Renthal Ultra Tacky Grips - Review
The grip market has been pretty boring since lock-ons were introduced. Sure, you can choose between different diameters, durometers and even whether you prefer two collars or one collar, but all that's about as interesting as another tradeshow article about 27.5+ tires. Renthal has cooked up something worth looking at, though, with their new Ultra Tacky lock-on grips being sticky to the touch. They won't stick to the window when you throw them so don't try, but Ian Collins, the main man at Renthal, did say that the idea behind them is based on the same principle as old, sticky-hand toys that you might have played with as a kid. The toys are sticky enough to be amusing, but they'd eventually lose their grip as they got dusty. Washing the toy with water and letting it air dry allowed them to regain their powers, and Renthal says that it's the same for their Ultra Tacky grips.
So, why would you want your grips to be sticky? More traction between them and your hands, of course. You might think that would make for less hand and arm fatigue, or even shrink the chance of a hand slipping off the grip, but Renthal isn't making any of those claims about their new Ultra Tacky lock-ons. Instead, Collins is simply saying that their new sticky grip material means that you don't have to hold on as tight as you might be doing now. He also let slip that Troy Brosnan has actually been rocking the Ultra Tacky grips since the latter part of the 2014 World Cup season, although the only way anyone would have found out is if they had grabbed ahold of one of them - they're noticeably tacky to the touch, enough so that you might suspect something weird is going on.
The Ultra Tackys measure 133mm long when you include the clamps and endcap, with 110mm of that being soft grip. My calipers told me that they have a small-ish 30mm diameter, and Renthal says that they sport the same durometer as their softest grip. Retail price is $32.95 USD, which is the same as the company's Kevlar grips. cycling.renthal.com
![Renthal Ultra Tacky grips review test]()
![Renthal Ultra Tacky grips review test]()
Pinkbike’s Take:
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MENTIONS: @renthalcycling
 |
 With a sticky feel to them, especially when not wearing any gloves, Renthal's Ultra Tacky grips are unlike anything else out there. |
So, why would you want your grips to be sticky? More traction between them and your hands, of course. You might think that would make for less hand and arm fatigue, or even shrink the chance of a hand slipping off the grip, but Renthal isn't making any of those claims about their new Ultra Tacky lock-ons. Instead, Collins is simply saying that their new sticky grip material means that you don't have to hold on as tight as you might be doing now. He also let slip that Troy Brosnan has actually been rocking the Ultra Tacky grips since the latter part of the 2014 World Cup season, although the only way anyone would have found out is if they had grabbed ahold of one of them - they're noticeably tacky to the touch, enough so that you might suspect something weird is going on.
The Ultra Tackys measure 133mm long when you include the clamps and endcap, with 110mm of that being soft grip. My calipers told me that they have a small-ish 30mm diameter, and Renthal says that they sport the same durometer as their softest grip. Retail price is $32.95 USD, which is the same as the company's Kevlar grips. cycling.renthal.com
The material feels extremely soft and forgiving.
Caps are held on by the outer collar and will keep your handlebar from taking a core sample from you.
Pinkbike’s Take:
 | Renthal's Ultra Tacky lock-on grips go on just like, well, any other lock-on grip. Not much to talk about there; slide them on and snug up the two clamp bolts on each side and you're done. If you can tie up your own shoes, you can install a set of lock-ons. They do come with a nice set of bar plugs, which are actually more like caps and are held in place by the outer collar squeezing down on them. More importantly, though, do the Ultra Tacky grips really feel different in your hands? The stickiness isn't really noticeable when you're on the trail and wearing gloves, to be honest, and I never found myself thinking that my hands sure are staying put better than ever. Likewise, I've never suffered from arm pump and I continued to never suffer from arm pump while using the Renthal grips, although that's not to say that they aren't doing some good. At they very least, they are extremely comfortable and soft lock-on grips, and at the most it wouldn't be hard to see that their stickiness helps in at least some small way. Falling somewhere in the middle of those two things is the fact that at least you can joke with your buddies about why your grips are sticky, which surely has to be written down as a plus in favour of the Ultra Tackys. Questionable jokes aside, these Renthal grips are just the ticket for anyone who rides without gloves on a regular basis. That's certainly not me, but I did go gloveless a few times in the name of science and found the grips to not just be more forgiving than my usual lock-ons, but that I could also discern how they were actually quite sticky, much more so than when I was wearing gloves. Even better is that they don't get slippery from your sweaty paws. I can't remember the last time I had a hand slip off a grip, and I doubt that these are going to help much when that does happen, but I'll certainly recommend them to anyone who prefers to go gloveless. They did seem to leave a very slight stickiness to my bare hands, but that was probably more to do with my sweat than anything else and it went away after a few minutes. They also cost the same as Renthal's Kevlar lock-ons, but I think I'd be more likely to pick up the Ultra Tacky grips instead simply due to the fact that they might be helping in some small way.. - Mike Levy |
MENTIONS: @renthalcycling
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Here have a look at some of the stuff I ride when visiting the closest bike park (2h drive):
youtu.be/ajz0bUZRLGs
a href="http://9point8.ca" rel="nofollow">http://9point8.ca/a>
www.9point8.ca/index.php/component/mijoshop/product/37-thumb-remote
@Triber66 - I'm using the KS Southpaw lever right now and it is awesome. Independently adjustable angle and in/out, and super comfy paddle. I've haven't had an issue with it, unlike their standard OE thumb remote and its plastic body - I've broken two of those recently.
Those lumps and bumps On the outside of the renthals are a big no for me..
A better example that is more in-line with this review is the new ODI Emig Lock-On moto grip for $24.95 at full retail. And here's the best part - the Emig grip comes with an integrated cam for your throttle housing (because the grip is molded to the throttle tube.). If oranges were equal to apples here, the Emig grips would be $49.95.
I'm sure that the industry-itself just sets the bar and people pay it. I really do not think it directly hinges on the demographic, but the bar that is set from the beginning. Just like 4-stroke motorcycle exhaust - its easier to make than 2-stroke exhaust, costs less to make (other than titanium), but retails for about four times as much.
Bar set. People pay.