How to Remove Handlebars on a Mountain Bike

Your mountain bike's handlebars are not welded on to your bike. You can remove the handlebars to help you transport the bike easier, store the bike when you will not be using it for long periods of time or to replace the handlebars with newer and better ones.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Get a set of Allen wrenches. Almost all bike components have bolts with hexagonal heads, which you can loosen and remove with Allen wrenches. Make sure you have several sizes, as often you will need multiple sizes of wrenches to remove different bolts.

2. Start by removing the grips on the handlebar. Most mountain bikes will have a plug on the end of the handlebar to keep out dirt that you can usually remove with a screwdriver. After that, either you can loosen the clamps that hold the grip on, or you can just slide the grip off.

3. Take off the brakes and shifters. There should be a clamp or two held on by a bolt. Loosen the bolt or bolts, but do not remove them completely. You can then slide the brakes and shifters off instead of having to keep up with the separate pieces.

4. Remove any other accessories from the handlebars such as reflectors and onboard computers. Clamps or tension straps should hold these on. Simply loosen the clamps or cut the straps.

5. Unscrew the bolts on the plate holding the handlebars to the steering tube. There should be at least two and possibly more bolts holding the handlebars on. Remove the plate and the handlebars will be free to store, ship or replace.

Tips & Warnings

• If your brake or shifter cable isn't long enough to allow you to slide it off your handlebar, turn the handlebars toward the short cable to get some extra slack.
• If the bike's grips are held on by friction, try lifting a small part of it by wedging in a screwdriver and spraying a lubricant in, like hairspray, to help the grip slide off.

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