Race Face Release New Chester Lock-On Grips
Race Face has updated the Chester MTB grip with a softer, tackier rubber compound and a new shape said to enhance comfort and control on the trail. It employs a 20A rubber compound, as measured on the Shore A hardness scale. The lower the number, the softer the rubber. That's pretty damn soft, given that some of the softest, tackiest downhill tires have a Shore A hardness of around 40A.
Perforations on the sleeve reduce the hard contact surface area between the plastic and the handlebar
It is no long the BMX-inspired push-on affair of old, a design that was popular amongst riders who valued the added damping. Now, the Chester has a plastic sleeve running underneath the rubber, with a single lock clamp at the inboard edge. However, not seen is the fact that the sleeve is perforated along its surface. Race Face say that has reduced the hard contact area to the bar by 29% (versus a continuous core), allowing them to increase the average thickness of the rubber underneath the rider's palm.
Surface texture is new, too. The region that interfaces the rider's palm is ribbed, said to help wick away moisture. Then, where the finger tips wrap, the ridges are deeper to give a better purchase. The outboard edge is much thicker, with taller ribbing at the inboard edge increasing effective diameter where the rider's thumb wraps.
The Race Face Chester has an overall length of 136mm. Prospective customers have the choice of a 31mm or 34mm diameter option, and the choice of 10 clamp colors. Choose from black, blue, purple, turquoise, kashmoney, forest green, orange, silver, red or gum with a black clamp.
All have an MSRP of $27 USD / $32 CAD.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
@jayacheess
Any chance you've ridden the 33mm SDG Thrice, and can compare the two?
I'm a thick grip fan, and 34mm is right about where I like them. And this seems to include the ribbing from the DMR Deathgrip, with something that approaches the "half waffle" for the fingers, this looks like it could be great.
On the profile: I kind of like that the Chester is slightly wider near the lockring, and then slightly smaller along the rest of the grip - except that there's a kind of raised outer flange right on the end. Ergon's GA2 fat grips do kind of the opposite, where they start small near the lockring and then gradually get larger toward the end. Same with RaceFace's Gettagrips, which I ran for a while, but was happy to change.
But I’m trying to ask a legit question. Is it really that bad? Are secured pushons that bad?
A huge side benefit to single lock-on grips is the complete elimination of bar end plugs. Single lock-on grips are far more robust and will just shrug off contact with trees. The extra reinforcement provided by a single lock-on is especially beneficial if you are using carbon handlebars.
Lock-ons grips are typically more secure and much easier to deal with. But I like the feeling push on grips (and they are less expensive). The Diety Supracush seem like a good lock-on alternative. Maybe I'll try them someday.
My man, take a look around. Mtb is lock-on or gtfo. If you want push on grips you are shopping bmx sites. Push on grips are more compliant and give you more rubber for the same diameter. I run lockons myself but think the we should have options.
I use a generous spray of rattle can clearcoat inside the grip, and don't bother with safety wire. 13 months in on the current pair and no slipping.
Is it a specific brand that you had that experience with?