How to Replace Bike Grips

Most shops will charge you as much in labor to replace your handlebar grips as the price of the new grips themselves. Replacing them is easy if you know a few tricks.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Slotted Screwdrivers
• Bike Grips
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Allen Wrenches
• Hair Spray

1. Remove your bar ends, if you have them - this requires a 5mm Allen wrench. Be careful not to strip the bolt. If you don't have bar ends, make sure to buy grips that have a closed end.

2. 

   Remove the old grips. You can slice them off with a box cutter, but this risks scratching the bars. Instead, insert a small flat-head screwdriver under each grip. Then drip some rubbing alcohol between the grip and the bar or, even better, shoot in some hair spray. Work the screwdriver around a bit and the old grip should slide right off.

3. 

   Use hair spray or rubbing alcohol to coat the inside of the new grips. Slide the new grips onto the bar.

4. 

   Reinstall the bar ends. Be careful not to overtighten them - you can damage the bars.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a Gripshift system, make sure you buy short grips that are compatible with the shifters.
• Note that it will take a while for the hair spray or rubbing alcohol to dry. Wait to ride the bike until the grips are set.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

[joey66777]

on 5/7/2007 what about butter

on 8/11/2006 Spraying water on the bars, and the inside of the new grips, before attempting to slide them on is also an easy way to install new grips.