When Aaron Gwin joined forces with ODI to create his own custom grip, he had a lot of ideas. The original AG-1 featured an offset design that improved the angle of the grip for better comfort. The single lock-on design featured an aluminum reinforced end to save the grips in the event of smashing a tree at high speeds. Nearly everything was right – except for the hardness.
For Aaron’s liking they were just a little too hard, so they went back to the drawing board for the AG-2. While very similar to the originals, the new grips are softer and a bit thicker in the center of the palm which is exactly what Aaron said he was looking for. Available in 6 colors, the grips will sell for $35 a set.
As shown on AG’s World Championship bike from 2016, ODI is also working on a new number plate which will zip tie to the upper section of a dual crown fork. No details other than it’s in the works.
On the BMX side, ODI has been working with Mike ‘Hucker’ Clark to come up with his own signature grip. Using a design that was actually created by Hucker’s tattoo artist, the dual ply grips are 160mm long, extremely squishy, and come in four colors with matching end plugs – a first for ODI. Selling for $12.95 a set, they’re available now.
ODI is also getting into the foam grip game, though theirs are a bit different from the rest. Using AIRE or Air Infused Reactive Elastomer, ODI says it’s basically the same rubber as their grips, only infused with thousands of tiny air bubbles. They’re also a dual durometer design with a harder rubber at the center of the grip and a softer rubber on the outside which allows them to stay in one place while still feeling super soft. Offered in two designs called Vapor and Float – one is round and smooth, and the other features ergo finger channels and microgrip dots, the grips are said to have a medium thickness and measure 130mm long. Both will sell for $18.95 on October 1.
