There will come a time that a biker will eventually remove different parts of the bike. Removing or installing bike parts will be an easy thing to do if you have the complete set of tools to do. However, there is one part of the bike where the removal can be a challenge with the way it is set up in the bike. I am talking about the bike handlebar grips, which are built differently and are difficult to remove from the handlebar. But how to remove bike handle grips? Most of the bicycles with straight handlebars have rubberized grips. From time to time, you will need to remove these grips for maintenance purposes such as replacing the shifters or replacing the brake levers. Removing one of these grips will not be easy, but there are different methods that you can do to get it done, which will be discussed in this article.

Different Ways to Remove Bike Handlebar Grips

Method 1: The Adjustable Wrench Method This method uses the adjustable wrench as the primary tool in removing the handlebar grips. Now, the first thing to do is loosen the bolts that fasten the shift lever while doing the same with the bolts that fasten the brake lever. Once the bolts are all loosened, you can now reposition the shifter and the brake towards the middle of the handlebar to give you excellent access to the handlebar grip. Make sure to create a large gap as possible for easy access to the grips, which means you need to remove other accessories if there are any. The next step is to take the adjustable wrench and wrapped a tape around the jaws. This action is to protect the handlebar from getting scratched. Then, adjust the jaws so that the opening is just a little bit bigger with the diameter of the handlebar. Once it is changed, put some tape to the opening of the wrench to prevent scratches once it is used. When removing the handlebar grips, use the adjustable wrench to push the grip to the outside. Start from the left side of the gap, then accelerate the push towards the grip to move it forward. Do it with force until the rubberized grip will come out in the handlebar. Do the movement several times until the grip will be push towards the outside until it comes out from the handlebar. The reason why this method works well is because of the weight of the wrench. When you push it towards the grip, the heaviness of the wrench will significantly impact the movement of the grip to the outside. Try to use a lighter wrench, and you will have a hard time making it work. How to Put on Bike Grips When it comes to reinstalling the handlebar grip to the bike, the process becomes much easier compared to the removal process. You can simply place it over the edge of the handlebar and make sure to target the hole of the grip at the center of the handlebar. Then use your palm to push and hammer it the rest of the way until the handlebar is in the right position. After that, you can now return the shift lever and the brake lever to their original position. But do not forget to tighten the bolts and make sure that they work just fine. Test the shift lever and the brake to ensure that everything is working. Method 2: The Aerosol Lubricant Method What You Will Need:

• A Can of Aerosol Lubricant with a spray nozzle
• Bike wrenches that will fit the handlebar components
• Long flat head screwdriver

Start by removing the endcap of the handlebar grip if there is any. Use the flat head screwdriver to remove the end cap. Then, you can loosen the screw that is connecting the gear shifter. You can also do the same with the brake lever. After loosening, move them away from the grip by positioning these components towards the middle of the handlebar. Then take the screwdriver and insert it as far as you can underneath the handlebar grip. But make sure to do it carefully so as not to damage the grip. Doing this action will also open a hole along the shaft of the screwdriver. You then insert the spray nozzle of the aerosol lubricant all the way inside and spray some of the lubricants. Repeat the process of the other side of the grip if needed. The next step is to remove the screwdriver and give the grip a twisting motion toward the outside of the handlebar. This action will slide the grip to the outside until it will be removed to the handlebar. Make sure to wash the lubricant off the handlebar with hot and soapy water. The process of returning the grip is relatively easy and similar to the one stated above.

Conclusion

Learning how to remove bike handle grips is relatively easy if you know what you are doing. Most bikers who do not correctly know anything to remove the handle grip tend to cut and destroy the handlebar grip just to remove it. But this should not be the case as there are many ways to remove the grip from the handlebar using different materials. In fact, it is straightforward to remove the bike grips without even cutting them. All you need is a little bit of creativity and common sense. You will also need a little patience and a few common household items and tools that will help you remove the bike handlebar grips completely away from the handlebar. Download Article Download Article Eventually, the grips on a bike’s handlebars have to be replaced. In many cases you will know that the time has come because the grips are sliding off, a most dangerous condition. Having them come off in your hand really can put you under the wheels of oncoming traffic. Check in a good wiki for vital (indeed, life-saving) tips on fixing handlebar grips firmly back in place. In the unusual case that you wish to change handlebar grips that are not loose, one will normally cut them off and discard the old ones. In the even more unlikely event of your wanting to save the old grips, then their removal intact can be made much easier by using a can of furniture polish with lemon and a thin screwdriver. You’ll be popping those grips off in no time.

