MARIN BEAR PAW GRIPS REVIEW

Words & Photos by Robert Johnston

Marin has a growing collection of budget-friendly components alongside their bike lineup, including the Bear Paw Locking grips. These are the thinner of the two grips they offer, featuring some purposeful design to increase traction and comfort on the bar. We’ve been running a set in rotation for quite some time now, and they’ve been a very solid performer. Read on to learn all about them.

ABOUT THE MARIN BEAR PAW LOCKING GRIP

As the thin grip in the Marin Bikes components lineup with a diameter of 29.75mm, the Bear Paw Locking Grip is designed for riders with smaller hands or a thinner grip preference. The bulk of the grip surface features a raised Bear Paw blocking pattern to add extra traction and comfort. Further boosting natural traction on the bar is the raised half waffle pattern, designed to sit under the fingertips.

The Marin Bear Paw Locking Grip uses a single inner alloy lock ring on each size, secured with a 3mm allen key. This makes installation easier, and allows the rider’s hand to sit all the way towards the outside of the 135mm total length. The Bear Paw grips are available in a choice of Black, Grey or Blue, and retail at $20/£17 for a pair.

THE DIRT

Grips have a tough job when it comes to pleasing my hands. I can deal with riding most grips, but I love a thinner diameter for the increased control and feeling it offers me on the bars. Simply being thin isn’t good when it comes to comfort and traction though, so some clever design is needed to make the best out of limited thickness between the bar and grip surface.

Marin opted to go ultra-thin on the main layer of rubber around the core, and rely on the raised bear paw patterning and the half-waffle to add some rubber thickness. The result is reasonable comfort and traction without adding much to the overall diameter. The rubber compound Marin used is fairly middle-of-the-road in terms of durometer, striking a balance between comfort and durability. They’re not the stickiest or most “cushy” out there, but acceptably soft for most to run them happily. Gloved riders will likely prefer them to gloveless because of this.

The waffle shape feels good under the fingertips to input little adjustments into the bars and avoid having to grip onto them for dear life. Compared to your typical thin grip, they’re impressively grippy when it gets wet too, thanks to the plentiful edges of the bear paw patterning.

The integrated rubber bar ends have begun to look a little worse for wear following a couple of clipped trees and laying the bike down on its side numerous times. There’s no hard plastic core underneath, so a regular bar end will have to be added should the integrated rubber fall off. The rest of the rubber has been holding up well, as you’d expect from its medium compound.

The Wolf’s Last Word

I like the Marin Bear Paw Locking Grips for gloved riding, thanks to their thin diameter but smartly selected raised sections that add some comfort and traction. I’d love to see these in an extra-soft compound to make them even friendlier for gloveless riding.

Price: $20/£17
Website: marinbikes.com

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