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The Best Handlebar End Plugs for Style and Functionality

Last updated: 22 Aug 2022
As a bike owner, it’s important to keep your bicycle in great condition, and there are lots of different ways in which you can do that. You’ll obviously need to inspect, clean, and repair your bike regularly, and it’s also a good idea to invest in the right accessories. Handlebar end plugs, for example, may seem like pretty small and insignificant items at first glance, but they have an important role to play in bike safety. They help to protect your handlebars if crashes happen, while also reducing the risk of injury. Not only are handlebar end plugs functional, but they’re also available in lots of fun colors and designs, adding some aesthetic value to your bike, as well. But which set is right for you? Here are the top handlebar end plugs for 2022.

Best Overall

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Domain Cycling Handlebar End Plugs

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Best for Drop Bar

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Marque ENZ Handlebar End Plugs

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Best for BMX

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Wake Handlebar End Plugs

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Best Value

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Platt Handlebar End Plugs

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Best Aesthetics

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Fomtor Handlebar End Plugs

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Show Contents
Comparing the Top Handlebar End Plugs of 2022

Buyer’s Guide: Handlebar End Plugs

Handlebar end plugs are super useful bicycle accessories that offer both functional advantages and aesthetic additions to your bike. However, with so many end plugs on the market, picking the right models for your needs can feel like a challenge. So, let’s take a look at some of the key factors you need to keep in mind to help you choose the right handlebar end plugs to suit your bike.
First of all, it’s important to understand that there are a few different types of handlebar end plugs. Push in plugs, for example, simply push right into the ends of your handlebars. They're commonly used on road bikes and are really easy to work with, usually made of nylon or plastic.

Extender plugs are another popular choice, and they're one of the toughest options to consider for your bike. These handlebar end plugs are able to extend, giving you longer handlebars to hold onto.

There are also bar-end plugs. As the name implies, bar end caps aren't quite the same as regular plugs. They simply fit over the ends of the bars of a bike, rather than being pushed into the bars. They’re more for aesthetics than real protection.

What Are Handlebar End Plugs?

If you're new to the world of cycling, you might not be familiar with the term "handlebar end plugs". Also known as bar end plugs, these items are small but important parts of any bike. As the name suggests, they're small, plug-like items that stick into the open ends of your bike's handlebars.

Most bikes come with their own handlebar end plugs by default, but they may wear down over time and need replacing. Or, your bike may not have any handlebar end plugs, to begin with, in which case it is important for you to invest in a set of good quality end plugs to slip inside your handlebars.

Purpose of Handlebar End Plugs

So, now that we know what handlebar end plugs are, what are handlebar end plugs for? Well, they have a couple of purposes. Here's a quick breakdown of the main uses and advantages of handlebar end plugs for bike maintenance.

Protecting your bike's handlebars

One of the main purposes of handlebar end plugs is to protect the handlebars in the event of a crash. If you crash or collide with something without any plugs present, the handlebars might

Keeping you safe

Another big benefit of using end plugs is to protect yourself and others around you. If you crash with a bike that has open-ended handlebars, the bars could cause puncture wounds or serious injuries. The presence of plugs helps to reduce the risk of such nasty accidents occurring.

Improving the aesthetics

Handlebar end plugs also have an aesthetic advantage. They're available in many colors and designs and can add some fun visual flair to your bike.

Comparing the Top Handlebar End Plugs of 2022

Domain Cycling Handlebar End Plugs – Best Overall

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Kicking off our list of the top handlebar end plugs, we have these plugs from Domain Cycling. Available in a wide range of colors, like blue, gold, green, and purple, these handlebar end plugs can match the design of your bike without standing out or looking strange. They’re crafted from top quality aluminum for maximum durability, with a smooth matte finish for aesthetics. Each plug is expandable too, ready to fit all sorts of bikes, from BMX bikes to MTBs and more. As well as being widely compatible, these handlebar end plugs also come complete with a lifetime guarantee, with no questions asked refunds if you have any issues. With their solid designs and impressive warranty protection, these plugs win our best overall award.

