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I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to put a new set of grips on to my mountain bike handlebars..
The old ones came off fairly agreeably and I've got the new ones 80-90% of the way on, however, at this point both my hands are stinging from the aggressive twisting and pushing - I have tried gloves, but I feel it's best left till my hands don't hurt anymore.
Is there a tried and tested way of doing this? Or is there a knack to this that I am missing?
Spit.
Im not kidding. Saliva is a great lubricant that will dry with little residue, and depending on any sugars in your system, could be a little tacky. I have done this for years.
Two solutions I've used:
Distribute thin zip-ties around the inside of the grip somewhat evenly so that they provide slippery "rails" on which the grip can slide on the bar. Once the grip is in place, pull the zip-ties out (with pliers if necessary).
Best solution (probably available only at shops): use an air compressor with a narrow tip to inject air between the grip and the handlebar at an angle (like spiralling around). This will create an air cushion and you can move the grip around (keep moving the air jet as you apply the air jet, since only in some positions the air cushion is formed).
Less professional method is what I use to do at home:
I am eager to know other alternatives, because this not always work. Specifically, it might take a few days untill the alcohol eventually disapears. Before that, some slight slipping might happen, but usually nothing serious.
Hope this helps.
Avenir 3D rubber grips on my cruiser bar: Vodka :) Just a splash inside the grips, wriggle them on, and let excess drain outside the end hole.
Since no one else mentioned this: I always use a glass/window cleaner (like Windex).
It works really well. Easy to spray on the bar or in the grip and it evaporates quickly but not as quickly as isopropyl alcohol. Plus I think it has a surfactant which makes things slide a bit easier. And you may be likely to have some around.
Usually works to take old ones off too, slip something like a screwdriver into the end to make a space, spray some in, then twist/wiggle it.
I always used hairspray with my grips, it's the best solution in my opinion. It not only keeps them from slipping too far on/off the handlebars, but keeps them from twisting in place. Now, however, I use locking grips like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/110736653646?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1030wt_1163
Two parts to this question - how to ease off an old grip that you may want to reuse (ie cutting it off is too destructive. Followed by how to fit the new one.
I use a thin old electrician's flathead screwdriver to gently lever the edge off the grip up, then tilt the bike so that it leans to the side I'm working on, and then squirt a splash of water and dishwash liquid from a spray bottle into the raised edge. Then withdraw the screwdriver and work the grip around. You can feel it loosen and then it just comes off.
To fit the new one, you simply push it on and position the angle before the soapy water dries.
Once the water evaporates the dishwash is left behind, providing somewhat of a tacky adhesive. So yes this will leave it slidey for an hour or so while the water dries. You can speed this by leaving the bike in the sunlight, black/dark grips should dry quickly.
Personally I'm a big fan of the grips with palm support, but you need them tilted to the right angle before the soap dries. Then tighten the tiny restraining bolts that many new grips have now.
To put simple rubber compound grips I usually use two step procedure. Use extreme degreaser on handlebar, the one that is used to degrease car brake rotors. Then pour some water into grips and then put them on while water is still inside grips. To take them off it's even simplier. I use syringe with water. Stick the needle through grip up until the surface of a handlebar and then inject some water. The grip come off with no effort at all. Using lock-on grips though makes process of putting grips on and off a lot easier ;)
The technique I use is to apply dish washing soap to the metal of the grip so that they are slick and put the grips in boiled water. Leave the water to cool down enough to put your hands in but so that the grips are still warm. The water will cause the grips to expand so that they go on easy, they will shrink back down when they cool. Then simply put the grips on using the usual twist and push method.
How to remove the old grip first
In case you have old grips already on, or want to adjust existing ones, I'll just give a more precise version of the "rubbing alcohol" suggestion from https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/a/8720/34651
What I have been using is the Servisol IPA 170 isopropyl alcohol. It even comes with a little plastic tube that fits perfectly with this application, because you have to insert it in below the existing grip somehow! Here's a sample Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000KHDYB0
I then first start to stick a spoon under the grip to make room for the little tube, then put the tube in, spray some in, then push the spoon further a bit more, spray again and then my grip comes off. Here I used an aluminium spoon, but if it weren't my bicycle I would try and use some hard plastic or wood to avoid scratching the handlebar. Not that it matters much as it will be under the grip afterwards.
The thing dries off quite quickly, and the grip soon becomes firmly placed again.
Placing a new grip would be the same but you wouldn't need the spoon, just spray over the surface directly.
Here's a photo of the product and the start of the procedure mentioned. I wish I could have done a video, but a third hand was missing :-)
Hairspray, Hairspray, Hairspray. Lubricant on the way on. Adhesive once dry. Ive done literally thousands of grips with hairspray in 25 years in bike shops and team maintenance. Never has one come off when nor required or squirmed.
Use a can of Aerosol Lubricant with a spray nozzle. When it comes to reinstalling the handlebar grip to the bike, the process becomes much easier compared to the removal process. You can simply place it over the edge of the handlebar and make sure to target the hole of the grip at the center of the handlebar. Then use your palm to push and hammer it the rest of the way until the handlebar is in the right position.
Boiling water helped but hair spray was best
