Installing new grips on the handle bars

Mark said:

Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it.

Hope they help, but the main problem with mtb bars is that they're
hopelessly horrible to your hands. If the grips work, great, if not
try something with more sweep like an on-one mary or an origin-8
"space bar".

Quoted message said:

Then
I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.

This isn't an option with these. I am guessing they are going to have
to be cut off.

Yup. Be careful.

Quoted message said:

Since this is going to be a common switch when handle
bars are changed out and likely for other reasons, what is the easiest
way to get these off without damaging the bar underneath? Rather than
try to reinvent the wheel and either damaging the handle bar or
working myself needlessly with the wrong tool, I would appreciate the
input from the experts.

utility knife works fine. Steak knife, x-acto. Whatever. If you mar
the bar, it'll be covered by the grip. Just be careful.

Quoted message said:

The sales person suggested when I put the new ones on to use hairspray
to secure them into place and keep them from sliding around. Anyone
ever try this technique???

Aqua-net works a treat. But it's not always necessary. You can use
spit after sucking on a starlight mint, the sugar in your sputum will
really glue them on!

Mark said:

Well  I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage.  Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands.  I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it.  Then
I tried to get the old ones off.  Its almost like they were made on
the bar.  Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.

This isn't an option with these.  I am guessing they are going to have
to be cut off.  Since this is going to be a common switch when handle
bars are changed out and likely for other reasons, what is the easiest
way to get these off without damaging the bar underneath?  Rather than
try to reinvent the wheel and either damaging the handle bar or
working myself needlessly with the wrong tool, I would appreciate the
input from the experts.

The sales person suggested when I put the new ones on to use hairspray
to secure them into place and keep them from sliding around.  Anyone
ever try this technique???

Thanks in advance for the help.

Hi Mark.

Try slipping a narrow-bladed flat or Philips screwdriver under the
grip. Slowly work it towards the brake lever side of the grip. Once
there or nearly ther squirt a bit of water or dish detergent into the
grip where the screwdriver is creating a channel. Remove the
screwdriver and massage the grip. You should now be able to twist it
and then slide it off fairly easily. This is the way I do it whem I
need to salvage the grips on bikes I fix.

Be sure to clean the bar and the inside of the grip well before
putting the grips or new grips on.

Cheers from Peter

Mark said:

Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it. Then
I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.

\

Quoted message said:

Thanks in advance for the help.

I'm usually able to get a spoke started under the grip and squirt it
with WD-40. Twisting and pulling and working the spoke around with a
few more shots of WD-40 usually does the trick.

Sugary or milky spit slides 'em on and sticks 'em there real good.
--
zk

Mark Blackwell said:

Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it. Then
I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off....

I have been able to get flat-bar grips off by rolling them up like a
sock. YMMV, depending on how thick and stiff the grip is.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
POST FREE OR DIE!

On Dec 22, 10:18 pm, Tom Sherman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Mark Blackwell said:

Well  I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage.  Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands.  I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it.  Then
I tried to get the old ones off.  Its almost like they were made on
the bar.  Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.....

I have been able to get flat-bar grips off by rolling them up like a
sock. YMMV, depending on how thick and stiff the grip is.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
POST FREE OR DIE!

I thought 'bents were so comfortable you don't need grips?

Hank Wirtz said:

On Dec 22, 10:18 pm, Tom Sherman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Mark Blackwell said:

Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it. Then
I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off....

I have been able to get flat-bar grips off by rolling them up like a
sock. YMMV, depending on how thick and stiff the grip is.

I thought 'bents were so comfortable you don't need grips?

A bare handlebar is slippery, which would hinder operating the brakes.
The rubber grips also make the diameter of the handlebars where held
match up better to that of the twist shifter.

But Mr. Wirtz is correct, a recumbent rider puts little weight on
his/her hands [1], so padding is not necessary.

[1] Unless sitting on one hand at a time in the winter for warmth.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
POST FREE OR DIE!

