Bicycle Mechanics - mounting grips to handlebar (advise)

Hey,

I recently bought some new grips for my bike and after reading many suggestions online for getting them to stick I tried using hairspray. The hairspray didn't lube up the grips enough and I had a lot of trouble getting them on, but then they didn't stick... It seems the hairspray probably dried to fast and didn't adhere to the handlebar. So I removed the grips and decided to try some really strong hair gel. This worked great! The gel provided plenty of lubrication for putting the grips on and then when it dried it adhered very well to the handlebar. I hope this can help someone!

ThanX for the tip. I'm about to install new grips, and I'll give it a shot!!! :beer:

Dishwasher soap also works well, but don't use too much of it!

What I found to work best is Hi-tack spray gasket adhesive found in the auto parts store. If you use this stuff, grips will slide right on, but won't come off till you want them to, and are willing to work a little at it.

Originally posted by mgagnonlv
Dishwasher soap also works well, but don't use too much of it!

I tried using dishwasher soap, but when it dried it left a slick film and so the grips slid around all over the place... I think it prevented the grips from becomming tacky on the inside and helping grip the handlebar. Hairgel was the only thing I found that worked

Hairspray only works if it's the cheapest Aqua Net you can find, in my experience. Makes me want to put a warning label on Aqua Net to keep anyone from using it near their face.

I use compressed air to install and remove grips and it works great. Just aim the nozzle under the grip and shoot air under there and the grip will move quite easily, and you don't have to worry about leaving gunk under the grip.

The easiest solution would be to get a set of ODI lock-ons. No more trouble getting things on and off, and there are a variety of grip thicknesses and patterns.

-Moab

I've used plain water for years with no problems.

I don't like to gunk up my stuff so I use rubbng alcohol or water. Alcohol does not take as long to dry. When I want to remove them, I just roll up and end and pour some along the grip. A few twists and it comes right off.

I like the ODI concept, but unless I go Pro (which will never happen), I can't really justify the expense.

- Jeff

Plus with the ODI lock ons you lose some length of the handlebar to the metal lock... it's the same as leaving the bar-ends on there (no softness all the way to the edge).

Compressed air, forced under the grip, unless you're building 100 or so beach crusiers, then use the cheapest hair spray and lots of it.

You guys are all way off the mark the first time it rains all that hair product turns slipery and your grips will slide. Go down to your hardware store and buy a can of matt black spray paint. The paint will allow you to slip the grip on and it will then stick to the grip and bar holding your grips on for ages. You must use matt black as it dries the fastest and also wont disolve in water.

:p

A small squirt of silicone spray (and i do mean small...), and also a dollop of tubular glue does wonders.

I've used hairspray, metho, water etc. but once you've tried ODI lock ons, there's no going back! Yes they are expensive but to have grips that stay in place is soooooo nice. I've also payed almost as much for a set of Yeti grips which rotated around the bars. You can buy 'refills' too which are cheaper, and you just reuse the clamps. I've never had a problem with the clamp on the end being hard, in fact I do have a problem with the grips that are too squishy on the ends, and offer no support.

Once the hairspray dries, it doesn't get slipperly when it rains. It rains a whole bunch here.

ODI lock ons will keep the ends from moving around but they'll do nothing about the center. As mentioned above.....Aqua Net...the cheapest you can find...and it DOES NOT loosen up when it gets wet.

Originally posted by miamijim
ODI lock ons will keep the ends from moving around but they'll do nothing about the center.


Do you even know what odi grips are then?

A. As a matter of fact I do know what ODI grips are and how they work

B. I was mis-taken in what I was thinking of. 3 hours of catching up on posts does that to me.

C. Do you know what the original ODI grips are?

Originally posted by bikeguru
You guys are all way off the mark the first time it rains all that hair product turns slipery and your grips will slide. Go down to your hardware store and buy a can of matt black spray paint. The paint will allow you to slip the grip on and it will then stick to the grip and bar holding your grips on for ages. You must use matt black as it dries the fastest and also wont disolve in water.

:p

Not if you buy waterproof hair gel... That's what I used at least and it seems to still be working well...

Originally posted by bikeguru
You guys are all way off the mark the first time it rains all that hair product turns slipery and your grips will slide. Go down to your hardware store and buy a can of matt black spray paint. The paint will allow you to slip the grip on and it will then stick to the grip and bar holding your grips on for ages. You must use matt black as it dries the fastest and also wont disolve in water.

:p I prefer the clear laquer myself. Although I use a rust colored primer for beater bikes

I've used a wide variety of things.

Aqua Net, WD-40, Alcohol,...etc.

One of the things I've found to work really well is rubber cement. I patch so many tubes, that I bought a big can and use it on all my grips (ODI's included!). The big can has an applicator brush and I swipe the inside 1/2 of the grip. That way when I slide it on, I don't get a huge glop sliding out the other side. I do however, still get some oozing, so I wipe it clean as I install them.

L8R

My handlebars were customly powder coated a glossy red. I just slide my Oury Grips right on, without anything and they stick where they are at during many rides. They are not even lock ons.

My method of removing the grips to save them just in case:
Get a straight piece of wire the size of a shirt hanger and lube it up with WD-40 and slowly insert it underneath the grips. Use pliers to help get it farther inside, when you get it 3/4 of the way in, bend the wire out so it exposes the surface of the handlebar. Take WD-40 with the aimer attached and spray while twisting the grip off. Use more if it gets stuck.

To install new grips:
Lube it up with WD-40(safe for rubber) and slide it on as far as you can with your hand. Then get the wire and carefully slide that under the grips and bend the grip out so you can squirt WD-40 inside and twist a bazillion times til it finally goes on. Once it's on let it dry and you should be good to go.

+1 One of the only useful uses for WD-40.

hot water to warm them up and then a thin layer of dish soapy water

Bar tape.