Grips Slipping? This One Adjustment Fixes It
Learn how to install bicycle handlebar grips correctly for better control — a simple guide that fixes slipping grips for good.
Equipment You May Need
The Fix
Grips that twist under your hands aren't just annoying — on a bike, loose control at the handlebar is a real safety issue, and it's almost always an installation problem, not a defective grip.
Why Grips Slip
Old grips harden and shrink over years of sun exposure, and even new grips can slip if they weren't seated fully onto the bar or don't have enough friction against a smooth aluminum handlebar. Sliding a new grip onto a bare bar and hoping it holds is the most common mistake.
The Fix That Actually Holds
A small amount of grip glue, hairspray, or isopropyl alcohol on the inside of the grip and the bar makes the grip easy to slide into position — then, as it dries or evaporates, the grip locks down tight. Alcohol is the easiest to work with: it lubricates for installation, then evaporates completely, leaving a solid, non-slip fit with no residue.
Getting the Position Right
Push the grip fully to the end of the bar before it sets — a gap between the grip and the end of the bar is both a comfort and a safety issue if your hand can slide off the end.