally hundreds of different brands, models, and colors available and no two are exactly the same.

Types of BMX Grips

Regular – This is by far the most common grip type used for street, park, freestyle and trails. It’s just a simple rubber tube, usually open at both ends and comes with some sort of plug to fill in the end of your handlebar. It is the type that’s probably on your bike right now and the type that are probably on the bikes of all your friends. Variables will be either with or without a flange (a raised part on the inside edge), two-ply (harder inner part with a softer outer sleeve), or a closed end.

Lock On – While uncommon in freestyle, there are a lot of BMX racers (and some trails riders) that like this type of grip. They feel and look primarily like a regular grip but come with aluminum collars that go over the ends of the grips. By tightening the collars, you can ensure that the grips won’t twist (known as “throttling”) or slip off. Bikes mostly used for dirt riding are usually more prone to throttle than those used in other areas.

Sizes

The hole inside of the grip is one-size-fits-all. It is just a little smaller than the diameter of the handlebar. The length of the grips can vary but that’s more of a preference issue and doesn’t have anything to do with them fitting on the bars.

Materials

Forks are fairly standard when it comes to sizing. Almost all BMX forks use a 1 and 1/8” steerer tube, which is the standard size for BMX frames. Dropouts, however, come in two different sizes: 3/8” and 14mm. It is important to choose the dropout size that corresponds with the axle size of your front hub.

Materials

All grips are made of rubber - some are softer, some are harder.

How Much To Spend

Most grips range between $10 and $20 for a pair. You really can’t go wrong. After trying a few pairs you’ll find one that you really like and will probably stick with the same style for several years.

What To Look For

It can be tempting to pick a pair of grips based on color. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting your bike to look cool, don’t let that be the only deciding factor. Grip choice should really come down to what you think is most comfortable. Everyone has a favorite and what’s comfortable to one person may not be to another person, so take the time to feel several varieties. Swing by your local shop or test out a friend’s pair. A little warning though, sometimes the ones that are most comfortable are also the ones that wear out the fastest, which may have you sacrificing a comfort for durability the next time around.

Product Reviews

Before buying, be sure to do your research and read product reviews. Reviews are a great way to find out specifics about a particular model, user impressions, and things to watch out for. After you’ve purchased a product and had enough time to thoroughly test it, we encourage you to leave a review for other people to see when they are researching bikes and parts on the web.

We hope you’ve found this information to be helpful. If you have a question that isn’t answered in this guide, our BMX forums are a great place to get advice from knowledgeable riders. Your local bike shop is also a great resource.