Submitted by
georgizzz
a Weekend Warrior
from San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 Date Reviewed: April 15, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Strengths:
-Never Slides around
Weaknesses:
-After 6 months or so, rubber starts wearing off
-If you forget your gloves, ODI ruffians are slippery and have a tiny diameter
-Once a bolt fell out and the grip was useless.. couldn't find the bolt anywhere and had to buy new camps
-Weight
-Price
Bike Setup:
All Mountain riding
Bottom Line:
These are are one of the best grips I've ever used but they are a little pricey and will never be as light as non-clamp type grips
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a Downhiller
from Holly Springs NC Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
shilo 2 dh
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came on bike @ perfomance
Strengths:
GRIPPY LIKE MAD
Weaknesses:
end caps... but for me who cares
Similar Products Used:
w/e comes on the Giant Glory
Bike Setup:
stock iron horse 7 point 5
Bottom Line:
best odi lock ons so far
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Q
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Virginia Date Reviewed: October 13, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
They work, super easy to install (even came with an allen wrench)
Weaknesses:
Handlebar plugs are not very good
Similar Products Used:
First lock-on grip
Bike Setup:
hardtail
Bottom Line:
I bought these with a little hesitation, because I had never used lock-ons before, now I will never, ever go back. They are a smart, hassle-free way to install/uninstall grips on a bar. Why did it take so long to come up with something so simple and sensible? No more spraying alcohol, water, whatever to inch grips onto a bar in a state of mechanical purgatory. They put all old style grips to shame. I just kept my old plugs, so my only real gripe might be that mine had a little play in them, even though the clamps never budged, but my friend's were tight with no play on his same diameter bar. Oh well, these work way too well to care.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd H
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego Date Reviewed: September 23, 2007
great grip really good when dry or wet, cheap and easy to find. Lock system holds no matter how much I thrash them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ryder kasprick
a Downhiller
from USA Date Reviewed: May 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
the dentist
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
given by sponsor
Strengths:
good
Weaknesses:
its all good
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
amazing
Bottom Line:
real good
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ryder kasprick
a Downhiller
from USA Date Reviewed: May 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
the dentist
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
given by sponsor
Strengths:
good
Weaknesses:
its all good
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
amazing
Bottom Line:
real good
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Who Needs Brakes
a Downhiller
from Coffs Harbour Australia Date Reviewed: May 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Anything Fast & Tight thats within riding distance
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
a bike shop
Strengths:
Read the reviews there brutaly honest with these
Weaknesses:
What weekneses oh the plastic end caps scuff up easyly if this is a weekness lmao
Similar Products Used:
They dont name the crapy stock grips that come on bikes so i have no idea
Bike Setup:
AC Giant, Manitou Sliders & Metel RP shock. Husfelt Cranks, Sram X-7 rear gears, Blackspire Chain Device, etc etc etc
Bottom Line:
Just do yourself a favour & buy them, when you need reasurence you grips aint going to slip ODI Grips are the 1's
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt kinsela
a Weekend Warrior
from penrith,sydney Date Reviewed: February 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
old bathurst
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Blackmans Bicycles Penrith
Strengths:
Theys grips are so grippy when i wasnt wearin my gloves instead of my hand slippin on the grip it started rippin of my skin lol (good old gloves) extremely good lock on design seen no better bar ends they come with are tops :]
Weaknesses:
nothin ive found so far its all good
Similar Products Used:
no other lock-ons tried
Bike Setup:
07 Green Bigfoot Too much stuff too list (very good though)
Bottom Line:
buy these if you want grippy grips and lock-ons that work no matter what the comditions
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Condro
a Downhiller
from NorCal Date Reviewed: January 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Raw Dawg
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Long lasting, thinner profile with nerled pattern, they feel better as the brake in. The don't spin and are a sure grip to your bars, even in wet conditions.
Weaknesses:
If you don't run the end caps you have a chance of injury on the square edged bar ends. So rund the bar ends!
