How To Remove Those Grips
November 12th, 2006 by MikeSince the guys at Sette decided to send us some Lock-On grips I had the small task of removing the stock grips from the Diamondback Mission 1. Having never done this before I checked the web to see what would be the best procedure. Most sites said the same thing - use rubbing alcohol to make the grips slick then just pull them off. And of course, if you are not going to use the grips any more a good old utility knife will do the trick. I don’t know if I have any use for the stock grips but being the pack rat that I am I thought I would try and save them.
Stock Grips
I rounded up the tools needed for the job…
- Rubbing Alcohol
- A Q-tip
- Small Flat-Head Screwdriver
The first step was to remove the end cap. That was very easy, the small screwdriver came in handy there, just insert the screwdriver and pry the end cap off.
Next I poured a little alcohol into the bottle cap and dipped the Q-Tip. I then inserted the screwdriver between the handlebar and the grip and gave myself just enough space to insert the Q-Tip.
I put alcohol all the way around the grip as far in as I could. Once that was done, I pushed the grip toward the center of the handlebar to get the alcohol as far down the handlebar as possible.
The alcohol did a very good job of loosening the grips. It only took a few twists back and forth and and the grip slid right off. The handlbar wasn’t scratched much at all because I didn’t have to use the screwdriver that much. Just repeat the process for the other side and you are ready to install some new grips.
Old Grips - ready to use again!
Now if you are not installing lock-on grips you can use the same Q-tip and alcohol approach to get the new grips on. Just coat the inside of the grip or the handlebar with a little alcohol and slide the grip right on. The alcohol will evaporate quiclky and the grip will be nice and secure.
What is RSS?
Get our articles in your inbox:
hairspray!
I’ve also had similar success with WD-40. It comes with a little red tube for the spray nozzle that slips right up under the grips where you want the stuff. I’ll admit it’s a bit messier than your method, though.
Goes without saying, but if you’re running carbon bars … it’s probably not a good idea to wedge a screwdriver–or anything else that’s hard and has blunt edges–between the grip and bar. Surface scratches to aluminum are (usually) just a cosmetic issue … with carbon, you can end up shortening the lifespan of your investment.
Can’t say that I’ve found the perfect tool, but I have gotten away with using a nice chopstick to create the space for dripping alcohol between the grip and bar. Got the grips off with no visible damage or stratching to the bar (still made me nervous though).
–MW
I use an air compressor. You never have to worry about scratching your bars that way.
Better way to get alcohol into the grips is to shoot it in with a squeeze bulb syringe that you can get for a buck at the drugstore. Beware of using a knife to cut unwanted grips off the bar as the blade will scribe a line into the aluminum bar that can lead to cracking later on. Never! use WD 40 for this job as it leaves a residue that can result in the grips not adhering properly to the bar. Hairspray works well, but you have to let it dry for a few hours before twisting the grips as it needs time to set.
the fast easy and neat way to remove grips is to use a air compressor blow gun its so quick and simple they fly off! If you dont have a compressor the Alchol will work but you might want to hit up your local dentist for a monoject 412 syringe it puts the alchol where you want it fast neat and clean. ( the 412 is a disposable syringe, worth peanuts)
okay bikers