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:18:49 -0800, Zoot Katz <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Mark said:

Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it. Then
I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.

\

Quoted message said:

Thanks in advance for the help.

I'm usually able to get a spoke started under the grip and squirt it
with WD-40. Twisting and pulling and working the spoke around with a
few more shots of WD-40 usually does the trick.

Sugary or milky spit slides 'em on and sticks 'em there real good.

I don't on any stoddard solvent in a can. I use about 90 psi from the
air compressor. I squirt air between the grip and the handlebar. The
grip almost blows off.

I sort of like the Ergon grips. I haven't riden eough to swear
positively about them but so far they seem to be much better than
plain old round grips.
http://www.ergon-bike.com/en/grips/index.html?WYSESSID=qj7a90sqbl2mj45in4h1eusnq3

"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it. Then
I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.

This isn't an option with these. I am guessing they are going to have
to be cut off. Since this is going to be a common switch when handle
bars are changed out and likely for other reasons, what is the easiest
way to get these off without damaging the bar underneath? Rather than
try to reinvent the wheel and either damaging the handle bar or
working myself needlessly with the wrong tool, I would appreciate the
input from the experts.

The sales person suggested when I put the new ones on to use hairspray
to secure them into place and keep them from sliding around. Anyone
ever try this technique???

Thanks in advance for the help.

I agree with Jim about the Ergon grips. I use the GP1 model. They come in
two sizes, depending on the size of your hands, small / large. They also
come in two different lengths, depending on if you use Gripshift, which is
what I have.

The GP1 grips slide easily off the handlebars. They are tightened with the
clamp.

http://www.neiu.edu/~jbollyn/bike/grip_left.jpg

http://www.neiu.edu/~jbollyn/bike/grip_right.jpg

I have used mine for many miles, and they are much better than ordinary
round grips. Keep your wrist as straight as possible, to avoid a carpal
tunnel problem. Also avoid putting too much weight on your wrists.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome

J.

Jay said:

"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it. Then
I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.

This isn't an option with these. I am guessing they are going to have
to be cut off. Since this is going to be a common switch when handle
bars are changed out and likely for other reasons, what is the easiest
way to get these off without damaging the bar underneath? Rather than
try to reinvent the wheel and either damaging the handle bar or
working myself needlessly with the wrong tool, I would appreciate the
input from the experts.

The sales person suggested when I put the new ones on to use hairspray
to secure them into place and keep them from sliding around. Anyone
ever try this technique???

Thanks in advance for the help.

I agree with Jim about the Ergon grips. I use the GP1 model. They come in
two sizes, depending on the size of your hands, small / large. They also
come in two different lengths, depending on if you use Gripshift, which is
what I have.

The GP1 grips slide easily off the handlebars. They are tightened with the
clamp.

http://www.neiu.edu/~jbollyn/bike/grip_left.jpg

http://www.neiu.edu/~jbollyn/bike/grip_right.jpg

I have used mine for many miles, and they are much better than ordinary
round grips. Keep your wrist as straight as possible, to avoid a carpal
tunnel problem. Also avoid putting too much weight on your wrists.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome

J.

Many people like the Ergon grip, but there are also people who don't
like me. I find them terrible. With Ergon grips there is only one
comfortable position, No room for variation. I don't like that. It's
just like those preshaped carbon road handlebars. For me round is
better. Just my 2 ct's

Lou

"Lou Holtman" wrote: (clip) there are also people who don't

Quoted message said:

like me. I find them terrible. (clip)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Concentrate on the people who DO like you. The others may be terrible, but
they don't matter. ;-)

landotter said:

Aqua-net works a treat. But it's not always necessary. You can use
spit after sucking on a starlight mint, the sugar in your sputum will
really glue them on!

Readily available; cheap; effective(?); dual purpose; no left-over. I like it!

---
Michael

Jim Behning said:

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:18:49 -0800, Zoot Katz <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:31:14 -0800 (PST), Mark
<[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it. Then
I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.

