Bicycle Mechanics - Lizard Skins Lock on grips installation problem

I just purchased a pair of Lizard Skins lock on grips, but I can't seem to put them together. Even before putting the grips on the bars, I can't get the sliver lock rings over the ends of the grips. It seems like the lock rings are made out of quite a hard brittle material, and without breaking out the tools I can't either spread the clips or squeeze the grip enough to make it go on.

I suppose I could get out the vice and start applying some real force, but this just seems wrong to me...I thought lock on grips were supposed to be trivially easy to install! Do you think:

1. They are defective
2. I need to get the tools out
3. I'm doing something wrong

Thanks

You probably need to use some soap (or WD) on the bars :)

They are ODI based correct.

If you have access to a bench mounted vice, put the grip on it and put just enough pressure on it to flex it, but to to the point of crushing the grip body. It should make getting the lock wrings on a little bit easier. Never put soap or WD40 on a set of bars that are going to be using lock on grips.

Yes, they are ODI based. A bit of a bad outcome, probably my fault for being too rough with them. The first one worked out fine, but on the second the grip internally fractured before I was able to apply enough force to get the ring on. I still can't believe they should be so hard to put on....

I picked up a set of the Pedro's Lock on's and a set of the Nashbar Lock On's (figured I would try a couple different kinds.) Both went on with zero effort although the ends of both grips are a lot fatter than the ODI based grips which is a bit of a negative--it is pretty uncomfortable if you don't put your hand exactly in the center.

You put too much pressure on them.