Similar Products Used:
plenty
Bike Setup:
One with handle bars. They are great for all types of riders
Bottom Line:
If you ride seriously take some time to try them out. You'll never turn back. Don't except imitations.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Island, NY USA Date Reviewed: December 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
LBS theif
Strengths:
they simply dont move. period. important with gripsift. thin grip, which i like
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
tons of regular grips
Bike Setup:
'01 Enduro trail bike
Bottom Line:
with the grips used with gripshift being so short, there's not much to glue on when yer done (my fav' is spraypaint). safety wire is a PIA every time you need to remove a shifter or lever. well these are just sweet to have. they're tidy, work the way they should and i like grip's pattern; it reminds me of motorcycle OE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a
from melbourne, vic, australia Date Reviewed: December 15, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Strengths:
Never slides around and gives some sweet grip and performance plus it looks good unlike some other grips I have seen
Weaknesses:
The caps on the end of the grips loosen, so maybe some lock tight on them might do the trick
Bike Setup:
Free ride
Bottom Line:
They are good and if you don't already have some that are lock on I would get some, once you have lock-on you'll never go back. If you need good grip to pull off stunts they are the way to go, but if you want your the type to be really picky on your bike looking perfect it might not be worth the bother of constantly putting the caps back on the ends.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil
a Weekend Warrior
from Lac-Beauport, Québec, Canada Date Reviewed: September 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
- Easy installation - Efficient lock-on system - Very good grip even when soaking wet
Weaknesses:
- Bar end caps loosen with time - Not enough cushion to my own taste
Similar Products Used:
Rogue
Bike Setup:
Enduro 03 all beefed up.
Bottom Line:
If you like smaller diameter grip, you will be satisfied with this product. These grips rock. The weird look bar end caps must be checked regularly if you want to keep them in place. The screw loosen up and you may lose them while riding. I personnaly prefer regular bar en caps.
My only issue was that the grip does not feel as cushionned as the Rogue, creating hand fatigue, especially on long donwhill sections. Otherwise, it does a perfect job of staying in place and providing a superior control of your bike even when wet and muddy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Wixom, Michigan, USA Date Reviewed: August 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
PLRA
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Stays put on the bar, grippy rubber, easy to install/remove, look pro when installed.
Weaknesses:
Bogus bar end caps but they don't affect the performance of the grip.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Jack Sh*t, various generic grips.
Bike Setup:
XC
Bottom Line:
Once you use the lock-on system you'll never go back. These do not move or twist on the bar. The rubber compound and pattern is just about perfect for me. The Ruffians have a very good feel on the trail and give a sense of control. Great grip. I'm through messing around with grip glue and safety wire.
ODI includes some very cheesy bar end caps with the grips. I tried them for a few rides and threw them away. I bought some Dangerboy bar end caps designed for the ODI lock-on's, which act as the collar on the outer end of the grip as well as the end cap. Much, much better design. With the Dangerboys on the ends, i think the Ruffians are pretty much the perfect grip system. Expensive though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
robotkiller
a Weekend Warrior
from JAX, FL Date Reviewed: May 31, 2006
Favorite Trail:
razorback
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Precise, excellent feedback, skinny. Looks sharp. No stupid logos.
Weaknesses:
Some may not like the lack of cushion. Diamond pattern eventually wears off.
Similar Products Used:
Oury, Yeti, Rogue, WTB, Serfas,
Bike Setup:
IF steel
Bottom Line:
These grips are narrow and give me better control than any other grip I've used. Even though they have minimal cushion, I find that the smaller size lets me control the bike with a looser grip thus reducing hand fatigue. The irony of big cushy grips like Ourys is that I eventually cramp my hands holding on to them.
Tons of control and have lasted me for years. If you like skinny grips, this is the way to go.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gskldgjh sadfas
a Downhiller
from asdfasdfasdf Date Reviewed: May 31, 2006
Favorite Trail:
colorado
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At:
jenson usa
Strengths:
easy to get on look cool good grip
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
wtb dual density
Bike Setup:
jamis rockshox and fox
Bottom Line:
great addition to any ones bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zach Davis
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: May 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
everywhere
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At:
Mountain Equipment Co-Op
Strengths:
Comfortable, good surface to grip, locking system basically perfect, simple, look good
Weaknesses:
allen holes get clogged with dirt, can't tighten perfectly if you don't clean the holes.(dont crash) Pricey(but worth it)
Similar Products Used:
Lambert lock on Giant stock
Bike Setup:
Rincon, Karma tires, raceface, truvativ, ruffians
Bottom Line:
Best grips in the world. Most top pros use them!!!!! ps toss the end caps, theyre big and annoying
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat
a Downhiller
from BC, Canada Date Reviewed: March 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Jimi Legs
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Russ Hays
Strengths:
-Tacky Feel -Stay on and dont twist -Look cool
Weaknesses:
-They are a little too short in length.
