How to fit grips onto handlebars
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[edit] WD40 Method
This is a popular way to easily fit grips onto handlebars which helps them stick in place after the WD40 has evaporated. WD40 or GT85 water displacement sprays are a common constituent in the bicycle tool box. An initial de-greasing of the bar and the inside of the grip would be a good idea. The initial spray of WD40 into the grip and rolling it to spread the fluid around evenly, lubricates the grips making it easy to slide them into place. It is advised that the grips be left untouched overnight for all the WD40 to evaporate. It could be a light attack on the inside surface of grip by the WD40 with makes it adhere to the bar.
Although this is a popular method of fitting grips, don't forget that WD40 consists 15% of mineral oil. This will not evaporate an may possibly leave your grips slightly slippery. However it is a tried an tested method for fittiing grips, so maybe try a different method first, an come back to this one if your having trouble.
[edit] Hairspray/Spray Paint Method
Another popular way to securely fit grips onto your bars is to use hair spray (or spray paint) and perseverance. Spraying hair spray onto the inside of your grips should lubricate them enough so they slide onto your bars easy. If they don't slide on easy then you'll need the strength and perseverance approach. Hair spray is ideal to use as after a short while it drys; setting the grips onto your bars ensuring they don't slide about when your riding. Be sure not to ride straight after fitting your grips as the hair spray may not have had time to set and your grips will end up loose and slide whilst your riding. Remember if you use spray paint your going to end up with multi coloured bars an the warranty will be void!
[edit] Bike Pump Method
You will need: 2 people, a set of bar plugs/ends, a pump.
Get a bar end with a large expaning rubber wedge, like this one:
Do it up tight into one end of the bar, it needs ro be air tight so if you find another way of sealing the bar, post it here.
Fit the grip onto the opposite side of the bar as far as you can.
Fit the pump into the grip, you can put a jubilee clip round the grip to seal it on but you can just hold onto it.
Get you friend/Mum/Dad to start pumping SLOWLY, if they pump to fast, the grip can burst. You want the air pressure to expand the grip just enough so that it slips over the end of the bar. Tell them what to do all the time.
Pull the grip onto the bar while holding the pump in with one hand, its best to rest the bike against your leg.
It should go on relatively easily, but when the pump hits the bar, your will have a bit hanging off the end. You cand usually get this bit to slide on by squashing the end/hitting the end. This makes the grip expand and slide on.
I always use this method, because once it is on, there is nothing left underneath. If water gets underneath and you have used hair spray to put them on, they instantly fall off again.
[edit] Hairdryer Method
This one require a lot of perseverance and patience.
1) Heat the grip so it expands (usually quite slowly). 2) Try and cool the handlebar so it contracts. 3) Slide the grip on as fast as possible using as much force as possible.
N.B. Your results may vary
