How To Remove Bike Grips Without Cutting Them?

Whether you have a mountain bike or a road bike, you’re sure to spend some time removing or installing some parts. This might not be a big issue if you have the right tools at hand. But this doesn’t go for handlebar grips.

Even if you have high-quality push-in grips, taking them off can be a big challenge. And that’s why most riders prefer to cut them off. It might be pretty effective, but you will end up destroying them and cannot use them in the future.

But if you need to know how to remove bike grips without cutting them, you will find this guide pretty handy. So, let’s begin our discussion.

What Is the Easiest Way to Remove Bike Grips?

You can remove bike grips without cutting or damaging them the same way you installed them. You can use compressed air, lubricants, and some patience with determination to get them off without making any cuts. There is no easy way to get them off. You have to be patient in dealing with them if you don’t want to damage them.

Here are some of the most popular ways that you can use to get those grips off without any damage.

• Using WD40
• With dish soap & water
• By rubbing isopropyl alcohol
• Using compressed air
• With clear hairspray

Let’s discuss each of these methods in detail and see which is easiest to try. So, scroll down to read further.

Removing Bike Grips Without Cutting

You don’t have to cut your mountain bike grips to remove them. Instead, you can use different methods to remove them, just like you used them to install your grips.

Using WD40

WD40 is so handy on so many things as it is among the best lubricants available on the market. And the best part is that it is available so readily you probably already have it in your house. So, you will only have to spray a moderate amount of WD40 inside the bike grip.

You will be able to spray your bike grip and work it off without much effort. However, WD40 does tend to leave out some oil residue. Therefore, you will have to clean thoroughly using isopropyl alcohol to remove the grip.

You will need to use a flathead screwdriver or even a tire edge to lift both ends of the grip. Now put in that thin nozzle under the grip and spray the lubricant.

And then, you have to sort the grip to work the lubricant entirely under the grip. Finally, start taking the grip off the handlebar patiently, and it will come off. This is by far the easiest method to work with.

With dish soap & water

If somehow WD40 is out of reach and you can’t buy it in your local market, there is an even more common method.

And the best part is that it will also not leave any residue behind. Instead, you can use your old-fashioned dish soap and water mixture to remove the grip without damaging them.

You can use the Dawn dish detergent for this purpose and patiently work off the grips. You will have to weigh something on both ends of the grips. And when you have enough room, squirt some of the solutions.

As soon as you have enough inside the grips, start twisting them and working them off. You can use as much lubricant as possible to make the space under the grips slippery enough for you to take them off.

By rubbing Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is also pretty common, almost as dish soap, but we are not talking about the beverage here. It is different and one of the best lubricants you can use to remove or install your grips. The reason for that is, isopropyl alcohol can completely dry out once you have used it.

Again, use a tire wedge or a screwdriver to lift the grips and pour the isopropyl alcohol in a moderate amount, and right away, start twisting and working the grip off.

Isopropyl alcohol can evaporate quickly. So, it will be acceptable to use enough to get those grips off. Moreover, isopropyl alcohol will also clean the grip, and it will be in much better conditions for you to use next time.

Using Compressed Air

Some riders solely rely on compressed air methods, but not many riders have used it due to the equipment available. There is no lubricant here, and you will have to inflate the grip and let it slide off.

Therefore, you need to have compressed air either in the form of an actual air compressor or a compressed air can like the one by Sin Shine.

You can also use ball pumps and tires but keep the nozzles thin. Apart from that, this method will only work on fully secure grips. If your grips have holes, this method won’t be as effective.

You can use the thin nozzle with the compressed air and shoot the air inside the grips as your grip starts to inflate. You can modulate the air and pull the grips to take them completely off.

With clear Hairspray

There is a good chance that you have hairspray in your home if you have any ladies in your home. You can use that spray to remove your grips pretty easily.

Hair spray is wet, but it is an effective lubricant that will allow you to twist your grips and take them off without damaging them.

As soon as the spray dries, it will become pretty sticky, so you will have to clean your grips. You can use a tire wedge or a small screwdriver to lift your grips, spray it in a generous amount. And start twisting the grip immediately towards the outer end of the handlebar.

How Can I Make Sure Not to Damage the Bike Grips When Removing?

Based on your circumstances, you might want to resume your grips at some later stage or for another bike. However, your bike grips are vulnerable, and they can damage even if you don’t cut them.

Poor handling while taking them off is one of the biggest reasons why you end up damaging your grips. So, here are a few ways that you can use to prevent this damage from happening.

Avoid oil

Oil can significantly damage the materials used in constructing a bike grip. As a result, they can lose their gripping quality over time. If you have used a lubricant with an excess amount of oil content, your grips might never stay fully secure to your handlebar again.

Do not scratch your grips on handlebars

You have to make sure that you don’t scratching your handlebars or grips. For example, you might scratch the handlebar or grip if you have been rough during the spray and wedge process. And if this scratching is enough, these grips might never properly seal again.

This is particularly true if you use any metal tools like that flathead screwdriver. Therefore, you need to go for a quality plastic tire wedge because they are not too sharp and won’t damage your grips when you remove them.

Don’t pull with excess force

Even with a quality lubricant, make sure not to pull too hard on your grips while removing them. It can cause them to rip or become loose. You only have to use enough lubricant to work the grip of the handlebar by twisting and spinning it.

Can I Reuse My Bike Grips?

If you have lock-on grips, you can resume them for sure. But when it comes to push-on grips, things are slightly different. Push-on grips have different elasticities, and they have a bonding process that activates during installation. Therefore, reusing them becomes pretty challenging.

It is particularly true if you are too rough when removing the bike grips. On the other hand, if you are more careful while removing your grips, you can use them again.

However, you have to check them for safety before putting them on your handlebar, especially when you are going for a mountain bike ride.

FAQs

How do I remove mountain bike grips?

There are various methods that you can use to remove mountain bike grips. Dealing with these grips is very similar to removing them. Therefore, you can use different types of lubricants to remove these grips. And the best part is that most of these lubricants are already available in your home.

How do I remove bike handlebar grips without destroying them?

You have to make sure that you properly lubricate the inner side of the grips by lifting at both ends. Ensure you don’t push too hard on them and start twisting the grips as soon as you have applied the lubricant. This is the best way to remove your bike grips without destroying them.

How do I remove a stuck bike grip?

If your bike grip is stuck, you will have to remove them with determination patiently. Make sure you generously spray the lubricant and start twisting and turning the grips as soon as you have applied the lubricant. This way, you will make any stuck part move comfortably.

Is compressed air effective against stuck bike grip?

You will have to regulate the air pressure while inflating the bike grip. As the grip is stuck, you might end up tearing it up if you introduce a bit too much air straight away. So, regulate the air pressure and lubrication to lose grip.

Check this video out on more tips to help you through the process.

Final Word

The process of how to remove bike grips is pretty simple. You have to be patient when looking to remove mountain bike grips. The process is pretty simple, and you have to lubricate the inner side of the grips to cause them to slip and lose their grip on your handlebar.

But if you are looking to resume those grips, make sure you don’t use too much oil, or they will become useless. That is everything you need to know about removing bike handlebar grips.