How to Choose the Perfect Grips and Bar Tape

Swapping out your grips or wrapping fresh bar tape is one of the most affordable and impactful upgrades you can make to your bicycle. The right choice prevents blisters, reduces hand fatigue, and gives you absolute control over your steering. Here is a breakdown of what to look for based on your riding style.

Mountain Bike & Flat Bar Grips

If you ride a mountain bike, hybrid, or commuter bike with flat handlebars, you will be shopping for grips.

• Lock-On vs. Slip-On: Lock-on grips use metal collars and small bolts to clamp securely to the handlebar, ensuring they never twist, even in pouring rain. Slip-on grips (often made of silicone or foam) are incredibly lightweight and offer excellent vibration damping, but they can be slightly harder to install and remove.
• Thickness and Diameter: Thicker grips are great for riders with large hands or those looking for extra shock absorption on rough trails. Thinner grips provide a more direct, precise feel of the terrain.
• Ergonomic Profiles: Ergonomic grips feature a flared, flat edge to support the palm of your hand. These are highly recommended for bikepacking, touring, and commuters who suffer from wrist pain or numbness on long rides.

Road & Gravel Bar Tape

If you ride a road, gravel, or cyclocross bike with drop handlebars, you need to wrap them in bar tape.

• Material Matters: Modern bar tapes are typically made from polyurethane (PU) or synthetic EVA foam. PU tapes are highly durable and offer a tacky, grippy feel that performs flawlessly even when covered in sweat or rain. EVA foam tapes are lighter, stretchier, and provide a softer, more traditional feel.
• Thickness for the Terrain: 1.5mm to 2mm tape is preferred by criterium racers who want a direct connection to the bars and a highly aerodynamic profile. 2.5mm to 3mm is the gold standard for most road riders, offering a great balance of comfort and control. 3.5mm and thicker tapes are designed specifically for gravel riding and rough roads, absorbing harsh vibrations to keep your hands fresh.

When Should You Replace Your Grips or Tape?

Grips and bar tape are consumable wear items. You should replace your mountain bike grips when the textured pattern wears smooth, the rubber feels sticky and degraded, or the ends get torn from a crash. For drop-bar bikes, replace your bar tape when it starts to unravel, loses its plush cushioning, becomes permanently discolored, or simply when you want to give your bike a brand-new look.