ODI Emig V2 Lock-On MX (2014) Grip

(discontinued)

Review and Photos by Michael Lindsay

Grips used to be a simple purchase on my part. I'd just grab a pair of half-waffle grips off the shelf and I was good to go. Personally, I would snag the hardest compound, just so I didn't have to change them as often. But in more recent times, I've grown fairly picky and prefer the softest compounds I can wrap my fingers around. Sadly, this often means I'm changing grips at a rapid rate, and even the smallest tip over can ruin a set.

ODI's lock-on grips are quite popular amongst the mountain bike community, but have only recently caught on with the moto crew since they introduced their V2 moto grip. With the help of Jeff Emig, they've also added a different pattern and design that carries his name. With their simple installation process, I decided it was time give them a shot to see if they could end some of my current grip woes.

ODI Emig V2 Lock-On Grip features:

• No grip glue required.
• Grip ends knockout for hand guard installation.
• Includes three throttle cams to allow for a wide range of applications.
• Only available in a half-waffle pattern.
• Available in seven different color combinations.
• MSRP $24.95

First Impressions

Once I decided on a color option (there are seven available), I opened my first package. As you can guess by the pictures, these grips come pre-installed on plastic tubes to cover each end of the bars. The throttle side uses removable throttle cams, so they can be interchanged based on the model. One comes already installed, and there are two others included in the package. Make sure to select the one you need. Instillation for the throttle tube is just as it would be with a normal tube. You first set the cables on the cam, cover them with the two-piece throttle housing, and then tighten them down to secure it to the handlebar.

The left side grip comes on its own tube, which has a small Allen screw towards the inside. Once the grip is on the handlebar and the position set, you tighten the Allen screw tightly to lock it down on the bar. All-in-all, these grips can be installed in around five minutes and allow you to ride immediately. No glue or safety wire required.

On the Track

As I mentioned before, I'm extremely picky with grips. The main reason for this is my hand size (I blame my overall size on my mother's side of the family...). I typically wear a small glove and even an x-small in some brands, to give you an idea of what I'm working with. So my biggest problem with some newer grips is their overall diameter, which can be a tad bit too big and makes it quite hard to wrap my fingers around comfortably.

As soon as I put the Emigs on, I noticed that the left side grip matches the size of the throttle side. This I didn't mind, but as you can imagine the overall size of both of the grips are a bit larger due to their design. This wasn't to my thrill, but was fairly manageable. The grips themselves offer a unique half-waffle design that's relatively small, only covering the area where your fingers touch but leaves a gap for your thumb. This makes them quite natural to wrap your hand around and continue to hang onto during a moto. The actual compounds are fairly tacky but have a harder base than a soft compound grip. After a few long motos, I found that this combination left my hands in great shape. Mostly, I was impressed with the half-waffle design, which wasn’t intrusive and didn't leave any unusual wear or marks on my palms and fingers.

Long-Term Durability

I've had these grips on a few different bikes this year, and they've all been tough as nails. The main area you wrap your palm around has held up extremely well and barely shows any signs of wear, even after weeks of use. The grip ends also have been outstandingly tough. Now I've had one grip slightly tear after a few spills, but no major chunks or structural damage have been incurred by the grip or the tubes inside. About the only thing I have noticed is some slight discoloration on certain color schemes.

The Last Word

The fact that these grips don't require any glue or safety wire is a massive plus. They're tough, durable, and fairly tacky, but still fall short in a few ways. First off, they're only available in a half-waffle design, with no other designs available. Also, the pricing is a tad bit higher than most grips on the market, but this is offset by the fact you don't have to purchase grip glue or some other adhesive compound. Lastly, the slightly larger feel may not work for some riders. With something as important as grips, even the smallest change can upset a rider. Overall however, the ease of installation and grip vs. wear makes these an excellent choice that I'd recommend you at least try once to see what you personally think.

Vital MX Rating

Check out ODIgrips.com to see where you can get your hands on a pair (literally).

About the Test Rider