The WTB Wafel Tested
One of the arts of living is appreciating the little things too. And that is exactly what we want to do today. Because beyond the major questions of bike configuration, it is often the details that also determine everyday riding comfort and therefore deserve consideration as well. With WTB's Wafel Lock-On Grip, we are introducing you to one such detail. The cherry on top of your riding experience, so to speak.
Overview
WTB stands for Wilderness Trail Bikes. The California-based company was founded in 1984 and has therefore experienced the entire era of mountain biking. Its range extends from saddles to tires and wheels, as well as smaller accessories – such as the Wafel.
This is a classic round grip for MTBs, especially enduro and downhill bikes. WTB describes it as “stickier than syrup”. They aim to deliver on this promise with a structure that looks like, well, the waffle that goes with syrup (and the cherry on top). Large-volume honeycombs with a heavily textured surface provide grip, while the recesses between them are designed to channel away rain, splashes, and sweaty palms.
Grips for straight handlebars, such as those on mountain bikes or touring bikes, are available in a classic round or ergonomic design. Ultimately, the advantages and disadvantages are a matter of individual preference, as is so often the case when it comes to comfort on a bike. In principle, however, you can say:
- Sporty riders (cross-country, enduro, or downhill) often choose a classic model such as the Wafel. The hand can comfortably wrap completely around it, which is essential for control in demanding terrain.
- On long or multi-day tours and in marathons, ergonomic grips can offer an advantage. They have a wing shape, i.e. they widen toward the outside and thereby increase the contact area for the hand. This can relieve the wrist and help prevent nerve problems with numbness in the outer fingers.
Review
We rode the Wafel ourselves for you and also looked around in cycling magazines for more opinions.
Installation
The first thing you notice is that the grips feel beautifully light in your hand. And this impression is not misleading. Together, they weigh only about 84 grams. The inner diameter is 22.2 millimeters, which is the standard for mountain bike handlebars. They should therefore fit most bikes. The end caps are integrated and made of robust material.
Installation itself is extremely easy. The WTB Wafel is a slip-on grip secured with a simple clamp. The appropriate screw is included. Pinkbike tester Nikki Rohan advises paying attention to the specified torque. She outsourced the installation to her young son, who apparently did not yet have the necessary finesse in this regard. The result was a broken screw. So installing the Wafel is only child's play if you use a correctly adjusted torque wrench.
Feel and performance
If everything is done correctly, the grip sits firmly without slipping. And that is where we fell in love. Once you have held the Wafel in your hand, you will not want to let go, guaranteed. The honeycombs are pleasantly soft and individually compressible. This allows the grip to adapt ideally to your hand and offers the maximum ergonomics you can get from round grips.
The material is completely odorless, which may be useful to know for people who are sensitive in this regard. The principle of grip islands between the wide channels for channeling away moisture also proved effective for us. As someone who sweats a lot, I always felt reliably secure. Nikki Rohan of Pinkbike, who rode in all conditions, also attests that the “Wafels” provide good traction in every situation. Her only criticism is that the grip is available only in black. Anyone who is fine with that and sets their color accents elsewhere will find nothing to fault.
„The Wafel is a simple, lightweight soft-style grip with a pattern that worked well for my hands in all weather conditions. While it's only available in black, its the cheapest option available out of the nine grips we tested, and is right up there as a top contender in my garage.“ – Nikki Rohan, Pinkbike
Conclusion
A small thing that brings joy. Anyone looking to perfect their riding experience with a high-quality and reliable grip will be very well served by the Wafel.
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