Photos: Travis Reill

We have seen PNW Components slowly growing its Range lineup of components — Range pedals, bars, and dropper posts. Now they are adding another component to the Range family: grips. The new Range grips are fairly similar to the Loam grips, offering two sizes and multiple colors. And rather than competing with the Loam for “Best PNW Components Grip,” the Range grips complement the brand’s grip lineup well.

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PNW Components Range grips key specs

• Thermoplastic rubber construction, 25A durometer
• Two sizes — “Regular” and “XL”
• 1mm taper across sizes
• Micro-fin and waffle-pattern design, top and bottom
• 6 color options
• Price: $29
• Buy from PNW Components

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What are the details of the new Range grips?

PNW didn’t venture far from its flagship Loam grips when creating the new Range grips. Both use the same 25A thermoplastic rubber (unless PNW has changed that since we reviewed the Loam grip in 2021) and a similar overall design.

Also, PNW uses recycled fishing nets and other maritime plastics for 80% of the Range’s construction.

The micro-fins allow your hands to squish in a bit

The Range grips feature “micro-fins” on the top, which PNW says allow your hands to sink in and absorb impacts and trail chatter. On the underside of the grip, PNW uses a waffle pattern to provide extra fingertip grip and control.

Also like the Loam grip, PNW made the Range grip in two sizes — a 30mm-diameter “Regular” and a significantly larger 35mm-diameter “XL.” Both sizes also feature a 1mm taper. Regular Range grips weigh 90g, while the XL options bump up to 134g. The grips also come in six color options: Blackout Black, Peanut Butter, Hyper Lichen, Safety Orange, Fruit Snacks, and Cement Grey.

The Range grips retail for $29 — the same as the Loam grips, including the “Limited” Loam offerings.

Range (left) and Loam (right)

Are the Range grips vastly different from the Loam grips?

PNW sent me a set of the Regular Range grips several weeks ahead of today’s launch. And, for the most part, I’m getting along with the Range grips quite well. The micro-fins and waffle patterning do what PNW claims, and I find the grips comfortable overall, although I would prefer a size slightly larger than 30mm (I’ll get into that a bit later).

Comparing the Range and the Loam, I do prefer the feel of the Range grips over the Loam. I like the feel of the micro-fins on my hands and the overall cushy feel the Range grips provide. The Loam grips are slightly firmer than the Range, and this suppleness is one of the few distinguishing factors between the two.

I also get along well with the Regular-size Loam grips and have used them quite a bit. While the new Range grips are slightly more supple and cushy, it certainly isn’t a drastic difference compared to the Loam.

“Waffling” on the underside of the Range grip. Is the underside of the Loam grip “waffled?”

Ultimately, aside from color options, the Range and Loam grips don’t differ much in ride feel. And, if I’m being quite honest, grips, and most touchpoints, are actually fairly difficult to review.

Grips are subjective, for the most part. Sure, I can say I find the Range grips comfortable, and that they let my hands sink in just enough to provide control and confidence without “deathgripping” the bars.

But just because my hands get along well with the Range grips doesn’t mean yours will. Grips, and other touchpoints, are pretty subjective. And I often wonder if, when a grip is “uncomfortable,” the discomfort might be more because of the grip size than any pattern, features, or “cush” it is designed with.

This is where PNW did a really good thing with the new Range grips.

The addition of the Range grips provides PNW with a pretty large size spectrum

The Loam grips are popular. I was introduced to PNW Components as a brand because of the Loam grips. I’ve had them on a few bikes, and I see them quite often on different bikes at local trailheads. Bottom line: A lot of people like and use the PNW Loam grips.

But they also don’t work for some. PNW said a part of their inspiration for creating the Range grips came from customer feedback — some wanted a grip a touch slimmer than the Regular Loam, while others wanted the XL Loam a bit fatter. The Range grip fills the gaps that customers want in a PNW grip lineup.

The Regular Loam has a 32mm diameter with a 2mm taper (call it 31mm), while the XL Loam is 34mm with the same taper (33mm overall). The Range grips fall on either side of the Loam, with the Regular size at 30mm and the XL at 35mm. Both taper slightly by 1mm.

And because the Range and Loam grips aren’t vastly different, this means that PNW now has grips from 30mm up to 35mm. More size options are always a good thing.

Pros and cons of PNW Components Range grips

Pros

• Comfortable and cushy
• Adds to PNW’s size spectrum
• Six color options

Cons

• Just not my preferred size/diameter
• Fewer color options (for now?)

Bottom line

My hands prefer a roughly 32mm grip. While I get along with the Range grips just fine, I notice the smaller diameter and likely tighten my grip too much because of it. But that is the beauty of this addition to the PNW grip lineup — while I’ll stick with the Regular size Loam grips, slightly smaller hands might like the Range. From a 30mm diameter up to 35mm, PNW has you covered.

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