The Best BMX Grips (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023 | Autance

Every serious BMXer faces that moment when nothing seems to go the right way, and the sound bite playing over…

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The Best BMX Grips (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023 | Autance © The Best BMX Grips (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023 | Autance
Best Choice ODI Longneck ST ODI Longneck ST
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Best Value GPMTER Single Lock On Bicycle Handlebar Grips GPMTER Single Lock On Bicycle Handlebar Grips
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Premium Pick Lizard Skins Northshore Lock-On Grip Lizard Skins Northshore Lock-On Grip
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Every serious BMXer faces that moment when nothing seems to go the right way, and the sound bite playing over and over again in your mind is that of your best friend telling you to get a grip. Of course, he was right, so you figure enough is enough: it’s high time to ditch those throttle grips for some new, quality BMX grips.

BMX grips are simple in theory, but there is still a lot to consider when you’re looking for the best grips for your bike. To make your search easier so you can get back on the trail quicker, we’ve compiled a list of the best BMX grips available on the market today.

When it comes to ranking the best all-around BMX grips on the market, finding the ODI Longneck ST at the top of the list is no surprise. These high-quality grips uphold ODI’s reputation for excellence while fully embracing classic BMX style. In addition to the traditional flanges, these grips use the tried-and-true slip-on design for easy, straightforward installation, and each grip includes an end cap to create a smooth, finished look. Measuring 143 millimeters long, each grip consists of ODI’s proprietary rubber compound. The grip pattern on old school ribbing provides a soft yet tacky surface that is both comfortable and grippy. 

The American-made ODI Longneck ST grips come in many colors and are an absolute steal at their price point. Surprisingly (or not), users had no consistent issues or concerns with these grips.

Key Features
  • Flanged grips
  • Slip-on design
  • Grip material: proprietary rubber compound
  • Grip pattern: ribbing
  • End caps included
  • 143 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand ODI
  • Model GR3084-P
  • Weight N/A
PROS

High quality

Comfortable, very soft

Excellent grip, tacky

Available in multiple colors

Easy to install

Made in America

CONS

No consistent issues or concerns

These flangeless grips employ a lock-on design engineered to provide a rock-solid, high-performance gripping surface both in the air or on the ground. Measuring 131 millimeters long, each rubber grip comes with an end cap and features a unique three-bladed helicopter rotor grip pattern with channeling for airflow and moisture dissipation. These grips are soft and comfortable, are available in both red and black, and are easy to install.

At less than four ounces for a single pair, GPMTER Single Lock On Bicycle Handlebar Grips are impressively lightweight even with their black aluminum alloy locks, making them a bargain basement steal. The only knock on this pair of BMX grips is the durability issues some users have had with the rubber compound.

Key Features
  • Flangeless grips
  • Lock-on design
  • Grip material: rubber compound
  • Grip pattern: helicopter rotor
  • End caps included
  • 131 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand GPMTER
  • Model B084F7JSL9
  • Weight 3.88 ounces
PROS

Affordable

Comfortable and lightweight

Aluminum alloy lock

Available in two colors

Easy to install

CONS

Rubber durability issues

The Lizard Skins Northshore Lock-On Grip provides the ultimate comfort, security, and performance in a single grip. These flangeless rubber grips take advantage of a dual lock-on design engineered to resist slip, twisting, and more and come with end caps for a smooth finish. Each easy-to-install grip measures 130 millimeters long and features a series of square lugs, each topped with diamond-pattern checkering for maximum grip. These grips are both soft and comfortable, tacky, and perform well in all weather conditions. The classy black version somewhat resembles a lightsaber hilt, but the Lizard Skins Northshore Lock-On Grip is available in a few other colors as well, including a brilliant green.

However, these grips are on the expensive side of the spectrum. Another drawback of these grips is that their larger diameter is likely to be a deterrent to riders with smaller hands.

Key Features
  • Flangeless grips
  • Dual lock-on design
  • Grip material: rubber compound
  • Grip pattern: diamond-topped square lugs
  • End caps included
  • 130 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand Lizard Skins
  • Model LONDS010
  • Weight 5.60 ounces
PROS

Perform well in hot weather

Comfortable, soft

Good grip, tacky, performs well when wet

Available in multiple colors

Easy to install

CONS

Expensive

Large diameter; not ideal for small hands

BMX riders come in all shapes and sizes, and the Oury MTN Grip is sure to save those with smaller stature from losing their grip. While not the thinnest grips on the market, these flangeless slip-ons measure a mere 114 millimeters long, ideal for those with smaller hands. Unlike much of the competition, these grips use a dual-density rubber compound, which provides both a firm foundation and soft cushion, the perfect combination for any BMXer. Each grip’s surface uses a simple pattern with square lugs, four of which feature the letters “O, “U,” “R,” and “Y,” while the integrated end caps eliminate the need for easily-lost parts. The Oury MTN Grip is durable, comfortable, tacky, and easy to install, making it a great all-around choice.

