LeMansGTi

ok, so I need to replace one of my shifters, so I only have to remove one of them thankfully. it doesnt seem want to move at all, so I am tempted to cut it off but then I would have to buy a new one. and well, I would like to avoid that if possible. thanx

CACycling

You need to get something slippery (like soapy water) between the grip and the bar. I've had luck using a skewer (the bamboo kind used for shishkabobs); lay the bike on its side so the grip is vertical; slide the skewer between the bar and the grip; pour a little soapy water into the gap; and work around the rest of the grip using the same method. Once you get around the entire grip it should slide right off. Or you could use it as an excuse to get new grips and slice them up.

LeMansGTi

um, why didnt I think of that. ah

on another note, any idea of some good grips?

waterrockets 

Blower hooked up to an air compressor, if the grip goes to the end of the bar. Plug the grip with your hand and shoot air through the other side -- grip will inflate and fly off of there, in your hand.

BikeGarage

Park Tool site is your friend.

bobn

Take a thin blade small flat screw driver and gently work it under the surface of the grip. Shoot some WD 40 in. Work the blade all around the grip using the WD 40. gradually work your way in deeper and deeper. Begin twisting as you get in deeper. Once the grip comes off, wash it and the bar good with soap and water. Put it back on with Windex.

2_i 

Plain water sprayed underneath is sufficient and the benefit is that you don't need to clean it off thereafter.

n4zou

+1 and there's nothing to clean off before reinstalling, which is also easy to do by pushing the grip on as you blow air under it.

BikeManDan

If you don't have an air compressor you can use a floor pump with a cone adapter (like for inflating balls and air mattresses and such) and blow the grip off this way. Works great if they grip is the closed type with a small hole in the end

Peek the Geek

My method is to blow air between the grip and the bar with a can of compressed air. Simple, no mess.

Wordbiker

Denatured alcohol is my weapon of choice. It dries faster than water, doesn't eat the grips like WD-40 and cleans the bars for reinstallation.

ginsoakedboy

No no no. Here's the best kept secret -- hairspray. It's slippery as goose-poop when it's wet, so you just need to lift the grip a bit, shoot some in, and then start working the grip around and shooting in a bit more until the whole grip is loose. But (and here's the great thing -- almost makes women worth putting up with just because they have hairspray), when you remount the grip, use the hairspray again. The grips slide on like nothing, and because it's about 75% alchohol, it dries really quick and what is left is like a glue - tacks the grips firmly in place. (But you can still remove them again by simply re-applying more hairspray). Who knew that women could actually be helpful for something.

Wordbiker

Hairspray can leave a sticky mess and contains lots of stuff not needed. Alcohol dissolves completely.

For speed in the shop I'll stick with denatured alcohol.

ginsoakedboy

No sticky mess, and the aerosol makes it easy to squirt in under the grip. The extra stuff is - glue. Seriously . . . try it . . . . this is one of the best bike tricks I've ever picked up. But, use whatever works for you.

urbanknight

+1 That's how we did it when I worked in a bike shop.

treebound 

What I've done is to take a length of wire, oxy/acet welding wire or an old wire coat hanger, and bend a 90* angle at one end. Then shove the straight portion up under the grip and start to spin he wire using the bent portion as a crank handle. The wire will walk itself around the handlebar under the grip loosening it up as it goes, then just work it off. Feel free to use water or alcohol to lube it with. Works for motorcycle grips too when there isn't an air supply handy.

Torchy McFlux

I use a long thin flat-head screwdriver and a spray bottle of window cleaner set on "stream". Jam the screwdriver under the grip, spray some cleaner in there, then push/pull the screwdriver around until the grip wants to slide off.
To install, I like clear spray paint. Dry the bar so there's no cleaner left, spray a little paint into the new grips, and quickly slide them into place. Sometimes you need to twist and pull a bit.
I like those dual-compound Serfas grips, or ones like them. Lots of guys around here swear by lock-ons, but I think they're over-kill and over-priced.

Deanster04

I use a couple of spokes and rubbing alcohol.

Matt Gaunt

Must admit, I use hairspray. For removing my grips too

JSellers

Look out some dual compound thin grips blow up like balloons.

Hobartlemagne 

This is one of the few bike-jobs where wd-40 is acceptable. Use the red pipe to spray
under the grip. Twist it like a motorcycle throttle. Repeat.

sonatageek

This method works great and leaves no mess.

tellyho

Yeah, the red WD40 stick is your friend. Easiest way without a compressor.

LeMansGTi

thanks for all the responses guys, I will try the air one tomorrow. I dont have a compressor or foot pump but have a hand pump, maybe it will work.

I did think about the WD-40 before, but thought it might leave one heck of a mess.

Torchy McFlux

Could you please record a video of you trying and post it on YouTube when you're done? Thanks.