Sticky rubber hoods.

[Brandane]

Apart from the obvious replacement, does anyone know of a way to get rid of the slightly sticky feel of my Shimano Tiagra rubber hoods?
They are about 5 years old and have served me well for about 12k miles on a Specialized Tricross. I have tried the obvious cleaning them but the stickiness persists. It's not too bad, yet, but slightly annoying.

 

[cyberknight]

New hoods ?
About £8 .

 

[midlife]

Talcum powder?

Shaun

 

[Brandane]

New hoods ?
About £8 .

I will do that if I have to, but was hoping there might be an easier solution as replacement hoods will probably also mean having to replace bar tape, gear cables and brake cables.

 

[fossyant]

Try wiping with washing up liquid on a wet cloth. It's great for bar tape.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

They come off the front, no need to remove them. New hoods is the only solution. I've tried all sorts of remedies. Bite the bullet and replace them.

 

[Brandane]

They come off the front, no need to remove them. New hoods is the only solution. I've tried all sorts of remedies. Bite the bullet and replace them.

That's still going to involve disconnecting the gear cables. Better than removing the levers completely, but does it not involve a lot of stretching of the new ones to get them onto the shifters?

 

[Kestevan]

Alcohol.

(the cause of and solution to all of lifes problems).

 

[User6179]

Vinegar might work.

 

[cyberknight]

Stop spilling gels on them, says the voice of experience

 

[Globalti]

The rubber is deteriorating. Replace them before they burst into flame.

 

[Brandane]

Stop spilling gels on them, says the voice of experience

None of that poseur nourishment here; it's Snickers or Galaxy only!

 

[Yellow Saddle]

That's still going to involve disconnecting the gear cables. Better than removing the levers completely, but does it not involve a lot of stretching of the new ones to get them onto the shifters?

Of course, I forgot that the older ones had the cables coming out the side.
Getting the new ones on is quite a stretch exercise but they survive. Just be careful when you stretch sharp corners, they are more liable to split there than elsewhere.
You will like the new ones. They're nice and firm and don't feel like they move around on the levers either.

 

[Globalti]

Do the job in a warm place to help the rubber stretch.

 

[Pale Rider]

A solvent with a polish added is worth a try - Mr Sheen.

Worked for me on a soft brush handle grip which I reckon is made of similar stuff to hoods.