Though flangeless, these grips feature a small handstop on the outside edge, which could be a potential frustration for those who want to perform stunts.

Key Features
  • Flangeless grips with outside handstops
  • Slip-on installation
  • Grip material: dual-density rubber compound
  • Grip pattern: square lugs
  • Integrated end caps
  • 114 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand Oury
  • Model GR41-MTN-8
  • Weight N/A
PROS

Durable

Comfortable, soft

Good grip, tacky

Available in multiple colors

Easy to install

CONS

Short length; not ideal for large hands

Handstops may be frustrating for some BMXers

Style and performance are far from being mutually exclusive, and the Marque Grapple Grips 2.0 combines both elements into a single design with ease. These low-profile bike grips feature a flangeless, lock-on design for easy use and easy installation. Each grip is constructed with lightweight TPR and employs a relatively intricate pattern that combines diamond checkering with ribbing, lugs, and thick outlines to create a solid purchase on any handlebar. This comfortable surface provides riders with a sure grip ride after ride. Each 130-millimeter grip also comes with its own end cap. The aluminum alloy locks are built to last and make installation a breeze, and the grips come in multiple colors.

Unfortunately, these grips lack a little bit in the softness and tackiness departments. Also, some reviewers have reported that the end caps tend to come loose.

Key Features
  • Flangeless grips with low profile
  • Lock-on design
  • Grip material: TPR
  • Grip pattern: diamond checkering with ribbed square lugs and rectangular outlines
  • End caps included
  • 130 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand Marque
  • Model B07N3775QK
  • Weight 3.40 ounces
PROS

Lightweight

Comfortable

Good grip

Aluminum alloy lock

Available in multiple colors

Easy to install

CONS

End caps tend to come loose

Not super soft

Not super tacky

With the Kutrick 145mm Soft Flangeless Longneck Grips, any rider can transform their bike into an extension of themselves, perfectly in tune with their style and aesthetic. These flangeless grips come in various vibrant color palettes, each marbled to perfection and sure to earn plenty of second looks. Measuring 145 millimeters long, each grip features a TPR construction with a traditional yet effective ribbed grip pattern. The slip-on design allows for easy, straightforward installation, and the included end caps complete the look. While these grips are sure to grab attention at any racetrack or bike park, they are also very comfortable for the rider.

The only complaint with these grips is the end caps’ poor durability. However, this should only be a relatively minor inconvenience.

Key Features
  • Flangeless grips
  • Slip-on design
  • Grip material: TPR
  • Grip pattern: ribbing
  • End caps included
  • 145 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand Kutrick
  • Model B07PWHDVGD
  • Weight N/A
PROS

Comfortable

Good looks and vibrant colors

Available in multiple colors

Easy to install

CONS

End caps have poor durability

These grips are ideal for stunts and tricks of all kinds, and their flangeless design eliminates all obstacles to seamless handlebar spins and other head-turning tricks. The slip-on design simplifies installation, and once installed, the included end caps create a smooth, professional aesthetic. Constructed of 155 millimeters of polyurethane, these grips provide a comfortable, soft-grip surface and are thick enough to ensure reassuring shock absorption jump after jump after jump. The grip pattern combines modern design and old school performance with its hex pattern and ribbing. Fuzion Pro Grips also come in three distinctive colors.

However, when compared to the competition, these grips are rather long. While this can be easily fixed, some might find this requirement annoying.

Key Features
  • Flangeless grips
  • Slip-on installation
  • Grip material: polyurethane
  • Grip pattern: hex pattern with ribbing
  • End caps included
  • 155 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand Fuzion
  • Model B0744QPQJK
  • Weight N/A
PROS

Comfortable, soft

Shock-absorbent

Available in multiple colors

CONS

Too long for some

With a look that screams performance, these grips are more than able to match the look. The diagonal ribbing along the grip surfaces keeps riders cool and comfortable while also providing a tacky surface that contradicts the carbon fiber aesthetic. Each Kraton grip measures a 130 millimeters long—plenty of space for any hand to get a good grip. The dual lock-on design secures the Kraton tube onto the handlebar with aluminum locks, eliminating all concerns of the grips twisting or shifting and making installation a breeze. BW Chainline Grips also come in a variety of colors.

