Hello,

I recently replaced the unbranded handlebars on my Holdsworth Typhoon with a pair of Nitto Albatross. The Nittos are about 1mm smaller in diameter than the old ones, so, the cork grips don't fit snugly. Does anyone know of a process for shrinking them?

Thanks & regards,

Van

I don't know if they're shrinkable. Would you be open to perhaps using some cloth bar tape around the ends of the bar, then sliding the cork grips over that?

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...I had some cork grips that were a tad loose. I finally ended up spraying the insides and the bar end with contact cement. I'll have to cut them off to remove them, but they don't slip any more.

If you soak them in water and let them dry out again, they are likely to return to their original un-stretched out form. However, they will probably warp a bit too. Taping the bar ends first to make up the 1mm is the safer option.

hairspray?

I don't think cork shrinks. If it did, they wouldn't use it for stopping bottles.

You've probably gone from a 15/16" (23.8 mm) handlebar to a 7/8" (22.2 mm) bar, so the ideal fix would be to glue a single layer of 1/32" material around the handlebar and then slip the grip on.

I have always glued cork grips, even when they fit. Pretty sure that's what Riv recommends. I would do the layer of tape and then either spray adhesive or contact cement.

So does common sense.