Words by: Reamonn Ryan
Deity is known in the MTB world for their incredibly durable and thought-out lineup of MTB components proven by both riders performing in events like Redbull Rampage and the Fest Series as well as riders racing the DH Worldcup Circuit. Deity has been a popular choice for riders looking for products that will last. Having ridden the Deity Knuckleduster for years now as my primary grip of choice, I was excited to hear they had 2 new grips in the works but didn’t know what would be in store considering their current line already had everything I wanted in a grip. Boy was I wrong. Deity’s New Supracush and Lockjaw Grips join their already notorious lineup of MTB lock-on grips for 2020 and I was lucky enough to get a pair of each to test out before the launch. Let’s take a look at what’s new.
Deity took the classic BMX style mushroom grips we were all accustomed to in our youth and presented the world with some of the most popular lock-on grips to date. The Knuckleduster. This grip often gets overlooked for its BMX resemblance which is why Deity decided to take the classic ruffian approach mountain bikers love but add a little more in terms of compounds, ease of installation and looks. Each grip will feature Deity’s TRC+ Rubber Compound, which in my opinion is not comparable to any other grip compound on the market. The motif behind TRC+ is durability and increased grip by 33%. Deity will also be adding to the “thick” grip market with their Supracush, which just might be the most comfortable grip in the world as they have claimed with a 34mm outer diameter.
The Supracush offers a thick grip for those with big hands and or those looking for more cushion in a grip. As the name entails, there is a lot of cushion offered. At a 34mm diameter, the Supracush features a consistent “deep dish” diamond pattern to compress for comfort without compromising any traction to the rider’s hands. The TRC+ compound helps with this as well on top of providing some extra vibration absorption to decrease hand fatigue.
What’s not to like about these things? I always enjoyed running thinner grips until recent years when I started riding more rocky and chattery trails and thick grips like the Supracush pay off, in the long run, to keep you riding longer. Alright, that sounded like a cheesy commercial but it’s true. Feeling the grip alone, I felt like I was gripping a pillow and after riding a few laps on a chunky trail, I didn’t want to take the grips off my bike but I had to try out the Lockjaw grips so off they went.
The Deity Lockjaw grip offers what I assume every serious rider looks for in a grip. Although it may simply look like nothing more than a knuckleduster grip with a diamond pattern, it does have a lot more to offer than you would think. The diamond pattern features the same compression and traction you see on the Supracush, especially with the TRC+ Compound. What sets Deity’s waffle pattern apart from the competition is the fact that it is recessed into the grip allowing your fingers to fall into place instead of wrapping around even more material to get a grip of your ride. The offers a more responsive feel out of the bike. The last key feature of the Lockjaw is the padded thumb area which transitions almost seamlessly into the clamp.
The Deity Lockjaw Grips quickly became my favorite grip after the first lap. With it’s incredible resemblance to the Knuckleduster, I did notice how soft and sticky the TRC+ compound felt being a rider that doesn’t use gloves. The recessed half waffle creates a perfect channel to grip the bars and really control your ride from your fingertips no matter how out of control the trail would get. My favorite feature would probably be the padded thumb pad and it seamlessly transitions to the clamp without any hang up when trying to lean the bike over. The competition is close with the lockjaw’s sibling, the Knuckleduster.
The Knuckleduster has quickly become one of the most popular grips in the MTB industry after proving that a mushroom-style grip can be durable and provide you with enough traction to keep things in control out on the trails. This is why the Lockjaw was designed after it. Modeled around minimalizing vibration, the knuckleduster is designed to fill your palm and provide all the grip you would want out on a ride. No matter the conditions.
Being someone who still consistently rides BMX, the knuckleduster stood out to me as a grip that would feel more consistent when switching between the big and little bikes almost daily. Also, riding without gloves, I noticed an incredible amount of vibration absorption allowing me to ride more freely since my hands were not getting as fatigued as the thinner ruffian styled grips that were out on the market.
The average rider doesn’t know much about what goes into racing a product development but having learned about the MTB world under a few ex-racers, I understand that racers think a lot differently than most riders out on the trails. “A thinner grip means a tighter fist and a tighter fist means less fatigue” is something I have heard all too much. That being said, racers are not the only ones looking for a thin grip with a lot of traction. Also built with the TRC+ compound, the Deity Waypoint grip features a smaller, tighter-packed diamond design with a 31mm diameter, which might be the thinnest option you can find.
In all honesty, I have not spent too much time riding the Waypoint grip but for a short amount of time, I did get to experience the grip these things have to offer. Not to mention the minimalistic design helps keep the cockpit looking clean. Personally, on the chunkier terrain, I would have preferred to be riding either of the other grips to deal with the vibrations but the amount of control offered was incredible! It’s crazy how much a few millimeters can make such a big difference in control. That being said I feel like those looking at the waypoint are going to be choosing between the comfort of other grips or the control of the waypoints.
"Overall, I think that Deity really widened their reach over the grip market in a really good way. Being a smaller company, I feel like Deity is often overlooked compared to the big dawgs they go head to head with and increasing their grip selection only makes them more of a threat to the competition. With the TRC+ Compound and a variety of different tread patterns, every rider has an option that should best suit their needs as any type of riding. I am excited to get more time on these grips and develop my riding even further." - Reamonn
This article was written / authored by Reamonn Ryan. Reamonn has worked in the bicycle industry for 6 years now and currently runs our Instagram account along with testing products, editing video content, and writing blogs like this one you just read. Reamonn was a die hard BMX kid for over 10 years and once he started at Worldwide Cyclery made the switch to mountain bikes where he can send stuff better than most guys at the shop. If you like any of our Instagram posts or have gotten any responses from your DM's it was most likely from Reamonn, so give him a thanks. As with all of our employees, Reamonn is a key part of making Worldwide Cyclery the "Best Damn Bike Shop in the World".