Similar Products Used:
Kona cowan grips
Bike Setup:
06 Kona stuff with Ruffian grips, WTB pure v saddle and axiom flat pedals.
Bottom Line:
These are awesome grips. Regular non lock-on grips have been put to shame. Everyone should get a pair of ODI lock-on grips!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tyler
a Downhiller
from Salt Lake City, UT Date Reviewed: March 7, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
LOCK-ON is the only way to go - SO much easier than wrestling the old ones on and cutting them off. The system is solid, with a bolt on either end to keep things in place and the locking nut end cap. The Ruffian is a nice, soft grip that stays sticky. I've never felt like my hands were slipping.
Weaknesses:
If you're counting grams, not a good choice.
Bottom Line:
Excellent grip option - keeps your hands on the bar plus the joys of lock-on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shiny_car
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: October 12, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
ebay + postage
Strengths:
very grippy; easy on/off; suits small hands as quite narrow diameter
Weaknesses:
may be too narrow in diameter for larger hands; hard rather than soft to grip
Similar Products Used:
OEM grips
Bike Setup:
Specialized HT, Giant XTC
Bottom Line:
these are my first entry into lock-on grips; after reading various reviews and recommendations, these were my first choice and I love them already; really grippy on the bar and to the hands/gloves; some people with larger hands may find them too narrow; I may try some of the other series next time but no hurry at all as these should keep me happy for a long time
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Travis
a
from Michigan Date Reviewed: August 28, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$13.00
Purchased At:
Rays Bicycle Shop
Strengths:
Very easy on and off. Ideal for a bike with the possibility of crashing and breaking levers and/or shifter pods. Remain secure no matter how hard you ride them. Comfortable on the hands.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
ODI Rogue, OURI, Lizard Skin
Bike Setup:
06 Identiti Dr. Jekyll, Rockshox Pike, Deity crank,stem, and handlebars. Halo SAS Combat wheelset, Kenda K-Rad tyres.
Bottom Line:
Buy these grips. Exceptional comfort and grip when wearing gloves.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sky
a Cross Country Rider
from Aiea, HI Date Reviewed: August 11, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
No more slipping grips! Great grip, tacky feel!
Weaknesses:
None~
Similar Products Used:
Pedros, Specialized, other misc grips
Bike Setup:
'04 Specialized Hardrock Pro Disk - SS Conversion
Bottom Line:
A little more weight than normal slide on grips but these never slip so they are worth it! A great grip for wet weather riders.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland Date Reviewed: July 13, 2005
Favorite Trail:
ALL
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3.00
Purchased At:
garage sale
Strengths:
clamp to bar & look cool
Weaknesses:
don't know of any yet
Similar Products Used:
rubber ones
Bike Setup:
I have this BIG problem now, I have these COOL looking grips with nthing to install them on.Now i have to go buy me a bike to put them on (or at least some sort of handle bars)
Bottom Line:
well....umm, they are some spazz looking grips that is for sure.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from mission viejo, ca, usa Date Reviewed: June 23, 2005
Favorite Trail:
mt wilson
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$16.00
Purchased At:
beyondbikes.com
Strengths:
awesome grip, great feel, easily removed from bars
Weaknesses:
wears kinda quick, but they have way better than most similar grips
Similar Products Used:
lizard skins, serfas
Bike Setup:
04 santa cruz bullit, protaper 2" riser bars, thompson elite stem and seat post........
Bottom Line:
definitly should buy them, they're worth every penny. the awesome grip out whieghs the fact that they wear down fast.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bianchi Buddy
a Cross Country Rider
from Lyons, CO Date Reviewed: June 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
The best grip money can buy! I have ridden them for many years on my old XC bike, when I rode DH, on my current 6 banger, on every MX bike I have owned in the last few years, just work plain work well! Fit my gloved hands perfect, fit without gloves perfect, stay in place without hairspray or grip glue, easy to remove if changing or lubing shifters/brake levers.