\

Quoted message said:

Thanks in advance for the help.

Quoted message said:

I'm usually able to get a spoke started under the grip and squirt it
with WD-40. Twisting and pulling and working the spoke around with a
few more shots of WD-40 usually does the trick.

Quoted message said:

Sugary or milky spit slides 'em on and sticks 'em there real good.

I don't on any stoddard solvent in a can. I use about 90 psi from the
air compressor. I squirt air between the grip and the handlebar. The
grip almost blows off.

I sort of like the Ergon grips. I haven't riden eough to swear
positively about them but so far they seem to be much better than
plain old round grips.http://www.ergon-bike.com/en/grips/index.html?WYSESSID=qj7a90sqbl2mj4...

Well I was wondering about using a soldering iron to melt instead of
cut the grip off, but the melted plastic might be more of a mess than
it was worth. Anyone ever try this technique.

Mark said:

On Dec 23, 7:59 am, Jim Behning

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:18:49 -0800, Zoot Katz <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:31:14 -0800 (PST), Mark
<[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
>got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
>hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it. Then
>I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
>the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.
\
>Thanks in advance for the help.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm usually able to get a spoke started under the grip and squirt it
with WD-40. Twisting and pulling and working the spoke around with a
few more shots of WD-40 usually does the trick.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Sugary or milky spit slides 'em on and sticks 'em there real good.

Quoted message said:

I don't on any stoddard solvent in a can. I use about 90 psi from the
air compressor. I squirt air between the grip and the handlebar. The
grip almost blows off.

Quoted message said:

I sort of like the Ergon grips. I haven't riden eough to swear
positively about them but so far they seem to be much better than
plain old round grips.http://www.ergon-bike.com/en/grips/index.html?WYSESSID=qj7a90sqbl2mj4...

Well I was wondering about using a soldering iron to melt instead of
cut the grip off, but the melted plastic might be more of a mess than
it was worth. Anyone ever try this technique.

Heck, don't hold back, why not a propane plumbers torch? Just aim that
flame and watch'em drip off!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Mark <[email hidden]> wrote:
> Well I am still in the get the bike really comfortable stage. Just
> got a new Schwinn mountain bike and am developing some numbness in the
> hands. I bought some new countoured grips to help deal with it. Then
> I tried to get the old ones off. Its almost like they were made on
> the bar. Now in my younger years grips would just slide on and off.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Zoot Katz said:

I'm usually able to get a spoke started under the grip and squirt it
with WD-40. Twisting and pulling and working the spoke around with a
few more shots of WD-40 usually does the trick.
Sugary or milky spit slides 'em on and sticks 'em there real good.

Quoted message said:

Jim Behning said:

I don't on any stoddard solvent in a can. I use about 90 psi from the
air compressor. I squirt air between the grip and the handlebar. The
grip almost blows off.
I sort of like the Ergon grips. I haven't riden eough to swear
positively about them but so far they seem to be much better than
plain old round grips.http://www.ergon-bike.com/en/grips/index.html?WYSESSID=qj7a90sqbl2mj4...

Mark said:

Well I was wondering about using a soldering iron to melt instead of
cut the grip off, but the melted plastic might be more of a mess than
it was worth. Anyone ever try this technique.

As others have noted, slipping something long and skinny under the grip,
maybe followed by alcohol or soapy water, works fine.
Or, if you don't need the grip any longer, just slit with a blade.

New grips will stay in place reliably if they are clean on a clean bar.
Use compressed air to assist installation if needed. Glues and adhesive
sprays make a mess and don't work any better than clean rubber on clean
metal.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

landotter said:

Mark said:

Well I was wondering about using a soldering iron to melt instead of
cut the grip off, but the melted plastic might be more of a mess than
it was worth. Anyone ever try this technique.

Heck, don't hold back, why not a propane plumbers torch? Just aim that
flame and watch'em drip off!

And make sure to inhale the fumes!

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
POST FREE OR DIE!