Removing bike grips can seem hard, but it is simple with the right steps. You might want to replace old grips because they are worn or you just want a new look. Getting old bike grips off is easy once you know the tricks. There are a few main bike grip removal methods you can use. Some methods are very fast. Some need simple tools. This guide will show you how to get it done quickly and without much trouble.
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Why Change Bike Grips?
There are good reasons to take off your old grips.
- Worn Out: Grips get smooth or sticky over time. This makes riding less safe and comfortable.
- Not Comfy: The grips might be the wrong size or shape for your hands. New ones can feel much better.
- New Look: You might want grips that match your bike’s color. Handlebar grip replacement can make your bike look new.
- Fixing Parts: You might need to take off grips to work on shifters or brake levers. These parts are often right next to the grips on the handlebar.
Different Kinds of Bike Grips
Not all bike grips are the same. How you take them off depends on the type.
Standard Push-On Grips
These are common on many bikes. They are just a rubber or foam tube. They push onto the handlebar end. They stay put because they fit very tight. Air pressure and friction hold them there. Getting these off needs a way to break that tight seal.
Lock-On Grips
These grips are different. They have clamps at one or both ends. These clamps tighten onto the handlebar with small bolts. This makes them very secure. They are easy to put on. They are also easy to take off, but you need an Allen key for the bolts. You don’t need to break a tight seal like with push-on grips.
Getting Ready: What You Need
Before you start, get your tools together. Having everything ready makes the job go faster. The tools you need depend on the type of grip and the method you choose.
Simple Tools
You might have these around your house.
- Small Flathead Screwdriver: Good for getting under the edge of push-on grips. Be careful not to scratch the handlebar.
- Water: Plain water can help break the seal under push-on grips.
- Soap: Dish soap mixed with water makes a good lubricant for bike grips. It helps the grip slide off.
- Rubbing Alcohol: This works well too. It slides the grip off. It also dries fast later. This is good for putting new grips on.
- Hair Spray: This is another common thing that works. It is sticky at first. It dries later and holds the new grip tight.
Tools That Help More
These tools can make the job easier, especially using air to remove bike grips.
- Air Compressor or Tire Pump with Needle: You can use air pressure to push grips off. This is often the fastest way. You need a narrow tip, like a sports ball needle adapter.
- Bike Grip Removal Tool: Some tools are made just for this. They are thin and stiff. They help you slide under the grip edge to lift it.
Staying Safe
Protect yourself while working.
- Gloves: Keep your hands clean and avoid scrapes.
- Eye Protection: Glasses or safety goggles are good if you use air pressure or cut the grips.
Here is a list of tools you might use:
Tool | Use for… | Best for Grip Type | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Small Flathead Screwdriver | Lifting grip edge | Push-On | Be gentle, avoid scratching |
Water | Simple lubricant | Push-On | Easy to use, maybe not fastest |
Soap & Water | Better lubricant | Push-On | Helps grip slide off |
Rubbing Alcohol | Lubricant, dries fast | Push-On | Good for removal and new install |
Hair Spray | Lubricant | Push-On | Sticky, dries to hold new grip |
Air Compressor/Pump + Needle | Injecting air under grip | Push-On | Very fast, needs right tip |
Bike Grip Removal Tool | Getting under grip edge | Push-On | Made for the job |
Allen Key (Hex Wrench) | Loosening clamp bolts | Lock-On | Need the right size for the bolt |
Utility Knife / Razor Blade | Cutting grip off | Push-On (Last Resort) | Cuts the grip, cannot reuse grip |
Step-By-Step: Ways to Remove Grips
Here are the main bike grip removal methods. Choose the one that fits your grips and the tools you have.
Getting Old Bike Grips Off: The Water Method
This is one of the simplest ways for push-on grips. It uses just water to break the seal.
Method Steps
- Lift a small edge of the grip near the handlebar end. You can use a thin screwdriver or a plastic tool.
- Squirt water under the lifted edge. Use a water bottle or just pour carefully.
- Wiggle the grip. Twist it and try to slide it off.
- Squirt more water under the grip as you wiggle. Try to get the water all the way around the handlebar under the grip.
- Keep twisting and pulling. The grip should start to slide off.
Tips for Success
- Use warm water if it’s cold outside.
