Description
Fabric Honey Lock-On Grips – Engineered for Control, Built to Endure
The Fabric Honey grips combine durability, tactile precision, and reliable security in a thoughtfully designed package. Through careful material selection and innovative texture engineering, the Honey delivers the consistent bar feel and long-lasting performance modern mountain biking demands.
High-Durability AT-Rubber Compound
The Honey uses AT-rubber (All-Terrain rubber) – a compound formulated specifically for mountain bike grip applications. AT-rubber balances several critical characteristics: it must be soft enough for comfort and vibration damping, grippy enough for secure hand hold, and durable enough to resist the abrasion and UV degradation that destroy basic rubber compounds.
The compound maintains its performance characteristics through temperature variations. Unlike basic rubber that hardens in cold weather or becomes overly soft in heat, AT-rubber provides consistent feel across the temperature ranges mountain bikers encounter. This stability means your grips feel the same on cold morning rides as they do during hot afternoon sessions.
The durability aspect is crucial for riders who log significant miles or ride in abrasive conditions. The compound resists tearing from branch strikes, doesn’t deteriorate rapidly from UV exposure, and maintains its texture depth through extended use. This longevity makes the Honey a sound investment rather than a frequently-replaced consumable.
Hexagonal Texture Design
The Honey’s defining visual and functional feature is its precision hexagonal texture covering the entire grip surface. This honeycomb pattern isn’t merely aesthetic – it serves specific ergonomic and performance functions.
The hexagonal cells create defined contact points that engage with your palm and fingers. This engagement provides tactile feedback, allowing you to sense bar position and orientation without looking down. You develop refined awareness of grip placement, improving control during technical riding when visual attention must remain on terrain rather than cockpit.
The texture depth balances grip security with comfort. Shallow enough to avoid being abrasive or uncomfortable during long rides, yet deep enough to provide mechanical purchase that works through gloves, in wet conditions, and when hands perspire. The pattern channels moisture away from contact surfaces, maintaining grip when hands or grips become wet.
The even, consistent texture distribution across the entire grip surface means performance doesn’t vary depending on where your hand contacts the grip. This uniformity is particularly valuable during dynamic riding when hand position shifts frequently. Wherever you grab, you get the same tactile response and grip security.
All-Conditions Performance
The combination of AT-rubber compound and hexagonal texture creates reliable performance across varying conditions. In dry weather, the soft compound and texture pattern provide confident grip without requiring excessive hand pressure. In wet conditions – whether from rain, stream crossings, or perspiration – the texture maintains mechanical grip whilst the rubber compound remains tacky rather than becoming slick like some materials.
Muddy conditions present specific challenges for grips. The Honey’s texture pattern doesn’t trap mud excessively, and rinses relatively clean when you hit the next puddle or stream. The defined cells prevent mud from creating a continuous slick surface, maintaining some grip even when contaminated.
Aluminium Lockring Collar
The Honey uses a single aluminium lockring collar for secure mounting. The collar clamps the grip’s inboard end to the handlebar, preventing rotation under riding forces. Aluminium provides the strength needed for secure clamping whilst keeping weight minimal.
The single-collar design indicates the grip uses an internal core or taper system that prevents the grip from sliding off the bar’s outboard end. This approach reduces hardware count, eliminates an additional pressure point under your palm, and streamlines installation.
When properly torqued (typically 2-3Nm, though check Fabric’s specifications), the collar provides permanent security. The grip won’t rotate even during hard braking, aggressive cornering, or when applying significant force through the bars during technical climbing or descending.
30mm Diameter
The 30mm diameter represents a middle-ground sizing that suits most riders. This diameter provides substantial cushioning and vibration damping – valuable for rough terrain and long rides – whilst remaining manageable for riders with average-sized hands.
The diameter choice affects grip feel and hand fatigue characteristics. Thinner grips (28-29mm) provide more direct bar feel but less cushioning. Thicker grips (31-33mm) offer maximum damping but can feel bulky for smaller hands. The 30mm diameter balances these factors, making the Honey a versatile choice for varied hand sizes and riding styles.
Lightweight Construction
At 92g per pair, the Honey grips deliver substantial durability without excessive weight penalty. This mass is reasonable for lock-on grips featuring durable compound and secure mounting hardware. The weight barely registers in overall bike mass whilst the performance and longevity benefits justify the minimal addition.
132mm Length
The 132mm length provides adequate grip surface for most riders whilst leaving sufficient bar space for controls. This length accommodates brake levers, shifters, and dropper remotes without requiring excessively narrow control spacing or forcing grips against control clamps.
The length is particularly appropriate for modern mountain bike cockpits where wide bars require balanced component spacing. You get full grip surface without compromising control positioning.
Four Colour Options
Available in Black, Coral, Moss, and Dijon, the Honey offers aesthetic variety beyond basic black. The colour options allow coordination with bike colour schemes or personal style preferences. The colours are moulded throughout the compound rather than applied as surface coatings, ensuring they won’t wear off or fade significantly.
Black suits any bike and hides dirt most effectively. Coral, Moss, and Dijon provide visual interest and can accent frame colours or other components.
