Last Updated on 18 August 2024 by Cycloscope
The best BMX grips reviewed
10 top BMX bike grips for street, park, vert, trails, and flatland
Lock-on, slide-on, comfortably padded. No more sore hands!
What are the best BMX grips? How do they differ for each discipline? Street, parks, vert, trails, flatland? What do you really need?
Grips can be one of the cheapest components to replace, but they are one of the most important contact points on your bike, transferring all the vibration to your upper body.
Grips directly affect your comfort and control while riding, which are not much less important than proper BMX tires, as your hands are always resting or holding onto the grips (well, unless you’re doing some park tricks…).
It is very important to have a BMX grip you are comfortable using, which will cause no pain or injury.
There are a couple of reasons to invest in the best BMX grips: the most important is that a good pair of handlebar grips keep your hands in place and reduce the effect of vibration.
The stock grips that came with your BMX are likely to wear out fast and not be the top quality in the first place.
There are many models of BMX grips available nowadays, and they are often interchangeable with MTB grips (more about this in the FAQ section below).
We wrote this article to help you decide which grips are best for your riding style.
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> 11 great MTB jackets for cold weather
> The 9 best BMX tires you can buy
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How we compile our gear guides: during the almost 10 years of cycloscope.net our team personally tested dozens of similar pieces of gear. For what we can't test personally, we involve other people in the cycling community to give their feedback and opinion about gear they have used. Our decade-long experience in bicycle touring enables us to find the key cons and pros of every product we mention.
The best grips for BMX in a nutshell
- Oury Original Mountain grips
- Ergon GE1 Evo
- ESI Chunky BMX Grips
- ODI Elite pro
- Race Face Half Nelson
- Ergon GA2 Fat
- KINK SAMURAI GRIPS
- CULT VANS WAFFLE FLANGELESS GRIPS
- Fifty-Fifty BMX grips
- BV Mountain Bike Handlebars Grips
10 Best BMX Grips Reviewed
1. Oury Original Mountain grips
SPECS
| LENGTH: 127 mm – 7 x 4 x 2 inches |
| STYLE: Slide on |
The Oury Mountain Grips have been a standard in the amateur BMX world for a while. If you’re in the market for cool-looking grips and care for a variety of colors then that is the best choice for you.
Regardless of their ridiculously cheap price, the Oury MTN ensures maximum grip power. They are made from an extremely soft single rubber compound that absorbs bumps in an efficient manner.
Pros
- Great grip power.
- Good-looking.
- Cheap.
- Wide selection of colors.
Cons
- Short.
2. Ergon GE1 Evo
SPECS
| LENGTH: 135 mm – 2 sizes: Regular (32mm) and Slim (30mm) |
| STYLE: Single clamp |
The GE1 grips by Ergon have an ergonomic design, a cut-out skeleton that makes their shape unique and noticeably less radical than other grips. The ergonomics take some of the stress off the muscle used for grips to reduce arm pump while creating a wide contact area for your hands.Â
The Ergon GE1 Evo grips are an intelligent way of turning your riding position and you can change your hand position about the handlebar because the cushioning is counterbalanced to the central sleeve that slides the bar. The Ergon G1 directs you to ride with your elbows out while creating a better riding position for aggressive trail and enduro riding.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Available in a slim version
- Provide good riding techniques
Cons
- Limited color options
- A bit expensive
3. ESI Chunky BMX Grips
SPECS
| LENGTH: 130 mm |
| STYLE: Slide On |
The Chunky BMX grip by ESI is a lightweight silicone tube; it offers plenty of vibration dampening, and cushioning, providing traction and shock absorption for the most challenging park tricks, even when wet.
The structure is designed in such a way that material thickness is distributed to ensure maximum grip, making them also a great choice for street and trail.
The cons of LSI Chunky grips are that it doesn’t feature lock ring to secure them around the handlebars, so they need to be glued and that doesn’t last very long, besides leaving marks on your handlebars.
Pros
- Covered on the bottom end.
- The large diameter of 32mm.
- Cheap.
- Lightweight.
Cons
- Not very durable.
4. ODI Elite pro
SPECS
| LENGTH: 130mm |
| STYLE: Lock On |
Developed with the help of Pro Enduro rider Curtis Keene the ODI Elite is an incredibly effective handlebar grip for BMX; it puts more rubber in the palm of your hands compared to the underside of the grips where the fingertips rest.
It also has a raised rubber end cap, typical of BMX grips, that helps visualize the right-hand position while doing a jump for example.
They’re super-grippy and the tactile feel and cushioning are in the right place. An excellent combination of comfort and control.
Easy to clamp on and take off, the ODI Elite Pro grips are available in four color options.
Pros
- More rubber in the palmÂ
- Raised rubber end cap
- Friendly price
Cons
- No noticeable cons
5. Race Face Half Nelson
SPECS
| LENGTH: 133mm |
| STYLE: Single clamp |
Despite having a diameter of only 28mm, the Half Nelson Grips are pretty cushioned and superbly grippy. These grips by Half Nelson, designed for MTB, are perfectly suited for trail, vert, and flatland BMX riding.
An interesting feature is the design in the inner part, which makes them hold their firm grasp, even under rain or sweat the grips hold their amazing footing. Race Face Half Nelson grips are structurally designed to perform well in any climate conditions.Â
The Race Face Half Nelson grip is the best to make your BMX riding even more enjoyable, but they are the most expensive on this list.
