The Touch Points Series - Hands Matter Too: Choosing the Right Grips & Bar Tape
Every bicycle has three primary touch points: your feet, your hands, and your backside. In this second of the two-part series, we'll focus on the remaining touch points—your grips, and bar tape—and explain how choosing the right fit can improve comfort, control, and your overall riding experience.
Part 2:
Your hands are your primary connection to the bike.
They steer.
They brake.
They absorb vibration.
They keep you in control.
Yet grips and bar tape are often overlooked until your hands start going numb.
Choosing the right diameter, cushioning, and material can dramatically improve comfort, reduce fatigue, and increase confidence on every ride.
Mountain Bike Grips
Not all grips feel the same.
Just like saddles, the right grip depends on your anatomy.
MTB grips come in many different colors, sizes, and firmness.
Grip Diameter Matters
Grip diameter should match your hand size.
As a general guideline:
28-31mm grips work best for riders with smaller hands.
32–34mm grips are often more comfortable for riders with larger hands.
Many brands indicate the actual size in diameter on their packaging. Others offer sizing in small and large. In this case, Lizard Skins does both.
Grips that are too large make it harder to wrap your fingers around the bar, reducing braking power and increasing fatigue.
Grips that are too small can force you to squeeze harder, leading to hand fatigue and numbness.
Cushion and Rubber Compound
Grip comfort isn't just about softness.
Manufacturers tune grips using different rubber compounds that balance:
vibration absorption
durability
traction
feel
Softer compounds offer incredible grip but typically wear faster.
Firmer compounds last longer but transmit more trail vibration.
Lock-On vs Slide-On
Lock-On Grips
Pros
Easy installation
Won't twist
Easy replacement
Great for aggressive trail riding
Cons
Slightly heavier
Less overall cushioning
Slide-On (Push-On) Grips
Pros
Extremely lightweight
More cushioning
Simpler construction
Cons
Harder to install
Can rotate if improperly installed
Vibration Dampening Technology
For riders with hand pain, arthritis, or long days on rough trails, vibration-dampening grips can make a dramatic difference.
RevGrips
A unique suspended grip system that allows the grip to move independently from the handlebar, significantly reducing vibration while maintaining control.
RevGrips uses technology to isolate the grips from the bars. They come in many different colors and sizes to accommodate most hands.
ODI Vanquish
Uses an internal damping core and multi-density construction to reduce trail chatter without feeling overly soft.
Our Favorite Grip Brands
ODI – Industry leader with options for every rider.
Ergon – Ergonomic shapes that reduce wrist pressure and improve hand positioning.
RevGrips – Outstanding for reducing vibration and hand fatigue.
ESI – Lightweight silicone grips with excellent shock absorption and all-weather grip.
Road & Gravel Bikes: Bar Tape Matters
Drop-bar riders spend hours supporting their upper body through their hands.
Choosing the right bar tape can reduce fatigue while maintaining control.
Thicker Isn't Always Better
Extra-thick tape certainly feels plush.
However, overly thick bar tape can make the handlebars feel oversized.
When riders can't fully wrap their fingers around the bars:
braking confidence decreases
steering precision suffers
sprinting feels less secure
descending becomes less confident
Sometimes thinner tape actually provides better comfort because it improves hand purchase and reduces the need to grip excessively.
Material Makes a Difference
Cork
Traditional feel
Lightweight
Comfortable
Affordable
Rubber & Polyurethane
Excellent grip
Great durability
Outstanding in wet weather
More vibration damping
Synthetic Multi-Layer Materials
Many premium tapes combine foam, rubber, and polyurethane to maximize comfort without becoming bulky.
One of our favorite bar tapes. Supacaz offers a “kush” feel to their bar tape. Their choice of synthetic materials, offers great grip in wet or sweaty conditions.
Riding in Wet Conditions
If you frequently ride in rain or sweat heavily, texture matters just as much as thickness.
Premium textured tapes maintain grip when wet, reducing hand fatigue and improving confidence on long rides.
Our Favorite Bar Tape
Supacaz
Bold colors, outstanding grip, excellent comfort, and one of the most popular premium tapes available today.
ENVE
Clean aesthetics with exceptional feel and vibration damping for performance riders.
Enve offers great grip and gives you the tape thickness on their packaging for easier identification.
Arundel focuses on grip in wet situations. For us sweaty folks, this is a great solution to keep control on our bars.
Arundel
Comfortable, durable, and excellent value with a variety of thickness options.
The Takeaway
Your hands and your saddle are two of the three primary touch points on your bicycle.
Small changes in grip diameter, bar tape thickness, saddle width, or saddle shape can completely transform how your bike feels.
The best upgrades aren't always lighter or more expensive—they're the ones that fit you.
At Tenafly Bicycle Workshop, we help riders dial in every touch point so every mile is more comfortable, more efficient, and more fun.
