Lizard Skins says the Charger Evo Single-Sided Lock-On grip is the most complex grip the brand has ever created. Its dual pattern texture combined with a soft-rubber compound results in a superbly comfortable grip that offers more than enough traction for gloved and gloveless riding. Is it worthy of a spot on our best MTB grips buyer's guide? Read on to find out.
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Single-Sided Lock-On Grip - Technical details
While its design is definitely complicated, in application it's rather simple. The Charger Evo employs a single locking collar to keep the grip safe on your bar. To some, this may raise questions about the grip’s security but through testing it stayed firmly in place and is actually a big benefit. If like me, you ride with a part of your palm over the outer edge of the grip, you’re not holding onto a hard, metal collar. Instead, it’s a lovely soft bit of rubber.
> Buy now: Lizard Skins Charger Evo Single-Sided Lock-On grip from Sigma Sports for £22.00
Speaking of locking collars, the one on this grip is rounded, which gives the whole grip a high-quality look. Of course, it also reduces the number of square edges on the cockpit, which is only a good thing.
As for the grip, it’s designed with two textures: one using diamond shapes with alternating points sticking out for finger grip and a more ribbed texture at the palm. The rubber compound used is nice and soft without being tacky. The Lizard Skins Charger Evo weighs in at 52g a grip.
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Single-Sided Lock-On Grip – Performance
During testing, I’ve used the Charger Evo both with and without gloves - and it’s performed equally as impressively either way. That’s even with sweaty palms and grips covered in mud after a bit of a spill. This grip makes an excellent companion to Lizard Skins’ DSP Lever Grips if you’re one for gloveless riding.
Having something with such an aggressive pattern may be off-putting to some, though it’s something I quickly started to enjoy. The palm portion is a very welcomed addition, too, as it offers a smoother, more comfortable pad to put a bit of weight through.
Thanks to the soft compound and ribbed palm pad, this grip damps vibration rather well too, boosting its overall comfort.
Unfortunately, if you’re a user of bar-end stored tools, you’ll have to look elsewhere as the end plug isn’t removable. Though in the grand scheme of things, this is merely a niggle not to mention won't fall out after a crash.
I’ve ridden with the Lizard Skins Charger Evo grips pretty solidly for a couple of months now and, even though the rubber compound is fairly soft, it’s showing very little signs of wear. Though there are a couple of battle scars at the bar end, understandably, as the grip was subjected to a tumble or two and the sharp points of the diamond texture have rounded a bit.
Lizard Skins Charger Evo Single-Sided Lock-On Grip – Verdict
The Lizard Skins Charger Evo isn’t the most expensive grip in the world but, at £30, it’s getting there. That’s nothing compared to the price of Ergon’s GFR1 Factory FMD Racing grip at £42. This grip comes with a similar ethos, being built with textures designed especially for traction and damping around the palms and fingers. It’s much slimmer, however, but damps vibration rather well.
At the other end of the spectrum is PNW Component’s Loam grip, which now sits at £18. Again, this gets a palm pad and finger tread but at nearly half the price of Lizard Skins’ offering. It’s got a soft rubber compound and it’s rather comfortable, in fact, it’s a personal favourite of mine.
Even the famed DMR Deathgrip is cheaper at £23 for the flangeless version. However, as universally admired as this grip is, I think it’s quite an acquired taste.
If you ride without gloves, you’ll find the most benefit of the Lizard Skins Charger Evo Single-Sided Lock-On grip’s soft rubber compound and well-thought-out texture. However, with many options in the best MTB grips coming in at a lower price, it’ll be tough to justify.
