Sometimes the bicycle handlebar grips need to be replaced. In many cases, you understand that the time has come because they slip and become a danger to your safety. If they come off and stay in your hand while walking down a busy street, you could be run over. Keep reading this life-saving article to learn how to fix this problem.
In the event that you want to change knobs that are still efficient, know that they usually have to be cut and thrown away. In the even more extraordinary case that you want to keep your old knobs, you can remove them without breaking them thanks to a lemon furniture polish and a screwdriver. The knobs will come off in no time.
Steps
Step 1. Get everything you need:
a screwdriver and lemon furniture polish. Never use oil.
Step 2. Spray polish on the screwdriver
Insert the lubricated screwdriver between the handlebar and the knob. Push it completely inside.
Step 3. Twist and turn the knob until you feel it loosen
Rotate it with your free hand until you feel it slip.
Step 4. Pull the grip and detach it from the handlebar
Spray more polish if more lubrication is needed.
Advice
- Another method to remove stubborn rubber knobs is to use a syringe and inject water into them. Water works as a lubricant and makes work much easier. This is a very useful trick if you are concerned about damaging your carbon fiber handlebar.
- Alternatively, use a utility knife to get rid of any knobs you don't want to keep.
- If the knobs rotate or move during a demanding ride, remove them and use hairspray as a lubricant before putting them back in place. When the lacquer dries it acts as an adhesive.
- Why use lemon furniture polish? Because in addition to lubricating it also cleans the bike, dries easily and prevents dirt from sticking to the structure. Plus in the end you will have a bicycle that smells of lemon!
- If you have a compressor available, try to insert the nozzle between the knob and the handlebar. Spray the air, and the violent flow will inflate the knob and you can easily remove it.
- You can use any spray bottle of a cleaner that contains bleach.
- Hairspray also works, but you'll need to remove the knobs before it dries.
- As an alternative, take a tube and forcefully spray the water inside the knob. Wait for it to dry before reassembling it. Finally hit the outside of the knob.
- You must know the composition of the lubricating oils when you want to use them to remove the knobs; any carbon-based oil should be fine. I use glycerin, and by doing a little twist I manage to detach the knobs well. In addition, the glycerol, which is the basis of all triglycerides, should be left to dry and then remove the residues with a normal soap. Let it dry and then use a rubber-based adhesive to make the surface sticky. Afterwards you will have no problem removing the knobs because glycerin is a natural lubricant for all rubber-based composite materials.
- If you are trying to remove the grips of a motorcycle, you must be careful with the throttle grip. Drill a hole in the outer end of the knob and use a screwdriver inwards (in the opposite way to as described so far). Be careful not to damage the throttle control.
- White spirit is a great alternative and you can find it in paint shops.
- Denatured alcohol is excellent as a lubricant, to remove and install new knobs.
Warnings
- Be careful when pulling on the screwdriver.
- If you use furniture polish to clean your bike, keep it from coming into contact with the chain, rims and ball bearings.
- Make sure you wipe off any polish residue from the handlebar. Use denatured alcohol or acetone for this operation, then mount the new knobs. Otherwise they will not stay in place.
- Special glue helps you keep the knobs in place. It cleans easily and does not damage the knobs like toluene-based adhesives do.
- A screwdriver or small knife can be useful for a tubular steel handlebar, but not for carbon fiber or aluminum-coated ones. In fact, these can be scratched and lose their resistance causing you serious injuries.
