A couple of names synonymous with grip continue to grow and expand their current offerings to keep your hands on the bars. ESI and Lizard Skins, both known for their ability to remain grippy in both wet or dry conditions had some colorful and new things to show us.
Grab a firm hold and see what these two masters of grip have on hand….
ESI who developed the original 100% silicone grips has taken their infamous silicone grabbers and given them some shape. The slight contour to ESI’s FIT Grip shapes to the hand while taking pressure off the ulnar nerve, (the one that makes your pinky go to sleep). Their new FIT Grips come in XC (extra chunky) which are available in aqua, black & red, and CR (chunky racer…. which is in between their Chunky and racer’s edge), and are available in aqua, black, green, orange and red. Both sizes retail for $32.95
ESI’s Silicone tape won the award for least innovative yet most useful product at Interbike….. well, to me it did. ESI’s silicon tape has ZERO adhesive and works by bonding to itself. Once you peel the backing off, it takes only a few seconds for it to start bonding, and is fully bonded within a few minutes. Because there is an actual bond without adhesive, heat or moisture will not cause it to lose its hold like that on electrical tape. To add to that, it’s really grippy. Gary Stewart, ESI’s CEO says in addition to securing handlebar tape, it works great on chainstays and about anything you can wrap it around that you want more grip on. Tools, brake levers, beer mug…..
The Silicon Tape is available in 8 colors and comes in 10 foot rolls retailing for $8.99, (there will also be 50 foot rolls available to shops).
Lizard Skins have battled their way into becoming a major player in handle bar tape, and because of their grip, whether wet or dry, glove or no glove, they’ve been ending up on everything from baseball bats to golf clubs, (according to Sales Manager Ryan Hunnington, the sporting goods market is eating their stuff up). Already offering more colors in bar tape than anyone else, Lizard Skins tosses a few more into the collection. New this year is blue, red, gray, and black camo, their first ever non-solid colored tape. (remember the “marble” cork tapes from the 90’s….. this looks way better). They have also added purple and hot pink, (which is more vibrant than their pink).
