Buying guide · 7 min
BMX grips: ODI Longneck SL or SLX, which one?
Same feel, different length: which Longneck suits your hands and your bars, plus a long alternative from Eastern.
Guide updated
Quick answer: The ODI Longneck SL and SLX are the same flangeless BMX grip, with the same soft rubber and the same mushroom pattern: the difference is length. The SL is 135 mm, the classic size that fits almost any bar and any hand. The SLX is 160 mm: pick it if you have big hands, like moving your hands along the grip or want more rubber where you catch the bars on a barspin, as long as your bars have that much straight section free. If you want a long grip that is a bit thicker, the alternative is the Eastern Riblet (160 mm, 30 mm diameter).
Your hands are your other contact point with the bike, and the grips are the only thing they touch. Soft grips in good shape let you hold the bars without squeezing too hard, cope with the sweat of a skatepark afternoon and stop a drop landing from leaving your forearms pumped. Worn or hard ones do the opposite. That is why they are one of the cheapest upgrades you will really feel. And if you have looked at BMX grips, you have probably hit the classic question: ODI Longneck SL or SLX? Here is the answer, plus an alternative for anyone after something different.
Before you start
This comparison is based on the ODI and Eastern spec sheets and on the product listings, not on our own testing: we tell you what the brands say and how each grip fits the way you ride. We don’t give prices, because they change often, or made-up scores.
| Model | Length | Flange | Pattern | Plugs | Perfect for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI Longneck SL | 135 mm | No | Mushroom | Yes, push-in | The classic size, for almost everyone |
| ODI Longneck SLX | 160 mm | No | Mushroom | Yes, push-in | Big hands and more rubber to move around |
| Eastern Riblet | 160 mm (30 mm diameter) | No | Angled ribs | Yes, nylon | A long, medium-profile grip |
What to look for in BMX grips, in order of importance
- Bar end plugs. Non-negotiable: an open bar end can cause serious injuries in a fall. All three grips in this comparison include plugs.
- Flange or flangeless. The flange is the ring that stops your thumb. In freestyle almost everyone runs flangeless grips, which leave your hand free to hold closer to the end and to let go of and catch the bars on tricks like the barspin.
- Length. This is what separates the SL from the SLX. Longer gives you more rubber to place your hand; shorter leaves more bar free for the brake lever and is the classic size.
- Rubber feel and pattern. Soft rubber cushions and grips better with sweaty hands; the mushroom pattern squashes slightly under your hand and feels comfortable.
- Thickness. With small hands, a thin grip is easier to wrap your fingers around; with big hands, a slightly thicker one is less tiring.
1. ODI Longneck SL: the classic size
The Longneck is one of the most common grips on freestyle BMX bikes, and the SL is its flangeless version. According to ODI, it is made from its soft compound, has the classic mushroom pattern with ribs that give under your hand, is 135 mm long, has open ends and comes with two-colour (black and white) push-in plugs. It is sold in pairs.
What do you get? A soft grip with good feel, without having to think about sizes: 135 mm fits almost any BMX bar and leaves room for the brake lever. It is the grip you fit, forget about and that lets you focus on the trick.
Pros: the size that fits almost everything; soft rubber; plugs included. Cons: with big hands it may feel short, and like any soft grip, the mushrooms wear smooth with use and with scrapes on the ground.
Perfect for you if… you want the benchmark grip, have average-sized hands or run a brake and don’t want to worry about bar space.
2. ODI Longneck SLX: longer, same feel
The SLX is the same flangeless Longneck, with the same mushroom pattern and the same soft rubber, but longer: 160 mm, 25 mm more than the SL. ODI presents it as the “new and improved length” version of the classic. It also has open ends, includes push-in plugs and is sold in pairs. The link in this guide is the purple colourway.
Those extra 25 mm show in your hand: more room to place it, to slide it along the grip when you change position and more rubber where your hand closes again on a barspin. If your hands hang off the end of a normal grip, they will feel more at home here.
