Got rid of my lock-on grips as my hands are going numb after about 1 hour riding them...hasn't been a problem until about 4 weeks ago and after some playing about with positions, I'm convinced it is the grips.
So found a set of ODI Attacks (were really comfy grips back in the early 90s so figured they would be now as well!) and removed the old grips, cleaned the bar and then sprayed bar and inside of new grip with hairspray.
Wiggled the grips on and got them in place and then left them for about 18 hours...felt ok with a quick squeeze but whilst riding they started rotating so looks like the hairspray hasn't worked.
Got some Extra firm stuff (VO5 - which apparently is posh stuff - even has a coconut scent to it - just what I need!), and after 12 hours of setting, the inside half of the grip is firm, but the outer half is still able to spin - is it likely there is still some hairspray fluid in there and it just can't evaporate?
There is no air hole at the end of the grip, pretty sure there was when I used them last (1992/3!!!), so should I puncture a small hole in the end to see if that lets any liquid to evaporate?
Or, which hairspray does the job best? local shop has 3 choices - Insette normal hold (which didn't work!), VO5 Firm hold and VO5 Extra firm hold (which is what I then bought).
Whatever it is, it needs to be able to be purchased from a small village shop as that is what I've got next to me!
Cheers.
Rather than go throng all the hairsprays available it may be better to use some grip glue made for the job.
I do however use L'Oreal Elnett. Before trying again you should clean the bars with white spirit and wash the grips in washing up to remove all old residue. Make sure grips are bone dry before trying again and use minimal amount possible to allow to slide on.
If you have a green house put the bars and grips in their to dry off quicker.
Yes, I have done this a few times...
I use hand sanitizer with high alcohol in to put grips on. It soon dries off.
"Is she or isn't she?" used to be the strapline for a hairspray advert, possibly in the 1970s, but I don't remember which brand.
I always used to use the zip tie method. Load of zip ties in the grip. Slide it on the bar. Pull the zip ties out one by one.
Just make sure it's all super clean and dry.
My solution to this is using single sided lock ons. The clamps are on the inside by the lever clamps .
Current favourites are the bargain Brand X waffle grips from Wiggle. £8 a pair.
Are'nt most hair sprays non sticky these days?
Lock-ons are too thin, this is what was causing the numb hands...from what I can work out.
Or, which hairspray does the job best?
The cheapest, nastiest, own-brand stuff available. You don't need it to 'condition and hold', you need it to 'stick like f___'
Maybe he's born with it....Maybe it's Maybellene.
Grip glue.
I was always told you want the cheapest, nastiest stuff you can find. Head to you local £1 shop, that's the quality you're looking for.
And you can always wire them on if you're really worried.
Squirt methylated spirits into the grip, slide it on, adjust the twist, it soon evaporates. To remove the grip, just squirt some more in.
All my grips are slipped on with GT85. Never had a twisty grip. ODI Longnecks and Renthal Ultra Tacky's here.
Renthal Grip Glues the stuff for gluing grips to bars (or maybe Shoe Goo too).
Nasty cheap hairspray is what you want.
All my grips are slipped on with GT85. Never had a twisty grip.
That is... surprising.
I had this last time I installed grips, I was a bit too enthusiastic with the hair spray and it took well over a week to dry (commuting), but did eventually! Used lock wire too.
Ok, thanks for the feedback...grips have less movement so it may just be taking longer to dry and set than I remember (suspect I may have used too much spray as well).
I'll give them a week and if that doesn't solve it, I'll sort some grip glue and use that.
Just fitted some odi longnecks myself yesterday for the same reason as you. The instructions say rubbing achohol. I have used brake cleaner as I think it's similar and all I had. Yet to ride it so can't comment on if it works.
I have just used brake cleaner on my Renthal tackys. Good so far but it’s only been one ride. They are a good bit thinner than my old deathgrips. Would like something thicker in a way
+1 for the ziptie method. Clean bars and grips with alcohol first then do as ChrisDW says, so easy. For extra security a bit of silicone adhesive or similar glue to seal the ends, I think the hairspray trick has been made obsolete by changes to product.
I always used to use hot water. Soak the grips for a bit so that they go soft, push onto the bar and leave to dry.
Elnet is a classic, and I've had good results. Not worth buying just for a couple of pairs a year though, I just borrow my mum's.
I use meths if hairspary isn't available, or have used glue if they start to slip.
3M Photo Mount
If you have an airline, a good method to help get them on is to blow air under the grip and slide that mofo on while it's partially inflated.
Mr muscle window cleaning spray always worked for me.
GT85
This. Got taught that particular trick by my (then) LBS.
Also works in reverse (i.e. to unstick them). ‘Open up’ with a screwdriver, squirt in using straw an wiggle...
My mum used Elnet. When I stole some from her it seemed to work well.
It's what Donald Trump uses on his "hair" - that should tell you all you need to know about its strength.
GT85This. Got taught that particular trick by my (then) LBS.
But it has teflon in (!?). Its job is literally to make things less sticky...
I’ve got a small, now very dented gold Lorreal can at the bottom of my tool box. Because I’m worth it.
I might have to return to olde grips after some cheap lock-ons from eBay and On-One don’t lock on.
Elnet user here as well. Still using the can the Mrs used at our wedding, err, over a decade ago! 😀
GT85 makes them super slippery but it doesn't last long. By the time you've wiggled them into position they'll be stiffening nicely. In my experience (all 3 bikes in the garage) they stay rock solid no matter how soggy they get.
I've always just used whatever solvent in a can is knocking about. One time, I used a can of cold start and it turned out to be the absolute best stuff ever for sticking grips while still making them removable (with wd40 and a straw/spoke). Stinks out the garage for a bit though!
Degreaser works for putting them on and getting them off .
Zip tie method, like chrisdw said, grips don't budge after you pull the ties out, I used to use hairspray then switched to alcohol wipes then settled on three zip ties in the grip, takes a little bit more effort but theres no waiting on evaporation, for me it's the best method for closed end grips like DMR sect.
GT85 is for removing grips.
Just fitted some with IPA, was a tight bastard to get on. Rock solid mind you.
Rubber solution from the puncture repair kit. They never move ever!
Best ive found is either GT85 or IPA. Everyone has IPA at the moment dont they? GT85 just shouldn't work should it? Though it does!
Of you don't own any GT85 then your not even a cyclist and need to rethink your life choices.😁
Not got any IPA...but having tried the grips this morning - left one is absolutely solid now, right one has a tiny bit of movement left...so I reckon it'll be sorted by the time I go for a pedal this evening.
So, the overnight timing appears to actually be 2 days...I've probably used far more hairspray than was needed!
extra firm hold, obvs...
Paint +1 ! clear lacquer is ideal.
I think I used petrol the last time to slide them on, evaporates of and stuck solid, im interested in the thread though as fitting grips to a newbie friends bike this weekend and want it to work!
The extra hold hairspray did the trick, just 48 hours rather than the overnight of yesteryear...so I suspect I used far more than was actually needed.