- Don’t use too much force. Wiggle and add water.
- It helps if you can lift the grip edge all the way around the bar just a little bit first.
Using Lubricant for Bike Grips: The Alcohol or Soap Method
This method is like using water but better. Soap or alcohol helps the grip slide more easily. This works well for push-on grips that are a bit tighter.
Method Steps
- Lift an edge of the grip at the handlebar end. Use a thin tool.
- Put a little bit of soapy water or rubbing alcohol under the edge. A spray bottle works great.
- Wiggle and twist the grip. Try to slide it off.
- As you twist, the liquid will work its way under the grip. Add more if you need to.
- Keep twisting and pulling until the grip slides off the bar.
Choosing the Right Lubricant
- Soap and Water: Mix a little dish soap with water. This is cheap and works well. It cleans the bar a little too.
- Rubbing Alcohol: This also works great. It slides well when wet but dries fast. This is good because it means your new grips will not slip later.
- Hair Spray: Sprays well under the grip. It is slick when wet. It dries sticky. This stickiness helps the new grip stay on later.
- What NOT to Use: Do not use oil-based products. Things like WD-40 or grease will make it hard to put new grips on. They can also make new grips slip later, which is dangerous.
Using Air to Remove Bike Grips
This is often the fastest method for push-on grips if you have the right tools. Air pressure lifts the grip away from the handlebar.
Method Steps
- Get your air source ready. This could be a bike pump with a sports ball needle or an air compressor with the right tip.
- Carefully push the needle or tip just under the edge of the grip. Go between the grip and the metal handlebar. Do this near the end of the handlebar.
- Hold the grip edge down around the needle so air doesn’t escape too fast.
- Send a short burst of air under the grip. You might hear a hiss.
- The grip should feel like it has loosened. It might even pop off a little.
- Twist the grip. It should turn easily now.
- Pull the grip off the handlebar. If it’s still tight, add another short burst of air while twisting.
Safety First
- Wear eye protection. The grip could come off fast.
- Use short bursts of air. Too much pressure could damage something.
- Don’t point the air nozzle or needle at yourself or others.
How to Remove Lock-On Grips
These grips are held by clamps and bolts. Taking them off is different from push-on grips. It is usually very easy.
Method Steps
- Look at the grip ends. You will see one or two metal clamps on each grip.
- Find the small bolts in the clamps. These are usually Allen bolts. You will need an Allen key (hex wrench) that fits. Common sizes are 2.5mm, 3mm, or 4mm.
- Put the Allen key into the bolt.
- Turn the key counter-clockwise (lefty loosey) to loosen the bolt. You don’t need to take the bolt all the way out, just loosen it enough so the clamp is loose.
- Do this for all the bolts on the grip (one or two bolts).
- Once the clamps are loose, the grip should slide right off the handlebar end.
Key Difference
Lock-on grips don’t rely on a tight fit on the bar itself. The clamp does the work. This is why they are so easy to remove and install. You just loosen and tighten bolts.
Cutting Off Bike Grips
This is the last option. Use this only if the grip is very stubborn and won’t come off any other way. It means you cannot reuse the grip.
Method Steps
- Get a sharp utility knife or razor blade.
- Be very careful. The blade is sharp.
- Hold the grip steady.
- Make a cut along the length of the grip. Cut from one end to the other. Cut only through the grip material.
- Cut straight along the handlebar. Do not cut into the metal handlebar itself. This can damage the bar.
- Once you have a long cut, you can peel the grip open. It should come off in pieces or split cleanly.
When to Use This Method
- When other methods fail.
- When the grips are very old and maybe stuck or glued on.
- When you know you don’t want to use the old grips again.
Safety Warning
- Always cut away from yourself.
- Keep fingers away from the blade.
- Cut only enough to get through the grip. A small cut is better than a deep one that hits the bar. Damaging a carbon fiber handlebar this way is very bad. Be extra careful with carbon bars.
Dealing with Stubborn Bicycle Grips
Sometimes, grips just don’t want to move. These stubborn bicycle grips can be hard to get off.
When Grips Just Won’t Budge
- This usually happens with push-on grips.
- Old age, dirt, or maybe glue used long ago can make them stick hard.
Combine Methods
- If water alone doesn’t work, try soap or alcohol.