Pros
- LightweightÂ
- Excellent shock absorptionÂ
- The grips retain their holds regardless of rain and wetness
Cons
- A bit expensive
6. Ergon GA2 FAT
SPECS
| LENGTH: 136mm |
| STYLE: Single clamp |
Designed in collaboration with former DH World Champion, Fabien Barel, this is really one of the best bike grips for all disciplines.
The soft texture given by the UV-stable silicon rubber material makes them comfortable and capable of providing excellent traction.
They are ultra-lightweight and equipped with inward clamps to have a firm hold of your handlebars. An extremely durable product that will satisfy the needs of the most hardcore BMX riders.
Pros
- More efficient
- Soft feel on palm
- Lightweight unit
- Excellent fit
Cons
- A bit pricey compared to others
7. KINK SAMURAI GRIPS
SPECS
| LENGTH: 150mm |
| DIAMETER: 29mm |
The Kink Samurai grips take their cue from the incredible workmanship seen in Japanese Samurai swords. They’ve got a stunning design, and top-notch craftsmanship, and are made from the best materials.
ODI in the USA is behind the manufacturing of these grips, using their special rubber formula. The grip pattern itself is inspired by Samurai sword handles, making for an awesome grip. You’ll also get a perfect pair of plug-style bar ends in the package.
PRO
- Beautiful design.
- Material.
- Durable.
- Cheap.
CONS
- Nothing relevant.
8. CULT VANS WAFFLE FLANGELESS GRIPS
SPECS
| LENGTH: 150mm |
| DIAMETER: 31mm |
The distinctive waffle pattern caught the eye, and the subtle “Vans” & “Cult” embossing adds a touch of understated class. The installation is a breeze using the zip tie method or, if you have, an air compressor.
Choosing the flangeless version maintains a clean look for the bars and comes in handy if your execution of bar spins or no-handers tends to be a bit on the sloppy side.
PRO
- Elegant.
- Amazing soft rubber compound.
CONS
- They can be a bit hard to install.
9. Fifty-Fifty BMX grips
SPECS
| LENGTH: 135mm |
| STYLE: Single clamp |
Fifty-fifty grips are excellent handling grips for extreme BMX riders.
They are reliable, firm, and securely held, thanks to the strong lock-on system. The high-fraction rubber provides enough grips in all weather. This means that grips remain tightly fixed regardless of how bumpy the trial becomes.
They are available in five different colors; red, black, yellow, purple, or orange.
Pros
- Tightly attached to handlebars
- Vibration-damping rubber feature
- All-weather-ready
Cons
- The padding is not the most cushioned around
10. BV Mountain Bike Handlebars Grips
| LENGTH: 133mm |
| STYLE: Double clamp |
BV bike handlebar grips have an aesthetic look and attractive design while fitting any standard bicycle handlebar.
The double clamp design of these grips is easy to install and firmly held in place without twisting. This makes them also among the best grips for BMX.
These grips are manufactured with a TPR material that is soft enough to isolate your hands from shock and vibration. BV bike grips are available in five different colors: black, yellow, green, red, blue.
Pros
- Secured by a double clamp
- Work for most handlebars
- Cheap
Cons
- The design might not be attractive to everyone
MTB vs BMX grips, what’s the difference
Mountain bike and BMX grips have the same internal diameter, this means that most MTB grips can be used on BMX and vice versa.
One of the differences might be in the length, BMX grips can be longer than MTB ones because BMX doesn’t have shifters.
Another characteristic of BMX is that they often have a flange on the inside, which is not especially useful, indeed many modern BMX grips don’t have it.
Padding is another difference, MTB grips need to be more padded to absorb vibration, anyway a good cushioning is not bad also when landing after a trick or jump.
Basically, all the grips listed here could be installed either on a mountain bike or a BMX.
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Frequently Asked Questions about BMX Grips
Are all BMX grips the same size?
Yes and No. While the internal diameter has been standardized to 22mm to fit almost any type of handlebar for mountain bike handlebars, the length and external diameter vary a lot. Short grips might be about 12cm long, while longer ones can go up to 14cm. There’s no better or worse length and external diameter, totally up to the rider’s choice.
Are lock-on grips better?
Lock grips are locked into place by a gripping system. This allows them not to slide away when wet or deformed.
What materials are BMX grips made from and how do they affect performance?
BMX grips are typically made from rubber, silicone, or foam. Rubber grips are popular for their durability and grip in various weather conditions. Silicone grips are known for their softness and shock absorption, providing a comfortable ride. Foam grips are lightweight and offer good cushioning but may wear out faster. The material affects grip comfort, vibration dampening, and overall ride feel.
How often should I replace my BMX grips?
The lifespan of BMX grips depends on usage and the material. Generally, grips should be replaced if you notice significant wear, such as tearing, or loss of traction, or if they become slippery. Regularly check for signs of wear and consider replacing them every 6-12 months, especially if you ride frequently or in harsh conditions.
Can the texture of BMX grips affect my riding performance?
Absolutely. The texture of BMX grips can greatly influence your riding performance. Grips come with various patterns, such as knurled, ribbed, or smooth surfaces. A textured grip can provide better traction and prevent your hands from slipping, especially during tricks or in wet conditions. Choosing the right texture can enhance your control and overall riding experience.
