How to Remove Stubborn Bicycle Handgrips

If you have ever been faced with the task of removing the grips from an old bike, you know that it can be very difficult! Through years of experience working on bikes, I have found a way to make the job much easier for myself. Of course, if you do not plan on keeping the grips after removal, you can simply cut them off with a razor or sharp knife. But if you are keeping the grips and wish to reinstall them, here is a foolproof method for removing them in one piece.

The Process

You will need a long, skinny flat-blade screwdriver and some glass cleaner. That's it! First, insert the screwdriver into the grip from the inside portion of it, or, from the center of the handlebars toward the outside of them. Move slowly so you do not puncture the grip in the process.

When the screwdriver is at least three-quarters of the way inside the grip, pull up slightly on it, in the direction away from the handlebars, so that the gap between the grip and the handlebars widens just a little.

Next, spray a few squirts of glass cleaner in between the grip and the handlebars, and give the grip a slight twist. Repeat this step in three or four places around the grip until it will spin freely on the handlebars, and simply pull the grip off, giving it twists as it travels away from the handlebars.

Tips

Now that the grip is off and in your hands, you can clean the inside of it by dipping the entire grip into warm, soapy water. This will get any debris off of the rubber, and cause the grip to seat better on the handlebars for reinstallation. Let the grip dry completely before throwing it back onto the bike so that it will resist spinning.

Of course, if the grips are extremely old and worn out, the screwdriver may puncture them. If the grips are in that bad a shape, I recommend skipping the reinstall process, and purchasing new ones or sourcing another bike for its grips.

Also, products can be purchased at auto supply stores which will renew and soften the rubber for a better feel, longer life, and a better seal on the handlebars. If the grips have a "plastic" feel to them or appear shiny, it is due to being left outside in the weather most likely. The rubber renew products can restore a soft feel to the grips.