Steps

1. 1. 1 Gather the supplies you will need: a screwdriver and lemon furniture polish. Never use oil.^[1]
      
   2. 2 Spray the furniture polish onto the screwdriver. Then insert the lubricated screwdriver between the grip and handlebar. Push it all the way in. Advertisement
   3. 3 Move the old grip around and around until the grip is loosened from the handlebar. Twist it with your other hand until you feel it sliding.^[2]
      
   4. 4 Pull it to remove the grip. Spray some furniture polish in there if more lubrication is needed.^[3]
      

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• QuestionHow can I increase the size of the seat (upwards)? Matt GanderCommunity Answer Look for a bolt where the seatpost and the frame meet. Beware not to lift the seat too high as it could damage the frame. The seatpost will be marked to show maximum height.
• QuestionWould lock on grips work if I have a mountain bike? You can use them on any bike. They will even work on dirt bikes, ATVs, jet skis and snowmobiles.
• QuestionWill this work even if the grips were put on with adhesive spray? Rudy Toth Community Answer You shouldn’t use adhesive spray at all, as that could be corrosive later. What you want to do and always do, is to use soapy water to slide on the grips. Then wait for the water to dry up and they will never slide off.

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• Alternatively, just use a utility knife to cut the grip off if you don’t care about keeping the grip after it has been removed.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Why lemon furniture polish? Because in addition to lubricating, it will clean the bike, dry easily, prevent dirt from sticking when you’re done and it will smell like lemon!As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Using a spray bottle of general purpose cleaner with bleach works well, too.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!

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• Keep the furniture polish away from your chain, rims, and bearings if you use it to clean your bike.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Be careful when applying force to the screwdriver.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Using a screwdriver or utility knife is fine for plumber’s pipe handlebars, but carbon fiber or thin walled aluminum handlebars can fail if scratched or cut resulting in serious injury.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Be sure to clean the polish off of your handlebars with rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol, or acetone fingernail polish remover before installing a new pair of grips or else they won’t stay on.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Grip glue will hold your new grips in place; it comes off cleanly and won’t melt your grips like toluene-based glues.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!

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Things You’ll Need

• Small screwdriver or other long rod with a small diameter
• Lemon furniture polish or similar product

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Whether you’re a Road Cyclist or a Mountain Biker, you will spend some time installing and removing different bike parts. And as long as you have the right tools, you shouldn’t have too much of an issue. Unfortunately, this cannot be said about a lot of Bike Handlebar Grips. In fact, even if you have a quality pair of push-on Bike Grips, it can be one heck of a challenge taking them off. This is why a lot of riders’ resort to cutting them off. And while this can be an effective way of getting Bike Grips off, it completely destroys them, making them useless in the future. If you’re looking for a way to get your Bike Grips off without damaging them, we have written this guide just for you. Here is how you can remove your Bike Grips without cutting them. You can actually remove bike grips without damaging them with some of the same methods you would use to install bike grips. You can use lubricants, compressed air and a little bit of patience and determination to remove them instead of cutting them. Let’s explore which option is best for you and how you can have the best results. Here is a list of some of the most popular ways riders have used to get their Bike Grips off without damaging them. For a complete breakdown of each method as well as some tips for getting the best results, keep reading below.

1. 1. Use WD-40
   2. Use Dish Soap and Water
   3. Use Rubbing Alcohol
   4. Use Compressed Air
   5. Use Clear Hairspray

Ways to Remove Bike Grips Without Cutting Them

Instead of cutting your Bike Grips, there are several methods for working them off, without damaging them. Similar to some of the methods for installing Bike Grips, you can remove Bike Grips using various lubricants and even compressed air. Here is a better breakdown of the most popular ways to go about it, as well as a better description as to how they work.

