Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race. 
How to Remove Bicycle Handlebar Grips
How to Remove Bicycle Handlebar Grips
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can EditEventually, the grips on a bike's handlebars have to be replaced. This can be made much easier by using a can of furniture polish with lemon and a thin screwdriver. Here's how to pop off those grips in no time.
Steps
- Gather the supplies you will need: a screwdriver and lemon furniture polish. Never use oil.
- Spray the furniture polish onto the screwdriver. Then insert the lubricated screwdriver between the grip and handlebar. Push it all the way in.
- Move the old grip around and around until the grip is loosened from the handlebar. Twist it with your other hand until you feel it sliding.
- Pull it to remove the grip. Spray some furniture polish in there if more lubrication is needed.
Tips
- Why lemon furniture polish? Because in addition to lubricating, it will clean the bike, dry easily, prevent dirt from sticking when you're done and it will smell like lemon!
- If you have access to a compressor, try inserting a dust-off nozzle (or other slim nozzle) in place of the screwdriver, then blasting with air. The rushing air will "float" the grip so it can be removed easily.
- Foam grips can be removed easily by first placing them in hot water for a minute or two.
- Hair spray (or any spray containing alcohol) can be used; the alcohol will provide temporary lubrication until it dries and does not need to be removed.
- Mineral spirits are also a great alternative and can be found in the painting supply section of your local hardware store.
- Alternatively, just use a utility knife to cut the grip off if you don't care about keeping the grip after it has been removed.
- Another method of removing a stubborn rubber grip is to use a syringe to inject water under the grip. The water acts as a lubricant and a couple of small injections make the grip really easy to remove. This trick is especially helpful if you are worried about damaging a carbon fiber bar.
- If your grips twist on the bar during hard riding, remove the grip and use hairspray as a lubricant to replace the grip. Once the hairspray dries it helps stop the grips from twisting.
- Another method of removing a stubborn rubber grip is to use air prssure or canned air plug hole on one grip side blow air from other grip side hole blows the grip right off
Warnings
- Keep the furniture polish away from your chain, rims, and bearings if you use it to clean your bike.
- Be careful when applying force to the screwdriver.
- Be sure to clean the polish off of your handlebars with rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol, or acetone fingernail polish remover before installing a new pair of grips or else they won't stay on.
- Grip glue will hold your new grips in place; it comes off cleanly and won't melt your grips like toluene-based glues.
- Using a screwdriver or utility knife is fine for plumber's pipe handlebars, but carbon fiber or thin walled aluminum handlebars can fail if scratched or cut resulting in serious injury.
Things You'll Need
- Small screwdriver or other long rod with a small diameter
- Lemon furniture polish or similar product
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