Random question: putting on ESI grips.

[ctznsmith]

Packet says Isopropyl alcohol. Can I use ethanol instead?

(...because obviously I have loads of that. )

[Bearbonesnorm]

Just spit down them and rub it round with your finger ... a long finger ideally.

[firestarter]

I used hairspray

[sean_iow]

Not much help I know but... I use brake cleaner, the sort you buy in 5 liter cans for use when working on cars. I'm sure you can also buy it in aerosol cans from motorfactors.

Top tip, use loads, I spray it in the grip with a finger over the end, spray a load on the bar then slide it on, you get about 30 seconds before it's evaporated enough to make it hard to adjust. Takes a few minutes before the grip is on such that it won't come off.

On a related note, does anyone know a tip for getting them off? In a condition that they can be reused. I've now got 4 sets of bars with them on but only 1 is on a bike, the other 3 were trying different shapes of bar and are now in the spares box

[DickieH]

On: I spray soapy water in the grip.

Off: slide a screwdriver under a grip carefully, lever handle end up a cm or so and spray soapy water in the hole created under the screwdriver, move it round the circumference of the bar bit by bit continuing to spray.

Tricky to explain but works well.

[sean_iow]

That makes sense as soapy water doesn't evaporate like brake cleaner. When I've tried to get them off by lifting a bit up and spraying in brake cleaner it's evaporating faster than I can work it in to slide the grip off. Cheers

[ton]

spit works fine. i hate faff.

[sean_iow]

I've got a pump up sprayer with brake cleaner in my workshop which I use when working on cars so easy for me but whatever is to hand, or mouth, and works. I can get a pair of grips on in under a minute now but I've done 4 pairs recently

[pistonbroke]

Here's a tip. If you've got access to a compressor, blow air down the handlebar from the other end and hold your hand over the end of the grip with it about an inch on the bar. The air expands the grip and allows it to slide onto the bar. To remove, same procedure but obviously pull rather than push the grip.

[sean_iow]

I'll have to try that one as well as I've got a compressor.

[restlessshawn]

No need for anything special, good wipe of hand santiser in them and on your bar then get em on fast!

[wriggles]

I just put 3 cable ties down the inside and then slide them onto the bars over the cable ties and pull the cable ties out. Pretty much a pfaff free approach.

[Teetosugars]

Window cleaner works a treat too..

[Taylor]

I just put 3 cable ties down the inside and then slide them onto the bars over the cable ties and pull the cable ties out. Pretty much a pfaff free approach.

Liking that idea.