1. Use WD-40

As universal as WD-40 is, it is one of the best lubricants on the market. And being so common, there is a good chance you already have this laying around the house. By spraying a moderate amount of WD-40 inside your Bike Grip, you should be able to spin and work it off with minimal effort. The only unfortunate thing is that it will leave behind a little oil residue. So make sure you clean thoroughly with some alcohol afterwards. How – Use a flat head screwdriver or tire wedge to lift each end of the Bike Grip. I have this WD-40 can at home and it works great due to the skinny nozzle attachment it has. Once lifted enough, spray in a moderate amount of WD-40 to use as a lubricant. Now start to spin and twist the Bike Grip, working the WD-40 all underneath the grip and eventually off completely.

2. Use Dish Soap and Water

If you’re looking for an even more common method but don’t want to leave behind any residue, using good old fashion water and dish soap is a great way to remove your Bike Grips without damaging them. Unlike WD-40, there is no risk of oily residue or chemical damage. Use the tried and true Dawn dish detergent and you should have no problem. How – Just like the other methods on this list, wedge something in the ends of the Bike Grips to lift them slightly. Once you have enough room, squirt in a diluted solution of dish soap and water. Once you have enough inside the grips, start to twist and work the mixture underneath the grips. Keep twisting the grip, pulling towards the end of the handlebar until it finally comes off. Since this is a relatively risk-free method, feel free to use as much lubricant as you need.

3. Use Rubbing Alcohol

Almost as common as dish soap, just about every house has a bottle of alcohol at home – and I’m not talking about the kind you drink. Rubbing alcohol is one of the best lubricants for installing and removing Bike Grips, because it completely dries out shortly after use. Just like dish soap, you don’t’ really have to worry about damage or leftover residue. How – Use a screwdriver or tire wedge to lift each end of your Bike Grip enough to pour in a moderate amount of rubbing alcohol. Immediately start to twist and work the Bike Grip off the handlebar. Although the alcohol can evaporate quickly, you should be fine using as much as you want to get the grip off. The good thing about alcohol, is it will also help clean the grip, keeping it more effective for the next time you use it.

4. Use Compressed Air

The compressed air method is one that some riders swear by, however, it is often lesser known. Instead of using a lubricant, this method involves inflating the Bike Grip to allow it to slide off. Unfortunately this requires that you have some form of compressed air, whether that be from an actual air compressor or a can of compressed air. Some riders have even mentioned using tire and ball pumps with the thin metal nozzles. Another thing to keep in mind, is that this will only work on really secure Bike Grips. If your grips have any holes or “leaks”, the compressed air will just escape. How – use a thin nozzle along with a form of compressed air to shoot a shot of air into the outer end of your Bike Grip. Once your grip starts to inflate, modulate air while pulling on the grip to completely remove it from the handlebars.

5. Use Hairspray

If there are any ladies in your house, there is a good chance they have some old hairspray laying around. And if that’s the case, make sure you thank them because you can use that hairspray to remove your bike grips. While wet, hairspray will work as a decent lubricant for twisting your Bike Grips off without damaging. Once it dries though it can get pretty sticky, so make sure you clean your Bike Grips after removing them with this method. But as a quick tip, hairspray can be a great option when installing new Bike Grips, as it gets sticky when it dries. How – Use a small screwdriver or tire wedge to lift the Bike Grip at each end. Being careful not to lift too much, spray in a liberal amount of hairspray. Immediately start to twist and work the Bike Grip towards the outer edge of the handlebar.

How to Make Sure You Don’t Damage Bike Grips When Removing Them

Depending on the situation, you may want to reuse your Bike Grips for another bike or a later time. Besides cutting them, there are still ways you can damage your Bike Grips during removal, making them useless afterwards. Here are a few ways you can avoid damaging your Bike Grips, preserving as much of their functionality as possible.

• • Avoid Oil

Oil can damage the actual material of the Bike Grip, making them lose their grippy quality. If you use a chemical with an excessive amount of oil, your Bike Grips may never stay fully secure to your handlebars again.

