Fizzoli

I got my bike about a month ago and still love it. However, my biggest issue seems to be with the grips on the handlebars. They will not stay put. Holding on to them for even 1/8 mile causes them to rotate on the handle bars which leaves the part that sticks out (the part I'm guessing is made to rest your palm on while riding) underneath the handlebars. This, in turn, causes an endless cycle of me twisting the handlebars back to the normal position only to have them slip again. The first couple weeks I just dealt with it, however, last night it really did a number on my wrists.

Being that I am still fairly new to cycling and would rather spend my low supply of money on more necessary items, I was wondering if any of you experts have a DIY solution to this issue...

Thanks in advance.

ddimick

I had the same problem with my 2010 Sirrus Sport, but I thought the grips on the 2011 version were the newer ones with a set screw? Maybe not.

I tried 3M spray adhesive and that worked for about a month, but then they broke loose again. I've heard hairspray can help but honestly don't see how it would be better than the 3M spray. Plus you lose adjustability with adhesive solutions.

I gave up, took them off, and put on Ergon GC3s instead, and that was money well spent.

Fizzoli

Yeah I might just splurge on some nice grips. Plus, I'm interested in bar ends as well so those Ergons would be great. So they don't slip at all? What keeps them from slipping?

badger1

Same grips, same problem (on my 2010 Sirrus Comp).
Solution: 'lock on' grips. If you like the feel of the stock Spec ones, your LBS should have (or can easily get) the lock-on version. I've been using Ergon grips (the Specialized ones are a knock-off of these) for about five years and love them, so in my case that was the solution.
P.S. "Lock-on" simply means that one end of the grip is actually a clamp, tightened/secured with a set-screw. Two advantages: they don't shift position, and they are MUCH easier to take off/install than regular grips.

Fizzoli

Thanks a lot badger. I have a hard time understanding why they would put anything other than proper grips...I mean for what seems to be a really well made, quality bike why would they NOT put on lock on grips?

badger1

Cheers mate. Why? Cost, cost, and cost! Every little bit adds up when costing out a product and working the margins. Your Sirrus Sport is a well made, quality bike sold at a great price point. To get to that price point Spec (like any manufacturer) has to work the numbers. Also, grips are a wear item, like tires, brake blocks or even saddles for that matter, and are also (like tires and saddles) a 'personal preference' thing.

Fizzoli

Yeah I guess it makes sense. Just kind of annoying since they are practically unusable. It takes a lot of pleasure out of my rides to have to constantly twist them back just to have them slip a minute later. Also, like I said, they actually took a physical toll on me last night which I think will be the final straw. I think I'm going to buy myself some Ergons. Which ones do you have by the way? And how do you like them? Were they easy to install?

badger1

Just the basic GP 1, same as on my other bike. Ergon makes a broad range, including ones with bar ends etc. FWIW, the basic GP 1 works very well with the Specialized bar ends.
One thing if you go this route: the GP 1 (and some of the others) come in Small and Large (used to be Ladies'/Men's). Many males, self included, find the Small size most effective; others not so much. So, best if you can at least get your hands on 'em before buying -- Ergon's packaging makes this really easy.
Installation is a breeze; the hardest part, you'll find, will be getting the old Spec ones off

pixelharmony

Glad I found this thread. I have a 2011 Sirrus and have the same issue. I was going to try hairspray but I might just go ahead and spend the coin on some nice grips.

ddimick

You won't be sorry with the Ergons, but make sure you only torque the set bolt to the recommended maximum. I snapped the head of the bolt off on mine. Good advice for any bike wrenching, really.

Fizzoli

So I tried hairspray last night and it worked more as a lubricant than anything. It actually made my problem much worse. It was "extra hold" hairspray and I let it dry for several hours. I eventually removed all the hairspray and tried some "auto trim spray adhesive". I was sure that this would work. I thought my only problem may be getting them off if I ever needed to. However, I was wrong. It worked better than the hairspray, however, I was still able to turn the grips fairly easily.

With all this work I felt like taking a ride so for temporary purposes I attached a metal adjustable clamp on the inside (closest to the center) part of the grip. I found out that the grip actually twists independently of other parts of the grip. Meaning...while the grip was 100% clamped down on the inside portion, I was still able to twist the outside portion (the part where the piece of rubber extends for your palm) easily.

I guess new grips it is. Regarding those, do you have to drill a hole in the handlebar for those?

badger1

"I guess new grips it is. Regarding those, do you have to drill a hole in the handlebar for those?" If you're referring to lock-ons, nope; the whole point of 'em is that they just slip (easily!) on to your bars; they are secured by a built-in clamp (usually the outside end) that simply tightens down with a set-screw. Nothing to it!

Fizzoli

I see. Good stuff.

ddimick

As barger1 said, the Ergon's are designed so that even though clamped on only one end, the entire grip will hold solidly in place and will not twist on you. The installation instructions are very straightforward and you can't do it wrong if you follow them.

You might see that bar inserts are recommended in some cases. This is for very light/thin bars and doesn't apply to your Sirrus.