The best MTB grips 2026 are not necessarily the softest or the thickest. A good grip should let the front tyre communicate without forcing the hands to clamp down, stay secure when the bar is wet and match the rider’s hand size. On an eMTB, those details become more obvious because long descents, repeated braking and extra bike mass can magnify hand fatigue.
This guide covers ten current lock-on options, and every pick has a distinct reason to exist: from the £9.99 Oxford Driver to the broad OneUp Thick. The aim is not to find one grip that suits everyone, but to match diameter, shape and texture to the rider and the trails.
For most riders, diameter and shape matter more than brand. Smaller hands usually get better brake control from a slim grip; larger hands may relax more on a fuller profile. Texture should also match gloves and conditions rather than simply looking aggressive.
The best MTB grips 2026 shortlist
DMR DeathGrip 2 — £19.99 (RRP £24)
Oxford Driver Lock-On — £9.99 (RRP £14.99)
Giant Tactal Double Lock-On — £16.79 (RRP £19.99)
Trek Line Elite Lock-On — £17 (RRP £20)
Burgtec Bartender Pro — £21.59 (RRP £23.99)
Ergon GA2 — £22.98 (RRP £27.99)
Race Face Grippler — £24 (RRP £26)
ODI Elite Pro V2.1 — £25.19 (RRP £27.99)
Peaty’s Monarch Pro — £27 (RRP £30)
OneUp Components Thick Lock-On — £22 (RRP £25)
DMR DeathGrip 2 is our overall pick, while Oxford Driver Lock-On is the budget recommendation. The remaining choices solve different fit, terrain and workshop needs rather than padding the list.
The best MTB grips 2026
DMR DeathGrip 2
Best MTB grips 2026 overall
£19.99 (RRP £24)
DMR’s second-generation DeathGrip remains the easiest recommendation here because it balances a soft, confidence-building surface with a shape that does not demand a cockpit rethink. The mushroom section cushions the palm, the waffle gives the fingers something positive to pull against and the knurled zones keep feedback clear when the trail turns rough.
Thick and thin diameters make it easier to match hand size, while the single inboard clamp leaves the outer edge comfortable when the hand drifts wide. On a heavier eMTB, that combination matters: the grip feels secure under braking without forcing a death-grip on the bar.
The softer compounds will wear faster under frequent uplift or year-round grit, and riders who want a strongly shaped ergonomic platform should look to the Ergon instead.
Pros
Excellent balance of comfort and control
Two diameters suit different hand sizes
Huge colour choice
Cons
Soft rubber can wear relatively quickly
Specifications
Diameter: Thick or thin options
Fixing: Single inboard lock-on clamp
Pattern: Mushroom, knurl and waffle zones
Best for: All-round trail and eMTB riding
Oxford Driver Lock-On
Best budget MTB grips
£9.99 (RRP £14.99)
Oxford’s Driver is proof that replacing tired grips need not become a premium cockpit project. Its dual-profile rubber gives the palm a broader cushioned zone and the fingers a more pronounced traction area, which is far more useful on wet UK rides than a decorative pattern with no direction.
The lock-on format also removes the twisting and creeping that can plague cheap push-on grips. That makes the Driver particularly sensible for a commuter-trail eMTB, a family bike or a first mountain bike that still has hard original grips.
Rubber feel and clamp finishing are more basic than on the DMR, ODI or OneUp, and there is no choice of diameter for fine-tuning fit.
Pros
Outstanding value
Secure lock-on fit
Useful wet-weather pattern
Cons
Only one main shape and diameter
Specifications
Bar fit: 22.2mm MTB handlebars
Fixing: Lock-on
Surface: Dual-profile all-weather pattern
Best for: Budget replacements and mixed riding
Giant Tactal Double Lock-On
£16.79 (RRP £19.99)
The Tactal takes a reassuringly traditional route: a full 135mm platform, aluminium lock rings at both ends and raised horizontal ribs through the main contact area. It is not trying to mould the hand into one position; it simply provides a predictable surface that stays put.
That suits hard-charging trail riders and eMTB owners who are more concerned about a grip rotating in wet weather than shaving a few grams. Giant’s polymer remains comfortable enough for bare hands but is at its best with gloves, where the ribs give the fingertips a distinct edge to hook into.
A second outer clamp reduces the completely soft edge available on single-clamp grips, so riders who hang a little finger over the end may prefer the DeathGrip or ODI.