Weaknesses:
None!
Similar Products Used:
ODI yeti, ODI rogue, ATI Neutron (2nd fav of all time), OURY, PRIMO Chad Degroot (sweet lady's on these), WTB's, Ritchey Foam
Bike Setup:
Schwinn 6 banger, Fox Vanilla R, Hayes, XT, XTR, Carbon bar, Thomson 4x stem, Sun Singlewide rims, Schwable tires
Bottom Line:
The best, never slip, easy to remove, wear well, fit gloved hands perfect
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from madison, wi Date Reviewed: May 17, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$8.00
Purchased At:
trek
Strengths:
comfort, pretty light for lock-ons, looks sweet
Weaknesses:
el-crappo plastic end caps that came with them!
Similar Products Used:
non-lock ons
Bike Setup:
fisher sugar with bonty racelite bar
Bottom Line:
Good comfortable grips and solid looking clamps. However, the plastic end caps are weak! I nicked a tree on the first ride with these and the end cap exploded into several pieces. Mountain bike parts should not be made of crappy plastic! Now I have the metal clamps on both sides of the grip and plugged the ends with some standard plugs. Hopefully nothing else breaks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marsb
a Weekend Warrior
from WV Date Reviewed: May 10, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Mountaineer Cycles
Strengths:
Great feel, lockjaws stay put- NO slippage whatsoever.
Weaknesses:
Allen wrench holes can get clogged w/dirt or sand and strip, just clean 'em out every so often or don't crash. Be careful tightening them and you'll be OK.
Similar Products Used:
WTBs, AMe, ODI Rogue
Bike Setup:
I use Ruffians on both my Bullit and my rigid SS
Bottom Line:
The perfect grip! Right size, right amount of padding, great feel for all types of riding. As I mentioned, I use them on both my FR & XC bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: March 29, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Don Valley
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Sport Chek
Strengths:
Great grip. Super easy to install.Great feel.
Weaknesses:
None really, just the price. But then again, how often do you buy grips? Small price to pay and then you can just get the grips without the lock jaws after.
Similar Products Used:
Oury, stock Norco ones (get rid of these immediately, they slip, suck and don't do anything)
Bike Setup:
Norco Atomik
Bottom Line:
I was using the regular oury grips before these and I loved those ones because they were nice, large and chunky. Felt good and a buddy of mine had some ruffians and I didn't like them initially. Then i got a new handlebar set and installing or removing oury grips is such a pain in the a5s, takes you 2 years to get them off. So I got these, installed them, went on sooo easy. Went out for a test ride, and wow...such feel and control. I was missing out huge with the ourys and it feels like i have so much control now. But then again, no one's the same, so if you like oury's, I'm not knocking them. I like them too, but I'm loving these oury's now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jeffy j
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: February 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
fox creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$21.00
Strengths:
heaps easy to put on and take off, and a super feel
Weaknesses:
damn things wear away at the ends of the grip, and start to peel away. and their not really budget friendly, even though it is only $21
Similar Products Used:
no
Bike Setup:
avanti manic 04,
Bottom Line:
the actual rubber was disappointing but im not gonna complain, they dont feel that bad without grip :s
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn
a
from Ohio Date Reviewed: February 1, 2005
Screws strip! They are stainless (which is soft), and VERY hard to find. I've check w/ 4 different places, but no one carries a 3.4mm screw. As far as the hold, it's fine - really no great technology there, but make a better screw design!! i had to hacksaw mine off because they stripped out and weren't coming off any other way! peace
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wyatt Waro
a Weekend Warrior
from Kailua, Hawaii Date Reviewed: January 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Honolulu streets
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Grips don't slip! Easy to install and remove too! Diameter perfect for small to med. hands. Surface is comfortable and tacky. Easy to grip. Looks awesome!
Weaknesses:
Wears too quickly! My worn down near the ends of my palms. The outer layer is too thin and begins to peel. This happened for me after just 1 month of riding. Not enough cushioning for barehanded riding.
