General points:
Grips used in scootering are the same as the ones used in BMX, it’s as simple as that. However, we see more and more scooter brands offering their own grips.
The main difference with BMX grips is that they often have flanges on the end their grips, whereas we don’t use them at all. Since the beginning of the scooter boom, more and more brands in general have started to make grips without flanges.
Installation:
To install a pair of grips, the best way is to use your force. With strength and patience, it’s possible. It also works with an air compressor but you’ll need some equipment.
If you don’t feel strong enough, you can simply breathe into the inner part of the grip to make it humid and easier to put on. However, you will need to wait for the water to evaporate to have well-fixed grips.
It also works with hairspray. Just spray the inside of the grip, it will be wet and it will go around the bar easily. It becomes sticky when it dries so it shouldn’t move. But it may leave some residue that can be a problem when replacing grips.
Comfort:
There are two different types of grips, soft and hard. Soft tends to be much more comfortable than hard but they can split easier.
They also vary in style. Ribbed grips are typically more comfortable than flat grips or ones with complex shapes on them.
On our website, we indicate the hardness of each pair of grips (hard, medium or soft,) but it’s also a matter of preference.
Foam grips:
Foam grip are slowly becoming obsolete, almost forgotten by many riders. Nevertheless, these are very comfortable to use and reduce the chance of producing blisters when riding. For people who get sweaty palms, foam grips are an efficient way to ride without having your hands ever losing grip. They are also very light, at least 5 times lighter than rubber grips. This is good for ‘supersonic’ bar-spins, but for hard landings or big airs, you will feel the metal of the crossbars if the grip is too thin to absorb the impact.