One thing to keep in mind about these grips is that the included end caps tend to come loose under regular use.

Key Features
  • Flangeless grips
  • Dual lock-on design
  • Grip material: Kraton
  • Grip pattern: diagonal ribbing
  • End caps included
  • 130 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand BW
  • Model B07HX5TJGD
  • Weight 6.08 ounces
PROS

Comfortable

Good grip

Dual locks

Aluminum locks

Available in multiple colors

Easy to install

CONS

End caps tend to come loose

These flangeless rubber grips measure a well-proportioned 135 millimeters long, making them an excellent choice for most riders. These lightweight grips use dual locks to secure the grip in place, while the grip surface shines in terms of its comfort, tackiness, and looks. They feature a grip surface with a fun, unique pattern consisting of hexagonal outlines filled in with ribbing oriented differently inside each hex. Of course, a great pattern is only part of a great look, so the easy-to-install Fifty-Fifty Dual Lock-on Bike Grips come in a variety of both loud and subtle colors.

However, these grips tend to be a little pricey. Also, the installation screws can be stripped relatively easily, and the end caps tend to come loose over time.

Key Features
  • Flangeless grips
  • Dual lock-on design
  • Grip material: rubber compound
  • Grip pattern: hex pattern with varied ribbing
  • End caps included
  • 135 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand Fifty-Fifty
  • Model B01N638AQK
  • Weight 3.45 ounces
PROS

Lightweight

Comfortable

Good grip, tacky

Dual locks

Available in multiple colors

Easy to install

CONS

A little expensive

End cap tend to come loose

Hardware can strip easily

These flangeless grips were built for performance, featuring an aggressive grip pattern with deep Maya-inspired engravings that promote a firm grasp and a comfortable ride. The lock-on design consists of a black TPR grip tube secured in place with colored aluminum alloy locks at both ends for maximum security and stability. Each grip includes an end cap and measures 133 millimeters down its length. These lightweight grips are easy to install and come with multiple different lock color options. The BV Double Lock-on Bike Handlebar Grip also boasts a one-year warranty.

While these grips are an overall solid choice, they are not the softest on the market. Also, a few users have reported that the lock bolts can be easy to strip.

Key Features
  • Flangeless grips
  • Dual lock-on design
  • Grip material: TPR
  • Grip pattern: deep Maya-inspired engraving
  • End caps included
  • 133 millimeters long
Specification
  • Brand BV
  • Model BV-GP-01 GOLDEN
  • Weight 3.67 ounces
PROS

Lightweight and comfortable

Aluminum alloy locks

Dual locks

Available in multiple colors

Easy to install

One-year warranty

CONS

Not the softest grips

Hardware can strip easily

Best BMX Grips Buying Guide & FAQ

BMX riding has a long, proud tradition of pounding paved parks, shredding dirt tracks, and flying through the air with the greatest of ease. The best riders commit years of their lives practicing, growing, and fine-tuning their skills. 

Regardless of age, skill, or experience, every BMXer knows the value of reliable equipment. No one uses a bike made of plastic, and chains of aluminum are laughable at best. Of course, this commitment to quality trickles down to the simplest of components, not least of which includes the grips. Finding the perfect pair of BMX grips is a process, and with every BMXer’s one-of-a-kind style means that the “right” grip will be a unique expression of each rider.

Benefits of BMX Grips

All bikes need grips (pictured above), but quality BMX grips protect rough tracks and hard landings.

BMX grips do much more than simply provide riders with a convenient place to rest their mitts. BMX is an active sport requiring an active rider in tune with themselves, their bike, and their environment. To reach their maximum potential, high-performing riders rely on high-quality grips to keep them in charge of their surroundings.

Without compromising on stiffness, top-tier grips are perfectly cushioned, giving bicycle motocross riders a soft, comfortable surface specifically designed to simultaneously provide ground feedback and protective shock absorption for jarring impacts with the ground. BMX grips give bikers the level of finesse they need to tackle a track or flip while in flight, all without losing an ounce of control. They also give riders a unique way to highlight their bike and give it the attention it deserves while also expressing their own artistic flair.

The beauty of BMX grips is their general affordability, which means all riders, even the youngest ones, can leverage their benefits. The right pair is that one pair that provides protection, control, and color in a combination uniquely suited to a given rider’s needs and riding style.

