How to Replace Handlebar Grips
Learn how to easily remove handlebar grips and re-install them so they stay in place.
This week we’ll learn how to remove and install handlebar grips. For this job, you’ll need some replacement grips, a long, slim screwdriver or similar metal tool, a 5 or 6mm allen key to loosen your levers and shifters, some hairspray, and some WD-40 to loosen the old grips. While I don’t recommend using WD-40 as a lubricant anywhere on your bike, this is one of the few times where it works well.
Grip Removal
If you have bar-plugs you should remove these first. You’ll also likely have to loosen the brake and shift levers and slide them in toward the middle of the handlebar. This will give us room to slide our screwdriver into the end of the grip.
Once you’ve got the screwdriver inside the grip, insert the WD-40 tube and give it a squirt or two. It doesn’t take much get the grip loose enough so that you can easily wiggle it all the way off the end of the bar.
Before installing the new grips, make sure you wipe all off the bars first. If you’re reinstalling the old grips, make sure you let the grip air-dry for a few minutes first so the WD-40 you used to remove it has time to evaporate.
Grip Installation
Now spray a squirt or two of hairspray into the grip, and quickly work it onto the bar while the hairspray is still wet. It’ll dry sticky and keep your grips in place. Then move your brake and shift levers back to where they were and tighten them.
Related Links
Recommended Tools
- Park Tool SD-Set Shop Screwdrivers
- Park Tool WTK-2 Essential Tool Kit
- Park Tool SK-3 Starter Mechanic Tool Kit
- Park Tool PK-3 Professional Tool Kit
Categories
Discuss this topic in the Bicycle Repairs and Mechanics Forum
Trek 720 (1997) Drive Train (Crank & Deraileur) Replacement
Lastest post 4 days agoMy 1997 Trek 720 Multitrack was diagnosed at the local bike shop that the crankset, cassette, and chain need to be replaced. I think the front derailer also needs replacement. I ride for fitness so I do not care that much about the weight penalty using this older & heaver bike. I checked my online cycling log that tracks my workouts and it was says there is over 5,000 miles over the last...
Read moreSchwinn 3rd Avenue 700C hybrid
Lastest post 1 week agoThe bike, new, was $199 from an Amazon dealer, and it came with a load of great reviews and very few negative ones. That should be a warning to anyone looking for a new bike; the shills are out there. If anyone buys one with the idea of putting it together and going for a ride, they would be disappointed. Walmart bikes are better. Seriously! I knew that it would need some work because you do...
Read moreSquare-Taper BB 68 (1.37 24T) Crank-Arm Fixing Nuts (not bolts) Comes Loose
Lastest post 1 week agoNew to forum, just signed-up, after reading an entry about constantly loosening crank-arm fixing BOLTS. In my case, my original BB, uses crank-arm fixing NUTS (original equipment, not jury-rigged), instead of BOLTS. I’m “dating” myself, but I’ve had this bike since new. I’m constantly re-tightening the nuts, every other ride, or worse, at times after a long ride. I have had difficult...
Read moreLoose seat stem housing on Trek Madone 9.2
Lastest post 1 week agoAnyone know how to remove the plastic cover at the base of the seat stem housing on a Trek Madone 9.2? The housing piece for the seat stem wobbles a little and I'd iike to tighten it. Assuming there's a screw underneath the covers. IMG_2660.jpg (Size: 51.17 KB / Downloads: 111) IMG_2659.jpg (Size: 44.51 KB / Downloads: 111) Thanks! Bill...
Read more1962 Varsity - Move Stem Shifters Ok?
Lastest post 1 week agovarsity.jpg (Size: 152.97 KB / Downloads: 203) varsity2.jpg (Size: 77.64 KB / Downloads: 204) Hi. This is my first post. I have a 1962 Varsity that I've enjoyed riding since I was 10. I'm in my 60's now and just want to putz around the neighborhood. In order to make the bike more comfortable I put a super big seat on it and 12" high handlebars. It's my Lazy-Boy on w...
