Colours: black, grey, and red / Weight: 80g / Length 5.25in / Dual-density compound
Contact: Specialized UK 020 8391 3500

Grips are just grips, right? Well not according to Specialized. It has taken things one step further with directional grips — the idea being that when you twist your hands forward on the grips, like when you get out of the saddle for an attack, your hands rotate easily. Alternatively, if you wrench up on the handlebar to lift the front end the scaled design provides more friction. It is this directional tread that makes the Sidewinders left and right-hand specific. Whether or not all this technology actually makes any difference to your riding is anyone’s guess — but the important thing is that the Sidewinder grips are comfortable, super slim, a good length, and are relatively good value.

MBR RATING: 9/10