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Review: Revolution Suspension Grips’ twisty grippy put to the test

We put Revolution Suspension Grips to the test to see if they work as claimed.
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When they were released a couple of years ago, Revolution Suspension Grips made quite a splash. The real head-turner was the idea of suspension in a grip, but the $115 MSRP raised a few eyebrows as well.

In the time since, they have expanded their offering and reduced the entry point to a more approachable $60 for the base model. Available in a wide range of mix-and-match colors, three diameters, and different grip patterns, it’s now a very customizable system.

Does it work? Is suspension the right word?

As the owner of a cranky elbow, I was interested to see if RevGrips could offer any relief. I’m a couple hundred miles into my evaluation. If I was a skeptic before, I’m less so now.

I’m not sure if it’s false advertising or savvy marketing, but calling RevGrips suspension of any kind is a bit of a stretch. That’s not to say it isn’t a smart design. I might be a bit hung up on the billing, but I would describe the technology as “active damping,” or perhaps “energy absorbing.” The word “suspension” implies a degree of travel you just can’t fit in a grip. I know, I’m being pedantic about word choice, but “suspension” gives the grip a lot of hype to live up to.

What is it?


The RevGrip is a multi-piece system with a grip-sleeve anchored to a pair of locking bar clamps. That’s nothing unusual save for the fact the sleeve is spaced off the bar. It’s also joined to the locking clamps with eight tabs plugged into rubber inserts. The void below the grip insulates the rider’s hand from bar vibrations, and the rotation in the grip reduces a small degree of impact energy.

Most of us would assume a loosey-goosey grip would be a bad thing, and it usually is. I think much of that has to do with the fact that a loose grip typically twists without predictable limits. In that regard, the RevGrip is different. It rotates with a defined range of movement with consistent resistance. That helps amplify a sense of control even with the grip in motion.

For my test, I chose the top-tier Pro Series grip in the medium 32.5mm diameter. Priced now at $90 it’s still not cheap, but the kit comes with machined clamps, installation wrenches, and an assortment of rubber suspension inserts and washers to fine-tune the grip movement to your liking.

Tuning


As simple as it is in concept, the RevGrip is actually a complex gizmo. Each clamp houses four rubber inserts. There are two types of inserts available, both made of the same rubber. The difference in shock-absorbing qualities has to do with the actual shaping of the insert. The thin washers are applied between the grip and clamps to further adjust the movement of the grip sleeve. It takes a little experimenting to get the ideal degree of rotation, but it’s not difficult.

Ride feel


During my first few rides, I had the grips fitted to a firm setting. As I expected, I noticed some mild attenuation of vibration due to the gap between the bar and grip sleeve, but it felt like any other grip. After swapping out the inserts and washers to the softest setup, I hit the trail again. It was a little weird.

I admit it took several rides to become accustomed to the sensation of a slippy-grip. What I found most interesting was how I could relax my hand tension while still feeling well-connected to the bar. That in itself helped reduce hand fatigue.

Initially, I found some of the movement unnerving, particularly under hard braking or while rolling off big drops. After a few rides I learned to predict the rotation and the sensation of a twisting grip felt more natural, even kind of nice.

Is it Snake Oil?

I’m no different from many consumers and somewhat expect products with lofty claims to fall short. Maybe I got fixated on the suspension call-out, but I didn’t think I’d like RevGrips as much as I do. I eventually settled on a setting on the lighter side of soft with more rotation than I thought I would like. I definitely notice less hand fatigue on long rides but have not noticed any drawbacks to the extra grip movement. My elbow still aches after a full day, but I certainly didn’t expect a $90 bike grip to remedy a joint made sore from 30 years of abuse.

It’s a big spend, even at $60, but after a few weeks of daily use I don’t see any drawbacks to giving them a try. If you suffer any type of hand, wrist, or elbow pain I would recommend giving them a shot. The more I ride with them, the more I like them.