First of all, the lock-on part of this grip ROCKS! I have no complaint whatsoever! It's the Ruffian part. I loved the feel of these grips when I first grabbed em but after riding them I must say the Ruffians don't cut it for me. The feel is little too thin and hard for my liking. But the bigger issue for me is durability, and these things just don't last. I wouldn't buy them again. I'll be looking for another lock-on style grip in the future.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a
from California, USA Date Reviewed: September 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Pecan Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$21.00
Purchased At:
Ray's Cycles
Strengths:
- Easy to mount - Don't slip - Decent price - ODI
Weaknesses:
- Scews strip easy (I stripped one, be careful) - Clamps take a few tries to get on right
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
>Specialized P2 >Marzocchi Dirt Jumper III >E-Thirteen Bashguard >Gusset Single-Speed >ODI Ruffian Lockers >Maxxis Oriflamme 2.0 in the front >Maxxis High Roller Semi-Slick 2.3 pulling up the rear >No front brake 'cause I ate it and the rotor bent... hahah
Bottom Line:
Great product for a decent price. Be careful about tightening the bolts. Also, the grip pattern looks like it will wear quickly. Bottom Line: If you don't like your grips slipping, buy these (they haven't let me down yet).
Hardtail pride! -- and ride hard everyone, Joel
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything outdoors
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Lock on grips, won't budge- no matter what! Easy install, easy removal. Grips have thin walls so there's no mushy feel.
Weaknesses:
Difficult to use bar-ends, if you still do.
Similar Products Used:
other slip on grips
Bike Setup:
ODI lock-ons on my xc and fr bikes.
Bottom Line:
Get them, install them, forget about them! They are one of the best, low-cost upgrades you will ever make.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Downhiller
from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada Date Reviewed: June 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything on the shore
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Maple Ridge Cycle
Strengths:
-Great grip -Never Slips -Easy to put on and take off.
Great grips. Good Price. Last a long time. Never slip. Very light. BEST GRIPS GOIN! Recomended to freeriders n' dh'ers
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Simi Valley Date Reviewed: June 4, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything Going Downhill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$24.00
Purchased At:
Simi Cycling Center
Strengths:
Totally awesome they don't slip at all, very grippy surface area. Especially awesome if you wear gloves or have small hands like I do.They look great too. Great shock absorbtion. They are also a wider grip.
Weaknesses:
None that I have noticed, but the rubber compound is very soft so I'm guessing that they might wear out faster than normal grips.
Similar Products Used:
Standard Cannondale Grips, and grips shif grips
Bike Setup:
2003 Cannondale Jekyll 800 with almost a full XT drivetrain ninus the shifters those are deore.
Bottom Line:
These are an awesome grip and I would recommend them to and rider especially trail riders, downhillers and freeriders. I'd even reccomend them to a a cross-country rider obseesed with saving weight, because these grips barely weigh anything.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adrian
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: March 24, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Perfect grippy size and perfect grippy texture.
Weaknesses:
Yeah, the screws are kinda weak. Just make sure your wrench fits and pay attention when you torque 'em up.
Similar Products Used:
Serfas, other ODI (rogue?), Lizard Skins, various factory grips
Bike Setup:
FSR-XC & Homegrown hardtail
Bottom Line:
I never would have thought you could write a review on grips. C'mon, who really cares, right? It's all personal preference anyway. Wrong. These things are great. They're easy to install, absolutely don't move until you want 'em to, and the texture is perfect. Perfect. No weird bumps, no huge brand logos, no crazy colors that only look like poo after the first ride when they get dirty. Just black with a small diamond pattern. Never slip on the bar, never slip on the hand, so you never slip on your face. It's true, you can find a cheaper grip. But then you have to use it. I wish I had invented this damn thing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: October 31, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
thin, comfortable, with enough shock absorption.
Weaknesses:
wear out quick.
Bottom Line:
good grips but get a little gummy in the heat and then wear out too quick.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chuck Caffarella
a Cross Country Rider
from Sudbury, MA Date Reviewed: October 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Misery
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
123bikes.com
Strengths:
Excellent tactile sensitivity. Grippy. Thin, but cushion hard hits.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Several others that I safety wired on.
