Handlebar grips blues — Foam perhaps?
 

Can you buy some kinda of foam to wrap around existing (ergo) handlebar grips, in order to make things softer / comfortable?

I don’t want to replace my handlebar grips just yet. No need for gloves either.

Road bike foam tape. Sold everywhere.

I have been using light foam pipe insulation for about ten years now. I use black duct tape to secure it at the ends. It lasts me about 6 months before it compresses down.

+1 for the foam insulation. I currently have actual foam grips for the flat bars on my commuter mountain bike. They seem to be lasting forever, but my plan for when they fall apart is to use pipe insulation as shown above.

Actually that is a great idea! Thanks.

Close cell foam is a good idea, open cell foam very bad idea.

Years ago they were the hot thing in the motorcycle world so I put a set on my moto. They were great until it rained and it was like holding on to a couple of wet towels :cry:

I would say go with gloves. You can get gloves with no padding, with heavy padding, and everything in between.

Don't forget the many benefits of situps. You can use your core to support a fair amount of your weight, therefore putting less on your hands. I should try that some time. :p

Good point. I assumed everybody wears gloves. Still, I'd like to hear if you tried the insulation foam and how you like it.

Foam has durability issues and can shift/rotate in a critical situation. Better gloves are a better way to go. If that isn't enough, consider Bar Phat -- gel padding that goes under the tape

When I posted my first reply, I mentioned that I currently have "real" foam grips but would consider pipe insulation when they finally fall apart. Since that time, I have thought more about the exact issues you described above and have concluded that I should do some more research before I pop on some foam insulation and ride away.

My assumption is that it would have to be a tight fit and would have to be further secured with some hairspray or adhesive. But, hmmm, how would that effect the chemical composition of the foam:backpedal:**********

If you choose the right adhesive the foam will be OK.

However, unless you choose an adhesive that's so resilient that you won't be able to get it off without chemical and/or mechanical assistance, it could let go at some really inopportune time in the future after it's gone through all kinds of temperature and stress cycles. I would definitely not trust hairspray or common adhesives. Note that if you do use such a resilient adhesive, you might not be so happy about the decision when you eventually have to replace the grips anyway.

I would definitely not use regular pipe insulation -- it's not going to be nearly tough enough.

I have been taping the foam insulation over existing bar wrap. On the straight bar bike I secure the foam along the underside length of the hand grip with duct tape and then another strip under neath. No rotational problems.

On the two drop bar bikes, I merely tape the ends by the hoods and by the stem. There is no rotation or looseness.

The foam must be closed-cell, because even after commuting in heavy rain, they don't absorb moisture, like a sponge would.

I found the thickness I linked to is just right. I tried thicker foam, which made the gripping diameter too fat, and I didn't feel like I had a secure grip.

I hadn't tried the foam on bare bars, but I suspect as you do, it would be too loose. In the case of bare bars, I think some grip tape, like is used by some on softball bats, or hockey sticks would help if applied to a bare bar under the foam.

Anyway, it works for me, and it is cheap enough to try for yourself. But not everything works for everybody.

Grab-On are a dense foam grip, in 4 sections that slide on the bars , with some effort..

glue them on , and while the glue is wet it is a lubricant.. hair spray is another popular grip installation aide..

But you can always double wrap with common foam tape, twice... I do , the old tape goes on 1st , then new over it..






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I don't do sit-ups, though I plan to start soon. I've been doing deadlifts, and they've helped me a lot on the bike in a similar way. I'm using my lower back to support my upper body, and my shoulders are less fatigued as a result.