Peaty’s Monarch Mushroom review: These grips are super comfortable and offer excellent grip!

Analysis by Max Fuchs, BIKE editor

Grips fulfil one of the most important roles on a bike: they provide the safest connection between rider and bike. The riding experience stands or falls on them. Peaty’s is well aware of this and makes no compromises with its new Monarch grips. The Monarchs combine a soft 20A rubber compound with an intricately designed tread pattern, varying diameters and a rock-solid lockring. Added to this are details such as an offset core, a thicker layer of rubber on the top surface and areas with varying levels of texture for the palm and fingers.

We have the Mushroom variant Tested in both available diameters: ‘Thin’ measures 30 to 32 millimetres, ‘Thick’ 32 to 34 millimetres. The harder ‘Knurl’ version is also part of the Monarch range, but we will be testing it at a later date.

It becomes clear even after the first few rides: Peaty’s hasn’t simply slathered the softest possible rubber around the core of the Mushroom. The combination of material, shape and tread pattern works extremely well. The thick Monarch, in particular, proves to be a real comfort specialist without compromising on grip.

Key facts

• Price: 29.99 euros
• Version tested: Mushroom (soft version)
• Variants: Thin and Thick
• Diameter (Thin): 30–32 mm
• Diameter (thick): 32–34 mm
• Rubber compound: 20A
• Handle length: 130 mm
• Lock ring: 8 mm, 3 mm Allen key
• Weight (Thin): 108 g per pair
• Weight (Thick): 127 g per pair
• Core: 80 per cent recycled plastic
• Another option: Knurl (harder version, not yet tested)

Two profiles, two diameters

Peaty’s offers the Monarch in two different profiles. The softer Mushroom version features soft, crosswise-running slats. This principle is best known from BMX grips: the individual slats give way under load, thereby absorbing vibrations and impacts. Peaty’s consequently markets the Mushroom as a comfort-oriented option.

The Knurl version takes a different approach, however. The diamond-shaped profile is sharper and more aggressive, and is designed to provide more direct feedback and control. As such, Peaty’s is aimed more at racers and riders who prefer the most direct contact possible with the handlebars.

For the time being, we’ll stick with the Mushroom for our test. The comparison with the Knurl will still be interesting – though only once we’ve ridden the harder version ourselves.

Thin or thick?

Peaty’s also offers a choice when it comes to diameter. The ‘Thin’ version measures 30 millimetres on the inside and 32 millimetres on the outside. The ‘Thick’ version adds two millimetres to both measurements, ranging from 32 to 34 millimetres. The larger diameter not only provides a greater contact area, but also two millimetres of additional cushioning material.

In practice, the difference is more noticeable than the two millimetres would suggest. The Thick feels much more comfortable in the hand and offers more surface area to grip. The Thin, on the other hand, feels more responsive and can be gripped with slightly greater precision.

Generous grip area for hands of all sizes

You needn’t worry about a lack of space with the Peaty’s Monarch. The generous grip surface offers plenty of room for both large hands and small ones. This means the Monarch covers an astonishingly wide range in terms of width.

Slid onto the handlebars, the grips sit rock-solid. A lockring on the outside secures them with a 3-millimetre Allen key. Peaty’s also adds a light rubber coating to the inside of the grip. Even with the clamping screw loosened, this means the grip only turns very reluctantly on the handlebars. Once the lock ring is tightened, nothing moves at all.

The lockring, which is just eight millimetres wide, also maximises the usable grip surface. To achieve this, Peaty’s has tapered the inner core, making it slightly narrower towards the end of the handlebar. This ensures the grip grips the handlebar even more firmly and helps the lockring to prevent twisting.

Mushroom-shaped charm

The soft Mushroom profile turns out to be a real treat for the hands. It noticeably dampens vibrations and is gentle on the palms during long days in the saddle. The thick Monarch takes comfort up a notch.