Bike Setup:
2004 Intense Spider - red, Progressive 5th Element Air, Fox F100X, full '03/'04 XTR with hydro and discs, Chris King Nothreadset (rasta), Thomson Elite stem and seatpost, Easton MonkeyLite bars with ODI Ruffian grips and lock jaws, WTB Laser V Ti saddle, M959 pedals, XTR M965 Wheelset, Continental Vertical Pro 2.3 UST tubeless front tire, Continental Explorer Pro 2.1 UST tubeless rear tire, Ringle skewers, Cateye Cordless 7.
Bottom Line:
Great grips. The lock-jaws in red look great. Easy to change, yet not going to slip off. No need to safety wire. Excellent feel and steering feedback. Thin and an excellent choice if you wear gloves. Only a light grip is necessary to effect control, especially on descents. Good tear resistance in a crash. Price is fair for such a great grip. Buy them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dirty Old Niige
a Racer
from NZ Date Reviewed: October 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Responsive to the movement of the front wheel. Grippy little buggars. Great Size for my Mitts. Good thin grips that dont tear after bailing thru a jump.
Weaknesses:
If only I had tried these earlier...
Similar Products Used:
None that lock themselves to the bar. Only ever used grip wire and castration rings before now
A little on the Pricey side but weighed againts the ease of useage and swapping grips along with the fact they dont move, Then cost is not an issue. Nice touch having Allen Bolts and Not grub screws. Super tacky when moisture gets between the glove and grip.Tough as nails but still stylie.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stephan
a Downhiller
from NH Date Reviewed: August 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anything on Drummer
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
-Grips are easy to put on and take off -No rotation -No messy hairspray or duct tape or soaking in water, or what-have-you to keep 'em in place -Sticky rubber compound on the grips is awesome -Small diameter = better feel
Weaknesses:
-Bolts are tiny -2-3x the price of normal grips
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Evil Imperial w/ Sherman Firefly
Bottom Line:
These grips kick ass. I hate putting grips on and taking them off. Hate it hate it hate it. I put off cutting down my bars to the proper width for 2 months because I didn't want to take the damn grips off, and then when I found that I would like them a little shorter, I said screw it. Grips suck - you'd thing in this day and age there'd be a better solution.
Guess what? There is! Snap on two clamps, slide the grips on the bar, and tighten the bolts down. Done in 5 seconds and it takes the same amount of time to remove 'em. If you are the torque-it-until-your-knuckles-crack type, you will strip the bolts, but you know what? YOU DON'T HAVE TO TIGHTEN THEM THAT HARD. Take a deep breath, grease up the bolts, and tighten them slowly until the grip won't twist anymore. It's not that hard. Also, don't do what the guy below did and use a wrong size allen wrench. If it fits, you'll know it - it will fill up the entire hole and you won't be able to wiggle it around. You'll strip any bolt if you use the wrong size wrench.
Also, the actual grips themselves are awesome. I've never ridden a set of grips that I actually liked - I'm mostly indifferent to them (hey, how much variation is there, really?). But these are very nice - the diamond pattern and soft rubber is very grippy and you don't have to have a strangle hold on them either. I'm sure the low profile is great if you have small hands but my hands aren't that small and I still think it's awesome (for reference, I wear a size large glove).
Bottom line is these grips are worth every penny. You only have to buy the clamps once (they sell just the grips for when they're worn out), and these will be going on every bike I own from now on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john b
a Weekend Warrior
from port hardy Date Reviewed: August 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
bear trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
the bike shed
Strengths:
sturdy grips that wont slip on u. sticky and hardpacked
Weaknesses:
bolts strip and theyll and plastic locks which clamps slide into will eventually bust off. I stripped the bolts on one side and am having hard time finding replacements. Hopefully odi will send me some since i e-mailed them. Dont use wrong allen key like I did, it may sound stupid as hell but its hard to tell if its really close and your tightening it up.
Similar Products Used:
odi rogues
Bike Setup:
vps-4 z3s profile crank
Bottom Line:
These are good grips but I agree that the metal for bolts is extremley soft, it doesnt strip that easily because its small. If people wreck grips cause of bolts theyll sell more so no wonder they put in soft metal, greedy sobs. Besides taht grip has good feel to it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bolinas
a
from Mill Valley CA USA Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
sponsor
Strengths:
Great if your going to get new bars often. I highly suggest freeriders and DH rides should get it and WTB grips
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Kona Stinky Dee-lux
Bottom Line:
Get these grips if you want high end grips
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Young
a Cross Country Rider
from USAFA, CO Date Reviewed: June 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Backside of Mount Herman
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
You slip them on, you tighten them down, they never let go.
