[Closed] Lock On Grips and Useless Bolts

currenty using Orange Strange and had them on and off a few times no problem. nice grips too -)

Not had any issues with my Specialized ones but they've only been off a couple of times.

Been using Lock-on grips since 2004, still using them.

Imperial grips from mtb-direct use a 3mm allen bolt rather than the usual 2.5 which makes them much more durable. Saying that, with a bit of care, the normal ones are easy enough to remove without rounding

Been using my Peaty Lock-Ons (Lizard skin makes them) for a couple of years and bolts holding up fine.

perhaps different hex keys would be better than different lock ons.

perhaps different hex keys would be better than different lock ons.

Maybe, but they are decent Park ones, just think that these tiny bolts are less than durable.

I've never had any bother with mine but I do smother the threads in copper slip when i fit them. Maybe that would help.

you want some HamFistedMuppet grips, they're held on with 5mm bolts

Onzadog - Member
I've never had any bother with mine but I do smother the threads in copper slip when i fit them. Maybe that would help.

Exactly what I do, tiny steel bolts into an aluminium clamp gripped by sweaty hands is a recipe for welding the two together.

i've always found the bolts to be made out of cheese, maybe i put them on too hard. Bontrager ones seem better than ODI though.

the problem is that after a few crashes the Alu tends to bend in a bit on the outer clamp and that makes it harder to remove the bolt, hence the bolt tends to round.

Got some better quality bolts from RS which helped, as does making sure the bolt head is uber clean and bending the folded over Alu out of the way of the bolt before removing all help.

The bolts are made of cheese, get some better quality bolts and you should be OK. I got some Ti ones on ebay, lasting fine so far.

mtb-direct (as said above) are real nice, last ages and are comfy.

oh, and a damn sight cheaper than ODI to boot...

I've got Lizard skins peaty grips. Excellent. No probs with bolts at all and no twisting.

I had probs with Lizard Skins but no probs with On-Ones or Charge ones which look identical.

i had an ODI ruffian bolt round off. ended up having to cut it out using a dremel. the head of the bolt went flying when the tension was released.

aren't those from Imperial the ones with the funky coulours? cool.

must be locking the up too tight for them to round.

you want some HamFistedMuppet grips, they're held on with 5mm bolts

anyone know where you can get some 3.5 metric hex headed bolts?
.. as that what my lock-on need - bought them 2nd hand without bolts, thinking the bolts would be a normal size!
(apparently its a size used for electric socket screws - though those are no good as head it too big)

Imperial grips from mtb-direct use a 3mm allen bolt rather than the usual 2.5 which makes them much more durable.

2nd Vote for Imperial Grips

LOL at the pisstaking on this thread. But yeah, I just do them up gently and repeatedly try and rotate the grip. As soon as it won't move then the bolts are tight enough. They undo really easily.

A few brands do lock-ons with 3mm bolts rather than 2.5mm. Orange Strange grips are like that, I think that Outland's are too.

You can buy titanium bolts for ODI, from tibolts I think. Though the immense weight reduction might make it impossible to keep the front wheel down.

But yeah, it just sounds like mad overtightening, they need minimal torque.

Mine have rounded off, and I've had to cut a slot across each bolt and use a flat screwdriver instead.

Actually works fine - did it as a short term bodge before a ride a year ago, and not felt the need to change the bolts yet.

I don't think it's the bolts themselves which are the problem.

The problem is usually caused by people not greasing/copper-slipping the bolts before installation and then overtightening them.

When Lock-Ons first came out, I made that mistake, but not had any issues since I realised what I was doing wrong.