Pros: more grip surface with the familiar Longneck feel; plugs included. Cons: needs more straight bar free; with a brake, it may force you to move the lever inwards.
Perfect for you if… you have big hands, ride brakeless or with clear bars and like having room to place your hand.
3. Eastern Riblet: the long, medium-profile alternative
If you like the idea of a long grip but want something other than the Longneck, the Eastern Bikes Riblet is a good option. According to Eastern, it is a flangeless grip, 160 mm long with a 30 mm diameter and a medium profile, with angled ribs: Eastern presents it as the flangeless version of the classic mushroom grip. Its extra-soft rubber compound has been updated, says the brand, to be stickier and last longer. Eastern lists 3.9 oz (about 110 g) and it includes nylon bar ends. The link is the red colourway.
Its strong point is thickness: at 30 mm it feels fuller in your hand, which can help you avoid over-squeezing on long sessions.
Pros: long and a little thicker; nylon bar ends included. Cons: if you have small hands or like thin grips, it may feel fat; and, like the SLX, it needs straight bar free.
Perfect for you if… you want a long grip, have big hands and like a grip that fills your hand.
SL or SLX: which suits you
Pick the SL (135 mm) if…
- Your hands are average-sized or small.
- You run a brake and want room for the lever.
- You want the classic size without measuring anything.
Pick the SLX (160 mm) if…
- You have big hands.
- You ride brakeless or your bars have plenty of straight section.
- You want more rubber to move around and catch the bars.
If in doubt, measure: from the end of the bar to the brake lever or to where the bend starts. If you have more than 160 mm free, either fits; if not, the SL is the safe bet. And if you ever change bikes or bars, new grips are one of the cheapest ways to make the bike feel like yours.
Common mistakes when changing grips
- Fitting them with oil or soap: they slide on easily, but then they twist on the bar. Use something that evaporates, such as hairspray or alcohol, and let it dry before riding.
- Riding without plugs: an open bar end can do a lot of damage in a fall. If you lose one, replace it as soon as you can.
- Choosing a grip longer than you have room for: if it hits the brake lever, your hand ends up badly placed.
- Waiting until the rubber splits at the end: when the plug no longer holds or the grip twists, it is time to change it.
- Buying on colour alone: check length and flange first; colour comes after.
Still upgrading your bike? See the first BMX upgrades worth making, the 5 best BMX pedals for your other contact point and BMX tyres for the way you ride. With your new grips on, get going with the barspin or the manual and bunny hop, and find somewhere to try them in the skatepark, track and pump track directory. All guides are in buying guides and, once you know which one is yours, take a look at the three grips with verified specs just below.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between the ODI Longneck SL and SLX?
Length. Both are flangeless grips with the same soft rubber and the same mushroom pattern, and both come with plugs. The SL is 135 mm and the SLX is 160 mm, according to ODI.
Flanged or flangeless grips for BMX?
For freestyle, flangeless: they leave your hand free to hold near the end and to let go of and catch the bars on tricks like the barspin. A flange acts as a stop for your thumb and is more common on other kinds of bikes.
How do I fit grips so they don’t twist?
Clean the bar, wet the inside of the grip with something that evaporates (hairspray or alcohol), push it on in one go and let it dry before riding. Avoid oil and soap: they make the grip twist later.
When should I replace my BMX grips?
When they twist on the bar, when the rubber splits at the end and the plug no longer holds, or when the pattern is so smooth your hand slips. Don’t wait until the bar end is exposed.
Will the SLX or Riblet work if my BMX has a brake?
Yes, if they fit: measure from the end of the bar to the lever. With a 160 mm grip, you may need to move the lever inwards. If there isn’t room, the 135 mm SL is the safe choice.
Why don’t you give prices or scores?
Because prices change often and we don’t want to give you a made-up score: we’d rather tell you how each grip suits your hands and your bike. Sizes come from the ODI and Eastern spec sheets and the product listings.
