GET A GRIP: Why Deity Grips Continue To Be Our Favorites

Year on year, Deity Grips are Thunder Mountain’s favorites. Here’s why.

You always hear that contact points are the most important consideration when it comes to bike comfort and rider feel. Makes sense: the places where your bike touches your body have the highest potential for hot spots, abrasion, and discomfort.

Of the trifecta of contact points, saddle is always the first concern (’cause yeah, soft parts), pedals and shoes are next (foot pain sucks), and bars and hands (i.e. grips) are often overlooked.

Bike grips might seem like picking the color of a bow after wrapping a present, but that couldn’t be farther from the reality.

“If you’ve ever had hot spots on your hands, pain or numbness, or arm pump, they can all be traced back to the grips on your bike,” says Silas Hesterberg, Global Sales Manager at Deity Components.

Grip circumference, shape, texture, rubber compound, and even smaller details like attachment points and interior construction, can help make the difference between the trails hammering your hands (and the ensuing arm/shoulder/neck/back aches) and you flowing effortlessly and comfortably through the landscape.

So why do Thunder Mountain Bikes’ staff and customers continually return to Deity grips for Sedona terrain?

In a word (or three): Attention to detail.

Deity has just four grips, but they cover the cross-section of rider size and styles. The biggest factor is grip circumference—or how big around it feels and fits in the hand. The thinner the grip, the more responsiveness and trail feel. The thicker the grip, the more cushion.

“It’s not like the right thickness makes you ride better,” says Eric Porter, pro rider and friend of TMB who stumbled on Deity in 2016. “Thin is the race car and thick is the 4x4. Pick your weapon.”

Porter started a partnership with Deity in 2022, but he has been riding the Deity's gear for six years of his own choosing. He says, “I have turned down sponsorship deals with a full range of equipment for years because I wanted Deity. That’s how good the gear is.”

From thin and sporty to thick and cushy, Deity's Mountain Bike Grip lineup breaks down like this:

Deity SlimFit Grips The thinnest in the line at 30.5mm, the SlimFit uses Deity’s TRC+ compound, which is notably stickier and grippier than the competition, though still infused with Kevlar for durability. The full micro-diamond grip pattern provides tactile control, as well more support than the circumference suggests. “These were my choice for years because I like to ride gloveless, and they let me have a looser grip and better bike feel,” says Porter. Also good for kids and anyone with small hands.

Deity SlimFit Grips The thinnest in the line at 30.5mm, the SlimFit uses Deity’s TRC+ compound, which is notably stickier and grippier than the competition, though still infused with Kevlar for durability. The full micro-diamond grip pattern provides tactile control, as well more support than the circumference suggests. “These were my choice for years because I like to ride gloveless, and they let me have a looser grip and better bike feel,” says Porter. Also good for kids and anyone with small hands.

Deity KnuckleDuster Grips With a 32mm circumference, which Hesterberg calls, “the sweet spot for a lot of riders,” the KnuckleDusters are Deity’s signature grip. They are also significantly different from the company’s newer designs, with a ribbed chevron pattern at the inside edges for traction, wider vibration-damping ribs at the bar ends for cushion, and a waffled, finger-grip for control. The rubber here is firmer than the other grips, for better touch and support with the ribs, though it’s still stickier than most. And though the waffle design looks like others, it’s recessed and far easier on the fingers.

Deity KnuckleDuster Grips With a 32mm circumference, which Hesterberg calls, “the sweet spot for a lot of riders,” the KnuckleDusters are Deity’s signature grip. They are also significantly different from the company’s newer designs, with a ribbed chevron pattern at the inside edges for traction, wider vibration-damping ribs at the bar ends for cushion, and a waffled, finger-grip for control. The rubber here is firmer than the other grips, for better touch and support with the ribs, though it’s still stickier than most. And though the waffle design looks like others, it’s recessed and far easier on the fingers.

“I switched a number of my bikes to KnuckleDusters after a few years on SlimFits because,” says Porter, “after some hand injuries, they give nearly as sensitive a ride feel but are just that bit more comfortable.”

Deity LockJaw Grips These midline, 32mm grips blend KnuckleDuster’s size and recessed, waffle grip with SlimFit’s TRC+ compound and patterning. The LockJaw tread is a larger diamond design, which improves and comfort for larger hands but still retains the stickiness of the TRC+ rubber. “These newer designs are definitely softer and have more damping,” says Erik Riveron, service writer for TMB. “I’ve switched out to these from the rest for the combination of grip and comfort.”

Deity LockJaw Grips These midline, 32mm grips blend KnuckleDuster’s size and recessed, waffle grip with SlimFit’s TRC+ compound and patterning. The LockJaw tread is a larger diamond design, which improves and comfort for larger hands but still retains the stickiness of the TRC+ rubber. “These newer designs are definitely softer and have more damping,” says Erik Riveron, service writer for TMB. “I’ve switched out to these from the rest for the combination of grip and comfort.”

DEITY SupraCush Grips At 34mm, these are the Barcaloungers of grips. With a full, huge diamond tread pattern and sticky soft TRC+ rubber compound, the SupraCush feel something like grabbing a textured marshmallow. Do you give up a bit of “trail feel”? Possibly. But for anyone with hand, wrist, or arm issues, anyone on a rigid ride or hard tail, or anyone who simply is looking for extra comfort, these are worth a look. I personally wasn’t looking for new grips and, after trying them, will be changing all of my bikes to SupraCush.

DEITY SupraCush Grips At 34mm, these are the Barcaloungers of grips. With a full, huge diamond tread pattern and sticky soft TRC+ rubber compound, the SupraCush feel something like grabbing a textured marshmallow. Do you give up a bit of “trail feel”? Possibly. But for anyone with hand, wrist, or arm issues, anyone on a rigid ride or hard tail, or anyone who simply is looking for extra comfort, these are worth a look. I personally wasn’t looking for new grips and, after trying them, will be changing all of my bikes to SupraCush.

A big part of choosing is simple fit. Small hands favor smaller grips; big ones bigger. But that’s only part of the story.

“People assume that if you have larger hands, you’re going to prefer a larger grips. If you have smaller hands, you’ll be better off with a smaller grip,” says Hesterberg. “That’s not always the case. It depends on personal preference.” 

At 5’7” with small hands, Hesterberg favors Deity’s largest grips, the SupraCush, because of experience and injuries.

Meanwhile, Porter, at 6’3” with XL hands, has long favored Deity’s thinnest grips, the SlimFit.

And it’s more than just the hand size. “It’s the details,” says Porter. He cites the tapered interior shaping (which prevents slippage), the stripped-down plastic interior shell design (allowing rubber to contact bars for additional damping), and the 3mm clamp bolts (bigger than most to avoid stripping, and front-facing to prevent thumb contact) as further nuance that sets Deity apart from the competition.

Performance aside, Deity grips also cost 10 to 20 percent less than comparable brands. And they come in 12 colors, with half as many customizable anodized grip clamps to complete your bike.

Questions about what grips are right for you? Or anything else? Give us a call or stop by the shop. We love talking bikes!