- If liquid doesn’t work, try the air method.
- You can use a thin tool to lift the grip edge. Then add liquid or air. Wiggle the grip a lot.
- Twisting and pulling at the same time helps.
Patience is Key
- Don’t just pull harder and harder. You could hurt your hand or damage your bike.
- Keep applying the liquid or air. Keep wiggling the grip. Work around the grip.
- Sometimes it takes a few minutes of steady effort.
- If it’s really stuck, and you don’t care about the grip, cutting it is the sure way to get it off.
After the Grips Are Off: Getting Ready for New Grips
Once the old grips are gone, the handlebar ends will be bare. It’s a good time to clean things up before handlebar grip replacement.
Clean the Bars
- Use a rag to wipe off any dirt, old grip bits, or sticky stuff left on the handlebar.
- If you used soap or alcohol, wipe the bar clean and let it dry fully. A clean bar helps new grips slide on easier and stay put.
Check for Damage
- Look at the handlebar surface where the grips were.
- Make sure there are no deep scratches or dents.
- If you cut the grips off, double-check that you did not cut the handlebar, especially if it’s carbon fiber.
Putting New Grips On: Replacing Bicycle Grips
Putting new grips on is often faster than taking old ones off, especially for push-on grips.
Installation Tips
- Push-On:
- Make sure the handlebar is clean and dry.
- A little rubbing alcohol or hair spray on the inside of the new grip can help it slide on. It dries fast and helps hold the grip tight.
- Twist and push the new grip onto the bar end. Push it all the way on.
- Let the liquid dry completely before riding.
- Lock-On:
- Slide the new lock-on grip onto the handlebar.
- Line it up to the position you like.
- Tighten the clamp bolts with your Allen key. Don’t overtighten. Just snug is good. Check the grip maker’s directions for how tight (torque) if you can.
Quick Look at Methods
Here’s a table comparing the common ways to remove bike grips.
Method | Grip Type | Tools Needed | Difficulty | Speed | Reusable Grips? | Good For Stubborn Grips? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Water | Push-On | Water, thin tool | Easy | Medium | Yes | Maybe |
Soap/Alcohol | Push-On | Soap/Alcohol, water, thin tool | Easy | Medium | Yes | Better than water alone |
Air (Compressor/Pump) | Push-On | Air source, needle/tip, thin tool | Medium | Fast | Yes | Yes |
Lock-On Bolt | Lock-On | Allen Key | Very Easy | Very Fast | Yes | N/A (Always works) |
Cutting Off | Push-On | Utility knife/blade | Easy | Fast | No | Yes, last resort |
Questions People Ask
Here are answers to common questions about taking off bike grips.
- Can I reuse grips after removing them?
Yes, most of the time. If you use water, soap, alcohol, or air, the grip is usually fine to put back on or use on another bike. If you cut a grip off, you cannot reuse it. - What should I do if a grip is stuck hard?
These stubborn bicycle grips need more effort. Try using air pressure if you can. If not, use a liquid like soap or alcohol and work it all the way around the grip. Keep twisting and pulling. If nothing else works, cut it off carefully. - What lubricant works best?
Rubbing alcohol is often best for push-on grips. It makes them slide well. It also dries fast, which is good when you put new grips on. Soapy water also works. Avoid oil-based things. - How long does it take?
It usually takes just a few minutes per grip, maybe less if they are lock-on grips or if you use air. Stubborn grips can take longer, maybe 5-10 minutes each. - Is removing lock-on grips easier?
Yes, how to remove lock-on grips is usually the easiest method. You just loosen the bolts, and they slide off. It takes seconds. - Do I need special tools?
For push-on grips, you might need a thin tool to lift the edge (like a small screwdriver). An air source makes it fastest. For lock-on grips, you need an Allen key of the right size. You don’t need many special tools to remove bike grips. Simple household items often work fine.
Getting Grips Off is Simple
Taking off bike grips doesn’t have to be hard. With the right method and a little bit of effort, you can get those old grips off fast. Whether you are using simple water, soap, air pressure, or just loosening bolts on lock-on grips, you have ways to get the job done. Replacing bicycle grips is a good way to make your bike feel new again. So gather your tools, pick a method, and go for it! You can do it easily.