Weaknesses:
Small weight sacrifice
Similar Products Used:
Oury
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper Comp, SID XC
Bottom Line:
These grips are the best, bar none. Wear gloves of course because they are not forgiving, but if you ride enough, you will appreciate that. I went from the cushy Ourys to these and I was amazed at the control I was missing out on. I will not ride another grip, ever.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Outside Boston Mass Date Reviewed: April 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pine Hill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$19.00
Purchased At:
Wheelworks
Strengths:
SUPER GRIPPY. These are simply awesome, they work in any conditions with or without gloves. I use them for Northshore, trials, trails, downhill and anyting else.
Weaknesses:
Little expensive and a little small. Sometimes the locks cause rotation.
These grips get the job done. They are only worth the cost if your are really going to wear 'em out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
zak
a Downhiller
from Boulder CO Date Reviewed: February 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
The Fix
Strengths:
They have a great texture They are super easy to put on They stay where you put them
Weaknesses:
Wear out too fast
Bottom Line:
These grips kick ass, you sould go buy some right now (If you need new grips)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Metropolis IL Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Massac Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Super easy to install, nice grip (got blisters from them cuz they grip so awesome) havent slipped on me yet, can change lock jaw clamps to differnt colors.
Weaknesses:
allen bolt strips like nuttin, kinda expensive for grips, lock jaw clamps are a pain to get on
Similar Products Used:
nuttin liked these and the only thing i will ever have guranteed
Bike Setup:
xtr setup, the fenders, disc
Bottom Line:
These r the sh*t best thing u will ever have, whoever invented these i am gonna have to give them a big hug. These things can fit any handle bar, wont slip, it grips your hand like nuttin. These are all the way. They say oury is so good, my dad has those (im only 13) those suck you basicaly have to have leather gloves to grip those like odi ruffians.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gonzostrike
a Downhiller
from Missoula, MT Date Reviewed: December 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
secret creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
various places
Strengths:
no grip rotation. easy to remove or apply on handlebar. can change grips while keeping same end caps. comes in GripShift sizes.
Weaknesses:
if you are a ham-fisted allen key user, you can strip the head of the end-cap binder bolt.
also, the grips can wear fast if you are the kind of rider who wears out grips from your frequent hand movements.
Similar Products Used:
WTB dual density; Yeti Hardcore; Bontrager Race; Oury; ODI Lock-On Rogue; ODI Lock-On Yeti Hardcore
Bike Setup:
use 'em on all 3 bikes -- K2 Brass Monkey, SC Bullit, Curtlo SS
Bottom Line:
excellent grip that stays in place -- no moto-grip action, won't rotate when you land drops or jumps. great for people who experiment with different bars/stems/brakes/shifters. can be used on any handlebar.
I love these grips. I used them for a while when ODI first released the Lock-On concept. Then I used Rogues, then the Yeti Hardcores. I'm switching back to the Ruffians for all my bikes. I've got smallish hands and this grip's small diameter is PERFECT for me. I love 'em. To those who complain about the binder bolts -- take it easy, make sure you seat the allen key all the way into the hex slot, and quit reefing on the darned things. They don't need a lot of pressure to hold them still. Good job, ODI!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from High Point Date Reviewed: December 17, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Never Slip, Easy install, grippy, good for people with more than one bike, and not alot of money (see explanation)
Weaknesses:
wear out quickly
Bike Setup:
Trek 8000 and Gt Show
Bottom Line:
These things are perfect for someone like me who rides two different styles of bikes, Flatland Freestyle and xc. Why? Because my grips on my GT wore out and I was too cheap to go out to buy more, so, i just slipped my odi's off my Trek and Voila! I rarely ride both bikes on the same day, so it is no prob to switch them. If you really like the way they grip (Which I must admit, they are butter for lack of a better term) try out the rogues as well, they are really nice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G Naz
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee, WI Date Reviewed: September 19, 2002
Favorite Trail:
East Side River Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Wheel & Sprocket
Strengths:
Stays put. Comfy. Doesn't rattle my hands, but isn't mushy either.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Pedro Slimwalls, stock Trek Grips.
