Normally, a person would review one product at a time, but I’m doing two today, because I’m real clever and also because I do what I like. Day-to-day I ride two different grips, and these are the two, the ODI Elite Pro Lock-On grips and the ODI F-1 Series Dread Lock V2.1. Each grip has its mood, its time and its place.
The two are very different, quite possibly diametrical opposites.
The Dread Lock is soft and smooth. I first got them when I felt my hands were taking a beating and needed just a little bit more cushion. They’re Tinker Juarez’s signature grip, and I’ve always loved Tinker, so I got them on a flyer and have really enjoyed them. The emphasis is really on comfort, and I think the soft-but-not-too-softness of the Dread Lock makes them a winner.
The Elite Pros go hard in the other direction. They’re tacky rubber with amazing grip. If the Dread Locks are good for long rides or everyday use, the Elite Pros are about maximum control. The more technical terrain I take on, the more I want that sureness in my grips and the precision it brings to my handling. The rubber is hard, tacky, and it has lots of texture, including places to put each finger. If you like that sort of thing, these are definitely your kinda thing.
We talk all the time about the right tire for a given terrain, or for specific weather, but I think grips are worth considering in the same way. In fact, it’s easier to swap a pair of lock-on grips than it is a set of tubeless tires. So, grab your 3mm hex key and get to hot-swapping your grips.
The Elite Pros come in six colors, black, red, army green, graphite, navy blue and Yeti-Turquoise. They are $29.95.
The ODI F-1 Series Dread Lock V2.1 come in three colors, black, blue and graphite. They are $32.95.