  • Quality BMX grips protect rough tracks and hard landings.
  • Proper BMX grips allow riders to achieve maximum control on the ground and in the air.
  • Colorful BMX grips turn your handlebar into a canvas for personal expression.

What to Look for When Buying BMX Grips

Buying the right grips for your BMX bike is not a decision to rush. Every rider is unique, but for some, the massive variety of grips on the market is sure to make the shopping process rather daunting, but a little forethought can go a long way.

Consider your riding style. Do you prefer to race and keep moving forward? Consider picking up a flanged set of grips, as they provide a comfortable, predictable hand position every time, allowing you to focus on the track instead of your hands. On the flip side, if you love performing tricks, flips, and acrobatic jumps, you may prefer a flangeless design to streamline your grips and minimize mistakes.

Look for a grip that effectively combines comfort, grippiness, and durability into a single unit. Shock-absorption and durability are critical, but if your grip refuses to grab hold of your hand, what good is it?

The Most Important Features of BMX Grips

Proper BMX grips allow riders to achieve maximum control.

BMX grips pack several valuable features that are completely invisible to the untrained eye. Some features, such as grip pattern and installation methods, may seem insignificant on the surface. Other factors, like durability and comfort, are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to quantify or to measure with even the closest of visual examinations.

Grip Surface

A BMX grip’s surface is its heart and soul, the one feature that makes or breaks it. This surface consists of two main elements: pattern and tackiness. With all of its grooves, lines, lugs, ribs, and more, a bike grip’s surface pattern determines whether or not it will perform under the quick, subtle changes of the rider’s hand position and pressure.

Of equally important value is the grip’s tackiness or grippiness. While a decent portion of this depends on the grip’s construction material, the surface pattern also plays a critical role in the grip’s ability to grab hold of the rider’s hand.

Rubber Compound

Contrary to how it might sound to the uninitiated, the need for comfort is critical for BMXers to achieve their highest performance levels. Like mountain bikes and other bikes destined for hard use, BMX bikes can take quite a beating, but unlike their two-wheeled brethren, BMX bikes never include the option for traveling suspensions and instead rely entirely on their tires and grips as the only tools for mechanical shock absorption. The rider’s body and technique must account for the rest.

Comfort and durability are critical features of any bike grip, but they are especially important to BMX riders. These performance features rely heavily on their rubber construction to achieve these benchmarks, but not all rubber compounds are alike. 

Installation Method

BMX grips often use one of two installation methods: slip-on and lock-on. Throughout most of BMX history, bikes have relied on the slip-on design to both install and secure grips. Slip-on grips consist of a solid rubber tube that can flex and stretch during installation but afterward will hold fast to eliminate slipping and rotation.

Lock-on BMX grips use a rubber tube that slips on easily and is held in place by one or two locking clamps. These clamps use bolts or screws to apply pressure to the grip and to secure it in place. This design requires more parts, but once installed, they provide excellent grip security. Dual lock variants are virtually guaranteed to eliminate all slipping and rotation, no matter the conditions.

Best BMX Grips FAQ:

Just as in regular life, the BMX world is full of little details and hacks worth exploring to make the most of everything. A question that is well thought out can reap a treasure trove of information, and in this section, we have collected and answered a few of these questions.

Q: Are all BMX grips the same size?

Most BMX grips have an inner diameter of 22.2 millimeters, the standard BMX (and mountain bike) handlebar diameter; however, grip lengths can vary between 120 and 155 millimeters (roughly).

Q: What are the best handlebar grips?

Reliable lock-on grips with dual locks provide excellent traction without grip rotation. When it comes to brand reputation, you cannot go wrong with ODI grips.

Q: How do you get handlebar grips to stick?

To improve the “grippiness” and softness of a grip, many BMXers will boil their grips for five minutes then gently stretch and twist them, effectively breaking them in before installation.

Our Top Pick

When choosing an all-around winner, the ODI Longneck ST lives up to its reputation. Its combination of comfort, tackiness, and quality is difficult to beat. The classic flanged, slip-on design preserves the original BMX spirit, and the traditional ribbing on the surface is sure to fit any rider’s needs. This grip is easy to install, boasts an all-American pedigree, and lacks any pattern of performance, design, or durability flaws.

Final Thoughts

Classic styling and top-notch performance turn the ODI Longneck ST into our top pick among BMX grips. When it comes to finding a value pick, the modern yet well-performing GPMTER Single Lock On Bicycle Handlebar Grips earns our nod as our favorite affordable pick.

Sources:

  1. BMX Bike – Wikipedia
  2. Bicycle Handlebar – Wikipedia
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