Pros

  • Lifetime warranty coverage
  • Lots of colors available
  • Strong and durable 

Cons

  • Quite a basic design
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Marque ENZ Handlebar End Plugs – Best for Drop Bar

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Next up, we have these great handlebar end plugs from Marque. Made from strong aluminum, these handlebar end plugs are ready to last for years of use, so you won’t have to worry about replacing your end plugs over and over again. They’re fully expandable and adjustable to fit snugly and securely in your handlebars, and they’re specially designed for use with drop bars. Users really love these handlebar end caps, with many people commenting on their snug fit and impressive durability. Plus, you can pick from four different colors to suit the style and theme of your bike.

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Strong and sturdy
  • Lots of color options

Cons

  • Won’t work on flat bars
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Wake Handlebar End Plugs – Best for BMX

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If you’ve got a BMX and you’re looking for a good set of handlebar end plugs to complete your bike, you may want to consider this set from Wake. Crafted to suit most BMX bikes, as well as road bikes, MTBs, and mountain bikes, these rubber and aluminum end plugs are available in black, red, gold, and blue. They’re really shiny and impressive to look at, instantly adding some visual flair and excitement to your bike’s design. These plugs are surprisingly strong and lightweight, snapping securely into position and remaining in place to protect your handlebars against future damages. Users are also impressed by how easy these plugs are to use, as you can simply pop them into the bars and start riding without any delay.

Pros

  • Ideal for BMX and mountain bikes
  • Very aesthetically impressive
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • They scratch quite easily
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Platt Handlebar End Plugs – Best Value

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One of the issues with owning a bike is that you can end up spending a lot of money on all of the different items and accessories. So you might be looking to save a little cash, and these handlebar end plugs from Platt are ideally-suited for people with a strict budget. They’re a great value buy, available at a lower price than most other sets on the market, while still offering decent levels of strength and protection. These handlebar end plugs feature a mixture of rubber and aluminum, blending strength and flexibility to fit snugly inside the bars of most kinds of bikes, like road bikes, mountain bikes, and BMXs too. They’re lightweight, easy to install, and relatively durable. 

Pros

  • Good value for money
  • Installation tool included with every purchase
  • Full refund if you’re not satisfied

Cons

  • The design is quite basic
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Fomtor Handlebar End Plugs – Best Aesthetics

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Last but not least, the final entry in our list of handlebar end plugs is this set of two plugs from Fomtor. Made from aluminum and suitable for road and mountain bikes alike, these end plugs immediately stand out from the crowd with their distinctive design. They feature shiny, metallic ends and are available in four bold colors, including blue, black, and red. No matter which color you pick, you’ll get a striking set of handlebar end plugs that instantly add class and style to your bike. These plugs are highly functional, as well as visually appealing, adding some much-needed protection to the ends of your bike’s handlebars to protect you and your bike in case of a crash. 

Pros

  • Very attractive design
  • Works on most bikes
  • Multiple colors to choose from

Cons

  • Can scratch easily
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People Also Asked

When should I replace my end plugs?

Handlebar end plugs should be replaced when they start to break or crack. Riding your bike with damaged end plugs not only looks bad, but it can also be dangerous too. 

What color end plugs are right for my bike?

This will depend on the color of your bike, as well as your personal preferences. Some people like their handlebar end plugs to match the rest of their bike, while others prefer to choose a statement color. 

Why do I need handlebar end plugs?

These plugs can help protect your handlebars from damage. They can also give your bike a more personal look. 

Kevin G. Harper
By Kevin G. Harper
Kevin G. Harper is a journalist based in Indianapolis, Indiana with 5 years of experience covering sports, outdoors, technology, and all of the internet trends. As a content creator and editor, he has gathered experience working with teams of editors on various social media, internet blogs, and eCommerce projects. In his free time, Kevin enjoys fishing, following college basketball and football, and trail running with his dog, Banjo. He also enjoys gaming with his friends, trying new restaurants, and reading on his balcony.
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