• • Don’t Scratch Handlebar or Grips

If you are too rough during the wedge and spray process, you run the risk of scratching or damaging the Bike Grip or handlebar. If you scratch them enough, they may never fully seal on your handlebars again. This is especially true of you’re using a metal tool like a screwdriver. This is why I use a high-quality plastic tire wedge like this one from Dicks Sporting Goods. It is sturdy enough to allow you to apply a considerable amount of force, without being so sharp or hard that it can damage your Bike Grip.

• • Don’t Pull too Hard

Even if you use a solid lubricant, don’t pull or twist too hard on the Bike Grip during removal. This can cause it to become loose or even rip. The challenge is using just enough lubricant and force to work the Bike Grip off the handlebar without damaging it.

Can you Reuse Bike Grips?

This is a given for most Lock-on Grips, however, the topic gets a little touchy when we’re talking about push-on grips. Since push-on grips use their elasticity and the bonding process during installation, it can be challenging reusing Bike Grips. This is especially true if you are too rough or damaging them during removal. The good news, is that if you are careful during the removal process, you can actually reuse Bike Grips. Just remember to check them for safety before using them in any extreme situations like Mountain Biking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is really simple to remove Bike Grips without cutting them. In fact, with a little patience and a few common household items you should be able to remove your Bike Grips without damaging them completely. Good luck with either method that you use and safe riding!

Related Articles

Bike handlebar grips are important for safe and secure cycling. We rely on bike grips most of the time when navigating the road. Every time we turn in a different direction, we use the bike handlebar grip. Having a loose and sliding bike grip is a major no-no when biking. It can cause serious road accidents where you lose control of the navigation. So, it is important to have them replaced once you notice the grip wearing out. Hence, we prepared a simple guide about how to remove bike handlebar grips successfully to ensure safety when on the road. This includes the use of WD-40 lubricant, hairspray, compressed air, soap, and water, among others. For a full guide, continue to read on the entire page below. Table of Contents

• Why are Bike Handlebar Grips Important?
  • Excellent gripping
  • Comfort when riding
  • Road safety
  • Improve cycling performance
• Factors to Consider When Getting the Right Handlebar Grip
  • Material
  • Sizes
  • Weight
• Removing Bike Handlebar Grips
  • 1. Use of WD-40 lubricant
  • 2. Use hairspray
  • 3. Apply compressed air
  • 4. Use of soap and water
  • 5. Use rubbing alcohol
  • 6. Cut the handlebar grip
• Conclusion

Why are Bike Handlebar Grips Important?

Bike handlebar grips are invented because they offer several benefits. Grips play a huge role in your comfort when biking. It allows you to navigate the road in a convenient manner without worrying about getting a hand sore. Also, the grip type and position can directly impact your braking control and gear shifting, especially when biking on rough and challenging terrain. For other specific benefits, here are the things we gathered:

Excellent gripping

Of course, bike handlebar grips are introduced to the market for a specific role – gripping. It offers an excellent gripping mechanism when you’re cycling the road. Your hands will stay firmly attached to the handlebars without any incident of sliding off. Even during a heavy downpour, the grips will keep your firm hold on the handlebars despite sweat or rain. Materials like rubber, foam, and leather are used for handlebar grips to allow you to hold onto your bike.

Comfort when riding

We all want to avoid hand sores after biking. The bike handlebar grips can prevent that from happening. They will provide you comfort because of the padding and foam used. Getting the right handlebar grip also minimizes the incidents of having hand cramps.

Road safety

Most of the time road accidents happen unexpectedly. Your handlebar grips play a crucial role to prevent accidents from occurring. The single turn while you lose hold of your bike handlebar can cause one serious injury. With the use of firm and stable bike handlebar grips, you can lessen the occurrence of related incidents. It will ensure that your hand will not slide right after you turn your wheels and handlebar. You will be free and safer when navigating the road because of the reliable grip you installed.

Improve cycling performance

Selecting a good grip for your bike handlebars can significantly enhance your cycling performance. The comfort and firmness you get from them allow you to have full control of steering and balance when biking. Old or wrong grips can significantly affect the way you ride. If you install the right grip for your hand size and level of comfort, you can avoid hand fatigue and fully control your ride.