Read moreWhat’s the name of this bottom bracket ?
Lastest post 2 weeks agoI need to know what bottom bracket I have but I can fin a number or code on it to read it. Any experts in here, this is my first post. 006BA1F3-FE4D-4D22-85F0-095E72284B3D.jpeg (Size: 46.12 KB / Downloads: 61) ...
Read moreCustom Frame Headtube and Fork
Lastest post 3 weeks agoG’day, I have a couple of questions. I want to install Fox 40 29” on a new custom made frame. Frame not made yet. The headtube will be straight headtube 44mm round 120mm or 135mm in length. What length would be best? I’m looking at zs44/28.6 zs44/30 headset. Would this be the right headset for the tube and fork? Also any tips on how to installing the fork and headset? Does the uppe...
Read moreCan't adjust angle on adjustable quill stem
Lastest post 3 weeks agoI have what I take to be an adjustable quill stem, after some research. I had a bit of an incident in which a wheel temporarily became slightly loose, and I think the angle of the stem somehow moved closer to 180. The handlebars aren't at the right angle. Anyway, I've unscrewed the angle adjusting bolt, but I can't get this thing to budge. What do I do?...
Read moreRefitting a sturney archer wheel
Lastest post 3 weeks agoI am having difficulty refitting a sturney archer 3 speed wheel. The chain on the indicator bar is coming out at the wrong angle by about 90 degrees. I have clearly reassembled incorrectly but I cannot see a way of assembling with the axial rotated by 90 degrees. Suggestions gratefully received. [attachment=1236] 71DD7E3C-8E11-4410-8239-13AB8963A4D3.jpeg (Size: 71.18 KB / Down...
Read moreIs Dunlop valve almost the same as Presta?
Lastest post 3 weeks agoHi everyone. First post, posting from a phone while on a week-long bike tour. I forgot to pack a spare mountain bike tube [/w presta valve] and there are not many bike shops around, but we managed to pass by one in a remote area. Surprisingly, they only got Dunlop and Auto valve, no sign of Presta inthe necessary size. Was it a gamble to take Dunlop? Does it usually fit with the same rims as Prest...
Read moreBrake wire
Lastest post 4 weeks agoTook my bike out after a couple of years only to remember that my left brake broke off while using it last and there is an unusual cable hanging from my bike that gets in the way sometimes, is it okay for me to cut it off? Will it affect the right brake?...
Read moreNordicTrack U300 Knocking
Lastest post 4 weeks agoI'm hoping someone can help me figure out what is causing the knocking sound on my NordicTrack U300 stationary bike. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Here is a video of the knocking sound: https://1drv.ms/v/s!AnBkAt1Ty5oGiGDlEifMjPDihGr7?e=08qsm9...
Read moreHorrendous noises when pedalling
Lastest post 1 month agoI have just started hearing horrendous noises when pedalling my 7 week old Trek Powerfly 4 ebike. The sound is worse than clicking and clunking and I can’t tell exactly where it is coming from. So have uploaded a video here: https://youtu.be/G3X2tLHk4Bk. Has anyone had similar or know what if could be? I’ve not heard these types of noises before....
Read moreGear shift is stuck!
Lastest post 1 month agoOn both my bike handles, the gear shifts are stuck and I can’t move them. They’re currently stuck on gear 5 now (the highest). How do I fix it without needing a new gear shift?...
Read moreHelp with filling up hydraulic brake lever without bleed kit
Lastest post 1 month agoI bought a can of mineral oil from motorex and it came in 250ml aluminium can with big cap, and I need to fill my brake lever with that oil but I don't have syringe or bleed kit. How could I fill it up without syringe or bleed kit and tips? Anything similar to syringe that would work? 54e2f371.jpg (Size: 152.52 KB / Downloads: 54) ...
Read more
