In 1974, way before they started producing bikes, the Californian brand Specialized started importing bars and stems from Europe into the US. Two years later they started making their own range of parts, starting with tyres. High quality, well designed hardware has always been at the heart of this company and is often overlooked, sitting in the shadows of their extensive bike range. Take a good look at what they offer; it sure is impressive. The Specialized SIP XL Grip is just a small part of that range.
The Sip grip from Specialized has been about for a few years now and was a bang on design from day one. It is standard kit on many of their bikes as well as available aftermarket.
“On repeated DH runs on sun-baked tracks, test riders reported much less hand and wrist fatigue with these larger diameter Sip XL grips fitted”
So what’s so special and why does the Sip make the grade for the Dirt 100?
Well, it looks like a classic design of a finely textured upper grip with the often seen MX style raised surface below. A single inner locking collar clamps the grip to the bar securely whether carbon or aluminium aiding comfort when riding on the ends of the bars. A super-tacky rubber compound gives added security whatever the conditions; dry, dusty, wet, muddy, no problem with the Sip grips. All great features, but what else?
