Quiz: Can You Guess These 18 Grips From Their Tread Alone? - Eurobike 2019

Sep 9, 2019
by James Smurthwaite  
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Grips are one of the most personal choice items it's possible to put on a bike. What might be stickier than a limpet in a treacle factory to one rider will simply not work for another. As such, there's a huge spread of tread patterns, durometers and thicknesses on the market to theoretically suit every rider out there.

However, if you're the kind of rider that's stuck with one grip through and through, this may not be the quiz for you. Only the most knowledgeable grip specialists will be able to post a top score in Pinkbike's "Name that Grip" contest. The rules are simple: No web-surfing for clues. Just make your guess and then click on the link below the image to see whether your answer was accurate. Use your back button to return to the contest page. Tally up your correct answers and enter the sum into the poll at the end of the post to see how you measure up.



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Grip 1. It's a kind of...
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Grip 2. A single lock on grip with "topographic moisture channels."
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Grip 3: A signature grip that has become a staple for gravity rider the world over.
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Grip 4. A moto-inspired grip from a British moto brand.
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Grip 5. Another signature grip for an all-American combo.
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Grip 6. A grip from the world's biggest component brand.
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Grip 7. A grip that's good to have at parties.
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Grip 8: A no-frills grip that simply does the job.
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Grip 9. The brand is easy for this one... but what's the model?
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Grip 10. A grom grip for little mitts.
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Grip 11. A brawler of a grip.
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Grip 12. A different grip from that British moto brand.
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Grip 13. A racer's grip designed with ergonomics in mind.
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Grip 14. A single clamp, half-waffle grip from a Californian company.
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Grip 15. A super-thick grip named after one of the most famous riding destinations.
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Grip 16. If you want to touch cloth while you ride, this boutique grip is the one for you.
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Grip 17. A grip that aims to damp vibrations.
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SQ Labs 711R
Grip 18. A new grip ends the quiz, this one will be easy if you've been paying attention to our Eurobike coverage...
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PB's Name That Grip Challenge



Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

85 Comments
  • 225 1
 Not sure what any of them are but I found a no. 17 in my mums bedside table once.
  • 21 1
 Did it damp vibrations as claimed?
  • 146 2
 @IntoTheEverflow: it was damp and vibrated.
  • 3 2
 All the upvotes!
  • 5 1
 @rudders20:
Double comment gold
  • 38 6
 If it's not Sensus, I don't F with it so I'm out.
  • 4 1
 I agree, I use to run these grips in the 80s when I was a kid called mushroom grips back in my BMX days. Sensus grips has that feel and to me its what I like.
  • 16 3
 @Biocoug1: I bet you like the feel of a mushroom
  • 5 0
 Swayzes only
  • 3 13
flag Biocoug1 (Sep 9, 2019 at 18:15) (Below Threshold)
 @xzpsmk: not as much as your moms P&%sy
  • 1 0
 #disisdaboss
  • 23 1
 You forgot Oury for us old timers.
  • 6 1
 Switched to Oury awhile back. Never running anything else. Arm pump-gone!
  • 7 0
 It's always been Oury for me.
  • 6 0
 The north shores look like modified Oury's
  • 2 0
 Love the Ourys! I run no other.
  • 1 0
 Loved them u till lock ons in a slim size came along. I'm over squishy grips. I love WTB Padloc Commander in 30mm
  • 2 0
 Have been running Oury grips since 2009. Oury released the v2 single clamp grips recently, I'll be getting those.
  • 1 0
 Yup. This. Now, can anyone explain what is pictured in the hologram that was (still is?) included with the grips?
  • 1 0
 @Lankycrank: Yes !!! Ran Oury's forever but got tired of the outer clamp digging into my hand's outer edge. Almost went back to the non-lock flavor with glue and wire. But if now they are coming out with a single inner clamp... heck yeah !!!
  • 18 1
 world cup is over... back to pointless quizzess
  • 16 1
 KYLE STRAIT'S SIGNATURE MEATY PAWS
  • 11 1
 Knucklebuster are the best grips I've ever used.
  • 2 0
 I have the same opinion. Wonderful with or with out gloves.
  • 4 0
 Ritchey foam grips have been a revelation for me recently. No more arm pump even after a 2000m descent in the alps. And they are cheap enough that you can just give it a try to see if it is for you. Durability is horrible tho
  • 2 0
 I second this. Durability is trash, but in terms of vibration reduction they are at the top of the class. Favorite dry weather grip hands down.
  • 3 0
 Try the odi f1 grips. Kinda halfway between a foam grip and esi type grip. All the advantages of those and pretty durable
  • 1 0
 @gabriel-mission9: thanks for the tip. I assume you have the f1 vapor in mind. Looks awesome and i will try!
  • 7 0
 I got the Deity wrong, and I run them on my own freaking bike. Shows how much I look at my components I guess lol
  • 14 0
 Thanks for running the Knuckledusters!
  • 5 0
 What no Renthal ultra tacky push on???
  • 1 0
 Best grips out there. Absolutely worth the hassle of gluing them on
  • 1 0
 @Carruthers: You know it.
  • 1 0
 @Carruthers: I had the exact opposite experience. Didn’t stay stuck for long felt horrible even before that. They ripped within a month. I’ve never ripped a grip before.
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: you have to use the right glue (i'm currently using clear Gorilla Glue) and even then you still need to wire them if its wet.