Bike Setup:
'98 Trek 8000 with Marzocchi and other tasty bits 'n peices.
Bottom Line:
Only had them a bit of six months now, and so far they're great. I wear Fox Sidewinder gloves, which have pretty minimal padding, and they feel great with these fairly minimal grips. Then again I like having a sensitive feel on the bike, and hate mushy grips. You have to be a litte carefull when you install them, as the bolts are a little small. Be gentle and they'll be fine once they're on the bike. If you like thin firm grips and are sick of them sliding around, try these out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Tran
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
downtown
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
looks, never slip, great texture to grip.
Weaknesses:
they ware to damn easily, its wears even quicker if you dont wear gloves. the plastic is cheap!!! after 4 months or so... i snaped the grips right from the locks. bolts stip to easily
Similar Products Used:
other odi grips
Bike Setup:
pimped out Planet X New Jack Flash. Best bike $$$ can buy! Fox vanilla 80mm, some px componets, atomic lab componets/pedals, hope mini's, avid SD ultimates
Bottom Line:
they're nice ass grips, even when they are worn out, they grip pretty well. but once they snap, it's kinda hard to ride, feels like motocross! But i got them for free so i really cant complain
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cook
a
from London, Ontario Date Reviewed: June 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Works exactly as advertised. No movement at all. The ruffians look awesome and feel better.
Weaknesses:
They do wear quickly, but only on the top side, so as soon as it wears down to nothing, I'm just gonna flip them over and get double the life. So no problem here. I had heard about the soft bolt problem, so was carefull putting them on. No problem here either.
Bike Setup:
Burly HT
Bottom Line:
Get 'em. 4 stars for value (hey, you always want something to be cheaper right???) but 5 overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Woodlot Gold
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Package, Lock-jaws/grips, CDN $
Strengths:
Locks work for a while. Comfy. Grippy.
Weaknesses:
Lock jaws come loose, grip does not stay all the way tight (slight movement up/down). Wear way too fast. Clamp bolts strip if you look at them too hard.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Grips, Oury's, various others.
Bike Setup:
Shore hardtail, 40lbs of beef.
Bottom Line:
Pretty good. Need to be better.
My review is for the Intense Lock-On package, which came with the grips, clamps, and end-caps.
I'd heard all the hype, and since my grips were falling apart, I figured what the hell. They do work, for a time. Now my grip moves around because the plastic used to secure the grip is worn out. Cheap.
The bolts, don't get me started on these stupid things. It would NOT have been possible for them to use any softer a metal for these. Again, cheap... not to mention JUNK.
My question to ODI is: Do these wear fast enough? Mine started to wear down after a week. Looky looky, CHEAP.
When you expect me to pay damn near $20 for grips, they better be good. These have definately not lived up to that price tag, but for $10, I can't complain. Package came in at $25 bones, about $10 for the clamps, $10 for the grips, and $5 for the cheesy plastic end caps. I only use those because I don't like dirt in my bars. It adds weight, HAHAHA.
Overall pretty good, value rating of 1, because for the cheap pieces they give you, it's not worth the money. Overall rating is 3, because they actually do work alright, until they start moving around. I don't know about you guys, but I paid the money for these so my grips WOULDN'T move around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin !
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver Date Reviewed: February 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
lolah
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At:
Cove bike shop
Strengths:
good grip,lock ons really work.
Weaknesses:
bolts can strip very easily so you have to be careful wen puttin them on
Similar Products Used:
race face,serfas,yeti
Bike Setup:
2001 norco wolverine,wellgo flats,amoeba DH bar and lock ons
Bottom Line:
these grips r the best! go out and but em. but if you dont like hard grips get the rogues cuz they r a little bit more squishy
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Al Bino
a Downhiller
from Brussels Date Reviewed: December 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Todtnau
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Lock jaws are best invention in years!
Weaknesses:
Ruffian grip wear really quickly and is very hard
Similar Products Used:
lock jaw intense, lock jaw with thicker rubber
Bike Setup:
Intense M1 w shivers Dmr Sidekick w Z1 Dropoffs
Bottom Line:
There should be a law to oblige erveryone to buy Lock jaws, only not the ruffian grip, take the other grips
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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