ODI’s Vanquish grips effectively absorb vibrations while providing plenty of traction and comfort. However, the price is hard to swallow, and the angled waffle texture isn’t perfect.
- Best MTB grips 2024 – options to improve your comfort and handling
- Lizard Skins Charger Lock-On Grips review
- Buyer’s guide to mountain bike grips – how to choose the best ones for you
ODI Vanquish grips – Technical details
The Vanquish grip was conceived after D3O, the brand best known for the lightweight, flexible, and very protective pads found in the best knee and elbow pads and many other protectives, and approached ODI with a new rubber compound. Dubbed GRIP, ODI aimed to utilise the rubber to create a grip that could capitalise on the compound’s anti-vibration and shock absorption.
ODI says the Vanquish provides two times more vibration damping than grips with traditional compounds. The grips also use the regular D3O material at the bar end to add durability to these rather spendy grips.
The Vanquish is built up of two textures, an upper triangular/hexagonal pattern shaped to bend and deform under the hand, a phenomenon aided by its dual-layer construction. The lower texture is what ODI calls an angled waffle pattern combined with an oversized rib to match how fingers articulate around the grip. There are convex traction pads to boost grip and control.
Elsewhere, there are the usual ODI hallmarks, including the 2.1 Lock-On System, which uses a narrow single locking collar that allows the rest of the grip to be slightly longer. These grips also measure 32.75 mm in diameter and have a micro-flange inboard.
ODI Vanquish grips – Performance
It was almost love at first squeeze with these grips. The cool D3O GRIP rubber is a fairly interesting material in that it’s reasonably soft but without being massively tacky. As a result, they don’t attract and hold onto dirt but there’s an abundance of traction.
I rode with and without gloves, and my performance remained the same. Even without gloves, I didn’t find myself dusting my hands with dirt as frequently to absorb sweat and boost my grip.
With the GRIP rubber, ODI has achieved its goals commendably. The rubber does an excellent job of fending off vibrations, as it allows for a smidgeon of movement. Thus, it acts somewhat similarly to RevGrips, but without the dampers built into the grip’s core.
And as the Vanquish isn’t a thick grip, it balanced that vibration damping with plenty of bar feel. The front end of the bike, kitted with these grips, is as communicative as ever, it’s just smoother and easier on the arms.
Where there’s a lot of good going on here, the angled waffle texture isn’t perfect. I can see what the brand is getting at but I rarely felt my fingers mesh with the texture and a regular waffle pattern. My fingers always crossed one of the oversized ribs and they never sat quite in the correct spot. Making this texture wider will likely help by providing more room and opportunity for fingertips to mesh with the ribs.
Durability is rather good. I’ve ridden these grips on an uplift day, too, where they take a hammering as a trailer’s straps hook tightly over them. With that, the texture looks as good as new, and even under normal use, the Vanquishs can take a beating.
Longevity is only boosted through a slither of D3O at the bar end. Where many grips crumble after being leaned against a wall or rattled about in the back of the van, this extra pad has kept these grips as pristine as physically possible.
ODI Vanquish grips – Verdict
The real drawback of the Vanquish grips is the price. At £40, they’re among the most expensive on the market – and pricier than ODI’s other excellent grips. The first that springs to mind is the Reflex grips that provide comparable vibration damping at a much friendlier price point – £28. They’re a little fatter in diameter, at 33.5mm, but they’re more affordable and perform nearly as well as the Vanquishes. They can be bought in more colours, too.
If it’s vibration damping and a thin grip you’re looking for, the Ergon GDH Team grips are exactly that. Their bar ends aren’t built in, which is a shame but you can squeeze out a more communicative bar feel while benefitting from a soft and malleable top texture that adds a bit of squish to keep vibrations at bay. They’re not as smooth feeling as the Vanquish but are £5 cheaper at £35.
Although they’re quite the investment, ODI’s Vanquish grips are boosted by technology that provides heightened vibration damping, traction and comfort.
You might also like:
- Your complete guide to the Fox Shox fork range
- Trail essentials – all the kit you need to take on a mountain bike ride
- Freeride mountain biking – everything you need to know
Product purpose:
Build extra:
V2.1 lock-on single clamp system provides more useable grip space
Newly designed double reinforced durable ends
Unique waffle traction pattern
Medium 32.75mm diameter
Multi-layered padded top grip section for excellent shock absorption
Micro-flange for added protection
Available in 3 different colors
Product construction
Product construction extra:
Product performance
Product performance extra:
Product durability
Product durability extra:
Product comfort
Product comfort extra:
product value
All the deals displayed on our review pages are pulled from a constantly updating database feed of the best affiliate deals available. The criteria for deciding on what are the best deals is who is offering the lowest, delivered price. In most cases we will be showing the very best deal available online, but sometimes you may be able to find an item cheaper. If you can please feel free to post a link in the comments box below. To find out more about affiliate links on road.cc click here.