It's the thin profile and super sticky compound that's worth the hassle.
  • 1 0
 @fartymarty: tried wiring but could see the wire was going to cut the grip. Honestly I’ll never use them again they’re significantly worse than any grip I’ve ever used. Might as well just run no grips.
  • 5 0
 Lizard Skins North Shore!! Super tacky, super soft, the best!
  • 1 0
 Indeed.
  • 2 0
 I preferred the old version that looked like a log, they lasted forever, I had a set that lasted about 4 years, most grips last 6 months. The new ones have grown on me though, the chamfer really locks your thumb in.
  • 2 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: I never saw the "old version", only these ones. I can easily get two years out of these, at least! Even when they start to wear and smooth out the little bumps, they're still good and tacky with cushion.
  • 2 0
 @mybaben: last pair I bought was about 6 years ago now, I was gutted when I couldn't find them anymore. I didn't understand at the time, but if I'm honest with myself I probably couldn't go back to them, these are so much better in the wet. And yeah my current set is probably a year and a half old, still loads of life, will get changed for aesthetic reasons when I get a new bike.
  • 2 0
 I know they're a bit pricey, but Ergon GD1s are very legit (and not dorky like normal Ergons). They're a strange combo of soft, sticky, AND durable, and the taper completely got rid of my wrist pain.
  • 1 0
 I put the spendy ergons on my last 2 “main bikes” and every time I ride my hardtail or something different without ergons, I can’t believe how much I think, “these grips suck!”
  • 4 0
 Chromag Sqarewave XL for me and others with man-sized hands.
  • 1 0
 I use the lizard skins northshore lock ons pictured above, I've got massive hands to match my size 16 (17us) feet. I can't find a diameter for the cromags, any idea what it is? I know they're not parallel so tricky but a rough figure would help.
  • 1 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: SQUAREWAVE XL SPECS
Durometer // 25a
Length // 146mm
Diameter// 33mm
End Clamp // Split-Teardrop
Weight // 148g/pair

No idea where the 33mm is measured, but the bulge really helps with arm pump for me.

I have ODI Rogue on my dirt bike...which are also 33mm and they reduce arm pump compared to the Protaper Pillowtop Grips I had before when I developed horrible elbow tendonitis
  • 1 0
 @unrooted: to each thier own. I couldn’t get the squarewave off my bike fast enough! The middle of palm bulge was uncomfortable! I tried based on several guys who like them, and they are considerably cheaper than ergons, until you go buy more ergons and put these in the spare parts bin...
  • 1 0
 @unrooted: How do you compare the two? I was looking at the Squarewave XL's but ended up getting the Rogues instead. Will probably need to replace grips next season and was wondering if I should switch. Only downside to switching for me would be the fact that I custom ordered my ODI's with purple clamps, and won't be able to swap them over to Chromags, whereas if I got the same grips I can just swap over the clamps.
  • 1 0
 @matt-15: the dirt bike feels so different that it’s impossible for me to make a comparison...but comparing OURY grips to the Chromag was night and day when it came to the amount of arm pump, but maybe I was just scared when I first started riding the gnarlier terrain after years of more XC style trails.
  • 4 3
 I broke the Deathgrips. Sent a nice email about it and they told me I installed them wrong. Not even a free sticker, those bastards. The North Shore's however, are the best grips I always go back to. They are legit.
  • 3 0
 I'm curious to know what they thought you did to "install them wrong"!
  • 2 0
 @boozed: you have to hammer them on. If you don’t the shell cracks and you get throttle grip. Didn’t really like them anyway.
  • 2 2
 @boozed: yeah, I guess you have to hammer them on. Stupid me for ripping the grips out of the package and just installing them. I mean who does that?
  • 1 0
 @jason475: yeah that’s what I thought. Really should have said something on the package.
  • 1 0
 Oh right, I can understand that. I figured that they should be seated properly so I did hammer them on but you shouldn't expect them to break that easily.
  • 2 0
 I didn't do well on this one, but these are super fun... keep them coming @pinkbike
  • 2 0
 I only know half nelson because i got them off my bike a week after i bought it. Too thin for my liking.
  • 1 0
 I have been digging the ODI Dreadlock grips lately, Tinker was my hero back in the day when I rode Cannondales, heck, he's still my CC hero! lol
  • 3 0
 No need.
  • 1 0
 Anyone know where to get these "Shimano Pro Lock-On" Grips? They look interesting and I can't find them anywhere...
  • 1 0
 If you want to touch cloth while riding..............try and ride redbull hardline or rampage.
  • 2 0
 Definitely bike park dirtbag.
  • 4 2
 This is clickbait genius. Good work Pinkbike.
  • 2 0
 0-5: brain cells too relaxed.
  • 2 0
 Cant believe as many pros run plastic lockons as they do.
  • 1 0
 I can say that for standard grips, it's Chromag for me.. recently however, I have tried Rev Grips, and really like them.
  • 2 0
 nailed it
  • 1 0
 Ribbed for your Pleasure.......
  • 1 0
 Picture 3 looks like a bunch of public-use dildos
  • 1 0
 Love the RF Grippler! Best grip ever
  • 1 0
 Absolute Black look cool, I wonder if they're good.
  • 1 0
 Where's the good grips like vans waffle?????????????
  • 1 0
 stimulating shapes
  • 1 0
 Nope
  • 2 1
 Ruffians ftw
  • 1 1
 Thé best are not there; LIZARD SKINS LOCK ON
  • 3 4
 Not a single slip on grip. Who cares. Lock-Ons for losers.
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