{"id":46811,"date":"2024-11-22T09:44:54","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T09:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/?p=46811"},"modified":"2024-11-22T09:50:54","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T09:50:54","slug":"grab-a-coffee-5-minutes-with-dmr-the-new-deathgrip-2-mtb-grip-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/grab-a-coffee-5-minutes-with-dmr-the-new-deathgrip-2-mtb-grip-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"Grab a Coffee – 5 Minutes with DMR – The New Deathgrip 2 MTB Grip Launch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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With the reworking of the iconic Deathgrip mountain bike handlebar grip, Merlin Cycles sit down for a coffee and a chat with Mark Noble from DMR<\/a> to go over all things about the brand and to look at some of the details of the new Deathgrip 2<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mark, great to catch up with you. For those that don’t know, give us a bit of background on the history of DMR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DMR was the brainchild of two bike-mad Sussex schoolmates almost 30 years ago, Damian Mason and Matt Ryley \u2013 they\u2019re both dirt bike lovers, riders, product designers and DMR<\/a> is all for people who just want better bike product. Matt and Damo set about designing parts, finding and working with factories and engineers overseas, making better and longer-lasting mountain bike product for a new, more hardcore, tougher style of mtb riding. And they haven\u2019t rested since \u2013 making more product, continually refining bike parts, working with riders and teams and media and making sure DMR is right where it needs to be and making the best stuff. People know and trust our products, these are all products which have won countless awards and tests\u2026 plus, with the team and sponsored riders we work with, there\u2019s always something new going on, something fun somewhere. We all love bicycles and dirt, and that\u2019s what DMR\u2019s about.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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And when was the first grip produced by DMR? Was it the first product from the brand?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first DMR product back in the day was a Chain Tug! A small, yet tough little device to keep correct chain tension on a dirt jump bike with slotted dropouts. Easy. As for DMR grips, they came shortly afterwards with simple push-on dirt jump grips for the trail riders. DMR grips have gone through many iterations since then \u2013 we still have a range of modern dirt jump grips, and they\u2019re awesome.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Deathgrip – where did the name come from?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

opllyThat came from the minds of Brendan Fairclough<\/a> and Olly Wilkins<\/a> who worked on the original designs and concepts for Deathgrip \u2013 which, is when you\u2019re riding hella fast downhill without any fingers covering the brake levers. Full grip, no slip, holding just the grips themselves. No brakes, full commitment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Who rides Deathgrips?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Literally, tens of thousands of riders worldwide swear by Deathgrips. Obviously, our whole DMR Bikes team runs Deathgrips in all forms \u2013 thick, thins, soft, Race, flangeless, flanged\u2026 we have so many options we have something for everyone. We also support and sponsor teams, such as the Viris team, Specialized Youth Team, MB Cycles Youth Team, Katy Curd Youth Team, the Propain Positive World Cup Team \u2013 they all run Deathgrips. Then, we have riders who choose to run Deathgrips outside of their pro sponsorship deals and regularly put them on World Cup and Hardline Podiums \u2013 they just want the best grips. They know who they are\u2026 but it\u2019s great that local riders in the local woods can just walk into their local bike shop, grab a set of Deathgrips, and run the same product as the fastest and raddest riders in the World. That\u2019s what makes DMR what it is today.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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How does Deathgrip 2 differ from the original? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hit the nail on the head with the design of the original Deathgrip back in 2017 \u2013 that combination of mushroom, waffle, and knurl grip pattern, the tapered core for secure fit, and the compounds and colour options\u2026 the Deathgrip really set the tone for all MTB grips going forwards and it inspired a mountain of copies. We see blatant copies and brands who pick Deathgrip designs, everywhere. The new Deathgrip 2 takes the best features of the original Deathgrip, and has fundamental improvements: a new flange design, a slimmer lock-on collar, the same tapered core, and a new grip end. We\u2019ve also fine-tuned the grip pattern for better grip and feel. The new end has an exposed core which makes them more durable, plus adds colour options and a new DMR logo on the end. Deathgrip 2 is the original, just better.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Flange or Non-Flange?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can choose either or! We offer both choices on Deathgrip 2, so fill yer boots.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Standard or Race?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, we offer choices here too \u2013 Standard grip compound feels great for all days, all mountains, all conditions and all riders. The softer Race compound just gives you extra comfort, extra grip, maybe for a little extra gnar for race weekends. Perfect for bike park sessions too.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Black or Colour coded?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deathgrip 2 comes in six new colour options \u2013 Race versions come in black only with a new Red core, standard Deathgrip 2s come in black, blue marble, camo, snow camo, gum, and red for starters, thick or thin diameters, with or without flange\u2026 the combo choices are all there.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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What can we expect from DMR in the next few years? Any sneak previews? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haha! That would be telling\u2026 Deathgrip 2 is another major launch for DMR Bikes this year \u2013 we launched the Flat4 pedal<\/a> and the titanium Trailstar frame earlier this year as well \u2013 but don\u2019t forget that 2025 will be the 30 Year Anniversary for DMR Bikes so we\u2019ll have a lot going on in the very near future.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Mark, great to catch up with you and see you out on the trails sometime!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Brendan Fairclough (@brendog1)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>