wet down bar and inside of grip with alcohol
slides on super easy if wet enough

 

This is the only method I have used ever since I started using ESI's. Probably put them on various bikes a total of 5-6x. Never used a compressor. All bikes with carbon bars

 

I've always used the alchohol methoid, but be sure to super soak bars and grips. If you don't it will me a royal PITA

Mojo

 

I always use hairspray.

LarryLund's advice is important about wetting the grip AND the bar it's a royal pain if you just do one, and just put a whole bunch on do not be stingy.

 

iso propyl alc as well, or in a pinch some saliva works a treat....really!

 

I use ESI grips on all my bikes, have replaced them often. I replaced one set last week and used nothing, just worked them on. Took only minor effort. Other times I have put a little dish soap on the bars, worked on the grips, and them soaked with water. They dry quickly, and are tight. I guess alcohol or hair spray would work, might do some damage to the foam. I wouldn't use anything oil based. My bikes have carbon bars.

 

Clear coat Krylon.

 

Do you guys even read the package they come in??

Windex. spray it on handlebar then inside the grip. wiggle them on

 

Do not use anything other than rubbing alcohol to install the ESI grips. No need to make things complicated.

 

Are these 29er specific grips?

I don't know about ESI grips specifically, but I've owned some low rent ergo style fat kinda grips.

Dab a tad of 91% or better alcohol swabbed inside with your finger, rub your finger ont he bar to make sure it's clean and grease/oil free. Cover the opposite bar end with your hand, cover the outside of the grip with the palm of your other hand. In one quick swift motion, Shove the grip on while keeping the air inside. The air pressure from pushing the grip on will make a bubble between the bar and grip to let it slide on. A bar end plug can also work to make that bubble.

If you use too much alcohol, it won't evaporate and the grip will spin, so it doesn't take much. You just need enough to make it a bit damp.

To remove grips, I slide a ball end allen wrench... like a 3 or 4mm and drip a bit of alcohol in there... move the allen wrench around and pull it out. Twist the grip a bit and it comes right off.

I have never been able to get hair spray to work for grips. So many people swear by it, I think I must not be doing it right. Meh, no matter since I moved to clamp-on Ergon grips.

 

Yup, installed a new set this morning myself. Windex for me as well.

 

Windex...no problem.

 

windex

 

What is the technique with the Air Compressor?

I have been using Windex (not super easy), but I have a compressor.

 

Take a blow nozzle put a bike needle on it. Put it in the hole at the end of the grips (might have to make one), Then put the grips on the end of the bars a little. As you push on the grips put some air into them and they should slide on easy. Just don't use to much psi or the grips might split. 5-10 psi should work. They should come off the same way.

Practice with an old pair.

 

I'm a fan of 3M77 adhesive over anything.

Being that prolonged exposure to rain can eventually loosen any foamie grip, I like to have them glued on.

I've had spin issues with every set of foamies I've ever used (Titecs, Ritchey, Bontrager, ESI). This only happened when I was caught out in SEVERE rain (or super prolonged exposure at work), but since you're an endurance fiend Johnny K, it could happen to you as well.

Hairspray/dish soap can "re-activate" when soaking wet.

Never had an issue getting them off with alcohol, a compressor, and patience.

YRMV

 

3M77, I think I have some of that around and have used it before. I went ahead and used the alcohol. The only time I have had an ESI slip was at DSG in 2009 and well, the grip was very low on my list of issues that day. If someone made a lockon ESI with the collar inboard I would be thrilled.

 

I use Wet Ones. I have them around to clean my hands after working on dirty bike parts (they clean amazingly well). I just wipe down the bar bars, stick them through the grips, and slid them onto the bars. Then let them dry. Works really well for me, but I'm no Dicky.

 

water proof spray-on sunscreen works super...

 

3m Super77 turns to goo when it gets warm, tho. I know that stuff well. My wife is a graphic designer, back from the days way before computers were widely used. She lived on that stuff.

Oh, are these foam grips you're installing? Best bet... carpenter's wood glue, the yellow stuff. Seriously. Works great. It gets into the pores of the matte carbon fiber and has something to stick to. I did it once and my grips were stuck perfectly on the bars of my weight weenie race bike for 3 years. I just carefully, gently cut them off with a utility knife when I wanted to remove them.

 

3m Super77 turns to goo when it gets warm, tho. I know that stuff well.

Warm?

Where are you riding? Mars?



I'm in the South and never had any issues with gooieness. 100°+ stupid summers with humidity out the ass.

I'm able to get them off in a manner that they're still reusable as well.

 

Alcohol based hand sanitizer. Doesn't slip when grips get wet. I never had any luck with plain alcohol. I have used hairspray back in the day but it will work loose when it gets wet.

 

Windex, alcohol, hair spray or even soapy water. The key is getting them drenched so they slide on.

And good choice on the grips... I love my ESI's.

 

I put my first set on this morning.My LBS didn't have the color I wanted so I bought black to see if I'll like them. I've been wanting to try them for a while now. I think I'm going to love them. My question is, when I switch them out for the color I want, do you have to cut them off? (I used alchol and they went on without a fight.)

 

I have used a syringe to inject alcohol to remove these in the past, but recently installed them on a set of carbon bars. I need to remove them to make some adjustments and don't want to scratch the bars when inserting the needle. I've got a compressor, but can't seem to make it work for me.

Anyone feel like taking a video of you removing and installing them with a compressor? What tip do you use?