... a source of 23.8mm flat bar grips?

[speedsixdave]

Morning all,

I'm currently re-retrofying my wife's 1981 (?) Dawes Galaxy ahead of this summer's Eroicae, and refitting lots of the original parts. One small issue is going back to the original 23.8mm flat bars (thus allowing the original Weinmann levers and Suntour thumbies). I am struggling to find a source for 23.8mm grips however. There are lots of nice grips about for 22.2mm bars! I think when we bought the bike the bars were wrapped in tape, but I'd rather have some nice grips if possible.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[cycleruk]

PlanetX have a selection - but they don't give a diameter. Whether that matters I don't know. Are grips all a standard size ? I have grips on my MTB and they stretched to fit.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/s?q=bar+grips

[speedsixdave]

Thanks Cycleruk. I suspect all of those are 22.2mm which is the standard flat bar size nowadays. 23.8 is standard drop bar diameter but some (most?) flat bars were that size in the old days. The difference doesn't sound much but appears sufficient to defeat any 22.2mm grips I have.

[robgul]

Slightly surprised that a Galaxy had flat bars - but that's another point.

For the grips - if you find some that are "soft" or cushion-like material (as against the rock-hard ones) you're in with a good chance of getting them on the bars if you a) liberally spray the bars with hairspray (yes really) and then QUICKLY b) fit the grip just on the bar and hit the end with a rubber hammer (or hammer with a bit of wood to protect the grip) to slide it all the way on - the hairspray acts as both a lube and then with the grip on keeps it in position with the "glue" effect.

Rob

[PH]

You could try the foam grips designed for drop bars, I'd assume they'd be the right diameter, you could always ask first.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/handlebar-t ... ars-black/

[Threevok]

Some quite unusual ones here (see the other items) - not sure if you would be interested

https://www.velovitality.co.uk/products ... ebar-grips

[speedsixdave]

Thanks all. Grab-Ons is a good idea although the diameter might be too great for small hands. Some good stuff at Velo Vitality - I'll email them and see what they recommend. The Rustines ones look a bit ugly to my eyes but might be the answer.

Slightly surprised that a Galaxy had flat bars - but that's another point.

You're quite right, Rob, this catalogue shows the lady galaxy with drops. We bought it off ebay a few years ago (an excellent mislabelled £50 bargain!) with the flat bars etc. Nicely done and contemporary parts which makes me thing it was a bike shop conversion if not a Dawes variation.

FWIW the frame, with the partial twin lats in stead of a normal tube or full twin lats, is incredibly flexible, even unloaded. I think they only had this frame style for a year or so before dropping it in favour of a full mixte frame.

[robgul]

Thanks all. Grab-Ons is a good idea although the diameter might be too great for small hands. Some good stuff at Velo Vitality - I'll email them and see what they recommend. The Rustines ones look a bit ugly to my eyes but might be the answer.

Slightly surprised that a Galaxy had flat bars - but that's another point.

You're quite right, Rob, this catalogue shows the lady galaxy with drops. We bought it off ebay a few years ago (an excellent mislabelled £50 bargain!) with the flat bars etc. Nicely done and contemporary parts which makes me thing it was a bike shop conversion if not a Dawes variation.

FWIW the frame, with the partial twin lats in stead of a normal tube or full twin lats, is incredibly flexible, even unloaded. I think they only had this frame style for a year or so before dropping it in favour of a full mixte frame.

Ah - interesting . . . we've got for sale a very good condition ladies Galaxy that's probably late 1970s at the charity bike shop where I volunteer - I'll have to look and see, I think it's a "full length" mixte.

Rob