Silicone construction eliminates the lock-on clamp entirely. The Chunky from ESI slides onto your bars using rubbing alcohol as installation lubricant, then stays put through grip pressure alone once the alcohol evaporates. That slip-on design saves 20 to 30 grams compared to grips with aluminum clamps, and the bar plugs that ship with these grips protect your bar ends if you go down.

The 32mm diameter puts this grip in the middle of ESI's range. It absorbs more vibration than their thin Racer's Edge model but keeps you closer to the bar than the 34mm Extra Chunky. The silicone material dampens high-frequency buzz from rough trail surfaces differently than rubber compound grips. Instead of using texture for traction, the silicone stays tacky when your hands sweat and maintains grip in wet conditions without getting slippery.

The material resists UV damage and temperature extremes without hardening or cracking. You can clean silicone grips with rubbing alcohol or acetone when they get grimy, which breaks down rubber grips. The silicone gradually conforms to your hand shape and grip position over time. Installation requires inserting the bar plugs first, then applying rubbing alcohol to both the inside of the grip and your handlebar. The grip slides on easily while wet and locks in place as the alcohol dries.... Read More