Pros
Very secure double-clamp design
Good value
Predictable ribbed surface
Cons
Outer lock ring can be felt by edge-of-bar riders
Specifications
Length: 135mm
Fixing: Dual aluminium lock rings
Surface: Raised horizontal ribs
Best for: Secure, conventional lock-on feel
Trek Line Elite Lock-On
Best understated all-rounder
£17 (RRP £20)
Trek’s Line Elite is the quiet all-rounder in this list. Its tread is designed to add cushioning where the palm loads the bar and firmer purchase where the fingers wrap underneath, without a dramatic wing or oversized profile.
That makes it a straightforward replacement for worn original grips on a trail bike or eMTB. It also works well for riders who move between bikes and do not want every cockpit to have a completely different hand position. The lock-on construction keeps installation simple and repeatable.
It does not offer the standout softness of the Peaty’s or the obvious ergonomic support of the Ergon, so specialist needs are better served elsewhere.
Pros
Neutral shape suits many riders
Easy installation
Balanced cushioning and feedback
Cons
Less distinctive than specialist comfort grips
Specifications
Fixing: Lock-on
Pattern: Comfort and traction zones
Use: Trail and eMTB
Best for: Simple, neutral cockpit upgrades
Burgtec Bartender Pro
Best slim gravity grip
£21.59 (RRP £23.99)
The Bartender Pro keeps the rubber profile relatively slim and uses a tapered core so the grip does not feel like a hard plastic tube wrapped in a token layer of compound. Its fine surface pattern is aimed at consistent contact rather than deep cushioning.
A 7075 aluminium collar and stainless hardware give it the durable, serviceable feel expected from a gravity component. Riders who brake hard and prefer the bar to feel close to the fingers will appreciate that directness, particularly with gloves.
This is not the obvious answer for sore palms or large hands, and the slim profile passes more trail feedback than the OneUp or ODI.
Pros
Direct bar feel
Durable clamp hardware
Good gloved control
Cons
Too firm and slim for some comfort-first riders
Specifications
Fixing: Single 7075 aluminium collar
Hardware: Stainless-steel bolt
Core: Tapered
Best for: Slim, direct gravity control
Ergon GA2
Best for wrist comfort
£22.98 (RRP £27.99)
Ergon’s GA2 is shaped rather than simply round, but it avoids the large paddle of a touring grip. The slightly fuller outer section supports the hand through long descents and seated eMTB miles, while the texture remains slim enough to let the front tyre communicate through the bar.
That makes it especially useful for riders who finish rough rides with tired palms or tingling fingers but do not want to lose the direct control of a proper trail grip. The single clamp also leaves a soft outer edge and allows the angle to be tuned before tightening.
The shape needs to be rotated carefully during setup; if the support sits too high it can load the wrist instead of helping it.
Pros
Supportive without a touring-style paddle
Comfortable on long descents
Soft outer edge
Cons
Needs careful rotational setup
Specifications
Fixing: Single lock-on clamp
Shape: Subtle ergonomic taper
Use: Trail, all-mountain and eMTB
Best for: Long-ride hand comfort
Race Face Grippler
Best diameter choice
£24 (RRP £26)
The Grippler earns its place by making diameter choice explicit. The 30mm version keeps steering quick and suits smaller hands; the 33mm version fills the palm and can reduce how tightly larger-handed riders need to squeeze on repeated rough descents.
Race Face combines a directional underside pattern with a more comfortable palm surface, then uses dual lock rings to keep the grip stable. Channels are intended to move moisture away rather than leave one slick contact patch, which is welcome on sweaty summer climbs as well as wet winter laps.
The dual-clamp layout is less forgiving at the very end of the bar, and choosing the wrong diameter can make an otherwise good grip feel immediately awkward.
Pros
Two meaningful diameter options
Secure fit
Good moisture management
Cons
Outer collar is not as soft as single-clamp designs
Specifications
Diameters: 30mm or 33mm
Fixing: Dual lock-on collars
Pattern: Moisture-shedding directional texture
Best for: Dialling fit by hand size
ODI Elite Pro V2.1
Best padded performance grip
£25.19 (RRP £27.99)
ODI places a raised ergonomic pad beneath the palm and a half-waffle under the fingertips. The result is more targeted than simply making the whole grip thick: pressure points gain material, while the finger area stays defined enough for braking and pulling through compressions.
At 130mm it fits modern cockpits without excessive length, and the single-clamp V2.1 system leaves the outer end uninterrupted. It is a strong choice for riders who want to calm high-frequency vibration from stiff carbon bars or a heavy eMTB front end but still ride aggressively.
