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The DeathGrips in thick soft are the best I’ve found. But I suspect old school wired/glued grips may be comfier still. So what’s most similar?
Somewhere around 31-32mm thick - not a fan of skinny grips. And preferably BLACK!
I found DeathGrips way too hard, Race face Good n Evil, 32mm and nice and squishy.
Odi longneck are thick and non lock on
I used to have Good N Evils and really like them - but I think they’re discontinued now. Just a few whites in stock.
Longnecks look a bit thin if the numbers are correct...
Anyone tried Lizard Skins Charger Evo push-on?
Deathgrip come o hard and soft (and even softer race). The soft are definitely softer than the Raceface Half Nelson
Renthal Super Tacky push on grips are supposed to be amazing but I've not seen anyone online stockingt hem
ESI chunky grips are 32mm if you like that sort of thing, there are a few UK stockists. They also do an extra chunky
I have some Bontragher Race X lite foam grips which measure at 32mm and are a bit softer than ESI, but they don't seem to be available at the mo. They need gluing on, I have found ESI ones don't.
ETA I have standard Death Grips also, they feel softer for the first mm or so but once you have squished the knobs/ridges, they are quite hard.
I think any of the foam or ESI grips will be too soft and slippery, especially as I ride both with and without gloves and perspire enthusiastically!
I've used the Lizard Skin Charger push ons on all my bikes for the last few years. Dead comfy and cheap as chips.
The Bonty ones have quite a rough texture, they are my faves over the ESI ones for that reason. But not as grippy as ridged rubbery stuff.
I used to have Good N Evils and really like them – but I think they’re discontinued now. Just a few whites in stock.
Cheers for the heads up.
Renthal MTB/ATV grips are nice- half waffle and not so soft that they go all soapy and gooey when it's hot. They're grey though, not black.
I've been using ESI extra chunkys on my hardtail for a little while now. I think they are amazing! Done a couple of decent rides with chattery downhills, and the damping effect is very noticeable. Unlike Chief I don't ride sans gloves, so don't have to worry about slipperiness when sweating (which mainly occurs via my head anyway!) so can't comment on that aspect. I've not had the pleasure of taking them off yet, but have just bought some isopropyl alcohol which I believe will help if the need arises, plus it's meant to be great for cleaning disc brakes. Oh, and to fit them I used zip ties through the grip, then pulled them out when in position, and they seem absolutely rock solid on my carbon bars.
I have some ODI Vapours and some Renthal Super Tacky Push On's, the Renthals are great but they are not very thick, I quite like them on the big bike. The Vapours are on my rigid 29er where the extra cushion is appreciated, they are great without gloves and remain grippy when sweaty (like the Renthals tbh). I would happily recommend either, the Renthals are cheap which is nice!
Oury.
32mm and as soft as kittens. Not dead ones though.
S&M Hoder grips.
Made by ODI and 31.5mm
Oury could be good. Also Rogue MTB/ATV. Hoder grips’ 160mm length wouldn’t work because my brakes are only 20mm inboard of my DeathGrips, but otherwise they look great.
The occasional gloveless riding came about from commuting on the MTB and realising that DeathGrips worked with bare hands. Some years back I forgot my gloves on a ride and couldn’t work out why my hands were slipping all over the place - I think I had Lizard Skins Logo grips then which are barely textured.
OK these have single lock-on collar and while WTB Padloc may be quite stupid idea for most people it really allows WTB to make the grips softer at the end. WTB has several options (28-33mm) for grip diameter and couple of different textures. I have two pairs - Commander 30mm which does not work on sweaty hands without gloves and some thicker Phoenix -branded (Pivot) grips which work reasonably well with in all conditions.
I was vaguely open to the Padloc idea until I started watching WTB’s “how to cut your bars” video. OMFG the hassle!!!
I do have a bit of a dilemma on the bar width front. The DeathGrips add 10mm total which I like but will I lose that with all the push-on grips?
Cutting the bar is indeed a hassle but shops which have the guide thing can do it in few minutes.
I did not think much of the Padloc concept but bike came with it installed and I then found that it works quite well with problems on my right palm.