Replace handlebar grips

Torn, slippery or rock hard grips make an e-bike harder to control. New grips are cheap and quick to fit. The only e-bike twist is the throttle, display remote and brake levers that share the bar. This guide follows Park Tool's grip guide and Rad Power Bikes' grip install steps.

What you need

• New grips. Rad says the shorter grip goes on the throttle side (Rad). Measure the free bar beside your throttle or shifter before you buy.
• Isopropyl alcohol and paper towels (Rad)
• A small flat screwdriver for end caps (Rad)
• Hex keys for lock-on grips. Park Tool says lock-on clamp bolts are usually 2.5, 3 or 4 mm (Park Tool).

Lock-on or slip-on

• Lock-on grips clamp to the bar with small bolts, so they come off and go on without any tricks. Park Tool says to tighten the bolts to the grip maker's torque (Park Tool).
• Slip-on grips are held by friction. They take a bit more work to remove and fit.

Steps

1. Turn the bike off and remove the battery. Rad also has you hold the power or MODE button to drain leftover power (Rad).
2. Take a photo of where the brake levers, throttle and display remote sit, so you can put everything back the same way.
3. Remove the bar end plugs or end caps. Park Tool says traditional plugs pry out and expansion plugs need to be loosened first (Park Tool).
4. Lock-on: loosen the clamp bolts and slide the grip off.
5. Slip-on: Rad's method is to twist and pull, adding a little isopropyl alcohol between the grip and bar if it's stuck (Rad). Park Tool also uses compressed air to lift the grip off the bar (Park Tool). Park Tool lists cutting as a last resort and says never to cut grips on a carbon bar, since scoring weakens it (Park Tool).
6. Clean the bar with isopropyl alcohol (Park Tool).
7. Don't move the throttle unless you must. Slide the new grip on beside it. If the throttle has to move to make room, loosen only its clamp bolt, slide it, and retighten it securely, as Rad's manual describes for the throttle clamp (Rad RadWagon 5 manual). Keep its cable routing exactly as before.
8. Slip-on: dab alcohol on the bar and twist the grip into place. Rad says it should resist turning once the alcohol dries (Rad). Park Tool says to let it fully evaporate before riding, which can take a few hours (Park Tool).
9. Lock-on: slide the grip on, set its angle and tighten the bolts to the grip maker's torque (Park Tool).
10. Refit the end plugs. Park Tool calls bar end plugs a safety item (Park Tool).
11. Put the battery back, then check the throttle. It should snap back to off by itself when you let go. See check brake cutoff and throttle.

Common mistakes

• A grip that rubs the throttle and stops it springing back. Leave a small gap.
• Riding before the alcohol dries, so the grip twists in your hand.
• Leaving out the end plugs.
• Moving the brake levers out of reach. Check you can reach both levers easily before riding.

When to get a pro

• The throttle sticks, doesn't return or the motor runs on its own. Stop riding and see throttle not working.
• A wire got pinched or nicked.
• A twist throttle or twist shifter that has to come off the bar.
• More: when to call a pro.

Sources

• Handlebar Grip Installation (Flat Bars), Park Tool
• Replacement grips and pedals installation guide, Rad Power Bikes
• RadWagon 5 owner's manual, Rad Power Bikes

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.