Factors to Consider When Getting the Right Handlebar Grip

Installing a bike handlebar grip is not enough to give you a safe and comfortable ride. It is also crucial to pick the right grip based on your size and needs. Here are the things you should check in order to get the ideal grip for you.

Material

There are several types of bike grips you can see in the market today. You can have a rubber grip, gel grip, cork, or leather grip depending on the type of material you prefer. The most common you can find is the rubber grip. Rubber or rubble-like grips can provide you the right level of stickiness and softness. They offer better gripping strength compared to foamed ones. Even without using gloves, you can always rely on rubber grips when biking. Gel types, on the other hand, are most favorite among bikers because it offers the right firmness and durability without being too sticky.

Sizes

If you are looking for the perfect handlebar grip, assessing the size of your hands is crucial. The grip can come in various sizes suitable for different kinds of bikers. The size can go from 27mm to 35mm. If you have large hands, you should choose grips with large diameters. It is the same with bikers having average or small hands; you should go for grip size with reduced diameters. If you choose the wrong grip size, you will encounter hand slippage and control issues on the handlebars. The right grip size guarantees safety when on the road.

Weight

Weight also matters when choosing the perfect handlebar grip. Those made from foam material are usually lighter compared to gel and leather ones. If you are the type who keeps things light, you can always choose grips made of foam material.

Removing Bike Handlebar Grips

Now that you are aware of the factors to consider when getting bike handlebar grips and their importance, you are now ready to replace your old tattered ones. Thus, here are the tips you should follow when removing handlebar grips

1. Use of WD-40 lubricant

Most bikers would prefer to use lubricants when removing bike grips. The WD-40 lubricant is the most widely used substance for grip removal. You can squirt an ample amount of lubricant to the grip surface prior to the removal. You can initially use a flat-headed small screwdriver at the end of the grip for lifting. In this way, you can completely spray the substance inside the rubber grip. After you put the spray substance, spin the grip and check whether it is already slippery. It is an indication that the device already loosened its attachment to the handlebar. You are now ready to pull the grip off the handlebar. Use rubbing alcohol to clean the surface of the handlebar before installing your new handlebar grip.

2. Use hairspray

The use of hairspray is another way to take off handlebar grips. The same with WD-40 lubricant, you can use a screwdriver to slightly make a hole or lift the rubber from the handlebar. Then, apply a thin layer of hairspray inside the gap and check whether the substance penetrates through the surface. Eventually, you can take the grip off by twisting and pulling it from the handlebar.

3. Apply compressed air

Another method that you can use is the compressed air method. For this process, you need tire pumps with nozzles for removal. First, it is important to place the nozzle under the grip and put the air compressor inside. Once you have inflated the rubber grip, it is ready to be taken off. If you lack the compressor, a blower can be your perfect substitute.

4. Use of soap and water

If you are considering your budget, and don’t want to buy anything for this process, you can rely on soap and water. For this trick, you should place a screwdriver to create a gap against the handlebar, then fill in the gap with soap and water to make the attachment slipper. Now, be ready to remove grips from handlebars.

5. Use rubbing alcohol

Besides soapy water, rubbing alcohol can also work wonders. The chemicals from the alcohol do a great job in removing the stickiness, oils, and grimes from your grip. In this way, it would be easier for you to pull out and twist the old rubber grip and replace it with new grips.

6. Cut the handlebar grip

If your grip is already old and tattered, and you are certain you will have no use of it, you can choose to cut the rubber fast. Use a small cutter or a utility knife and slowly cut the grips. In this way, you can replace your old ones in no time.

Conclusion

The bike handlebar grip is something most bikers fail to pay attention to. However, these bike components make a huge difference in your cycling performance especially when you install the right ones. It is important to know how to remove bike handlebar grips like any other components of your bicycle. Like removing and replacing your bike wheels, there are steps and tips to consider when removing your bike grips from the handlebar. The guide we mentioned above is simple and straightforward to help you with the entire process. May you find it helpful and easy to follow, as well. “I ride my bike to work for years, but is that enough? Our carelessness towards our surroundings has taken a toll on the environment. And now, everyone is responsible for changes; even the most minor contribution is counted. With this hope and spirit, I started with my partner to establish Biketoworkday to help more individuals commute to their work sites on their bikes.”

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