Originally Posted by
1242Vintage
Thanks for the tip. I have a compressor but would never have thought about using air to remove the grips.
The job sounds straightforward. I'll put the new shifters on in the next day or two so I can get back on the dirt soon.
While I've seen this done at my local co-op, I've never been able to do it myself and the times I have seen it done, it takes a
lot of air to do the job. I've never seen on "just zip right off" as many people say. Personally, I can get the grips off faster using the method dsbrantjr uses...but without the WD-40.
Originally Posted by
dsbrantjr
Lacking a compressor I have had good success working a thin screwdriver blade under the grip, then inserting a WD-40 straw alongside and shooting a little in. Work the blade and grip around a little (turn the handle)and the grip will slide off fairly easily. Just clean the bar and grip after so they do not movbe around when reinstalled.
I'm not sure why you would even want WD-40 anywhere near a pair of handlebar grips. It's messy and the grips are unusable afterwards. Putting a lubricant with low volatility under something that needs to not twist around is just not a good idea.
Originally Posted by
Miele Man
I do it that way too except I use a solution of dish washing soap and water.
Cheers
Soap and water works. Window cleaner also works. My favorite, however, is to slide a thin tool...the 2.5mm allen wrench from a Park Tool set that you almost never use on anything works the best...then spray in a bit of alcohol from a spray bottle. Then pull out the tool and twist the grips off. I can remove grips this way faster than someone using the air method...and with a lot less noise.
Originally Posted by
CafeVelo
+1 to this and to the compressor trick. I always spray the inside of grips with hairspray when I put them on again, it acts like a lubricant when it's wet so they go on easy, but when it dries it's like a threadlocker and keeps them from twisting or slipping off.
Yup. Works like a dream. I have a bottle of AquaNet that I bought back in the early 80s that I still use for putting on grips. Best $1.25 I ever spent