The pronounced pad can feel unfamiliar during the first ride, and the price sits above several equally secure but less sculpted options.
Pros
Excellent palm support
Positive finger traction
Soft outer edge
Cons
Raised pad takes a little acclimatisation
Specifications
Length: 130mm
Fixing: V2.1 single-clamp lock-on
Pattern: Ergonomic palm pad and half-waffle
Best for: Targeted cushioning
Peaty’s Monarch Pro
On review: tunable trail comfort
£27 (RRP £30)
The Monarch Pro is currently on review at Electric MTB UK, so this entry is informed by hands-on testing while the longer-term verdict is still being formed. Peaty’s combines super-soft 15A rubber across the palm-facing upper half and inner flange with a firmer 30A Duralite compound beneath the fingers and around the bar end.
A cutaway channel in the tapered core allows a deeper layer of soft rubber beneath the palm, with the aim of reducing trail chatter without simply making the entire grip larger. Thin and Thick diameters cover 30–32mm and 32–34mm respectively, while Mushroom and Knurl patterns let riders prioritise cushioning or more direct control.
Long-term wear and all-season performance are still being assessed, so the final Electric MTB UK review verdict may refine this recommendation.
Pros
Dual-compound construction
Two diameters and two patterns
Cutaway core adds palm cushioning
Cons
Long-term durability verdict still pending
Specifications
Diameters: Thin 30–32mm or Thick 32–34mm
Patterns: Mushroom or Knurl
Compounds: 15A upper / 30A Duralite lower
Grip area: 130mm
OneUp Components Thick Lock-On
Best for large hands
£22 (RRP £25)
OneUp’s Thick grip uses an oval 35 x 32.5mm profile rather than a uniformly oversized cylinder. The palm gains a broad support area, while the front-to-back dimension stays manageable when reaching the brake lever. A small palm bulge and carefully placed ridges add support without creating a touring-style wing.
For larger hands, that fuller shape can reduce the tendency to clamp the bar too tightly on long, rough eMTB descents. The 20A compound is soft and the 138mm length gives room to move hand position during a ride.
At a claimed 144g it is not the lightest grip, and riders with short fingers may find the thick profile makes brake reach feel longer unless the levers are adjusted.
Pros
Excellent support for large hands
Soft compound
Long usable grip area
Cons
Can feel too large for small hands
Specifications
Profile: Oval 35 x 32.5mm
Length: 138mm
Compound: 20A
Claimed weight: 144g
How to choose the best mtb grips 2026
Start with diameter. A grip that is too thick makes the brake lever feel farther away and can tire short fingers. A grip that is too thin asks a large hand to curl tightly around the bar. If you are unsure, the DMR’s thin option or a neutral 30–32mm grip is a safe baseline.
Single-clamp designs leave a soft outer edge and suit riders who hold the end of the bar. Dual clamps feel exceptionally planted but create a firmer ring beneath an outside finger. Neither system is automatically better; hand position decides.
Do not try to solve every comfort problem with rubber. Check brake-lever reach and angle, handlebar roll, suspension setup and tyre pressure. The best MTB grips 2026 can reduce pressure points, but they cannot compensate for a cockpit that forces the wrists into an awkward angle.
Frequently asked questions: the best MTB grips 2026
Are lock-on grips better for mountain biking?
For most trail and eMTB riders, yes. A correctly tightened lock-on grip resists twisting in rain and can be removed without cutting it. Push-on grips can be lighter, but installation and wet-weather security depend more on preparation.
Should I choose thick or thin MTB grips?
Choose by hand size and brake reach. Thin grips suit smaller hands and give direct feedback. Thick grips can reduce clenching for larger hands, but may make controls feel farther away.
How tight should grip bolts be?
Use the manufacturer’s stated torque and a suitable small torque wrench. Grip collars use small bolts that are easy to strip, while overtightening can damage a carbon handlebar.
Why do my hands go numb on an eMTB?
Common causes include gripping too hard, excessive tyre pressure, poorly angled brake levers, a stiff suspension setup and pressure concentrated in one part of the palm. Grips are one part of the solution.
Verdict
The DMR DeathGrip 2 is the best MTB grips 2026 overall choice because it offers two diameters, a proven mix of cushioning and finger traction, and a comfortable single-clamp edge at a sensible price.
Spend less on the Oxford Driver if the priority is simply replacing worn grips securely. Choose the Ergon GA2 for subtle wrist support, ODI for a targeted palm pad or OneUp Thick when large hands need more material. Fit and control should decide the winner, not colour matching.