Release | Review
Renthal Ultra Tacky Push-On Grips
Renthal Ultra Tacky
I have a lot of experience with Renthal grips. I've been running the Lock-On Kevlar grips for a couple of years now, I've tested the mean lock-on Traction grips in three compounds and they were the first grip I thought of for my transition from locking grips back to glue-and-wire.
I like Renthal's Kevlar compound when it's fresh, love it at about 80% and totally lust for it at the half-life. For riders who prefer to go without gloves and simply want the most grip available or who don't have the patience to break-in a set of grips, Renthal also sells a Super Tacky version of their locking grips. As of this week, that same super Ultra Tacky version is available for folks who prefer the push-on option - like Cécile Ravanel, Danny Hart, and me.
Danny Hart riding the Ultra Tacky version of the Renthal push-on grip. Photo: Nathan Hughes
Push-On
When I was working on my piece Ditch Your Lock On-Grips, with its focus on gaining space and comfort out of a grip with the same overall dimensions as my favourite locking model, Renthal sent over the Ultra Tacky push-on version to compare against the Kevlar. The push-ons are double grooved for wiring in addition to glue so wire them I did and I've been riding them for a couple months.
Not-Danny-Hart AKA Andrew riding the Ultra Tacky version of the Renthal push-on grip.
The Ultra Tacky grips are even stickier, wet or dry, than a 50% worn pair of Renthal Kevlars. How much stickier? Put a piece of Gorilla Tape on one side of your private bits and a piece of Yellow Stan's tape on the other, now... you're a total sucker with tape on your private bits. Seriously, who would do that?
Suffice it to say that the Ultra Tacky Renthal grips are the grippiest grips I've ever come across. I've ridden the same compound on the lock-on Traction grips but the push-on version is more comfortable while conforming nicely to my digits thanks to the absence of a hard plastic core.
The Renthal Ultra Tacky Push-On is the grippiest grip I've gripped.
I'm going to guess they'll last 1/5th as long as a set of Renthal Kevlar push-on grips, and that may be unfair to the Kevlar models, but at 16 USD and a bit of time to glue and wire them it's not exactly breaking the bank given how good these grips are when the trail points downward.
Prefer a wider grip? Choice is chief. Prefer a grip in the 28mm width range? They're ultra comfy and they dominated EWS 2017 (with, you know, some help from Cecile Ravanel).
They are not long for this world, feel like tree sap against bare palms, leave flecks of rubber on my hands that then stick to everything I touch, they take a touch of effort to install and I f***ing love them.
For more information check 'em out here.
Comments
grimwood
6 years, 2 months ago
I love the quick write ups on the, often over looked, bits of the bike! Quick question. Are all the push on grips 28 mm in diameter? Any chance you know the diameter of the Renthal lock on grips too? Thanks!
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
The 28mm is my measurement and the Kevlar and Tacky push-ons are both the same width.
The lock-ons are 30.5mm.
Both grips are the same length but the push-ons feel much longer as they have an extra 20mm of rubber vs. locking clamps.
Cheers!
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Dirtlovinroadie
6 years, 2 months ago
WANT! I cant find these anywhere. Suggestions?
Thx
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
Where are you located? I’m happy to ask Renthal about stockists.
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Dirtlovinroadie
6 years, 2 months ago
North Van
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
I know the guys at Obsession stock Renthal stuff - Cycles Lambert distributes so your preferred dealer should have no problem acquiring them!
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
Cycles Lambert isn’t listing the part yet so Lou @ Obsession will drop them a line and figure out what’s up. I’d like to pick up another pair myself.
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Tom1111
6 years, 2 months ago
I have been playing with push on grips since reading your ditch your lock on grips article. It gave me a reason to experiment with stuff without spending a fortune. I have put some of these ultra tacky grips onto my main bike and they do feel really good to the touch (although I haven't got out on that bike yet). I also found an old set of Kevlar ones that I have put on my rigid bike that I have been using. I am enjoying the push on Renthals with no complaints but I have been wondering what a slight thicker version would feel like, I was thinking about experimenting with a layer of gorilla tape under the grip.
I liked the smaller outer diameter of the bar end plug on the newer grips so they Don't dig into your hand but did you find the plug for the bar a bit too small? I had to wrap a good chunk of electrical tape around it to keep it central when tight.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
My experiences running the Chester grips from RaceFace does occasionally make me wonder how the Renthal grips would feel slightly wider. I have a buddy who used to run double sided tape under his grips (ram them on quick with a compressor). If you decide to do it let me know how it goes.
For the poster above, where did you find your Ultra Tacky push-on grips?
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
Oh, had same experience with the plug. Few wraps of tape needed on both my bars.
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Metacomet
6 years, 2 months ago
I've been running the kevlar push-on's for about two months on my fatbike and enjoying them quite a bit, but have also wondered about a larger diameter version. I'd really love to see the traction pattern be available in push-on in the kevlar and super tacky compounds. I started looking at the Kevlar/dual compound push-on Road grips, as they are 32mm diameter, but run about $30 and no idea if the inner diameter is the same as a mtb grip, since throttle and all that. I'm not minding the 28mm diameter at all really, but these might be worth a shot for certain applications, like the park where more cushion could be welcome, or the fatbike/winter where more insulation from the bar could be beneficial. I really like the idea of using dual sided tape as well! Should make it possible to remove the grips without having to cut them off, while still preventing any slipping.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 2 months ago
I’d love to try the Ultra Tacky Traction model in a push-on as well. If it had the tenacious sloppy-weather grip of the Traction with the extra width and squish of the Push-On... Yum.
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chachmonkey
6 years, 2 months ago
I'm not sure how much it actually increases the diameter, but I've been putting a layer of clear packing tape under my push-on grips, and I really like it. I saw a video that claimed that push-on grips don't stick as well to the shot-peened (or bead blasted or whatever) surface of aluminum bars, so a layer of packing tape (sticky side goes against the bar) helps the grips stick better. Then I just use some rubbing alcohol to get the grips on. It's worked really well for me so far. I used to get grips to rotate sometimes, but now they stay put, even without wire for backup. On the other hand, I weigh 135 and ride in super dry Southern California, so people in the NW might still need the wire. You could probably put a few layers of tape to increase the diameter.
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Tom1111
6 years, 2 months ago
I am in the UK, they have been out for a couple of weeks with the UK distributor.
I might have to go and have a play with the gorilla tape now, whilst the idea is in my head!
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Endur-Bro
5 years, 7 months ago
Will brass snare wire work to tie push on grips to a bar?
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Andrew Major
5 years, 7 months ago
I haven’t tried brass but I’d guess it would work as long is it’s a heavy enough gauge.
I’ve just been using stainless steel snare wire. I prefer working with a bit thinner 22-gauge but after breaking it a couple times in crashes I’ve switched to 20-gauge.
I still twist it with pliers but it is much harder to work with. Much stronger though.
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