Combined with the larger contact area of the ‘Thick’ version, I’d even go so far as to call Peaty’s Monarch Mushroom a real marvel of comfort. I’ve never actually ridden with proper ergonomic grips, having used only sporty, trail-oriented models so far. But amongst classic trail grips, the thick Monarch, with its soft rubber compound, is one of the most comfortable I know.

If you cover a lot of ground, spend long days in the saddle and mainly ride on moderate terrain, the chunky Monarch Mushroom is an exceptionally comfortable choice. Those looking for a bit more control should opt for the narrower ‘Thin’ version. The smaller circumference makes it easier to grip firmly and provides greater control. Comfort remains at a high level, but the thinner rubber means the difference compared to the ‘Thick’ version is immediately noticeable.

Comfort and grip in one package

Speaking of ‘having a firm grip’: the Monarch offers plenty of grip thanks to its well-designed tread pattern. The sipes in the thumb area and under the palm not only enhance comfort but also provide excellent grip.

The thumb rest is wider and features what is known as a zigzag profile. The angled slats provide better support for the thumb than straight ‘mushroom’ ridges under the palms, whilst also helping to reduce pressure points and blisters.

On the underside, the tread pattern becomes significantly more aggressive. The heavily textured finger section is clearly designed for maximum grip, with its angular, ribbed block design and a fine diamond pattern. It works: your fingers can literally dig in between the grooves and blocks. The grip is excellent, without the tread digging uncomfortably into the fingers.

The Monarch thus adopts a clever approach: soft and comfortable on top, structured and responsive underneath. The core is not positioned centrally within the rubber either. Peaty’s shifts it downwards, thereby creating more material on the upper surface for additional cushioning.

Comfort comes at the cost of a few grams

Weighing 108 grams in the ‘Thin’ version and 127 grams in the ‘Thick’ version (BIKE measurements), the Peaty’s are among the heavier options in the MTB screw-in grip segment. Those who count every gram will find lighter alternatives.

However, given how well it strikes a balance between comfort and grip, I’m happy to put up with the extra grams. The thick Mushroom, in particular, isn’t aimed at those obsessed with every gram anyway, but rather at riders who spend long hours in the saddle and want to give their hands as much rest as possible.

Clever down to the last detail

With the Monarch, Peaty’s doesn’t just stop at rubber and a lockring. A half-flange on the inside acts as a stop for the hand whilst also covering the clamping area. At the outer end is a small ‘pinky ramp’. It indicates to your fingers where the handlebar ends, without the need for a traditional large flange.

Peaty’s attention to detail is also evident in the materials used. The handle core is made from 80 per cent recycled marine plastic.

Conclusion and editorial commentary

The Peaty’s Monarch Mushroom is one of the most comfortable trail grips I’ve ever ridden with. The Thick version, in particular, really comes into its own on long rides and over moderate terrain. It sits comfortably in the hand, provides noticeable damping and still delivers plenty of grip. The Thin version, on the other hand, offers a more direct feel through the handlebars and is suitable for riders who prioritise control over maximum damping.

The design is particularly impressive because Peaty’s doesn’t simply prioritise comfort by using as much soft rubber as possible. The different tread sections, the offset core and the tapered shape all work together to create a successful blend of cushioning and control. Given how well it’s executed, the price of 29.99 euros is also reasonable.

The Monarchs do come at a price when it comes to weight: at 108 and 127 grams respectively, they are by no means lightweights. Anyone counting every gram will find better alternatives. Those looking for comfort and grip, on the other hand, are likely to get over the extra weight quite quickly.

Our recommendation: For long rides and cyclists who prioritise comfort, we opt for the Thick version. If you want a better feel for the handlebars and more control, ride with Thin better.

The Knurl variant We haven’t tested these yet. We’ll be looking into whether their harder, more aggressive tread pattern actually offers more control, and just how big the difference is compared to the Mushroom on the trail, in a separate test.