Zach’s Take

I’ve also had a set of the Rev Grips for some time with the medium grip profile. Running the most middle of the road set up, much of my experience echoes Christophe’s. What struck me most about the grips is how much they encourage a light touch to the bars. This in turn reduces hand fatigue when you’re riding the Rev Grips, but it seems to translate to other grips as well. They’re almost as much of a training aid as they are a pair of grips you could use every day. After riding them for some time, I found myself riding lighter on other grips and having less hand fatigue across the board. For that reason, I like them a lot and even though I’m not currently riding them on any of my bikes, I feel like I’m still reaping the benefits.

RevGrips.com 

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12 Comments
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Hoff
Hoff
6 years ago

Worth noting that you can buy grip refills for the system too so you don’t have to buy the whole thing again when your grip surface wears out. Makes the price a bit more palatable.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

I think suspension is the perfect term for these grips. It suspends the grip off the surface off the bar.

“Active damping” to me would denote a hydraulic damper system. These actually have no active damping (aside from friction in the rubber inserts which will eventually slow oscillations to a stop).
“Energy absorbing” is a better description, as they do absorb energy, but it’s such a small amount of energy that it can be misleading.

Suspension grips is still the best name for them, in my opinion.

i
i
6 years ago

“The word “suspension” implies a degree of travel you just can’t fit in a grip. I know, I’m being pedantic about word choice”

are you really being pedantic when you made up your own definition for the word that doesn’t align with anyone else? Especially when you prefer “active damping” or “energy absorption” – the grip does neither (it’s a spring, it stores energy for an instant, doesn’t absorb).

“the system of springs and shock absorbers by which a vehicle is cushioned from road conditions”
closer to a description of these grips than the terms you suggest.

Me
Me
6 years ago

Just get some ESI super chunky and be done with it.

stampers
stampers
6 years ago

Or just some Oury’s and call it a day!

Tom
Tom
6 years ago

The million dollar question: When the test is over, will either or both of you keep them on your bike(s)?

Zach Overholt
Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Tom

To be completely honest, no – but not for the reasons most riders would face. It’s quite a bit more work to set them up thanks to all the small little rubber bits, washers, etc., and usually results in a few failed attempts to get them all lined up. Since I’m constantly riding different bikes, I have to change parts like grips, saddles, etc. on a regular basis and I prefer the convenience of a standard lock-on grip that I can install or remove in a flash without having to worry about dropping or losing small parts. If I was the type to leave a pair of grips on a bike until they’re worn out, then I would be more likely to keep them on. With that said, I also prefer the slightly more ergo shape of grips like the Ergon GE-1 or the new SQLab Series 7 7OX for most of my MTB needs.

N
N
6 years ago

Let me save you some money with a simple tip. Stop death-gripping the handlebars. Really, it’s that simple. Instead of hanging onto your bars super tight, try holding them with just enough force to maintain good control. In the moments when you need a tight grip, you can always tighten as needed, but otherwise, when you’re rolling down the trail you’re just wasting energy if you hold tightly onto the bars. Use just enough energy to maintain control and otherwise stay relaxed, your hands and arms will thank you for it later.

JBikes
JBikes
6 years ago

I have a friend with an injury and I think he runs these, or something like them. He says these have been very helpful.

contrarian
contrarian
6 years ago

One advantage I see to these is the ability to run a really thin grip, but have the absorption/damping of a much thicker grip (ESI Super Chunky for Example). I don’t like big grips, but I like the ESI stuff for its damping.

However, like most things I think a comparison is necessary. I’d like to see, alloy bar with rubber grips (ODI), alloy bar with foam grips (ESI), alloy with these Revolution Twisty grips, foam-filled alloy bar (Spank Vibrocore), carbon bar, titanium bar, RedShift Shockstop Stem. Perhaps doing such a comparison on a rigid bikepacking setup vs a TR/AM setup.

Demiourgos
Demiourgos
6 years ago
Reply to  contrarian

I would also like to see such comparison made by german Bike mag, they have equipment for such tests

Cole
Cole
4 years ago

Isn’t suspension something that absorbs the energy from impacts? So then why is it wrong to call it suspension? Isn’t your rear suspension called a shock as in a shock absorber? All this does is absorb and reduce shocks and vibrations. Calling them energy absorbers is basically you calling it suspension without actually saying it.

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