How to Remove Bike Grips

Removing bike grips can require some elbow grease.

Bike grips are usually made of rubber or foam. Generally, you find rubber grips on mountain bikes and hybrid-style or commuter road bikes. Some form of foam grips tend to come on cruiser bikes, some hybrids or commuters and vintage race-style road bikes. The process for removing grips from any of these bicycles is the same.

Things You'll Need

• Flathead screwdriver Hairspray (or similar lubricant) Knife (optional) Bicycle workstand (optional)

Instructions

1. Lean your bicycle against a sturdy surface, such as a wall. Better yet, clamp your bike to a bicycle mechanic workstand, if you own or have access to one.

2. Spray some hairspray on a flathead screwdriver. You can use similar type lubricants, such as Pledge cleaning spray, butter or Vaseline.

3. Lift up one end of the grip with the screwdriver. Spray or push some of your chosen lubricant inside the grip all over. This screwdriver/lubricant method is suitable for rubber and foam grips.

4. Hold the bike's handlebar with one hand. Twist the grip from side to side with the other. It should begin to slide off with relative ease. If you do not need to use these grips again, you can cut them off with a knife or poke holes in them with the screwdriver to loosen them. Take care, however, not to damage your handlebar.

5. Pull the grip from the bike. Use the lubricant that remains on your handlebar to install new grips.

Tips & Warnings

• As the late cycling expert Sheldon Brown explains at his website, you can use lubricant to remove or install the old-style foam grips found on many vintage road bikes. Since these grips curve around the drop-style handlebar, the process of getting them off or on can be a bit of a struggle. This type of application, however, is increasingly rare.

References

• Sheldon Brown's Website: Installing Handlebar Tape